I've been looking to try some aniline wood dye on some purpose-built git boxes..LPG's, reso's and the like. I usually stain or paint, then clear 'em, but the examples of dyed wooden items, including guitars, can look quite stunning, far more color an
Read more…Sorry in advance, this will be windy. Last Fall, an artist friend encouraged me to apply to a local juried art festival. What the heck, I took three gits to present for inclusion, not expecting to be included with "art". Well, two weeks later, Grandp
Read more…I saw Paul Craig's pic of a steel bar truss rod install from the other day, and recoiled in recollection of my first attempt at a truss rod. Had a good plan, install under fret board, cover it up, no problem. I proceeded to cut the slot through the b
Read more…Finally finished my 3 string CBB. What a learning curve! Started with a 20" long bulk cigar box, built a steel rod reinforced red oak and mahogany neck, through the box, corian nut, jumbo frets, and laid it out for a 30 1/2" scale. So far, so good. O
Read more…I was reading John Kramme's post about making his own boxes, and was reminded about a tip I picked up a little while back that helped me. I found a woodworker's post on Youtube (Charles Neil Woodworking/Gluing A Mitered Box), that helped me with an u
Read more…Recently finished my roasting pan git. Birch ply top, red oak neck and fretboard. Bone nut and wood/corian bridge. Spatula tailpiece. This git has double-coursed strings .046/.026 - .036/.017 - .026/.013, tuned Ee/Bb/ee, so each string set is tuned o
Read more…I am starting a cigar box bass project. 3 string, 30" scale. I was planning on using jumbo fret wire, but thought I'd ask what other builder's have had success with. Or, perhaps more important, what didn't work? Thanks in advance.
Read more…Last night Mrs. Grandpa and I sat down to do a bit of DVR catch up. During the July 19th episode of "Homestead Rescue", about half-way through the show, Marty Raney pulled out a 5 string gas can canjo, played just a taste, and laughed about the instr
Read more…I threw this into a discussion regarding tunings, and have reposted under a new heading to maybe get some more eyes on it and ideas from it:
JL threw in a tip that I recently tried, with pleasing results. I have a four string license plate guitar tun
Read more…1. You drive past three local lumber sources to go get the "good" wood for your builds.
2. You go to flea markets/swap meets, pass up the better stuff, and scrounge through the "scratch and dent" bins at the back of the spaces looking for old hinges,
Read more…Things have slowed down a mite around here this week, but I know a lot of you builders are still hustling to finish up the Christmas gits. Best wishes on getting them done and delivered, and to all of you git builders and players, Merry Christmas.
Read more…Earlier today, and in weeks past, I've read within several discussions that boxes are readily available in many areas, and pickin's are sparse and slim in others. There are a lot of cigar/tobacco shops in my immediate area, and I visit them regularly
Read more…This morning Mrs. Grandpa and I motored up to St. George Utah from So. Cal. for a little R & R time. I packed 5 of my git's, a CB amp, and a box of slides, picks, and business cards. You just never know, I thought. We went to a local diner for dinner
Read more…I have built 6 license plate reso's, but all have been made on purpose-built red oak plywood boxes with an open top - just the plate on top of the box, with a thin wooden brace under the bridge. I have two fine 12 1/2" long Padron boxes I am wanting
Read more…