3-string Canitar - a cross between a canjo and a 3-string cbg - but in a box!

Posted by Mama Mojo on November 4, 2010 at 1:28pm
Hi everyone, I just wanted to share one of my latest builds: It's a Canitar - a cross between a canjo an a 3-stringer - built inside of a cigar box. I came up with this because I am not crazy about canjo's and the lack of ability to rest one's hand/arm on the instruments for support while playing. I haven't seen anything like this particular build, but if anyone else has, please let me know. The playability is rather remarkable compared to a canjo, and it sounds just like a reso..... Thanks!

3-s-cbg-1008-3CT-001a.jpg

3-s-cbg-1008-3CT-001g.jpg

3-s-cbg-1008-3CT-001i.jpg

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Tags: 3-string, canitar, canjo
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Replies

  • Thomas "Duck" Petry September 6, 2012 at 8:48am

    Interesting concept for a reso.

  • Mama Mojo June 19, 2011 at 11:08am
    Thanks so much for your generous comments, fellas!  There is a video that you can see from my profile page of this thing in action..... it's at the very end of the video and I wish it were longer....  Dan, I terminate the strings on the outside lower part of the back of the box.  I use a thin strip of hardwood to give it some stability and then drill the holes and run them through the can.  The bridge is just a cut off bolt, set inside the can and the string tension holds it down.  The next one I make will have a few design changes, such as a sanded out section where strumming is usually done on the neck wood.  Again, thanks for the nice comments!  I highly recommend building one of these - there are a lot of fun to play.....
    • rusty case > Mama Mojo September 6, 2012 at 1:31am

      It really looks nice!

      Hope you figger how to post audio...  hope to learn, myself!  lol

      it's a stealth resonator....   :-)

      Best

      rc

  • Bluesheart June 16, 2011 at 8:34am
    That has got to be the coolest canjo ever! NICE!
  • Mama Mojo November 5, 2010 at 5:07pm
    Feel free! There are some components that were not easily photographed, such as the inside of the can, which shows the location of the bridge with respect to the distance to the 12th fret. I used a cut off bolt to straddle the width of the interior of the can so the strings could rest nicely on it and was able to adjust it backward or forward as needed until I got the correct location. Also, the back of the can is also open, which allows the sound to resonate throughout the box -- and allows the piezo to pick up the true reso sound much better. I think it is a great use of boxes that aren't a great size for regular cbgs, but will accommodate a can. Perhaps the only thing I might have done differently on this build would be to put an elevated fingerboard on it to allow for more finger-playing room -- and lower action on the box-end of the neck. I could have drum-sanded out a section, but I didn't want to weaken the neck. A 1/4 inch fingerboard on top of the neck will do the trick and keep the neck strong.

    Tim King said:
    Really cool idea....I might have to borrow it sometime!
  • Mama Mojo November 5, 2010 at 10:30am
    Thanks, Dianne!!!

    Dianne Woods said:
    Nice job, cool.
  • Mama Mojo November 5, 2010 at 10:29am
    Feel free to borrow away! Glad you like it!!!

    Tim King said:
    Really cool idea....I might have to borrow it sometime!
  • Dianne Woods November 5, 2010 at 8:46am
    Nice job, cool.
  • Hey, TURN IT DOWN! November 4, 2010 at 10:00pm
    Really cool idea....I might have to borrow it sometime!
  • Mama Mojo November 4, 2010 at 9:26pm
    Thanks, Warren! I'm working on getting some recordings done but it might take me some time. I was hoping that the big brother would help with that this past week while he was visiting, but no such luck. Hopefully I'll get something up soon!

    Warren said:
    Cool idea and looks great! It would be fun to hear a sample :)
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