Ok, newbee here, so apologies for any ignorance, but here goes: I've just collected the bit's'n'pieces that will finally get me started.
A very friendlyminded cigarshopowner in Oslo donated me a bunch of boxes yesterday - all with kinda different qualities - and I'm dragged: I love the Romeo and Julietta box for it's sheer volume, thinking it would make a lovely boom, i like the Java and Zino boxes for its masive wood, thinking it might be quite resonant, I like the Griffin's for the woods and being so flat'n'light, and also i like the Ramon Allones for it's classic looks.
Being a newbee (just starting out here) I can't decide, as I do not know if the woods and volume really matters that much anyways (if hard pressed I'd say tone is more important than looks, though).
Any advise or guidance highly appreciated. :D
(BTW I plan on using a pieze, but if the thing works acoustically I'd love it)
Replies
I took some pictures along the way. For anyone interrested they are here:
http://www.facebook.com/album.php?aid=190937&id=731915019&l...
Oh, and this forum i really immaculate for the not-so-able :D
the best,
Wichita Sam
Gitarmoro said:
Thank You Wichita Sam! Now I'm undecided again. :D
As for the Zino box: Isn't it an option to just remove or just replace the front hinge and just finish the neck inside the box, thus allowing the housing to rest the proper way and avoiding the rounded edge challenge? My worries towards that one was rather the lack of size.....
I'll definately let You know. Thanks again.
Remembering that this is your first build.... I wouldn't build on the R&J unless you're building a bass... the relatively short length of the box will make some design elements more problematic.... (also, R&J lids are often a heavy paste board, they can still sound good, but not wood...check by scratching away the paper from the inside of the lid),
Of the others, (assuming you want to consider acoustic properties) the Griffin is too thin, The Java's top is to heavy (you can build on the bottom, but these are also often pasteboard), the Zino appears to be hinged on the narrow dimension which make it a little ackward looking, and with the rounded edge complicating the build. (I do like Zinos, they generally have high quality wood tops)...
I guess that leaves the Ramon Allones... It is the only brand that I haven't built on, but if it is a typical paper covered wood box (with a paper hinge) that it appears to be, it looks like a great "starter" cigar box, that will be relatively simple to build with easy dimensions to lay out a CBG and enough size to make a good sounding CBG....
If you are building a CBG that is only going to be played as an electric, most of these issues are not so important. If you care about acoustic properties then they are important....
"No rules" say follow your nose or your gut or the stars. But after 200 builds, I don't like overly thick boxes, because they are ackward to hold, I don't like excessively thin boxes, because they lack resonance. Some of the best boxes are plain paper covered boxes often making great players while being simple to build on.
Let us know what you decide and definately how it comes out....
the best,
Wichita Sam
-WY
The deeper the better, just because of interior volume.
The bigger the better, but thin isn't good for acoustic and might sound thin and tinny even amped.
I would go with the same order as Wes.
Matt
btw- the RyJ's usually have a presswood lid ( the ones I have are ) but the still (typically ) sound very good.
Also I am understanding now that the back is just as important as the front -- the back resonates as well making a deeper, more resonant sound. Keep this in mind when you build or play.
-WY
Gitarmoro said:
Wes Yates said:
One question to ask: are the lids cardboard or wood (pressed wood or plywood)? Both are ok, but one makes a more muted sound in my opinion. You might be able to tell if one you can warp with your hands, it might be the cardboard. Wood (plywood) is much stiffer. I usually can't warp the lid.
this is _my_ opinion only tho. Others will give better opinions.
-WY