Followed a link to here via the Seasick Steve forum. Had a little look around and it got me thinking that it could be good fun to try and build and play a cigar box guitar, especially as i like the whole sound and style that you get.
When it comes to musical ability i don;t have much, but i don't mind trying new things. My 7 year old son is currently learning acoustic guitar, and doing quite well, so i guess if i get stuck i can always ask him :o)
I'm probably going to buy my first cbg, but then see about builidng one a bit later, and get my son to help too.
I'm bound to have a few questions when i do get round to getting one, so i think i'll be visiting the site quite often, having a good read up and asking the odd question or 2 or 10 :o)
I'm in the UK and noticed that there was a large event on October, so if this gets repeated again next year, then i might have to get myself along to it.
Daz
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Well if it's any reason for hope on yoour end --- I said that about my first...I tried to be smart about a few little things to make it solid, but I had no hopes for it sounding good...when I first strung it up it didn't sound good at all, but then I changed the nut and bridge bolts to different diameters and WOW...sounded great...then after one day of the strings 'breaking in" and relaxing so it stayed in tune effortlessly...--- i swear just straight into an amp the thing rings like a piano! I have to go out of my way with effects and tweaks to make it sound 'crappy on purpose' -- now it's almost my benchmark for what I HOPE my new one sounds like raw into an amp... so you may be pleasantly surprised at how your first one coms out. One thing that'll help for sure is SHARP BREAK ANGLES over the nut and bridge. (which can be accomplished with well-placed string retainers --- best of luck and have a blast. You practically can't go wrong.
Darren Edmett said:
I'm planning on going for a 3 string to start with, but, especially with it being my first, i'm just going to have fun building it and not worry about what it sounds like.
Although knowing me, i'll say that now, but come build day i'll be more picky.
I am planning on getting my 7yr old and 3 yr old to help with the cosmetics so i'm sure it'll have a unique look.
hey, remember that you can build a crazy multi-stringed THING and just tune the strings to a nice open-tuned chord or scale -- and just brushing the strings (without doing any fretting or chording from a second hand) will still make a great fun sound --- like a harp --- so if you were so inclined you could make a 6 string 'harp' guitar or soundboard contraption --- that way your first project wouldn't need to get hung up on 'being a guitar'
--- just a thought for your first project...
DING DING DING!
Bingo!
Have fun!
Darren Edmett said:
Thanks for the welcome.
I definetly wont be sounding like a pro for a while :o)
The more i read ( and i've only read a little of what's on here so far ) the more i'm thinking of building one. It'll probably turn out rough around the edges, and who knows what it'll sound like, but i'm guessing that that is what makes cbg building fun.
Welcome!
I think this kind of thing makes a good father-son project, and I feel the whole learning process, even building, helps you learn about music in general.
Theres a lot to learn here, browse around on various subjects, read some of the building threads and find a few groups that suite your interests. Feel free to ask questions, the vast majority of the members here seem to have a strong desire to help, and keep it fun!