Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Nathan King on January 26, 2010 at 11:54am

Use whatever one you like the most. Generally, the bigger the box the bigger (bassier, deeper & louder) the sound is gonna be... but really, just about any size or shape box will make noise. So if one of 'em is calling out to ya, screaming "make me into an instrument!" I'd say listen to it.

In my experience, 3 strings are somewhat simpler to play... cuz they have one less string (obviously). You can get more complex chords out of a 4 stringer, and there are more tuning options with 4 than there are with 3.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates on January 26, 2010 at 2:56pm

Nat +5

Nathan King said:

Use whatever one you like the most. Generally, the bigger the box the bigger (bassier, deeper & louder) the sound is gonna be... but really, just about any size or shape box will make noise. So if one of 'em is calling out to ya, screaming "make me into an instrument!" I'd say listen to it.

In my experience, 3 strings are somewhat simpler to play... cuz they have one less string (obviously). You can get more complex chords out of a 4 stringer, and there are more tuning options with 4 than there are with 3.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Greg "Cowboy" Monacelli on January 26, 2010 at 4:12pm

thank u much for responses

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Roger Martin on January 26, 2010 at 11:30pm

I'll use as small a box as an 8 inch but I dont use smaller except for my 1 string Didly Bo's.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Diane in Chicago on January 27, 2010 at 3:51am

I'll go as small as 6" for a 15" 3-string. Can look a little silly with four strings, but it all depends on the box. I'll agree with Nathan, though -- sometimes the box speaks to you and that's the one to use.

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Outhouse Instruments on January 29, 2010 at 12:37am

-Go thru your entire supply of boxes and sort out the ones that are all wood ( not pressboard , wood).
These will normally sound better, be louder. (Romeo Y Julietas boxes seem to be the exception)

-out of these,pick out the largest 5 or 6 boxes you have. These will be louder, sound better.

-Now look at these and pick out the deepest boxes you have. These will give a louder bass response, and sound better.

-Now, pick the purdiest one and build away.

-Now , if you have one that just screams "BUILD ME!" skip the above and build away.

-The exception. Romeo Y Julieta boxes that are square and around 2"( or more) deep seem the just pop out the sound. These work well for mandoboxes.

Matt

• ▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Wichita Sam on January 29, 2010 at 1:04pm

Cowboy,

any size CB is a good sized CB depending on what you want to build... I have built plenty of three string strummers on realtively small boxes (less than 7X4X1 1/2) and with an appropriate scale neck got great sound.

General wisdom is "the bigger the better"... a typical build on a box around (10X6X2) or larger will yield a nice sounding CBG. Here's the deal.... build one, then another, then another... soon your opinion will be informed by your own experience.

BTW, Shane's old "Mac" on the feature today is a little small to most people's eye, but it is a great player... I think the magic is finding the right proportions that then do a clean, simple build....

As far as 3 vs. 4 strings, the difference is the "thickness of sound"... every string you add fills in the sound. Fewer strings have a more "open"/rawer sound. Build both, play both and make up your own mind....

Then let us know what you think,
the best,

Wichita Sam

• ▶ Reply