I plan to built a guitar by screwing a Flat Texas license plate to a cigar box
1.do I need to cut a hole in the box below plate?
2. Or use 4 screened Grommets ?
3. Any other hints? I have built a couple cigar box from kits
Thanks Brad Craig
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Thanks all: As they say this is "no rules" I actually used a Wine 2bottle wood box.Yes wood too thick for knobs/plug so fixed that. My plate is flat, older plates w/ raised ## ??? So far no cut in wood top , no holes in box yet. Piezo ??? will try later,starting w/ Gitty 4-string coil pickup. Cool/fun for me is trying different parts & pieces. I will keep updated & thanks all Brad Craig
I made the boxes for mine, and used no sound hole at all. Must be a huge cigar box to fit a plate!
Some things to maybe consider -
A piezo echos like crazy against the steel plate. Use something to prevent direct contact.
If the plate is older it is usually thicker. I used older plates with no bracing without any problems.
Think about where the bridge sits so it is either sitting on a number or between two numbers, otherwise it is harder to get it to sit right.
good looking build John.
The only cigar box that I found that fits a license plate well is an Arturo Fuente... All my license plate builds, so far, have been self made boxes.
I would cut out the top like Lonman said, but leave at most 1" around the outside. You will probably need to reinforce the long edges with something to keep the lid from falling apart.
I found a piezo disc or rod work really well when under the plate at the bridge position with a spacer so the plate is squashing the piezo.
I have yet to cut sound holes, as the plate seems to resonate just fine, and the acoustic volume is good... YMMV...
I have not put a license plate on a cigar box, but if I do, I would be inclined to cut out the top about 2" smaller than what the plate is. this would give resonance I would think for acoustic playing and give you enough wood to screw the plate on. I'd use a piezo under the bridge for electric purpose. the screened grommets I would put on the outside perimeter of the plate, I would not want to put additional holes in the plate. There are many pics and information of other folks license plate guitars, be sure to search them out. I am looking forward to seeing your end product. Have fun!