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Jess's Blog (16)

WHO NEEDS CIGAR BOXES?

Added by Jess on November 7, 2015 at 5:19am — 3 Comments

WHO NEEDS CIGAR BOXES?

Added by Jess on November 7, 2015 at 5:19am — No Comments

'The Chief'

While building guitars for the troops, I've finally completed one for myself.

'The Chief' is a 4-string electro/acoustic tenor guitar with a GuitarFuel on-board amp with tone and volume controls, ear bud jack, and speakers built into the body.

The design was inspired by an old radio I found at a yard sale. Maple front and back are joined with mahogany one-piece sides and back panels, walnut neck and maple fretboard make up the woodwork. Corian nut…

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Added by Jess on July 5, 2011 at 5:31am — 10 Comments

LT Sullivan's Guitar

LT Virginia Sullivan's three-string CBG has been shipped to her in Afghanistan.

Here is a photo, but if you're interested in more, and some details, go to my blog http://totalrojoguitars.blogspot.com for a look.…

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Added by Jess on April 27, 2011 at 9:55am — 9 Comments

New Amp -- 'Camacho'

For details go to my blog http://totalrojoguitars.blogspot.com/.

Added by Jess on April 18, 2011 at 8:02am — 4 Comments

'Maker's Mark' and 'Bad Acid'

I delivered my latest commissioned build of a six-string CBG and a Monster Amp today. Rather than duplicate info, if you're interested please go to my blog http://totalrojoguitars.blogspot.com/ for a tour and information.

Added by Jess on April 12, 2011 at 1:33pm — No Comments

#s 8 through 12

I've been a little busy creating CBGs #8 through #12, so I haven't added anything here for a while. Take a look and let me know what you think, and any recommendations you may… Continue

Added by Jess on April 16, 2010 at 3:42pm — No Comments

#7 -- 'Gutshaker'

I just finished the 'Gutshaker', a bass created from an old silverware box I found at a secondhand store, which is adorned with my handpainted version of Ed Roth's Rat Fink and oldskool pinstriping on the back, my second most favorite hobby after CBGs. To compliment the sound holes and bridge, I helped myself to one of my wife's silver pie/cake servers for a tailstock (I hope she doesn't get too upset). This thing really sounds good, and it is a gutshaker, when amped. …

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Added by Jess on February 19, 2010 at 9:28am — 6 Comments

#6 -- 'Playboy'

Last week I finished the 'Playboy', a straightforward 3-string CBG with a few embellishments . . . bunny cutouts for soundholes and applications to the headstock and to enclose the output jack. An inverted picture hanger for a tailstock. But, the most fun was the photo collage inside the box.…

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Added by Jess on February 19, 2010 at 9:15am — 2 Comments

Thanks!

Thanks to everyone for the encouragement and enthusiastic support for the boxes I've built. I really don't know what I'm doing, but I'm learning from all of you, and it seems like each guitar is a little better than the one before. I've had a lot of hobbies over the years, but without doubt this CBG thing is my favorite. And, thanks to Shane for starting the 'Nation'. I wouldn't have gotten into this without the lead provided by this site.

Added by Jess on February 5, 2010 at 6:31pm — 1 Comment

More Photos of 'TotalRojo' Guitars

I've been so busy working on my current 'TotalRojo' guitar that I have not uploaded photos of creations #3; 4; or 5.

The name for my guitars (TotalRojo) originated from a trip my wife and I took to Cancun. We were on the beach and I decided to go to the cabana for towels. The kid asked my name and when I told him it was Allred, he said, "Oh, Mr. Todo Rojo." We had a good laugh, and from then on, I was known to the waiters by that version of my name. For various reasons and uses, I… Continue

Added by Jess on February 4, 2010 at 9:29am — 1 Comment

Inspiration!

Wow, there's nothing that get's the ol' blood boiling and the body moving like inspiration from a fella's peers.

Just this past week I was reading Shane's suggestion that designing and creating a CBG was simply not enough of an accomplishment, and that in order to really enjoy the effort you gotta get out of the workshop and light up the box in front of an audience. It didn't say that talent was an important ingredient . . . just get out there and play!

Another commentator… Continue

Added by Jess on January 30, 2010 at 8:51am — 2 Comments

#2 Is Complete

Today I finished the build on #2. I call this one my "Olli", 'cause it's a Oliveros box. The headstock and tailstock are shaped a little differently than on the first box, and the neck is a deep Mahogany color with a natural color fretboard. The bridge is different as well, but the greatest difference is in the offset of the box to the neck. I wanted to hear if the sound may be more resonant with a larger cavity and 'f' holes cut in the lid. This really sounds good accoustically and is very… Continue

Added by Jess on January 8, 2010 at 2:43pm — No Comments

Frets from Gitty

I received the frets yesterday, which I ordered from Giddy, and they're installed on # 2 and #3. I must tell you how pleased I am with the customer service and quality of the materials I received, and the shipping was lightening swift. I checked all local music stores and numerous vendors on the web, and Giddy cannot be beat for price and service. Just thought you all would like to know that this is one advertiser on this site that is preamo.

Added by Jess on January 3, 2010 at 12:20pm — No Comments

Number 3 is in the mill . . . #2 is on the way

I finished shaping and sanding the neck for #2 yesterday, now I'm waiting for the mail to bring me fret stock from Giddy's, and I will be on the way to completion. The box is ready for installation and electronics. I hope it turns out as well as the first effort, but who knows, the proof is in the pudding, as they say.

Number 3 is already in the mill. This CBG thing is intoxicating, perhaps even addictive. I found an 'old' Hershey's Chocolate pretzel tin among the stuff in my… Continue

Added by Jess on January 1, 2010 at 3:00am — No Comments

My First CBG

Well, today I completed my first CBG effort started a week ago.

I commenced with a Hemingway cigar box scavenged from the local newsstand/smoke shop, which is attached to a laminated oak and poplar headstock/fingerboard/tailstock. The design is all mine, using a stick of tuners and pegs purchased locally, strings I pilfered from my six-string supply, frets made from finish nails set in the neck at correct depth and intervals compared to my Martin D16-H, and a Radio Shack transducer… Continue

Added by Jess on December 28, 2009 at 11:17am — 2 Comments

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