Has anyone ever used a stiff card cigar box for a 3 string guitar. If so was there any sound deadening from the box. I plan to use a through neck so I don't think I got an issue with strength and I'm to use a piezo pickup. Thanks Daz
You need to be a member of Cigar Box Nation to add comments!
The box I am planning to use is a King Edward swisher, Its weird I never considered that facts like card boxes may be a bit soft for the bridge mounting or can be dimensionally unstable. I going to do some bracing to help it maintain shape. I not sure how I am going to mount the piezo, I have thought about sandwiching it between some 6mm ply and perhaps placing it on the base of the so I help cut own any potential feedback to the amp.
Thanks for the info guys. Daz
Yes I think the real key to this is the pressure of the bridge on the box which is controled by the angle of the strings down to the tailpiece which is what Keni said, so what you use in the tailpiece is what is going to leave you room to adjust it.
I have a through neck and the strings go through the wood. I have a piece of welding rod under the strings I can lift the strings up with a bigger rod and change the angle and reduce the pressure on the bridge......
Hope this helps. Cheers Ron.
I have made several cardboard box guitars and these are like a stiff pressed cardboard. One i lined the inside with thin wood from a hollow core door. The other i used second layer of cardboard. Yet another i simply left and put the neck through and put strings on it. I am never expecting perfect sound out of any build, but i have been happy with the sound from my cardboard builds.
I still think boxes like the Macanudo or any other type non-pressboard (hard, compact cardboard or wood composite) boxes sound the best. Pressboards sound a little damp but not damp enough to bark at.
Remember, a piezo is in effect a microphone, so it picks up most everything acoustically.
I would suggest nylon strings. They are lower in tension than steel. This lighter construction might work well. Remember is all comes down to building a CBG where the strings have the correct tension (downward pressure to the bridge) and vibrate the top to create a full and rich tone. Enjoy your build, Keni Lee
My first and only CBG was %90 built when I drilled the sound holes only to realize that the top was pressed cardboard, well very hard but still cardboard. It is a acustic and it sonuds nice, cant tell if it would have been better since it is my only one. Cheers Ron.
Punch boxes (blue/red) are generally pressed board (hard cardboard) and do make good CBGs, There is a style of Punch - Gran Puro that is all wood. Prolly more.
Personally, regardless of sound, I would think that using a thinner cardboard style (you mention swishers) is that the structure is not as dimensionally stable. That is more apt to bend and distort. It would be great for a diddly or kids toy but something we all aspire to -- a true musical instrument, I would find it lacking.
Of course I have not tried it and would this is merely an opinion. Make one and see.
First, define cardboard....are we talking a Swisher Sweets box, or a hard pressed board like some tops are made of? I've had good luck with a couple of Punch boxes that were mostly cardboard with a wooden bottom:
The sound was a pleasant surprise...they really sound good, acoustic and widda piezo. The neck-thru design keeps most of the stress off of the box, only the string tension against the top should be a concern. Good luck.
Here is a cardboard guitar kit that actually sounds pretty good. My guess is that its been done with the cardboard cigar boxes, and if it sounds anything liked that kit then its worth it IMO.
Replies
Thanks for the info guys. Daz
I have a through neck and the strings go through the wood. I have a piece of welding rod under the strings I can lift the strings up with a bigger rod and change the angle and reduce the pressure on the bridge......
Hope this helps. Cheers Ron.
Remember, a piezo is in effect a microphone, so it picks up most everything acoustically.
-WY
Personally, regardless of sound, I would think that using a thinner cardboard style (you mention swishers) is that the structure is not as dimensionally stable. That is more apt to bend and distort. It would be great for a diddly or kids toy but something we all aspire to -- a true musical instrument, I would find it lacking.
Of course I have not tried it and would this is merely an opinion. Make one and see.
-WY
The sound was a pleasant surprise...they really sound good, acoustic and widda piezo. The neck-thru design keeps most of the stress off of the box, only the string tension against the top should be a concern. Good luck.
The link didnt post for some reason...try this:http://www.cigarboxnation.com/photo/2592684:Photo:133637?context=user