I used a dremel cut off wheel to cut the can. Good luck on the build. Hope it sounds good.

I built a reinforcement frame for the box out of pallet wood. The four boards are notched and nailed together. The small coffee can was cut down to a little less than half of its original height. The can sits on two wooden lift offs that hold the can opening above the bottom of the box. The can was also notched for the dowel rod neck to go through it. If you have anymore questions just ask. It was my first resonator build, and it was surprisingly simple.

Tyler

Corky, I'm mostly a guitar player who loves the sound of the CBG, and have become enough of a builder to enjoy making them for myself. LIkely I won't ever turn the building into a business venture: the hourly rate doesn't compare with my day job. ;)

Check out Ben Prestage on YouTube: he has a couple of "how-to" videos from a festival where he talks about the OMB stuff, and shows "slow-motion" technique. Since you already have the limb independence bit down, you should do well, i would think.

Learning slide for me has been mostly about finding the "feel" for the slide on the strings. If you can make a groove go with a Bic lighter, you should try out some "real" materials: I like copper (made my own), others like glass or bone or brass, or even a socket wrench.

Welcome aboard, Corky! You will find lots of helpful folks and information here on all things CBG (CBB, CBU, etc.) Feel free to poke around, ask questions, and post your stuff (photos, recordings, videos, etc.)

Most of all, have fun!

Tres.

Corkey, I picked up a ludwig pedal off of ebay that had a wood striker instead of felt- for me it makes a good enough sound for striking the snare- If I get a chance I will post a pic of it for you. One other thing about my lowebow style 3 stringer- imade it short scale- 21.5 inches nut to bridge for easier playing behind a kit. I had a tendency to smack the high hat with the headstock on my longer scale cbg's, something to keep in mind depending on how you up your drums- good luck! Congrats on the retirement- I'm only 35 so I got along way to go ( in other words I'm jealous! ) --Joker

Corky, the instrument played by Richard Johnston is a Lowebow built by John Lowe. It has a bass string that is plucked with the thumb and is amplified by a single homemade pickup ( John calls them "bobbins") wired to it's own jack that would be plugged into a bass amp. He then has 3 guitar strings that are plucked in combination with the thumb and fingers in clawhammer style. All the notes are played slide because there are no frets ( or even fret markers) . The guitar strings have their own "bobbin" pickups and are wired to a separate jack. This is plugged onto a regular guitar amp. Richard and John collaberated on the first of these designs, but John is the builder of various similar instruments. Most of John's builds contain the "double dowel design" which resembles two broomsticks. His are clamped with a type of hose clamp at the "headstock". I have had the opportunity to handle and pick around on John's work. Unfortunatly I can't afford what he charges (though I believe they are worth every penny)
So, the cbg in my pic was my first attempt at the double dowel design.
I used wooden painters poles from home depot and bailing wire to clamp the "headstock". It does not have the bass string. I have not attempted that yet. It is just a 3 string with a double series wired piezo bridge of my design. Johnny Lowebow is on the CB nation if you would like to ask him about the Lowebows.
Just one last thing, if you are looking to build a lowebow style for yourself that is cool. I would highly recommend not going that path if you are looking to build them to sell- it has happened in the past and does not go over well with John and alot of folk in the cbg world.
John does sell his "bobbin" pickups if you are looking to build a replica for yourself and want that authentic lowebow sound.
I hope this helps, let me know what kind of specific building questions you might have and I will do my best to help
---Joker