hello sir , i noticed your message about leaving chicago . i am in downers grove and need supplies . you can get a hold of me here or at my email where i could give you a phone # if necessary . p e t e y t w o f i n g e r at yahoo dot com . i have transportation , willing to come whenever . please let me know , thanks , pete .
Your Pearl Caddy looks great, but you are right. I am more into playing than building. What I am really looking for is a more traditional looking CB Bass made from a wooden CB with natural wood finish. I want it fretless and I think 4 strings. I am just starting to research this but am finding it difficult to find someone who is currently building and selling this type of instrument. I can find many CBG makers but it seems basses are more rare. Maybe there is a higher degree of difficulty because of the higher string tension.
Thanks for the comment. I have considered making one myself but I am just not quite sure of how to make sure that everything is going to end up right. I have heard that it takes several builds to make enough mistakes to get to a good one. What is your take on this.
Scotty, don't know if I'll ever go for the router. I use that $6 scraper tool from Stanley for shaping the back of the neck and that plus sandpaper is about it. But I do have a mind to look into spoke shaves and like that.
But I'll be looking to see yours done with a router at our next gathering!
Thanks for the nice comments. I do angle the neck but I don't know what the angle is.If I give you the relevant dimensions I think it will make sense. Where the neck meets the box the neck is also level with the top of the box. The fretboard is higher and is 6mm thick. The frets are medium so I think they are about 1mm high so that makes the frets about 7mm above the top surface of the box. If I site along the neck from the nut towards the box the top of the fretboard is almost level with the top of the box, so that means that they neck is angled back by about 6mm from where it comes out of the box to where the nut is. I hope this makes sense. The height of the strings above the fretboard at the nut it just under 2mm and the height at the 12th fret is just under 4.5mm between the string and the fretboard (so just under 3.5mm from string to top of the 12 fret). The string height at the bridge is about 14mm.
Sorry but that's a lot of numbers and I hope they are helpful. I am pretty much a novice builder and only just starting to learn to play the thing. Having said that I seem to be finding this one quite easy to play so maybe the action is about right. I suppose time will tell. Good luck with the making.
All my squares are 9.75" wide by 16.75" long. I go about it different than most.I use three pieces of lumber... Two that are 1/4" thick and one that is anywhere from 1.5 to 2 inches thick. The thick one gets cut so that it forms the sides, neck pocket and base... then I essentially sandwich that in between the two 1/4 inch slabs. Fairly easy process.
The only real suggestion I'd make is to make sure it is plenty strong enough. 6 strings (especially reso strings or something thick) will sound best but put a hurtin' on it (especially if you're planning to tune it up to GBDgbd). I guess it doesn't really matter for action but you want your instrument to be as stable as possible. If you're going the traditional "plank-style" build there shouldn't be any problems there. Good luck! Oh yeah...get a nice heavy slide...it really makes a difference!
The body of the banjo is a laminate of some blond wood: I didn't make it, but found it in the kitchenware section at Goodwill. You can see it better in this picture:
I appreciate that very much, bro. The honest sharing of knowledge is important to me on a level of being sacred. It makes me very happy to know that I can help others along by sharing what I have learned (or even more so what I have learned not to do).
So far, I've been using some of the tools from building kayaks; mostly I trim out the bulk with the bandsaw then use my favorite micro-rasp. Then there's always the planers. There was a small chisel used to help form the shape at the top. I ended up with a lot of wood up there I didn't expect so I decided to add a little interest. Seemed to work out. I made a bunch of mistakes along the way so far but hope to just repeat a few of them on the next one.
Thanks for checking, adding and commenting. It is all much appreciated.
I first saw Peter Howlett demonstrate it on Youtube. He makes his own dowels, but I pick mine up at my local True Value Hardware. They are mainly used in furniture building where the pieces need to be assembled and disasembled often. A video is worth a thousand words.
This video is the unboxing and the demonstration of a beautiful, six stringer built by Louie Lamanna. Join Louie and I June 15 at the second annual Pittsburg...
Mister Scott's Comments
Comment Wall (23 comments)
You need to be a member of Cigar Box Nation to add comments!
