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Habanera Hal Male Fort Lauderdale, FL United States: Like

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Music

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05 That's My Train 1
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Walkin' Blues
3.
While My Guitar Gently Weeps
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Sunshine of Your Love
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Ghost Riders On The Storm
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Lightning When I Need
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03 RESET_ME_LORD

Habanera Hal's Groups

Skeesix CBG Pickups

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Intermediate building ti…

251 members
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Classifieds and Swaps

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Super Advanced Cigar Box…

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How loud can we make it?

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Habanera Hal's Discussions

Live Streaming for Amateur Musicians

Started Feb 13, 2017 0 Replies 0 Likes

Would like to clue everyone in to a great live streaming musicians site called www.streetjelly.com . You can listen to or sign up to play, they have a…Continue

20th Annual Navasota Bluesfest coming!

Started Jul 30, 2015 0 Replies 0 Likes

Friday, August 14th and Saturday August 15th at the GRIMES COUNTY EXPO CENTER (Formerly Grimes County Fairgrounds) 5336 FM 3455,NAVASOTA, TEXAS 77868…Continue

Tags: Justin, Johnson, Texas, Lipscomb, Navasota

Lesser Known Blues Legends

Started this discussion. Last reply by Scott aka Farmer Ted Feb 8, 2015. 2 Replies 0 Likes

While doing a search on Blind Willie Johnson, I found this:…Continue

Always See The Big Picture

Started this discussion. Last reply by the anonymous pick Feb 2, 2013. 4 Replies 0 Likes

The Lone Ranger and Tonto went camping in the desert.After they got their tent all set up, both men fell sound asleep.Some hours later, Tonto wakes the Lone Ranger and says, 'Kemo Sabe, look…Continue

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Habanera Hal's Page

Latest Activity

Paul replied to Habanera Hal's discussion Discussion: Toothpick Frets?

"I have used toothpicks on a few canjos. After gluing them in my sawed slots on the fretboard , I would file/sand them level, then soak each one with thin super glue. Seems to harden them abit."

Jul 26

BrianQ. replied to Habanera Hal's discussion Discussion: Toothpick Frets?

"Actually foam files have been used by luthiers & techs for the last 10 or 15 years or more, they have give but aren’t as “flexible” as you’re thinking. In fact they have less give than sanding sponges? One thing I learned…"

Jul 24

Mark Bowen replied to Habanera Hal's discussion Discussion: Toothpick Frets?

"I’m not sure that using flexible sanding tools will make things easier. The goal of good fretwork is the same with metal or wood; you want the profile to be rounded with just a whisp of a flat along the top, and that flat should be level with…"

Jul 24

Mark Bowen replied to Habanera Hal's discussion Discussion: Toothpick Frets?

"I used two hacksaw blades clamped together to cut slots to a depth of half the diameter of the pick, and use a bit of glue when I press them in. That leaves plenty of height for leveling and dressing. I use 400 grit paper on a flat stone countertop…"

Jul 24

Mark Bowen replied to Habanera Hal's discussion Discussion: Toothpick Frets?

"I’ve used toothpicks on several canjos, all with nylon (actually, 50lb fishing line). They sound just fine and are very comfortable."

Jul 24

Order99 liked Habanera Hal's discussion Discussion: Toothpick Frets?

Jul 23

Cliff Whitefoot replied to Habanera Hal's discussion Discussion: Toothpick Frets?

"Those spongey nail polishing doohickeys are amazing and as BrianQ has said they are so much more forgiving than a Block and files. If you look carefully for them you can find various grades of “grit” . I have to say they saved the day on…"

Jul 23

Cliff Whitefoot liked Habanera Hal's discussion Discussion: Toothpick Frets?

Jul 23

BrianQ. replied to Habanera Hal's discussion Discussion: Toothpick Frets?

"The spongey nature of the foam is more forgiving than a sanding block or file, way more finesse without extra effort? You can also find foam files cheap at the drugstore as well as bargain stores in the ladie’s aisle, if you don’t mind…"

Jul 23

BrianQ. replied to Habanera Hal's discussion Discussion: Toothpick Frets?

"Tip: use finish sandpaper & ultra fine files to shape so you don’t take off too much at a time, it only takes one bad stroke to create a low spot? Also I found that these foam files or nail buffers if you will, do wonders for fretwork?…"

Jul 23

Dave Lynas replied to Habanera Hal's discussion Discussion: Toothpick Frets?

"I’ve found many hardwood possibilities for fretting. Cherry, Boxwood, native Plum, coke Cherry, Pin Cherry, Apple, crab Apple, etc. so carve you own “pics”."

Jul 23

Dave Lynas liked Habanera Hal's discussion Discussion: Toothpick Frets?

Jul 23

BrianQ. replied to Habanera Hal's discussion Toothpick Frets

"I use bamboo toothpicks for frets & skewers for zero frets, sometimes you can find thin skewers that are similar in size to a jumbo fret, but the good quality ones are usually found at Asian stores. Very rigid, so they don’t thin out as…"

Jul 17

Mark Bowen replied to Habanera Hal's discussion Toothpick Frets

"I’ve used toothpicks on my last few canjos with nylon strings. They work great! They are very comfortable and sound just fine. I made slots using two 24pt hacksaw blades clamped together. For my round toothpicks, that’s a nice fit. Tried…"

Jul 17

Tim Pannabecker joined Habanera Hal's group

Sell Those Puppies!

A group to discuss selling the instruments and accessories we build. Where to sell, how to display, what works and what doesn't. Where do you find your buyers? See More

Jul 16

146 Comments 3 Likes

Barry Morrison liked Habanera Hal's photo

A Snake In The Grass

May 23, 2020

Robbie joined Habanera Hal's group

Sell Those Puppies!

