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!

Members: 1746
Latest Activity: Mar 20

Discussion Forum

Cutting deep boxes in half

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

Attention 1st time builders!

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 3 Chord Ziggy on February 22, 2020 at 11:01am

For what it's worth, my first build. Been wanting to do this for years and have a pile of boxes intended for said use. Then I found this one at the local smoke shop and, well, yeah, pretty much gotta use it!

Comment by Chuck Groves on February 22, 2020 at 10:02am

In addition, they hold a charge even when unplugged.  Touching the wrong wires could be fatal.  Having said that, changing tubes is pretty straight forward and safe as the are away from the internal wires and the tubes are made of glass, which is an insulator.

Comment by Paul Craig on February 22, 2020 at 8:35am

6V6GT is a common power tube and should be able to get one anywhere for cheap.

Like 3 Chord Ziggy mentioned, be careful poking around in a tube amp. They can hold 400v to 800v in some of those tubes and can discharge into you if you offer a good ground and that's a Heart Stopper.

Be very careful and read up on how to work on them before going into it yourself unless you know what your doing. ;)

Comment by Mark Bliss on February 17, 2020 at 12:05pm

Wish I had a Fender Champ BTW!

Comment by Mark Bliss on February 17, 2020 at 12:03pm

Nice amps for many uses!

There are a number of sources for these, and as always, price/quality varies... 

Examples: I think you can get a full set of tubes for that amp from Sweetwater.com starting at about $45 if you havent used them before, I am a fan. My sales rep Ryan Murray is very knowledgeable and helpful, and never pushy beyond following up periodically and checking in to see if all went well. Maybe best to call on this specific item- 800-222-4700

Another source- Amplifiedparts.com for example, sells individual tubes from all kinds of sources and price ranges. A Tung-Sol reissue is about $26 Amplifiedparts.com

Theres  more..... Always is!

Comment by Gary Mullens on February 17, 2020 at 11:31am
So here is the tube number 6V6GT Fender champion 600 amp. Please let me know if anyone can help me with this tube.
Comment by MadGomer on February 17, 2020 at 4:14am
No worries Gary, everyone here is eager to help, keep the questions coming!
Comment by Gary Mullens on February 17, 2020 at 4:11am

Thanks for the feedback. A bit confused on how to post here. It's different to what I am acustom to. I'll look a see what amp it is a post back later today. I'm sorry if I walked on anyone's thread.. I haven't figured out how to post correctly.

Comment by 3 Chord Ziggy on February 17, 2020 at 2:44am

Also wondering why Gary's question seems lost in the mist.  Thanks, Mark Bliss, for the heads-up.  As for Gary Mullens' question, I'd chime in with Paul Craig, a C-note seems pretty steep unless it's NOS from Europe or something.  If Gary is interested, a buddy and myself just unloaded about 500 tubes and I have a bunch that don't fit any of my amps.  Gary, if you can let me know what tube it is you need, I may have one and will just lay it on you.

As for revamping a tube amp, yes, it can be done, but unless you are intimate with electronics it would best be accomplished by a pro and it'll cost you more than $100.  Probably end up just ripping out the old guts and putting a new circuit board and transformer in.

But I'd encourage you to keep the old beast functioning.  I have a 5-watt branded Supro c. 1958.  CBGs and Teles and Silvertones sound outstanding thru it.  To my (tin) ear, the solid state can't hold a candle to tube rigs.  But, hey, what do I know??!!

Comment by MadGomer on February 17, 2020 at 2:06am
Was wondering why I couldn't find Gary's comment and reply to it. Thanks for the feedback, will be careful to avoid that in the future
 

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Discussion Forum

Cutting deep boxes in half

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

Attention 1st time builders!

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

Fretless fret markers

Started by Michael Myers. Last reply by Michael Myers Apr 20, 2023. 8 Replies

canjo building and tuning

Started by Brenda. Last reply by MadGomer Dec 3, 2022. 5 Replies

Minimum tools needed

Started by Wichita Sam. Last reply by Taffy Evans Nov 14, 2022. 21 Replies

High G problem

Started by Michael Myers. Last reply by Taffy Evans Nov 3, 2022. 4 Replies

Doubling the high string

Started by Robert Killen. Last reply by Paul Craig Oct 14, 2022. 23 Replies

Aluminum License Plate

Started by Larry Sobol. Last reply by Larry Sobol Oct 1, 2022. 6 Replies

C. B. Gifty three string fretless kits.

Started by jon neet. Last reply by Taffy Evans Aug 16, 2022. 6 Replies

Frettin' and stainin'

Started by Doug Laffin. Last reply by Order99 Aug 11, 2022. 4 Replies

Bolt on neck to a set neck body?

Started by Paul Craig. Last reply by Paul Craig Jul 17, 2022. 14 Replies

Locations

Started by Roy Smith. Last reply by the anonymous pick May 15, 2022. 2 Replies

Help please re Bento Box Uke "nut"

Started by Al Lobe. Last reply by BrianQ. May 10, 2022. 18 Replies

Clarification on pick ups

Started by Michael Myers. Last reply by Taffy Evans May 6, 2022. 5 Replies

Licence plate cbg

Started by Michael Myers. Last reply by Michael Myers May 2, 2022. 5 Replies

Builder's Tips

Started by Wichita Sam. Last reply by MadGomer Feb 23, 2022. 2 Replies

Getting there but needing advice/help please.

Started by Lionhound. Last reply by MadGomer Feb 18, 2022. 8 Replies

Tres Cubano Build

Started by Paul Craig. Last reply by Paul Craig Dec 9, 2021. 18 Replies

CB Gitty Country Roads Banjo kit

Started by Ken Hope. Last reply by Christopher G Daniels Nov 29, 2021. 4 Replies

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Dar Stellabotta posted a video

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