Join Cigar Box Nation
Scotty,
Your Pearl Caddy looks great, but you are right. I am more into playing than building. What I am really looking for is a more traditional looking CB Bass made from a wooden CB with natural wood finish. I want it fretless and I think 4 strings. I am just starting to research this but am finding it difficult to find someone who is currently building and selling this type of instrument. I can find many CBG makers but it seems basses are more rare. Maybe there is a higher degree of difficulty because of the higher string tension.
Hi Scotty,
Thanks for the comment. I have considered making one myself but I am just not quite sure of how to make sure that everything is going to end up right. I have heard that it takes several builds to make enough mistakes to get to a good one. What is your take on this.
Hi Scotty!
Thanks for stopping by. F-hole secrets? Well, i cut them with this: http://www.madshrimps.be/files/images/howto/Budget_Shark_Cu-jmke-384.jpg
And i took it slow and easy and tried not to cuss too much!
Scotty, don't know if I'll ever go for the router. I use that $6 scraper tool from Stanley for shaping the back of the neck and that plus sandpaper is about it. But I do have a mind to look into spoke shaves and like that.
But I'll be looking to see yours done with a router at our next gathering!
Hi Scotty.
Thanks for the nice comments. I do angle the neck but I don't know what the angle is.If I give you the relevant dimensions I think it will make sense. Where the neck meets the box the neck is also level with the top of the box. The fretboard is higher and is 6mm thick. The frets are medium so I think they are about 1mm high so that makes the frets about 7mm above the top surface of the box. If I site along the neck from the nut towards the box the top of the fretboard is almost level with the top of the box, so that means that they neck is angled back by about 6mm from where it comes out of the box to where the nut is. I hope this makes sense. The height of the strings above the fretboard at the nut it just under 2mm and the height at the 12th fret is just under 4.5mm between the string and the fretboard (so just under 3.5mm from string to top of the 12 fret). The string height at the bridge is about 14mm.
Sorry but that's a lot of numbers and I hope they are helpful. I am pretty much a novice builder and only just starting to learn to play the thing. Having said that I seem to be finding this one quite easy to play so maybe the action is about right. I suppose time will tell. Good luck with the making.
All the best.
John
http://www.cigarboxnation.com/photo/bens-6string-lapsteel?context=user
The only real suggestion I'd make is to make sure it is plenty strong enough. 6 strings (especially reso strings or something thick) will sound best but put a hurtin' on it (especially if you're planning to tune it up to GBDgbd). I guess it doesn't really matter for action but you want your instrument to be as stable as possible. If you're going the traditional "plank-style" build there shouldn't be any problems there. Good luck! Oh yeah...get a nice heavy slide...it really makes a difference!
The body of the banjo is a laminate of some blond wood: I didn't make it, but found it in the kitchenware section at Goodwill. You can see it better in this picture:
I appreciate that very much, bro. The honest sharing of knowledge is important to me on a level of being sacred. It makes me very happy to know that I can help others along by sharing what I have learned (or even more so what I have learned not to do).
Be cool.
Scotty,
thanks for "friending" me! If you ever need a hand, let me know...
the best,
Wichita Sam
Thanks for checking, adding and commenting. It is all much appreciated.
B
Welcome to
Cigar Box Nation
Sign Up
or Sign In
Or sign in with:
The Essential Pages
Site Sponsor
Recommended Links & Resources
Forum
just came accross this pickup idea on youtube.
Started by Timothy Hunter in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray yesterday. 1 Reply 2 Likes
crossover guitar.
Started by Timothy Hunter in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 21. 11 Replies 2 Likes
VIDEO: Building a CBG with limited resources.
Started by Taffy Evans in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 10. 1 Reply 3 Likes
Free PDF Download: Vintage Guitar Effects Plans - 1967 Fuzzbox and 1969 Treble Boost
Started by Cigar Box Nation in Feature Articles. Last reply by BrianQ. Mar 9. 4 Replies 3 Likes
Tune up songs
Started by Ghostbuttons in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 9. 5 Replies 1 Like
Duel output jacks
Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 8. 6 Replies 0 Likes
No Harmonics
Started by Ken I in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Brian partington Mar 8. 8 Replies 0 Likes
Camera suggestions?
Started by Southern Ray in Cool gear discussion - that's not cigar box related. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 6. 5 Replies 0 Likes
CBG site issues, continued.
