Bardsong have now gone bust, but their owner Shawn Spencer was ahead of the curve when he started collecting the wood that Gibson were tossing in the skip. His builds were always quirky, not boxy, but it's worth a look on the web to see how he solved many of the common problems associated with the making stringed instruments. See bardsong.weebly.com
I may have to try again with the box I sent for one and it's hardboard, I also forgot step 1, make sure there's room in the shed and have not bought neck or pegs yet. BTW have listen to the new Broke & Hungry CD 'Mistakes were made: Five Years of Raw Blues, Damaged Livers & Questionable Business Decisions', there's a track on disc one [it's double CD] by R.L Boyce called 'Ain't it Alright' which is made for Cigar Box Guitar IMO.
i been using tin boxes a shortbread biscuit tin/quality street tin/and i think da weirdest a bart simpson tin lunch box.lol.though i will be trying to get cigar boxes for future projects i think why not use what you have access to.thats da spirit of CBGs...use da crap around you to make good music.to be fair though i aint an expert.good luck.
i've used fishing tackle box's, 35mm slide box's, cutlery box's, sewing box's, wine box's, made my own box's out of scrap bit's of wood, faux cigar box handbag's, oh and cigar box's off ebay,
you can make any box look like a cigar box, just buy the lable's off ebay, or print out any design you like off the web and stick it on your box,
Ebay is still probably your best bet if you want anything of a choice - prices are going up, but to my mind paying £10 - £15 for a box that is going to form the basis of your pride and joy is small change.
You could try asking at your local cigar store, if you are lucky enough to have one. Most seem to have closed down, and those that remain are heavily patronised by the rest of us so boxes are scarce!
I ship bulk quantities in from America for personal use, but as a few folk have been asking, I am considering doubling my next order and selling them on through the brits group. US boxes are generally bigger and prettier, but shipping costs mean they certainly wont be any cheaper than on Ebay.
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I own a Bardsong mandocello..
Bardsong have now gone bust, but their owner Shawn Spencer was ahead of the curve when he started collecting the wood that Gibson were tossing in the skip. His builds were always quirky, not boxy, but it's worth a look on the web to see how he solved many of the common problems associated with the making stringed instruments. See bardsong.weebly.com
I may have to try again with the box I sent for one and it's hardboard, I also forgot step 1, make sure there's room in the shed and have not bought neck or pegs yet. BTW have listen to the new Broke & Hungry CD 'Mistakes were made: Five Years of Raw Blues, Damaged Livers & Questionable Business Decisions', there's a track on disc one [it's double CD] by R.L Boyce called 'Ain't it Alright' which is made for Cigar Box Guitar IMO.
Later.
i've used fishing tackle box's, 35mm slide box's, cutlery box's, sewing box's, wine box's, made my own box's out of scrap bit's of wood, faux cigar box handbag's, oh and cigar box's off ebay,
you can make any box look like a cigar box, just buy the lable's off ebay, or print out any design you like off the web and stick it on your box,
Ebay is still probably your best bet if you want anything of a choice - prices are going up, but to my mind paying £10 - £15 for a box that is going to form the basis of your pride and joy is small change.
You could try asking at your local cigar store, if you are lucky enough to have one. Most seem to have closed down, and those that remain are heavily patronised by the rest of us so boxes are scarce!
I ship bulk quantities in from America for personal use, but as a few folk have been asking, I am considering doubling my next order and selling them on through the brits group. US boxes are generally bigger and prettier, but shipping costs mean they certainly wont be any cheaper than on Ebay.