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We wanna know who you are! Where ya from? What'cha buildin'? This is a place for new members to introduce themselves and old 'uns to show 'em around. I'm Shane & I run the Nation. I'm glad you're here. Come on in and tune up!

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Better late than never...

Started by Crazed Fandango yesterday. 0 Replies 0 Likes

After joining this forum in 2014, I finally have my 1st CBG which my wife bought for me at the weekend (a 4 string from Frethound Custom Guitars). I was never going to get around to building one.Now…Continue

Tags: string, 4

My 1st CGB

Started by Mi Rankin. Last reply by Ian Jan 16. 2 Replies 0 Likes

Just finished my 1st freeless acoustic CBG, based on the #Glenn Watt design. 31inch neck, 25inch scale, 42/32/24 gauge strings. Sycamore neck and a 200mm x 180mm x 45mm box made from 7mm ply. Neck…Continue

Hi, y'all.

Started by HazelFyrebird. Last reply by Ian Nov 14, 2023. 1 Reply 0 Likes

Hi, I'm HazelFyrebird, and I'm a wannabe luthier (I feel like I'm standing up at a Builder's Anonymous meeting...) in Virginia. I'm a bit of a lurker, as I've been reading and reading for a while,…Continue

I Am Blaming All of You with YouTube Channels.

Started by William Bannier. Last reply by William Bannier Sep 25, 2023. 3 Replies 1 Like

This is not so much of a reintroduction as a rebirth so to speak. I joined Cigar Box Nation many, many years ago when I initially developed an interest in more "primitive" instruments, CBGs, mountain…Continue

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Comment by James Pobog on September 11, 2019 at 9:21am: @ Laurence Owen

Are you my long lost twin bro?

Take a look at the free plans section, there's a 2x4 stand up 2 string bass, and a very cool 2x4 lap steel guitar. That got me hooked, #1 is done, and there will be another 3 or 4 built...and I don't play either...

Comment by Laurence Owen on September 11, 2019 at 7:06am: Hi, new to building any sort of musical instrument full stop.
I came across cbg and shovel guitars whilst desperately searching for a 3 string bass I could play as I have no musical skills and a couple of chopped up fingers on my left hand.
Looking froward to asking idiot questions and hopefully contrinbuting a bit where I can.

Comment by Paul Craig on August 29, 2019 at 5:25am: Welcome James. Thanks for the awesome video of a awesome Battleship.

Thank You for your service.

Have fun on your CBG's.

Comment by James Pobog on August 26, 2019 at 6:19am: Well, a little more....

Live in Socal, since 1961 (4th grade). Graduated 1096, Newport Harbor high. USN Reserve 1970-1976, active 1971-1973, Tonkin Gulf 1972, Vietnam vet, exposed to Agent Orange.

Photo major after 'Nam. On wife #3.last, ain't doing that crap again.

Work now on Battleship Iowa in San Pedro, CA. If anyone comes out this way, come visit, love to see you.

Shameless self-promotion.....yea, that's me.
https://youtu.be/dW83U4bkC_k

Comment by James Pobog on August 26, 2019 at 4:42am: Greetings...

Growing up, (I'm 68.5 now) parents gave me piano lessons from 2nd to 7th grade. Hated it. "Played" cello in 7,8th grade junior high. Didn't hate that as much, but still, music (in the classic notation and theory sense) does not compute.|

Bought a $25 dulcimer in 1976. Took it home and played it for 3 hours. I luvs me the Diatonic.

Several years ago attempted c.b. guitar build. Oops...a bit above my skill/design level.

Just now, I ran across the plans for the 2x4 steel guitar. "I can do that!", so the first build is in progress.

Plans are to build the first pretty much to plan, with a couple modifications. Going with the adjustable bridge/tailpiece thing, and I have a cool idea for the fret markers.My plan is also for the scale to be chromatic, but with diatonic marked visually. Since it is a proto/test piece, it will have a finish treatment to it, possibly slightly distressed, stained, and flat clear coat. Just yesterday, worked on a 1x4 template, and cut the dados on the first body.

If successful, (And I do believe I will be), I'm thinking about Rev 2, a 2x6 version, slight wood upgrade (cedar?), and I'm thinking about an 'arrowhead-type' head, tuners slightly angled in to reduce the sharp string angle at the nut.

Though I had wood shop in jr. high, it wasn't until about 3 years ago that I discovered that I have a bit of talent for woodworking/carpentry. I consider myself a talented hack.

Also, am building the 2.5 watt amp kit as well as a Psycho Knob.

Comment by the anonymous pick on July 11, 2019 at 4:45pm: Welcome, John ,,, (as long as it's ok with Chewy )

;-)

Comment by John Gawronski on July 11, 2019 at 1:38pm: Hello, I am a Semi-retired 25+ year watchmaker in Columbia, SC. I am an avid woodworker & machinists for most of my 57 years. My buddy Chewy is the Boss! My wife Cyndi does not know who babysits whom! I have been hooked on CBG;s for about the last 6 months. I caught a video from Justin Johnson and it literally exploded from there.

Chewy & I would like to thank,

All the fabulous people on these FB CBG groups! Also Justin Johnson, Del Puckett, Cigar Box Nation, C B Gitty, KP CBG, Christopher Ameruoso, Shane Speal, Glen Watt, Red Dog Guitars, Mike Snowden and the many others not named but not forgotten for this fabulous addiction!

It is going to be a great ride!

Comment by Paul Craig on June 16, 2019 at 8:30am: Welcome Dave and great job on your first build.

Comment by Dave Nyberg on June 15, 2019 at 1:14pm: I'm From Seguin, TX. New to building CBGs. My first experience was a cardboard guitar kit. Then I made a 3-String Slide CBG. I just finished a 3-String Fretted CBG. 24" Scale Length and Internal Spring Reverb. Pictures are on my page.

Comment by Paul Craig on June 7, 2019 at 8:49pm: Welcome Kalmario. Don't know whom your speaking of, but I'm sure he'll chime in soon if he his a regular. If not, we can help answer any questions you have. There's a few Aussie's on site and maybe a New Zealander or 2. Hope we can help and there's some good info in "The Essential Pages" at the upper right of this page.