First of all I was wondering where to buy cigar
boxes and wood for the neck. There is a website
called thompsons cigars where they sell them 10
For 10 bucks plus shipping. They also sell premium
Versions. Is there a difference?
And for the neck I was thinking mahogany or maple
Because I was thinking of making a ukulele. Where
Is the best/cheapest place to find this?
And for cutting I was going to use a hand saw. Is
That a good decision? And if so where would I go
About finding a good one for Cbg making?
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Michael, Thank you for the encouragement. I can't complain about a total lack of tools but I like your idea about making a simple instrument. I have noticed that as I learn more I am seeing the potential of discarded materials for these builds.
MichaelS Country Boy Guitars said:
Bill, don't be overwhelmed. These don't have to be technical, start super simple and go from there. I already had tools when I made my first so It was not so hard, But I (and you ) could have made one with very simple hand tools. Just imagine what the poor folks had back in 1860's when they first were building these. Nobody had bandsaws, or makita batterie drills, you get the idea. I think it would be fun to try and make one with the least amount of tools, and no power tools at all. Anyway, get a box some wood, tuners are nice and some strings. Cut carve drill screw glue, whatever it takes, and have fun.
About nice wood, it does not have to be expensive, be creative. My first has a really nice piece of cherry for a neck, free it was leftover from an old bed! Keep your eyes and mind open
-Michael Squier, Country Boy Guitars
Bill McCahill said:
After reading all these comments I feeI totally unprepared to build a CBU or CBG. Geez does it have to be so darn technical and detailed? You folks are really very nice people!!!
Bill, don't be overwhelmed. These don't have to be technical, start super simple and go from there. I already had tools when I made my first so It was not so hard, But I (and you ) could have made one with very simple hand tools. Just imagine what the poor folks had back in 1860's when they first were building these. Nobody had bandsaws, or makita batterie drills, you get the idea. I think it would be fun to try and make one with the least amount of tools, and no power tools at all. Anyway, get a box some wood, tuners are nice and some strings. Cut carve drill screw glue, whatever it takes, and have fun.
About nice wood, it does not have to be expensive, be creative. My first has a really nice piece of cherry for a neck, free it was leftover from an old bed! Keep your eyes and mind open
-Michael Squier, Country Boy Guitars
Bill McCahill said:
After reading all these comments I feeI totally unprepared to build a CBU or CBG. Geez does it have to be so darn technical and detailed? You folks are really very nice people!!!
I jump in here behind dan as he is a accomplished builder ,,, I'm not ,, But working on that ... U will b amazed at the info that is on this site !! ,, All u gotta do is ask some questions and u'll b linked to just about anything u can imagine.. I just got started and finally broke down and bought me a jig saw ,, been doing all the rest by hand tools ,, I just like to do it that way ... Get in here amongst us and u'll b pleased with all u find out and how much pleasure u will get from the building !! Find u a cigar shop and ask em for the boxes ,, got one that gives em to me to get em outa his way ,, have been there so many times ,,he preselects the boxes for me,, other place sells em to me for 2 bucks ea. have fun!!!
As the guy who seemingly started this conversation down this rat hole, I would like to extend my deepest apologies. Sometimes I either get carried away or misunderstand the original poster's expectations.
I think it was the idea of mahogany that did it. Typically if you are going to invest in even cheap grades, you are looking at some money. Money usually = higher expectations.
Absolutely, these things can be built with the barest of tools. The point I would have liked to have made (as opposed to the one that got lost in the point that I made) is that you have to be the judge of what your abilities are. If you have never picked up a hammer or saw, perhaps you'll be great or maybe your skills will need work. We don't know you and so can't really judge too deep on that. I have a friend that any tool in his hand is a dangerous weapon (to himself and anyone in close proximity). You could turn into a regular CBG Rembrandt. No way to tell until you try.
What you build at first might be rough but maybe that is the greatest part of this. Hey, it is still an instrument that was built by your own hands and that is pretty special no matter how it turns out.
If you think you can and even if you think you probably can't, there is a good chance that what you will turn out will make some kind of music. Does it need to do more than that? I think not.
Again, sorry if anything of what I said, in any way discouraged you from trying. That was certainly not my intent. I mean, just build something already. You'll have fun building and then playing. If it doesn't come out perfect on the first try, build another one. If you get to a dozen, you'll likely have some idea if you are any good at it. Until then, forget what you don't know, and start bulding.
