#1 resource for Cigar Box Guitars, Free Plans, How-To, Parts & More!

2010

I began my new year with a massive cup of Deadman's Reach coffee from Portland, and a good sized piece of sweet potato pie from Big Mama's house, while I watched Laurie Lee Campbell's newest offering, "Father Time." It's virtually impossible to watch anything Laurie Lee does and not smile; not feel hopeful about the road ahead, regardless of the journey.

I'm feeling the crunch here at the Nation. It's really about building guitars, and posting the results. You can have a houseful of CBG's, but if you didn't build them, it's not so interesting. So, I've been collecting cigar boxes, and reading about how to build, which really takes me out of my comfort zone. I've also sold the CBG idea to my partner in crime and music, Brad, who knows a thing or two about guitars. I was thrilled when he asked for a how-to-build-cigar-box-guitars video for Christmas. So, it's my turn to watch it and move forward with the plan.

It's good to stretch and grow, even when you don't want to. I'm happy to purchase cigar box guitars from the talented builders on CBN and ebay. The problem is, I want them all. I love the red Punch boxes as much as I love the Shane Speal Macanudo specials, as much as I love the Ashton wood series. I saw a magnificent grey Don Thomas CBG on CBN, so the search for a grey Don Thomas box was inevitable. Soon I had a stack of boxes and nothing else but the CBG habit. So, I had to switch my inner dialog from 'I'm a writer, I don't build,' to 'I'm a writer and I want to build.' If I want as many cigar box guitars as I have boxes, I'd better get my ass in gear and carve out some time for this. Otherwise, I'll have to sell my house -- and possibly a child -- to support my CBG habit.

In the meantime, I'm still learning to play, and I'm grateful as hell for the video's posted here, as well as Bluesboy Jag's how-to that I ordered. Again, if you don't play (or build) you're kind of on the other side of the tracks. This year I resolve to cross the line.

Happy New Year ladies....and many thanks to Laurie Lee for singing us out of 2009, wretched year that it was.

0 members like this

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Dianne Woods on January 1, 2010 at 11:28am

On the first day of a new year, I have been working on my first build. Yesterday, I cut my fret slots, and drilled my fret markers. As I was placing everything together, to make sure all parts fit before I glued them, I found a problem. It seems I didn't take in account when I made my slot for the bolt on the headstock that when gluing the fretboard on top of the neck would be higher than the bolt. The bolt is too low. Now, I have to figure out what is the best thing to do. I knew the fretboard would make it higher, but I didn't think about it-----dumn, dumn, dumn----shit, shit, shit!!!!!
Nothing comes easy---I thought I was on the road to getting close to finishing it. Maybe that is the problem-----thinking!!!!
Anyway, got to do some research, and maybe get some advice to fix my problem.
Susan, once you begin your first build, it takes over you. It makes me feel good that I have done it myself. Susan, don't forget to take photos of your progress and post them. We all want to see them.
Happy New Year!!!

Permalink Reply by Laurie Lee Campbell on January 1, 2010 at 12:25pm

Wow! Thanks Susan! I love knowing I accompanied truly stong coffee and great pie! and brought on some smiles! I love your writing style,....and yes, the pressure is on....sometimes it is just the getting started--once you start there is really no stopping! I'm awaiting a box via the mails (wimberley enterprises) so I will have a static and real object to stare me down, and remind me to go for it!! ..I'm always many projects ahead (in my mind, stacked up in a cranial log jam!)....no partners in crime,,,,(that I can really get commitments from anyway) so I tread forward to the goal,....knowing there is help and tons of enthusiam here is a real blessing! I might enlist the help of local woodworking group members for neck details....the "want" might make me braver! LOL..in the course of survival I've parted with many things,,,my deering banjo, well, that was a VERY sad day, and parting. SO,...still without funds, I think .I must build one myself..:-).....thanks again,....the sharing of the fun w/me...the music has to go somewhere,..it is therapy for me. a banjo at a swap meet led me here....that what come out is appreciated, is golden;-)thankyou.
Laurie

Permalink Reply by Laurie Lee Campbell on January 1, 2010 at 12:29pm

Diane, that is a super way to spend the new day of the new year and new decade----!! you know, I'm reminded some of the best solutions and end results are borne out of mistakes (an optimistic outlook, and oft true!) I am very fond of the SH*t word,....myself! LOL.....
happy new year:-)......Laurie

Dianne Woods said:

On the first day of a new year, I have been working on my first build. Yesterday, I cut my fret slots, and drilled my fret markers. As I was placing everything together, to make sure all parts fit before I glued them, I found a problem. It seems I didn't take in account when I made my slot for the bolt on the headstock that when gluing the fretboard on top of the neck would be higher than the bolt. The bolt is too low. Now, I have to figure out what is the best thing to do. I knew the fretboard would make it higher, but I didn't think about it-----dumn, dumn, dumn----shit, shit, shit!!!!!
Nothing comes easy---I thought I was on the road to getting close to finishing it. Maybe that is the problem-----thinking!!!!
Anyway, got to do some research, and maybe get some advice to fix my problem.
Susan, once you begin your first build, it takes over you. It makes me feel good that I have done it myself. Susan, don't forget to take photos of your progress and post them. We all want to see them.
Happy New Year!!!

Permalink Reply by Laurie Lee Campbell on January 4, 2010 at 8:45pm

I have been secretly hankerin' for a uke, actually for a number of years now and a lovely one turned up, in my price range (cheap!Lol) it is now strung with new strings, it's my howdeedoo nice way to start 2010....it's a vintage beater with charm..(a little like me! heehee) I'll post a howdyhello "ramble" soon to my youtube page....rambles are fun, cause i get to hide out, away from the camera......sound clips set to vid/pic/montage,,,.....I also have a couple pieces of neck wood and a big BIG box= I call that a start.... OH, and some glue.....and pencil marks on the box, and where's my saw n sandpaper?....hmmmm must look for innards soon....:-)....the lovely chohiba box ordered from Lori Wimberley arrived and is SO pretty I just sit with it on my lap, carressing it, it is my "pet" CB . hope all the ladies out there are well, my greets to all! :-)
Laurie

RSS

Welcome to
Cigar Box Nation

Sign Up
or Sign In

Or sign in with: