Posted by Brian Hilbers on November 5, 2009 at 10:23pm
Here's my latest washtub standup. I'm still using a #2 oval (a Dover, this time- I've been using Cubasa; they're narrower and shallower. I'm liking the sound out of the Dover better). I'm working on tweaking the rim shape- this dude is more egg than oval. Still a 43+" 4/4 scale. I've got a lot to learn on this, and I think I'll go to a 41-ish" scale next time. The neck is running a 9.5" top radius.Still, it plays, and at least I think it looks cool.
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Posted by Tom Staggs on November 2, 2009 at 12:30pm
After watching Shanes videoI got to thinking ? I have seen alot of places on the net asking the best way to make a bottle neck slide ,and I found one to share.Back in the seventies , yes the old days to all you young wippersnappers,There was a tool kit called a Flemming Bottle and Jug Cutter these work very well don't waist your time using the plastic kits they are junk. It is made out of flat metal bars about 3/4 " wide held together with wing nutsand small plates for adjusting ,All you do is place the tapered tip ends in the bottle adjust to the size you want to cut,and score the glass with the attached glass cutter, It leaves a very nice even cut, you won't be able to tap the glassfrom the inside since the necks are so small,The best way I have found is a Dremel Tool ,use the waifer disks , they are thin ,and cut the glass well, Lay your bottle down working slow, start on the score you made with your glass cutter turning the bottle as you go continue all the way around untill you have a nice groove,then all you do is give it a tap on the table and it comes right off .after I tried it the first time i was amazed at how clean it came out .I than touched up the end with my beltsander and some fine wet and dry WHALAH !!!! Bottle neck slide .I found my Flemming cutter on Ebay , but you may be lucky and find one at your local FLea Market or Antique store they sell from $20 or $30 hope this helpsTom Staggs
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Posted by Bill Lewis on November 2, 2009 at 9:31am
About Me.I live near Lansing Michigan, married to my beautiful wife Lila 33years, 2 grown kids, 4 grandchildren, 3 boys and a girl. A little doggie named Ki-Ki. We like to camp, fishing, travel, spoiling grandkids. I've made 3 Dulcimers and didn't know how to play an instrument. Started to learn how to play my Dulcimer this year, joined a club and that has really help in learning. On the FOTMD sites members from here were joining, so i wandered over here and looked around and liked what i saw so i joined. Now i want to build a CBD and a CBG. LOL That is about it for now so when i get ready to build i will be asking questions . Thanks, Bill
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All, this is a simple Google SketchUp plan for a CBG. Nothing too fancy but you can download it and then download the free Google SketchUp and take a look. CBGPlans-1.3.skb If you change it, post the changes and note the changes made. -Wes
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Dear Sir/Ms.I have been writing ,singing and playing songs for many years.I have known about cigarbox inst. last summer.I bought a couple of them at ebay becouse of the great sounds I've never heard before.And now I decide that make a website to introdusce cigarbox inst.& music over here.Well I have just get a domain of CBMjapan.com.(Cigar Box Music JAPAN)Because I want to spread cigar box guitars in Japan, I ask for cooperation.Best Regards,TJ
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Well Im a great believer in starting from the begining as that i also believe that is where we will find our ends . and as i stand on the edge with my toes curled ,of the cbg world i pounder my fate . what guitar will come out of it? where will i get a cigar box from? can i cut a fret board ? what about the electrics ? All these questions and more that are taken for granted by seasoned makers that now are on the road to a higher goal are with me today. but determination and the help of cigar box nation i will succeed in my mission! i will build a cbg ! Ahmen..............................I must stop drinking at home.
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PikassoFour necks. Two sound holes. 42 strings. Two access doors; one on the upper player's side and one at the tail block.Created by luthier Linda Manzer for guitarist Pat Metheny, the instrument took 2 years to build (approximately 1000 hours), and when the 42 strings are strung up to high tension, the Pikasso is under approximately 1000 lbs pressure. It weighs 6.7 kg or 14 3/4 lbs.http://www.oddmusic.com/gallery/om23350.htmlRead more…
Posted by Trea Lynch on October 30, 2009 at 6:00am
Hi, the name is Trea, im from Ireland. Saw Seasick Steve and fell in love with his cigar box guitar! I jump onto Google and was bowled pver to find this community! I hope to start my own project soon and ill share whatever pictures i take with you all.
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Posted by richard tait on October 29, 2009 at 8:40am
high there nice to be here dick taits my name i play a leftie lowebowe and trying to build my first 4 string.sadly missed the uk cbg fest hope to be there next time. southpaw dick.
