Posted by Ruben Poncia on December 24, 2009 at 5:15pm
Finished my theremin project. It's a theremin & amp build into a fifties radiospeaker. Got the 2 watt amp from 'The Cigarbox Guitar Company'. The speaker of the radiobox sounds much better then the one in the kit, so no hassle changing the speaker, only some wiring to connect the theremin with the amp. It has an input for a guitar or other instrument and an effectloop for the theremin. The theremin consists of two oscillators operating at a radio frequency; one is at a constant frequency and the other is varied by approaching the antenna with your hand. So this instrument is played without touching it. I recorded a tune playing my resonator through this amp, then dubbing the theremin and some percussion.
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Big Daddy, is at it again more parts in the StoreBack porch mojo is now offering Volume and Tone pots for all you builders250k pots500k potsand we have in the store single strings so if you planning a diddley bow or maybe you broke a string, just maybe want some spares around... we got you covered!!visit the parts store today and see how Big Daddy can help get you'r mojo workin!!
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So I'm nearing the end of my first build and with it's many flaws, I'm still proud of it and I will hand it with much pride to my youngest son -- and hope with all my heart that he doesn't turn and swing it at his brother's head -- LOL, think I'm jokin'?.I'm learning a lot w/ this build... like, how hard it is to work with purple heart(!!), damn shit is only slightly softer than concrete and will splinter whenever it damn well feels like it!! Now I remember why I have so much of this stuff left and sitting in a closet for 8 yrs!!It's a beautiful wood, but a pain to work with hand tools (at least for me) and add to the fact that the dust is an irritant -- skin/eyes for some people (including me), lungs for many... I wear a mask whenever I saw/sand this stuff.other things --*I need to make more jigs and setup proper stations (w/ clamps, jigs, etc prepared) before preforming an action that could mar/ruin something that I've been working on. I learned that little gem when I drilled holes in the neck for purple heart fret markers. The drill bit would sometimes slide a few mm out of line. I should've setup a drill guide or template which would've made short work of this simple task w/o adding anymore 'character' (yea, that's my story and I'm stickin' to it) to my build.By the time I realized that I needed to press much harder on the drill bit before beginning -- I had created a crooked road, for a crooked man with a crooked smile.*Next time, I'll spend more time planning the build before hand -- knowing more of what I want to do. I started this build with just an idea and the desire to get started. After spending a couple of weeks on this I find myself going into more detail... detail that I wish I had thought of earlier so I wouldn't spend so much time doing things over again and/or wasting materials.I think you can do that without killing spur of the moment creativity.*I'll make sure that for my next build that I have everything to complete it before I start. I had most of the raw materials but no strings, tuners. Missing some tools/materials and a work-area (now prepared) that could have moved this along with momentum.... there are some other things, but it's 4:30am and my mind is has already gotten up and climbed into bed and is just waiting for my body to join...yea, who am I kiddin'... the mind is already asleep and could really give a crap where the body crashes-out.
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Posted by Ruben Poncia on December 16, 2009 at 1:36am
Do you want to pimp your Cigarbox Guitar with a painting? I can paint your Cigarbox with your favorite blues/jazz/pop/CBG artist or anything that you can imagine.
Or a unique painting of your favorite blues/jazz/pop/CBG artist on canvas.
Other possabilities are logo design, cartoons & illustrations, coverart.
