Share experience, tips & tricks that have produced the best acoustic unplugged sound in your cigar box instruments. This applies to commercial or self made boxes.
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  • Hi all. 

    Been around these parts for almost three years now I think but only just joined this group. I just finished a purely acoustic tricone resonator cigar box style guitar (it's actually a cutlery box, or WAS a cutlery box).

    For the first time I remembered to photograph most of the stages and wondered, along with making a post with the photos, if it might be an idea to do a little write up to go with the photos?

    Is this the right place for this proposal? Can you recommend somewhere better I might post it? It's got a six string neck but strung as a double course three string. I did a video of a test stringing and have since slightly dismantled it to fix string action issues and upgrade the finish but I should have it all back together in a week or two. 

    Let me know please. 

    All the best and thanks for having me in your group. 

    Bear :0)

  • I just finished a quick build with an 8.5" x 7" x 2" Don Pepin Garcia and am blown away by the volume and tone.

    It's a straight neck with a double notch. The fretboard sits 1/4" higher than the soundboard surface and the strings are 7/16" high at the bridge. The bridge is only 2" from the tail so there's a good break angle.

    There's plenty of downward force - evidenced by a noticeable inward bowing of the soundboard.

    But again...a simple build with a small box and yet sound far greater than it looks like it should put out.

    Album here: Don Pepin Garcia

  • There are small corner blocks at the front of the box that the lid is screwed to, one small screw on each corner away from the paper hinge ad four screws hold the neck into the box, one from each side into the blocks under the neck and one at each side through the lid into the top side of the neck.  I built this one as my "beater" and named it the junkyard dog. When we go somewhere for a weekend I just throw it in the back seat of the truck and don't worry about it.  Built it in September of 2012 and haven't had to do anything to it other than tune it since I built it.

  • Thanks, Duck!

    I presume those support blocks will be attached to the bottom and sides? My necks just hang. This has me wondering if I'd get more volume by beefing up my entry and exit points.

  • You can click on the picture for a larger view.

  • Looks like the inside of the box. The neck is relieved so the top is unsupported and there are no supports added. Here's a picture of the beast before assembly.

    306514037?profile=RESIZE_1024x1024

  • Hey, Duck. I was thinking about a paperboard build and wondered if the top would need strengthening. When you get a moment, would you mind describing what the Partagas looks like inside?

    Mainly...

    • Is there space between the neck and the top?
    • Do you have any supports on the underside of the top?
    • If so, where?

    Thanks in advance!

  • Great suggestions. Thanks!

    When I get around to it, I'll try and remember to post my first paper-top build here. Cheers!

  • So far I have had great results with the paperboard boxes. I leave the Partagas tuned all the time and it stays in tune well and has a nice resonance.  I've found that just tapping on the top of a box with your finger can give a pretty good feel for how it will resonate.  It seems like a lot of the wood boxes have thick lids that tend to dampen the sound.  Also, the size of the box can make a big difference.  Experiment, if the box doesn't live up to your desires, keep everything else you have made and replace the box.

  • That "Partagas" box sounds great (pun intended), Duck. Wonderful depth.

    I am very interested in your opinion of paperboard boxes. I've ignored them, but maybe I'll add a couple to my mix. I have trouble seeing how the softness doesn't absorb vast amounts of the sound. But if you've had good results, I'm certainly game! :-)

    Thanks for commenting.

    Cheers!

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Resonator Ukulele

Hello all.  I would like to build a ukulele with a resonator.  I have made 4 CB ukes, so I have the basics.  So what's next?  I could use some photos and other relevent process tips.  On one of the discussions, some one mentioned bridge placement on the resonator.  What does this mean?  What types of materials are used for the resonator and wher can parts be obtained locally?  Thanks everybody.  j

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Box construction materials

I am in the process of building 2 box's. One is a Macanudo, the Cadillac of box's I've been told and the other is an Arturo Fuente. My first box is an old solid wood box, no plywood. I noticed the Mac is made of a 3 ply board with a thick middle and very thin veneer outsides, the A.F. is made of a 5 ply board. I would guess that the 3 ply would be better and more like solid wood because it has less different plys and less glue. This may some of the reason for the Macanudos good sound. My old…

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sound absortion inside box

has anyone tried to laquer the inside of the box? I did this to a earlier build and it sounded a lot like a banjo. I would think that the wood absortion inside the box would make a difference in volume and tone.

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Innards - reinforcements, struts and bass bars?

Say, in a fiddle, there is a bass bar of wood running in the top, inside, just under the foot of the bass strings. Would such a beast be helpful in bringing out those lost bass tones in a cbg? I have never made even something similar twice in a row, so I can only compare apples to oranges. Maybe you builders with dozens behind you might have some insight.

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