What to do when you have a lot of choices and extra raw materials?

Posted by Bazinga762 on March 5, 2015 at 11:11pm

Hi all!  I got turned on to this via a friend who builds CBGs in Tampa area.  It got me thinking about all my cigar boxes that I typically use to collect junk.

Well, long story short:  I have about 50 different boxes--cheap ones to humidor subs.  I have 2 great resources for hardwood scrap (free), including exotics.  I have maybe 20 mahogany fretboard pieces.  Solid walnut chunks ready to be cut.  A bunch of that flexiply (long pieces of thin plywood with interspaced braces, much like the braces in hollow body guitars, if that makes sense, but full width of wood, unless trimmed--ready for veneer.)

I have pounds and pounds of old hardware I've collected.

MY ISSUE:  should I just build a bunch of acoustics with what I have, or BUY (I hate spending money) or TRADE for some pickups/electronics?  Is there a trade board somewhere?  I didn't look in depth, but have contacted a few people direct.  They are loathe to give up their humbuckers for pieces of scrap.

Suggestions?

You need to be a member of Cigar Box Nation to add comments!

Join Cigar Box Nation

Tags: boxes, build, exotic, fretboard, hardware, new, parts, trade
Email me when people reply –
Follow

Replies

  • Brian Revels March 6, 2015 at 9:00am

    I would try making some pickups and use your excess hardware (eye-bolts and such) for the tuners and string trees.  

    I might be interested in a trade for some stuff, depending what all you're wanting vs. what you want to trade for.  I might not be able to do it just now (still cleaning out my garage, and getting organized), but might be able to figure out something soon.  

  • The Phrygian Kid March 5, 2015 at 11:56pm

    what do you do?

    you become a hoarder...

    it sounds like you already wear that hat quite comfortably...

    for electronic components many things can be found (old computers, tvs are good - hookup wire, pots, capacitors, mystery coils)  but its pretty much inevitable you'll need to buy output jack connectors and solder.    Its also inevitable that you'll buy tuners and fretwire.  You should go to the CB Gitty store, just look around this page for an ad, thats the bloke who runs this site.  Their prices are the best you'll find and they really make an effort to keep your shipping costs down, unlike some prominent luthiery supply companies I won't name..

    You can get a pretty cool pickup from a wall wart step down transformer, just peel off all the unwanted guff and add a magnet 

  • Bazinga762 March 5, 2015 at 11:15pm

    Last P.S:  One of my friends got a hardwood door shipped to him on a pallet made of PURPLE HEART.  Yes, a pallet.  I don't want to just go on eBay or whatever and put this sort of stuff out there for wood turners.  I'd like to keep it musical, if you can relate.

  • Bazinga762 March 5, 2015 at 11:13pm

    Oh, the hardware I have is NOT guitar hardware.  I'm still looking for tuners, etc.

This reply was deleted.