Making Cigarbox instruments is a passion that I share and I put the same devotion and concentration in my paintings and drawings. I have 15 years of experience as a profesional artpainter/illustrator. This is the way I make my living so offcourse it's not for free, but I think my prices are fair. So if you are interested, have an idea and/or want information, please let me know. Best regards, Ruben Poncia
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Posted by marcianx on December 15, 2009 at 11:30pm
Today, while I was sweating away using a microplane to trim out a recess on the neck that will be under the box lid, I kept thinking to myself, "Damn, if only I could pull out the mini router table I could be done with this in no time."The thing is stuck in a closet and I dare not bring it out just yet... not after taking over the dining room for the first week of my CBG build-- and feeling the wrath of the lil' lady (the silent kinda wrath, with knowing glances and grimaces.)I spent this past weekend moving my project to the rear bedroom, that had been nothing more than a storage room for over a year since we moved our boys from there into what was once our office. I had planned to spend this weekend working on my new hobby, but instead I was moving tools and things I'll need for a workarea. Another trip (or two) to HomeDepot and I should have an adequately functional "woodworking shop".Already I see a gleam in the wife's eye as she mentally prepares a "honey dew do" list. A list that i've been able to avoid just 'cause I didn't have a place to work that wouldn't interrupt the flow of life in our home. Well that little excuse has now been blown to bits!What I've found interesting is all the tools and materials that I've had stored away (in one place or another) for the past decade since we moved in here and remodeled. Twenty or so feet of 1x2 red oak remaining from the bookcase I built 9 yrs ago; 15' or so of 2x2 purple heart for a frame that I was supposed to build for a large pane of stained glass 8 yrs ago (I had to hide that when I took it out or I'd certainly hear about that one! LOL); an assortment of mitre saws that I kept purchasing 'cause I couldn't find one I liked; a large of assortment of rulers that I've acquired thru the yrs and kept misplacing which always required me to buy another! lol The original RotoZip Rebel (Dremel-like) saw with a horde of bits that I haven't used in 10 yrs; a 'mouse' sander with five unopened packages of various sandpapers; a selection of clamps; a mini vice work- bench/table... and the list goes on and on.But all of that still didn't stop me from purchasing a Sharksaw (Japanese pull-saw) and a selection of microplanes just to aid me in building all my planned CBGs!Tomorrow, before the lil lady gets home, I'll get that router table out and get it back to my new workshop. i've gotta work like a madman before the wife has me building who-knows-what.... er, um... too late... she just informed me that the boys need a bigger bookcase for their room --- she's already laying out the plans...stick a fork in me, I'm done.
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I signed up with Ning 2-3 yrs ago, right around the time it came out. In fact, if I remember correctly, I created a couple different Ning accounts for separate purposes. Seemed like a good idea for a site and they had some big ideas.I used it for a couple of days and left because it was so buggy and laggy that I couldn't even create a site, could barely play around with it. I had hoped to come back to it at some later time but never got around to it.A couple of weeks ago (not long after I discovered CBN), I get an email from Ning telling me that they are going to erase my account because it hadn't been active. I was fine with that at that moment -- didn't see me needing an account I hadn't used in almost 3 yrs.... that was, until I realized that I was gonna need to post some questions here on CBN! hahaI've been reading this site so much, it never entered my mind that there could be something left unanswered to any potential question I might have. That was, until today, when I had a question that I couldn't find an answer to... and so I had to find the email that I received 3 yrs ago with my account and password (yea, I keep stuff like that --- forever! lol).So now, I've logged into my account and have become a member of CBN and written on my 'wall' and posted a blog post and I'll be damned if I can't remember what the hell my question was that began all this anyways!:D
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Hey everyone,My old man has abunch of purple heart. Will it splinter too bad or could it make a good fingerboard or completed neck. I was thinking of making maple as a contrast for good color. Thanks for all ya'll do.
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I have been playing Delta Style Bottleneck Blues Guitar in Open Tunings since 1984. Although I am far from an expert in the field, I have learned some very practical methods to understanding music.I would like to help CBG builders who have no or limited knowledge of music, but are interested in building learn how to play their creations.So, I have a plan.Step 1:Begin by building one string (diddley-bow) CBGs. Initially, this instrument does not need frets, but I would suggest learning how to measure and draw a correct scale onto the fingerboard. Due to the fact there are no frets at this point, I would suggest playing it with a slide. In later 1 string CBG builds, learn how to install frets correctly and then play the CBG with your fingers. (Note: For this 3 Step approach, learn to play the CBG holding it like a standard guitar, not on your lap)A very fine example:http://www.cigarboxnation.com/video/beverly-hillbillies-onHis creation has a Diatonic scale or aka Dulcimer scale.For this approach, I would encourage you to use the scale found on a standard guitar. This is aka the Chromaticscale. This scale will give you more options as we progress.Use the third string (g) .026 gauge found in a medium pack of strings. You will need a scale length of about 23".Ask for help and research so you learn how to build functional instruments that play in tune and have a nice tone.Learn everything you can about that one string. Scales: Major, minor, pentatonic blues, indian, etc.Explore everything you can do to create different rhythm with your picking hand.Figure out the melody lines of songs.There are an amazing amount of 1 string players.Ask me. I will throw ideas at you too.Step 2:Hey, don't be in such a rush. Can you demonstrate your proficiency with 1 string first?Enjoy.
