Building a Cigar Box Guitar 101

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Building a Cigar Box Guitar 101

This group is for discussing the basics of CBG building for newer builders - where to start, what to do, common pitfalls, tips and techniques.

Keep in mind that new builders can find other great informative articles on CBG building, as well as most of the parts you'll need, over at C. B. Gitty Crafter Supply!

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Latest Activity: Mar 20

Discussion Forum

Cutting deep boxes in half

Started by Justin Stanchfield. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 20. 9 Replies

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Started by BrianQ.. Last reply by MadGomer Feb 27. 2 Replies

Brickhouse CBG Wiring

Started by Ian Boyd. Last reply by Ian Boyd Dec 11, 2023. 1 Reply

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Comment by Michael Fred Johnson on November 12, 2017 at 5:27am

The black guitar does have a biscuit bridge all you need is a 3mm hole in the centre of the cone to fix the piezo,take extreme care drilling the hole,spun cones are very delicate and easily damaged.

Comment by Slow Blues Dani & Ol' Grey Bear on November 12, 2017 at 5:16am
Thanks Mark. I appreciate the help from everyone but I think MFJ's method is beyond me for now as everything is already cut, sawn, braced, screwed and glued to the point that I'd have to literally take the whole thing apart and start again. I don't want to appear ungrateful for the help and I think I probably will try that method on my next build. I really do appreciate it.

For now, I've just completed a whole day of test placing, detuning so I can take the back off, replacing and repeating constantly. I think I've found a placement that works so will use this for now and learn my lesson to research more first next time.

I've gone and placed one 28mm piezo disc in the corner of the box, attached to the underside of the wood top. I've placed another under the cone attached to the through stick. Almost as if the potted piezo is acting like a microphone picking up the vibrations coming down from the cone.

I'm really glad I asked as I was probably hours away from, and dead set on hot gluing the piezos to the cone itself. You've ALL been brilliant and, without exaggeration, saved my build that's taken me nearly three weeks already. I truly, truly appreciate it!
Comment by Chuck Groves on November 12, 2017 at 3:10am
Kick ass job on the resonator Michael! Kudos!
Comment by Mark Bliss on November 12, 2017 at 2:34am

Beat me to it. I was going to suggest studying how it has been done in full sized resonator guitars for decades for a clue, since others have tested and sorted before us.....

MFJ's method is how Shatten, Fishman and others have mounted them in conventional resonator cones for decades. Some dampen them similar to what is shown (Though I suspect epoxy embedded might be more typical) to reduce feedback prone sensitivities.

Good suggestion Michael.

Comment by Slow Blues Dani & Ol' Grey Bear on November 12, 2017 at 2:24am
Thanks Michael. Is this for a spider bridge? I've got a biscuit bridge so don't think I can use this method. I definitely really appreciate the offer of help and that you took time out of your day to comment. Thanks again :)
Comment by Michael Fred Johnson on November 12, 2017 at 2:03am

Here's a drawing of how I fixed the piezo to the cone on this git 

Comment by Slow Blues Dani & Ol' Grey Bear on November 11, 2017 at 5:49pm
Do I need to channel/rout out the underside of the biscuit to fit them though Darryl? I spent quite a bit of money on the cone so don't want to risk messing things up if it can be avoided. If it's just a case of hot gluing the discs under the biscuit and then placing the biscuit on top that's great. If I need to channel out the underside of the biscuit to embed them then that might be more of a risk.
Comment by darryl kernaghan on November 11, 2017 at 5:32pm

I wouldn't give up on the discs that easy, they really grab the reso sound when set up well, just keep everything moveable until you have the sound you like, wrap the disc in a bit of felt or soft cloth, and just tape it in different places, and see what you like best, then glue it

Comment by Slow Blues Dani & Ol' Grey Bear on November 11, 2017 at 4:22pm

Do you think an undersaddle piezo strip pickup would work better between the rosewood bridge strip and the biscuit itself? Maybe hot glue to two piezo disc pickups to the underside of the wooden top too or just get rid of the piezo discs? 

Just thinking that the undersaddle strip piezo might be an easier and safer solution with my now becoming apparent lack of DIY skills lol

Thanks again for all your help guys.

Comment by Slow Blues Dani & Ol' Grey Bear on November 11, 2017 at 3:21pm

Thanks Darryl. I appreciate your help.

I definitely don't want a harsh resources sound or feedback issues if it can be avoided. I'll have a go at the sandwich method between the biscuit and the cone but inside the biscuit then I think.

I've spent the past two weeks or more on the build and more money on this build than any other so far so I may as well take my time towards the end.

Thanks again for the help Mark and Darryl. Not what I wanted to hear but it's sounding like the best method.

Bear :)

 

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