I've made now a little over 30 cbg, and all of them I always glue the cigar box top to the neck on the inside but more and more I see people not gluing the box tops to the necks. What is everyone's thought why or why not to do this. I would think it would give the box more of the vibration through it for a better sound, but that's just my thought.
If you don't glue your box top to the neck then the question is, how do you keep it closed?
Thanks everyone.
Replies
I use a lot of screws, I'm forever on the "final step" and discover I need to back up 2 or 3 steps, to fix/repair/redesign/catch-a-missed-thing.
I try to get my builds to open from the back. Since I have bypassed the actual cigar boxes for the more acquirable plain wood boxes (there are many many out there to choose from) it is much easier to place the back of my builds with the 'shortest' walls. If that makes any sense.
So it is much easier for me to have a perminant 'fix' between the soundboard and the neck. I will say that I prefer an 'overhang' of the fretboard into and cut out of the soundboard.
I've rebuilt a build to fix the box closed but before doing so I've glued and fixed the box (soundboard) by glueing the neck to the soundboard.
I considered not doing this because I thought it might interfere acoustically but I heard little difference. There was more acoustic change in the box by glueing it closed.
So I will continue to glue my necks to the soundboard. I figure that if there is very little change to the sound then I might as well trade it for a more solid construction.
Just my humble mumble's
Not gluing mainly leaves more options for future alteration, repair, reuse etc. Certainly looking at "regular" instruments they all are glued tight. As far as keeping the lid closed, if the neck is attached to the box, the bridge should hold the lid tight. I have tried screwed down lids, using the box latch and using just the bridge, but as each was one of a kind they offer no evidence of better or worse sound quality.
Thanks guys, again that's what I've always done is glued mine just noticed more pictures coming up with them not glued.
I'll stay with them glued.
What AP said... as far as closing the boxes, most of mine are glued closed with weaker glue... I use Tacky glue, and put really small dots every couple of inches, then clamp the boxes closed. I can cut the glue easily with a razor blade, but it stays closed otherwise...
contrary to popular belief that you will get better resonation with a space , i believe gluing right to the top resos the whole guitar as one much better . most that have tried the same exact box trying both ways , say the one glued to the lid actually sounded better . many also say they can't see / hear the difference .
i have rarely heard someone that has tried both ways with the same box say the space sounds better .
i have also seen more folks that swore by the space for years .. change and start gluing after seeing / hearing their own 2 examples .
as for the "keeping the box closed" .. a more non permanent solution is better for changes and repairs etc that may be needed . ie:small screw , latch , friction ... etc etc .. depending on design ..., even when gluing to the neck keep some sort of access .. even a back plate etc .. or allow the neck to open "with" the lid . etc etc etc . .. ;-)
then again . just my opinion. ;-)
this debate comes up often on here .. and many swear by both ways . so count this as a vote for glue ;-)
i may have misinterpreted the question when i first read it . hence my answer is more based on the "leaving or cutting out a recessed area between the neck and lid or not "
. but the answer still be relevant .
hope that clarifies things ;-)