Started by Taffy Evans in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 5. 4 Replies 2 Likes
Busking Songs...
Started by Nomad Jack in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by Southern Ray Mar 2. 6 Replies 1 Like
Anyone used a violin-style tailpiece on a CBG?
Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Carl Floyd Mar 1. 15 Replies 0 Likes
Guitar for the grandson
Started by Joe in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by Carl Floyd Feb 29. 13 Replies 0 Likes
Building with vintage paper/pressed board cigar boxes.
Started by Chance in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Feb 22. 12 Replies 1 Like
How to Get Your Own Music on Spotify
Started by Cigar Box Nation in Feature Articles. Last reply by Southern Ray Feb 21. 2 Replies 4 Likes
Trash Canjo
Started by Brad in Cool gear discussion - that's not cigar box related. Last reply by Southern Ray Feb 19. 6 Replies 3 Likes
Do Measurements Matter?
Started by Jacob Shook in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Southern Ray Feb 16. 10 Replies 0 Likes
There goes the property values...
Started by Southern Ray in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by Southern Ray Feb 16. 2 Replies 0 Likes
Cigar Box Nation Christmas Album 2023???
Started by Skeesix in Performances, How to Play, Lessons, Concerts. Last reply by Skeesix Feb 6. 2 Replies 1 Like
Happy new year to all
Started by Timothy Hunter in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Steve M Jan 31. 9 Replies 0 Likes
CB Bass Guitar
Started by Mi Rankin in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Justin Stanchfield Jan 27. 5 Replies 0 Likes
Blog Posts
Everyone can make CBG. And I did it =)
Posted by Vlad on March 6, 2024 at 2:32am 5 Comments 2 Likes
.✨. Cover Me ..♪♫•*¨*•. ~ the Delta Blues Outlaws
Posted by billy jones bluez on February 28, 2024 at 2:09pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Q&A with Arkansas-based talented blues musician Billy Jones, one of the very best authentic modern artists
Posted by billy jones bluez on February 17, 2024 at 11:00pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Big Power Bank for Small CBG =)
Posted by Vlad on February 11, 2024 at 1:06am 1 Comment 1 Like
.✨.♪♫•*¨*•. .The Love Doctor ..♪♫•*¨*•. .
Posted by billy jones bluez on February 8, 2024 at 4:05pm 0 Comments 0 Likes
Latest Activity
Im Troubled (Tribute) Mc K Morganfield by BCB - A.D .Eker 2024.
A Cigar Box Guitar Six Stringer Built by Louie Lamanna
A Cigar Box Guitar Six Stringer Built by Louie Lamanna
Project Punch!
Punch Project!
AGP #527 - ''Led-Zep 2''
Im Troubled (Tribute) Mc K Morganfield by BCB - A.D .Eker 2024.
A Cigar Box Guitar Six Stringer Built by Louie Lamanna
Hail the Resurrection Day: 2-String Violin Chugger Cigar Box Guitar
Hail the Resurrection Day: 2-String Violin Chugger Cigar Box Guitar
FuZZy2
Im Troubled (Tribute) Mc K Morganfield by BCB - A.D .Eker 2024.
CigarBoxGuitar.com Knowledgebase Articles
Add a Panel-Mount Gain to a C. B. Gitty Amp Board
Cigar Box Guitar Building Tip: Neck Reinforcement with Humbuckers
A Step-by-Step Guide On How To Make a Straight Headstock
Cigar Box Ukulele Kit Assembly Guide
Advanced Cigar Box Guitar Building guide by Joshua Gayou
“Open A” AEA Tuning on your Cigar Box Guitar: 4 Methods, with String Sizes & Sound Clips
“Open E” EBE Tuning on your Cigar Box Guitar: 4 Methods, with String Sizes & Sound Clips
“Open D” DAD Tuning on your Cigar Box Guitar: 4 Methods, with String Sizes & Sound Clips
“Open G” GDG Tuning on your Cigar Box Guitar: 4 Methods, with String Sizes & Sound Clips
Diatonic (Dulcimer-Style) Fretting – What it is, How and Why to Use It
Events
Republic of Texas CBG Festival (8th Annual)
May 11, 2024 from 11am to 8pm – Speakeasy Grill
0 Comments 0 LikesMusic