A group to discuss selling the instruments and accessories we build. Where to sell, how to display, what works and what doesn't. Where do you find your buyers? See More

Jan 10, 2020

146 Comments 3 Likes

T-Gripped joined Habanera Hal's group

Sell Those Puppies!

A group to discuss selling the instruments and accessories we build. Where to sell, how to display, what works and what doesn't. Where do you find your buyers? See More

Jan 8, 2020

146 Comments 3 Likes

Rich Butters replied to Habanera Hal's discussion Soundhole sizing and design in the group Super Advanced Cigar Box Guitar Building

"Hi all, I thought the hole itself doesn't affect the sound of the guitar. It is more the actual top (soundboard) of the guitar that generates the sound by vibrating like a drum skin. Usually, up to 80% of the sound is created from two vibration…"

Nov 7, 2019

Rich Butters liked Habanera Hal's discussion Soundhole sizing and design

Nov 7, 2019

Profile Information

How did you learn about Cigar Box Nation?: Diddlin' around looking for business card boxes for my wife - I had some old cigar boxes of my dad's laying around and put a divider in one, then started looking for more attractive boxes, found this site, and fell in love!

Habanera Hal's Photos

Habanera Hal's Videos

It Don't Mean Nothin'.mp4

Added by Habanera Hal 6 Comments 2 Likes
Ry Cooder - Feelin' Bad Blues

Added by Habanera Hal 13 Comments 6 Likes
Son Bonds 80 Highway Blues

Added by Habanera Hal 2 Comments 2 Likes

Habanera Hal's Blog

Artesanos de Obelisco - Moondawg

Posted on July 10, 2012 at 6:30pm 12 Comments 3 Likes

I finally found my “Holy Grail” of boxes – the half-moon shaped Artesanos de Obelisco. Since I saw Kevin Brown’s build of one of these back in February, I knew I had to have one. Here’s his: I searched all my regular cigar stores for months, but everyone said they weren’t made any more, or they had never seen one. Long story short, I finally found one in an out-of-the-way…

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Building a Paddle Stick Guitar

Posted on October 4, 2011 at 11:00am 4 Comments 0 Likes

September 26, 2011

Now that I’ve built about 17 CBG’s I’ve decided to try my hand at a built-from scratch instrument. Inspired by Rand Moore’s work (http://www.cigarboxnation.com/group/HMRB101/forum/topics/the-boat-paddle-box-the?commentId=2592684%3AComment%3A838455&xg_source=msg_com_gr_forum) and his excellent write-up,…

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Comment Wall (38 comments)

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At 4:46am on March 21, 2015, RTZGUITARS said…: I posted a tab on People Are Strange Hal hope it works for you.

At 9:03am on November 8, 2014, Doug Christensen said…: Hello Hal, Look up "Dick Mott", He's in H. town. I'm up the creek here in College Station (for some reason). Thanks for the invite. If your up in this neck of the woods send me a text at nine-7-nine,,,2one nine./ seventy eight hundred. I build small tube old style guitar amps "cook", never any clean tone what so ever. and CBGs, normally in the winter months. My next one will have a coin operated Kat food dispenser like Swamp Witch.

At 2:45pm on June 13, 2013, Rooster Reaves said…: Howdy Doody Hal, You don't happen to have any of those 1/2 round boxes left do ya?

At 6:14pm on May 24, 2013, Rooster Reaves said…: Hey, Hal I've done a couple of boxes. I have a hard time getting pics to come up on my computer. As soon as I can get that solved I'll get some up. Great boxes!! Rooster

At 9:41am on February 17, 2013, Scott aka Farmer Ted said…: Thanks Hal...suppose I jumped the gun, should have posted in the other group...sorry

At 11:31pm on January 9, 2013, Rand Moore said…: Hi Hal,

I am doing a detailed write-up of my Flying V Dulcimer Build under my CBN discussion Group "Home Made Resonator Boxes 101, v.2.0". The discussion is titled "My Flying "V" Dulcimer Project". You might want to check it out. I'll be adding to it as the project progresses.

-Rand.

At 6:29pm on January 8, 2013, Rooster Reaves said…: Hey Hal, Hope all is goin well. Whats the largest box you have for sale? I'm going to try something crazy!! Gorgeous Uke!! Rooster

At 8:03am on October 5, 2012, Rob Uker said…: Hi Hal,

Thanks for your help on my wiring diagram.

I just check out your pics. I'm lovin the ukes.

At 8:27pm on August 19, 2012, Mark Lillo said…: I get most of the wood I use from a neighbor with a woodmizer sawmill. The trees come from around this area. I did purchase a Sapele back and side set on ebay. But most of what I use is within a 5 mile radius from my place.

At 11:49pm on June 20, 2012, Rand Moore said…: Hi H.H.

I was reading through the treads on CBN and saw that you were interested in building a "real" mountain dulcimer. I built one maybe a year and a half ago and documented it on CBN at this link: http://www.cigarboxnation.com/group/HMRB101/forum/topics/rand-moore-my-mountain

It should give you a pretty good idea how to build one (except I did a flat guitar-life headstock instead of a slotted scroll headstock). You can also check out the builder groups on both www.everythingdulcimer.com and the Friends of the Mountain Dulcimer Ning (http://mountaindulcimer.ning.com/).

Since then I build another rectangular mountain dulcimer. When I get better at steam bending wood, I'll try an hour glass body design. When I do, you'll likely hear about it on CBN.

-Rand.