Not a Cigar Box Guitar, but I’m posting this in the hope that some of our more knowledgeable Friends on Cigar Box Nation, may know a bit more about this particular Brand and Type of Guitar than yours truly.I have always been intrigued by, and liked the look of Parlour Guitars. I noticed this Little Critter when it popped up for auction on Ebay a couple of weeks ago for $150 + $30 Postage, sat there for a week with no bids, so not really aware of what I was buying, I posted an unopposed bid and became the owner of a Japanese Acoustic Guitar for $180 delivered.The item was described as a Vintage Acoustic Guitar. Jap. Has a small hole which has been filled. Collectors piece. Approximately sixty years old. Fitted with nylon strings. Has a few minor scratches and Does not play well.When opening and inspecting, I discovered the probable reason for the “Does not play well” comment was, when measuring the distance from the Nut to 12th Fret, which was 12”, indicating the Scale Length is 24”, I found that someone, somewhere along the line had moved the Bridge back (and off centre)to a scale of 25¾”, there is also a light faded mark as to where it once was, I’m also guessing it was originally fitted with Bronze Wound & Plain Steel Acoustic Strings, and not the Nylon ones it arrived with, indicated by the thicker Nylon Strings didn’t fit properly in the Bone Nut Slots, and sat above the Zero Fret.While not looking to fully restore this thing, I will replace the Nylon Strings with very Light Acoustic Steel Strings, adjust it to the right Scale Length, clean up the white paint spots, probably Hot Steam Iron some of the Dents and Polish out some of the Scratches, wish me luck in my attempt to come up with a Playable Instrument. :-)
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Taffy Evans, Tried to Post this Reply on the Forum, but got too confusing. :-{
"Thanks for the Info on your Suzuki Git Taffy", Yes!, the 40mm Fingerboard at the Nut will create problems for this Hamfisted Arthritic Pensioner, and agree with your comment about the Hide Glue, although it doesn't look too messy inside mine, and all the Bracing etc., seems to be pretty solid, also the Neck seems to be very straight, with no Fret Buzz at all, the action at the moment is very Low, but will be raised in the future to allow me to play Slide.
I added an 8.8k Alnico V Single Coil Pickup, which is hardwired to an Output Jack, I used the so called (Chinese) Fender 150XL Strings pictured, which I purchased on Ebay way back in 2016 for $1.70 for a pack of 6 Strings, currently in Standard Tuning, but will end being changed to Open D for Slide, they sound OK to my Deaf Old Ears, but will probably upgrade them in the future, I gave the Neck and Body a bit of a Clean Up with Gilly Stephenson's Orange Oil Furniture Polish.
I assume the number 430113 on the Headstock is the one on the Headstock Block inside the Body?, the number on mine is very hard to read, and the only numbers I can make out are 972(4?). :-)
"Thanks UJ", the Tailpiece is a good indicator that it was originally strung with Steel Strings and not Nylon Classical Type Strings, will post an update when I get around to cleaning it up, adding a Mag Pup and restringing it. :-)
Thanks for the input BQ, have seen those that String Set before, but have have never purchased them, just checked the gauges with my string tension calculator for a 24" Scale, and they seem to fit the bill perfectly, and Yes!, my intention is to add a Mag Pup and use it as a Slide Guitar, but will probably go with Nickel Wound Strings, which I buy in bulk lots from Mr Gitty, the Suzuki Label says it's a No.5, I believe No.6 is dated around 1964, so I guess the date of this build would probably be a year or two earlier ??, and like all my Gits, It will be a "Keeper" :-D
Good looking little guitar. I like it. The head stock makes me think nylon strings - but that might not have been the case. Nylon seem to all string up though the bridge and that does not appear to be the case. Could be it started out with steel strings. . Let us know how it turns out.
I used to be a sucker for these lil’ student guitars, their imperfect construction makes them perfect for slide guitars! I would drop an old Alnico pickup in & sell it as a lap slider. Funny how they copied the Valco/Stella tailpiece, that’s a dead giveaway to its age? Have you tried Earthwood strings? They have light gauge acoustic sets that sound great?
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Wow, those strings are from the 80’s, I remember them well?
Taffy Evans, Tried to Post this Reply on the Forum, but got too confusing. :-{
"Thanks for the Info on your Suzuki Git Taffy", Yes!, the 40mm Fingerboard at the Nut will create problems for this Hamfisted Arthritic Pensioner, and agree with your comment about the Hide Glue, although it doesn't look too messy inside mine, and all the Bracing etc., seems to be pretty solid, also the Neck seems to be very straight, with no Fret Buzz at all, the action at the moment is very Low, but will be raised in the future to allow me to play Slide.
I added an 8.8k Alnico V Single Coil Pickup, which is hardwired to an Output Jack, I used the so called (Chinese) Fender 150XL Strings pictured, which I purchased on Ebay way back in 2016 for $1.70 for a pack of 6 Strings, currently in Standard Tuning, but will end being changed to Open D for Slide, they sound OK to my Deaf Old Ears, but will probably upgrade them in the future, I gave the Neck and Body a bit of a Clean Up with Gilly Stephenson's Orange Oil Furniture Polish.
I assume the number 430113 on the Headstock is the one on the Headstock Block inside the Body?, the number on mine is very hard to read, and the only numbers I can make out are 972(4?). :-)
"Thanks Taffy", looking forward to your Forum Post :-)
The tuners are for steel strings too.
I'll put some details over on the Forum.
Cheers Taff
I'll put some details over on the Forum.
Cheers Taff
"Thanks UJ", the Tailpiece is a good indicator that it was originally strung with Steel Strings and not Nylon Classical Type Strings, will post an update when I get around to cleaning it up, adding a Mag Pup and restringing it. :-)
Thanks for the input BQ, have seen those that String Set before, but have have never purchased them, just checked the gauges with my string tension calculator for a 24" Scale, and they seem to fit the bill perfectly, and Yes!, my intention is to add a Mag Pup and use it as a Slide Guitar, but will probably go with Nickel Wound Strings, which I buy in bulk lots from Mr Gitty, the Suzuki Label says it's a No.5, I believe No.6 is dated around 1964, so I guess the date of this build would probably be a year or two earlier ??, and like all my Gits, It will be a "Keeper" :-D
Good looking little guitar. I like it. The head stock makes me think nylon strings - but that might not have been the case. Nylon seem to all string up though the bridge and that does not appear to be the case. Could be it started out with steel strings. . Let us know how it turns out.
I hear lots of good things from players with hand issues about these ones?
I used to be a sucker for these lil’ student guitars, their imperfect construction makes them perfect for slide guitars! I would drop an old Alnico pickup in & sell it as a lap slider. Funny how they copied the Valco/Stella tailpiece, that’s a dead giveaway to its age? Have you tried Earthwood strings? They have light gauge acoustic sets that sound great?