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(DGbd) tune down to (Df#ad)(DGDg) tune up (DADa)Tuning the g up a whole step to a, could create a tension problem. A solution would be to tune down to f# (DADf#). Over lapping the (Df#) on both CBGs. Of course, this would alter the relative string arrangement and new ideas would need to be explored for the (Df#) interval.This is interesting because it is the treble arrangement part of Open C Tuning on a 6 string guitar (CG"Cgce") applied to a bass arrangement in the key of D (DADf#).
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During my on going study of Open Tunings, I realized a way to split the Open G Tuning on a six guitar (DGDgbd) in half by using two CBGs. On the "After a Hard Week...video, Bill used a 4 string tuned (Dgbd) and I used a 3 string CBG tuned (GDg). The only string I was missing was the low D to complete the 6 string arrangement. If I had a 4 string CBG, with this low D added, I could tune (DGDg). The two guitars would over lap the (Dg). I would have the low (DG), Bill would have the high (bd). We both could play rhythm. I would be the bass while Bill could be the lead. This set up would provide good pitch separation and due to the different string configurations, would force us to play differently.
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Back porch mojo is pleased to announce we have finally added a Bass Kit to our ever expanding store!!My brother Big Dan is the Bass man and is now putting together for you a Bass CBG kit check it out at the Back porch mojo storeRead more…
Big Daddy here, and I am trying to help all my fellow CBG'ers by tracking down and making available the parts and information I had to search and search for to fuel my CBG addiction! I have found some great tuning pegs, and they will put your next CBG over the top!! every one knows that Kluson tuners on an old les paul or other vintage axe gives it a look you just cant get any other way... but Klusons are expensive!! vintage sets can run in the hundreds of dollars and new reproductions are still $50 to over a hundred dollars a set!! but Big Daddys got your back, for less than half of what a set of Klusons will cost you, you can sport the same killer look!! and with Big Daddy you don't get stuck buying 6 when you only need 4 or 3...Big Daddy has been there and knows you need what you need. so head on over to the Back Porch Mojo store and check it out!!http://shop.backporchmojo.com/Cigar-Box-Guitar-Parts_c7.htmRead more…
im just exploring the unique sounds of a 3 string banjo 1 g string 2 high e strings tuned gdg it sounds amazing esp. with slide happy pluckin and happy thanks giving to all u usaers
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i was sitting on the verandah at work playing one of my cbgs when a lady come up and offered me $200 for it as a present for her son .i was blown away
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Posted by Ron Moucka on November 24, 2009 at 11:11am
Nice to be back with the CBG folks. I've been gone for a couple of years. Trying to find time to get back into building and have a question for the group. Does anyone know a good source for those cheapie wood bridges that you insert the strings through the end of the bridge? They are usually anchored to the instrument by a couple of bolts and nuts that are capped with a couple of pearloid buttons like fret markers. You see these kind of bridges on the cheap imported "backpacker" guitars on Ebay. I thought they might be useful for both 4 and 6 string applications.Thanks,RonHope I'm posting in the right place!
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I currently own 2 acoustic and 3 electric guitars, 1 electric bass guitar, 1 fiddle, a banjo, 2 autoharps, 1 mandolin, a few harmonicas, a melodica, 2 old electronic keyboards, an electric piano, and a Peruvian ocarina. I am almost finished building a lap steel using wood from my late Great Grandfather's house.*Hopefully* I will finish that in the next day or two and finally start on a CGB.I've been playing guitar for a little over 30 years, and making horrendous noises on various other instruments all my life.I'm usually a quiet guy. I don't believe in political correctness, but I DO try to avoid being overbearing and offensive.I look forward to gathering pearls of wisdom, absorbing tips and techniques, and flat out stealing some licks from the Nation.
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