OK here's a question about building CBG's. Do you have a theme in mind for the finished product or just build whatever comes to mind with the parts you have available. I like to come up with themes of possible builds and collect parts to that end. I build for my own pleasure and not to sell so I can do what I want. Here are some themes I have come up with. Current build will look like it has been sitting out in the desert for many years. Not a relic as much as something found in a abandoned homestead. I'm collecting stuff for dirt bike inspired builds as I enjoy Supercross racing. Lets hear about your Ideas.
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from reading the other posts it looks like i agree with all of you , rarely does a guit end up as i first envisage, with exception of paper covered cigar box builds -they always look like i expected..
Usually depends on the box for me. I'm the same as you, I don't sell them so I do what I want. If someone asks me to make one then they choose the theme and I tell them what's possible (virtually anything!). Current one I'm making look distressed, mainly because the box wasn't in a great state to begin with.
I just sort of let the box tell me what it wants to be as I go along on the build, though on my fifth build I started out wanting to do the sound holes as oak leaves and it carried over.
Oh and I sure do like unfinished twigs, which most guys know I use for inlays, dots, end pins, replacemt tuner knobs, pickup bobbins etc etc
themes are a hoot .. its best to start out with a theme , then it gives you focus and direction on the hunt .
i love a good theme .. you can see some of my theme swamp witches on my website near the bottom .
http://swampwitchguitars.weebly.com
I usually have a theme in mind, then start building. When I get done, I am lucky if the theme is still intact.
I did manage to keep the theme alive with my Zeke Deadwood build...
If it`s for me I just start the build with no exact plan,other than how many strings,what pickups.If it`s for a friend then I like to make it personal to them, nickname,job,hobby,sports club they follow.
eg. A scottish friend living in Belgium got a 3 stringed biscuit tin.The tin was a kilt! He loves it and has gigged with it.
Sometimes I might be inspired by a certain box to go with a theme that sort of matches the box. I found a pretty red Romeo and Juliet box so did a sort of renaissance theme for the headstock. My last build was based on using found objects for most of the parts so that sort of established a theme of rusty old stuff. I may find an item that I want to use as a sound hole cover and then try to make the rest of the build fit with the style of that. Now I am doing a reso and making the cover plate out of a chrome napkin holder so that will establish the "look", I'll then try and style the rest of the components to work in harmony with that. Other times I just start messing around and see what happens!