It's all new to me.....

Posted by Bob Rawson on October 11, 2017 at 2:35am

Hello everybody, I'm Bob and live in the UK. 

I am not (unfortunately) musically minded but have for a long time wished I could play an instrument. I was introduced to CBG by happy accident. A customer wanted a coffin shaped box making. Unbeknown to me, he was a guitar builder. 

I made the box (actually I made him 2) and when it was all completed I was left with a coffin shaped offcut about an inch and half deep. 

Rather than throw it into the fire pit, I went and made my first guitar with it.

It's an ugly brute of a thing but I like it that way, I can ding it up without worrying about chipping the art work, there isn't any.

Now I'm learning to play it but it's slow going and having some damage to nerves isn't helping but when I see the joy and enthusiasm in people like Glenn Watt (I'm trying his one finger lessons) and Shane Speal, they inspire me to keep trying.

Anyway, that's my story into the CBG adventure, sorry it's so long.

Have a great day

Cheers

Bob 

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Replies

  • Korrigan November 8, 2017 at 5:44pm

    I can sympathize with the nerve damage and arthritis, I've got both. I remember the days when I could palm a basketball, but now with my right hand I can't spread my thumb and index finger more than 60 degrees apart and I can't hold onto a guitar pick for more than a few seconds before it goes flying off into the audience.

    But like Clarky I'm having fun and can still make noise. My advice is finger picks and slide, if you haven't tried them yet.

    Oh, and by audience I meant my dogs, Ruby and Shilo. :D

  • Clarky October 11, 2017 at 4:34am

    Hi Bob

    Welcome, I'm UK too (up in Scotland).  It sounds like you know or work with wood so in my opinion you are most of the way there to making good cbg's.  I had to learn how to use hand tools and do different joints etc.  Now about 5 years later and 80 guitars down I'm pretty comfortable with the whole thing.  Having fun is the most important part of it.  I started selling them and didn't enjoy it so went back to making them for fun, and the occassional birthday present etc.  There's loads of good lessons on youtube, just make some noise and enjoy it.  Don't worry about the nerves thing, I've got arthritis in both hands but I can still make some noise!

    Cheers

    Justin

    • Bob Rawson > Clarky October 11, 2017 at 9:24am

      Thanks Justin

      Wow 80 guitars, that's some good going there.

      I still can't play a tune but I'm trying and I am getting better every day.

      It's all great fun

      Cheers

      Bob

  • Wal Callaby October 11, 2017 at 2:58am
    No Bob, you're fine, it's a good tale.

    Having (see my own post) struggled for four decades to make any real headway with six strings, I found just a few months back that three strings are not only more intuitive, they are loads more FUN. And fun is, ultimately, what it's all about.

    Have fun!

    Wal
    • Bob Rawson > Wal Callaby October 11, 2017 at 9:26am

      Thank you Wal

      Although I can't put a tune together yet, I'm trying and I am improving every day but most importantly I'm having fun.

      Cheers

      Bob

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