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Posted by Mark Perkins on October 27, 2009 at 7:05pm
This is the first blog entry of my entire life! I just started my first CGB project last night and hope to get some pictures up as soon as I can. My next project is to build a CGB amp. There a dozen ways to do it, so hopefully I'll find the right plan for me. I am going to use a cube shaped cigar box to enclose the 3" speaker and the electronics. I haven't worked with electronics in long while so this should be a hoot!What draws me to the CGB is the simplicity of the concept, the sound that a CGB can put out, the ability to create something cool from what some people might throw away, and the chance to interact with others with a common interest.I have been blown away at some of the intricate designs that others have produced. My initial goal is to produce a playable guitar that is playable and cool to show my friends and family. Then I hope to make some guitars for my three sons for their enjoyments. After that, I'll see where this "hobby" takes me. I like the combination of the creative, technical, and musical challenges that the CGB culture brings together. Thanks to all those who have influenced my first design without knowing it and thanks in advance for all of the advice I'll be seeking during my builds.Marco Loco
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Posted by Roosterman on October 27, 2009 at 6:23am
Long time since I did a blog.The Birmingham show was an absolute blast! Met some really great folk, took home some great ideas and knowledge and enjoyed every second of it - a huge thank you to Chickenbone John and his team for organising everything - Im already looking forward to next years!!I took 18 cbgs and diddly bows down eventually I think, and it was fantastic to see everyone playing them and enjoying them - thats what its all about right?Since the show though Iv been in a bit of a lull. Kinda like a Post Show Blues. Im not the only one feeling it either. Im not sure what it is - maybe I was just building a bit intensly prior to the show. Now the pressure is off, Im struggling to decide in which direction to go. Seeing Jujus amazing creations made me realise just what is achievable with a little patience. And a lot of skill! Then theres a part of me that thinks ' i love building - lets just build a LOT in the style that Im used to'.... Im undecided at the moment though.Instead, Iv been filling my time trying to spin my own resonator cones at home, with some success. Spinning the cones is no problem, but Im at the stage now where I need to invest in some proper materials and that is costly. That kind of goes against the grain of what I was trying to achieve by spinning them in the shed in the first place!! So that too, is on hold...In the meantime I have a few amp jobs on which sound very interesting, and maybe a website in the pipeline.... watch this space!!!
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Posted by Nathan King on October 24, 2009 at 2:15am
For once, I took my camera with me down to the shop. Usually, I really have trouble taking the time to STOP what I'm doing to bust out the camera. I'm always too interested in what I'm doing to take any "in progress" shots (and I really appreciate and value those of you who do -- since they are usually quite helpful to see)... ...and I guess today was no real exception. I began with glueing a fingerboard to a stretch of oak.
Then, I guess the photographer in me took over my brain, and I began to look for interesting shots of all these damned clamps.
After cleaning it out and getting my things packed so I can ferry them over when I build I contacted Jonas to see if he wanted to build.Seeing as both of us have pretty busy lives right now we have managed to get in two fridays of build into it but things are going well ahead.The latest pictures show the baritone CBG I'm working on and how far I got the first day. Second day I got the fretboard glued on, fixed the neck angle with a shim, glued internals and screwed on the neck to the box for the first time.The workshop is a hobby room for my housing cooperative it isn't my "own" workshop and noone else has seemed to use it in a four or five years time. That means right now I have to carry all my tools and more expensive stuff back and forth every time I use it so I'm looking to get a big metal box with a lock that I can chain to the pipes there that I can keep most of my tools in.
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I've started sanding and shaping the neck and headstock. I added a few pics as well.The neck/headstock is oak 1x3, and I am wondering what type of wood might make a good raised fingerboard? I've been using an acoustic guitar of my father's as a visual reference.I've tapered the neck back by roughly 7mm on each side. It's not quite even on both sides but that doesn't bother me too much. I'm having fun seeing where I get with this as I keep working on it.Peace!-N
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I am building my first Cigar Box Guitar. I 've never played guitar before of any sort, whenever I tried to learn, it was always on a right handed guitar, by a right handed person. Being a lefty, I wasn't able to get a feel for it in my youth.I'd seen a few videos on Youtube of cigar box guitars, and really like the blues sound that one can play on them. Currently I have an empty Cohiba box, and a piece of oak in which I am attempting to shave and shape into the neck and head of the guitar. It's a piece of 1x3. I would like the finished product to be a 4-string guitar.I feel this will be a learning experience in the making and I am taking it slow and trying to learn as I go.Peace!-N
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Posted by Dianne Woods on October 8, 2009 at 1:17pm
Hey yall. I am new to this site, and to the CBGs. Although, I have a CBG, I haven't yet learned how to play it. I only know a little tune called shortin bread. I would love to play other songs on it. And I would love to make a CBG and a stomp box myself. I am going to need your help. I know alot of members have many years of experience with the CBG and building it. Your advice would be much appreciated. I have lots of questions. Thank you for your time.I hope to meet many people on this site.Dianne, REDBONE
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Posted by Clive Palfrey on October 7, 2009 at 8:36am
Hi all , really new to CBG making . Now on my second guitar and was wondering on string spacings for 3 strings across the fretboard.Do I centre the middle string and devide the distance to the edge or space the outer strings close to the edge ? My fret boards are 2" wide.Thanks y'all..Clive
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I'm looking for someone that could record a high quality recording of the cigar box of a slow paced song , very relaxing and peacful around 4 to 5 mintues long for a film I am working on. If you are interested I would like to hear from you and I can give you credit for the song on the movie for a webpage etc... Thanks in advanced
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Posted by Peter Jackson on October 6, 2009 at 5:31am
I just wanted to post my very positive comments about the first CBG festival in the UK, held last weekend (3rd October) at the Crossroads Blues Club, Birmingham, UK. It was hosted and led by Chickenbone John, ably aided by Ken Stratford and friends and staff at the venue. It was a fascinating day, I learnt a great deal, met some great people, heard some even better playing, and to cap it all off Hollowbelly played the main gig at the end of the day. What more could you want? It was great success and I already look forward to the next one!
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