Oh no, you misunderstand. Its not overly technical. Seriously, don't overthink anything. One the contrary, the original builders of CBGs used what they had available -- old saws, scrap lumber. coat hanger wire for frets, screen wire from the door for strings.
Nah, just build. Do the best you can with what'cha got.
No , it doesn't , all you really need to get started is box of some sort, or a can, a stick , some wire and some way to get the wire tight. Those are the basics.
After reading all these comments I feeI totally unprepared to build a CBU or CBG. Geez does it have to be so darn technical and detailed? You folks are really very nice people!!!
10 for ten sounds pretty good depending on how much that shipping is, free is best, at least for the beginning. For a particular box, check the ad to the right or ebay.
Yes Josh, took your advice and did my last scarf joint with a back saw and plane, best one yet by far. Been shaping the necks with a rasp and sandpaper too and like the control vs a router that I was using. Faster too since I don't have to spend time figuring out how to jig the neck so I can route it.
When you start getting picky about the boxes you use, you'll find that the best conservation of your time is on ebay. I know a ton of people will get all over my ass about fee-bay, and driven up prices and what not but, honestly, there comes a point when you can't drive all over the damned place for the perfect box. With eBay, you're paying extra for the convenience of shopping from you desk and there is a much more broad selection to choose from.
As far as cutting, I do all my scarf joints with a handsaw. Anything else gets run through a bandsaw (or scroll saw for the smaller stuff).
Replies
Michael, Thank you for the encouragement. I can't complain about a total lack of tools but I like your idea about making a simple instrument. I have noticed that as I learn more I am seeing the potential of discarded materials for these builds.
MichaelS Country Boy Guitars said:
Bill, don't be overwhelmed. These don't have to be technical, start super simple and go from there. I already had tools when I made my first so It was not so hard, But I (and you ) could have made one with very simple hand tools. Just imagine what the poor folks had back in 1860's when they first were building these. Nobody had bandsaws, or makita batterie drills, you get the idea. I think it would be fun to try and make one with the least amount of tools, and no power tools at all. Anyway, get a box some wood, tuners are nice and some strings. Cut carve drill screw glue, whatever it takes, and have fun.
About nice wood, it does not have to be expensive, be creative. My first has a really nice piece of cherry for a neck, free it was leftover from an old bed! Keep your eyes and mind open
-Michael Squier, Country Boy Guitars
Bill McCahill said:
As the guy who seemingly started this conversation down this rat hole, I would like to extend my deepest apologies. Sometimes I either get carried away or misunderstand the original poster's expectations.
I think it was the idea of mahogany that did it. Typically if you are going to invest in even cheap grades, you are looking at some money. Money usually = higher expectations.
Absolutely, these things can be built with the barest of tools. The point I would have liked to have made (as opposed to the one that got lost in the point that I made) is that you have to be the judge of what your abilities are. If you have never picked up a hammer or saw, perhaps you'll be great or maybe your skills will need work. We don't know you and so can't really judge too deep on that. I have a friend that any tool in his hand is a dangerous weapon (to himself and anyone in close proximity). You could turn into a regular CBG Rembrandt. No way to tell until you try.
What you build at first might be rough but maybe that is the greatest part of this. Hey, it is still an instrument that was built by your own hands and that is pretty special no matter how it turns out.
If you think you can and even if you think you probably can't, there is a good chance that what you will turn out will make some kind of music. Does it need to do more than that? I think not.
Again, sorry if anything of what I said, in any way discouraged you from trying. That was certainly not my intent. I mean, just build something already. You'll have fun building and then playing. If it doesn't come out perfect on the first try, build another one. If you get to a dozen, you'll likely have some idea if you are any good at it. Until then, forget what you don't know, and start bulding.
Oh no, you misunderstand. Its not overly technical. Seriously, don't overthink anything. One the contrary, the original builders of CBGs used what they had available -- old saws, scrap lumber. coat hanger wire for frets, screen wire from the door for strings.
Nah, just build. Do the best you can with what'cha got.
-WY
When you start getting picky about the boxes you use, you'll find that the best conservation of your time is on ebay. I know a ton of people will get all over my ass about fee-bay, and driven up prices and what not but, honestly, there comes a point when you can't drive all over the damned place for the perfect box. With eBay, you're paying extra for the convenience of shopping from you desk and there is a much more broad selection to choose from.
As far as cutting, I do all my scarf joints with a handsaw. Anything else gets run through a bandsaw (or scroll saw for the smaller stuff).
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