Greetings to all - the bug has bit me bad...I want to make my own CBG and have a question about the wood for the box. I am a woodworker and have most the tools I will need. In building my own box, can I just use a good quality plywood (birch or oak) and if so what is the best thickness - 1/8 or 1/4 inch? I was also thinking about doubling up the edge boards to make them thicker and leaving the top (or "lid") and bottom the original thickness - is this a good idea or should I just use internal bracing? The entire box will be finger jointed. Appreciate any help or suggestions any one can send my way...
You need to be a member of Cigar Box Nation to add comments!
I started using a 1 by 3 for the sides of the boxes I build. It gives a deeper sound accousticaly. Use a thin wood for the top if you're going to use a piezo pickup, as it resonates better. If you are going to use a active pickup it might not matter. Whatever you do, don't over think it. You can put a stick on a pizza box and make a playable instrument. Have fun with it.
David J Lohnes > Shawn McConnaughay SrNovember 5, 2017 at 10:53am
I will be using a Snake Oil Humbucker single pickup. So you are saying that I probably won’t need too worry much about box thickness with an electric pickup? If that is so, then your suggestion just opened up a whole new world of possibilities for me. If I used 1/2 thick wood using 1/4 inch finger joints a box like that that would never fall apart....thanks,
Wichita Sam > David J LohnesFebruary 12, 2018 at 9:25pm
I would tend to stay with !/4" sides, but a good hardwood instead of play. Sides need to be stiff, but not heavy. Also, if you want an acoustic/electric, the freedom of the top to vibrate is important.
I'm using the Eagle American bit and 1/4 mahogany and maple for back and sides, you can flip the pieces and make finger joint up 3 1/2 one cut in 1 9/16. Ply works great and is less money and I would think thinner 3/16 ply might hold up better then tone wood. The only bitch is building a good router sled for consistent cuts, but well worth it. good luck
Even though I have a “store bought” box I am going to play around with a couple of my router jigs. I have a very accurate Rocker router table finger joint jig that I will try to use all 1/4 or even 3/8 thick wood with. I also have a corner splinting jig (also from Rockler) that makes great corner splines. I do agree with what you say in getting things set up. The finishined item depends on well you set things up. Thanks!
I just finished my first CBG. Because I wrecked my cigar box I decided to use some 1/4 inch mahogany I had in the shop. I used the dimensions from the original cigar box and I did not do any doubling up. The only thing I did was to put corner pieces to hold the box together. I cut an F hole in the top. I was really pleased with the deep rich tone I achieved, all by accident I guess.
Sometimes the best of life's treasures are found as a result of simple mistakes. I live by the axiom that a mistake is only an error if you do not learn from it. Your box sounds wonderful and it "sounds" like you will enjoy playing it.
Well, I was in a Hobby Lobby today and spotted a solid wood hinged pine box with a small latch that is about 12 x 8 x 3 1/2 inches. The lid and box are 1/4 inch thick and the top and bottom are 1/8 inch. I am thinking this may be a workable box to use for my cigar box. Is a box like this ok for a CBG build? I am going to build it with electronics and the box seems pretty rigid without any cracks anywhere....
Sounds like a good box to me. Just because it didn't start out holding cigars doesn't mean it wont make a good guitar.
David J Lohnes > Thomas "Duck" PetryAugust 31, 2017 at 9:53am
Thanks! I think I will use it in my first build to see how things go. Do you have any advice for a newbie in doing a first project? I got one of the C.B. Gitty Heritage Edition American Chestnut pre-fretted necks (as a woodworker I have a deep admiration for American Chestnut). Do you think as a first timer should I use this neck or save it for a later build as I become more "experienced" in my builds. Any advice you can throw my way is greatly appreciated.
Replies
I would tend to stay with !/4" sides, but a good hardwood instead of play. Sides need to be stiff, but not heavy. Also, if you want an acoustic/electric, the freedom of the top to vibrate is important.
I'm using the Eagle American bit and 1/4 mahogany and maple for back and sides, you can flip the pieces and make finger joint up 3 1/2 one cut in 1 9/16. Ply works great and is less money and I would think thinner 3/16 ply might hold up better then tone wood. The only bitch is building a good router sled for consistent cuts, but well worth it. good luck
I just finished my first CBG. Because I wrecked my cigar box I decided to use some 1/4 inch mahogany I had in the shop. I used the dimensions from the original cigar box and I did not do any doubling up. The only thing I did was to put corner pieces to hold the box together. I cut an F hole in the top. I was really pleased with the deep rich tone I achieved, all by accident I guess.
Sounds like a good box to me. Just because it didn't start out holding cigars doesn't mean it wont make a good guitar.
-
1
-
2
of 2 Next