I recently Built this small Guitar using a tiny Macanudo box. I wondered what it would sound like. I was hoping it was going to rock even though it was tiny! Turns out the sound is pretty hollow It,s not very good. Wondering if anybody has any advice on making guitars from a tiny box like this and ending up with a good sound. I’m pretty sure I’m going to end up taking it apart and replacing it with a bigger box to give it a better sound. Let me know if you have any experience building cigarbox guitars from such a tiny box. Thanks
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So are you looking for a warmer sound or a louder sound? Like Taffy said, changing out the nut and bridge for hard wood or bone can make a difference, and Korrigan is absolutely right about Electric strings, pickups and an Amp.
If you want a brighter, louder acoustic sound I recommend installing a Resonator of some kind-even a small one will let you punch above your weight class acoustically, and sealing the inside with varnish or shellac with improve the volume a little more while sacrificing a little warmth for a little bright and a tiny bit more sustain.
If warmth of tone is needed, try a properly-braced Sitka Spruce, Cedar or even Basswood replacement lid. Also, F-holes increase volume a little over the round ones (note Bluegrass Mandolin vs Celtic tone difference).
Or...just build a bigger one and play around with the Macanudo later.
BTW-does that Mac have a wooden bottom? If so, try flipping the next one that size over and using the bottom. There will be a noticeable difference.
Anonymous, I looked up your stuff on the swamp witch. That’s some crazy cool stuff :-) I liked your comment where you said to paraphrase there a gateway to creativity :-) I wholeheartedly agree!
;-)
Thanks for all the great suggestions! Just to show my level of naïveté, I didn’t really know changing the bridge or strings would affect that much. I’m still definitely on the front end of the learning curve:) Thanks for all the input. I’m glad I posted and asked!
We have some brilliant builders here and some, like myself, less brilliant, that are more than happy to help when we can. We are all still learning.
Hi Jon.
When you say sound is not so good, are saying not so good when played acoustically? If so, its not surprising since the box is not wood but cardboard. I've used that box before and know that acoustically it is pretty weak. On the other hand, when played through an amp it usually sounds find. Don't recognize the pickup you are using, but I suggest that you switch to some nickel electric strings and consider adding a tone circuit (easy mod). With those changes you should be able to get good tone from the instrument.
I’m with Korrigan, switch over to some electrics & crank ‘er up! But, you could install some bracing under the lid for better acoustic vibration, but changing the bridge like taff says will spread more vibration across the lid & give you better response than the bolt combo, I would give it a try before anything? Good luck :)
Well, it looks like you have acoustic strings on it instead of electric strings so yes, the wound strings are going to sound weak. Slap some electric strings on there, crank your amp and the size of the box won't matter. : )
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