All you need now is a cup holder on music tray! Like you say "it's just something I wanted to build" Ask I type I am looking at cigar box guitar. I live in my friends band rehearsal building. I am surrounded by instruments. My rock a billy drum kit in the corner. I think you did a fine job on your instruments. And your humble assessment of "they are what they are" did not deter you from sharing. We are having fun.
Love the paint can resonator. Cool idea. On the second guitar, you should file some slots like a normal bridge. It will keep the strings in place and lower the action some.
I got one of those cigar box guitar kits Meet to replace the awful cardboard box. But the neck ain’t bad and it has a piano pickup . Look forward to switching it out
Hi David. I'm certainly no CBG expert, but I've built a few cigar box guitars myself -- even 2 shovel guitars. Since you asked for some suggestions I'll offer a few here. But, first of all, I must compliment you on the mere fact that you've built the entire neck yourself, instead of cheating and buying a manufactured neck, or cannibalizing one from an old/cheap guitar. I'm frequently disappointed watching guys build a beautiful unique guitar body then bolting on a ready-made, perfectly fretted neck to the body -- then claiming they "built a guitar". In my opinion, if you didn't build the damn neck, you didn't build a damn guitar. You, however, have built your whole guitar. I can see that you are not afraid to take on the neck-building challenge -- which is the fun part, in my opinion. (1) My first suggestion in neck-building is to run the neck ALL THE WAY THROUGH the full length of the body, and extend it 1-1/2" past the rear of the body. That 1-1/2" tailpiece allows you to dead end your strings easily, but also adds strength. (2) (your neck is bowing) The second problem I think I noticed is that it appears that the under side of the neck needs fortification by extending the heel from the front of the body all the way through to the back of the body. I could be wrong, but it looked like you didn't do that. (3) The third problem I saw is that it looks like you've cut away far too much wood on the upper side of the neck as it passes through the body -- which has caused weakness in your entire neck. I understand that you wanted to give the top plenty of room to resonate, but it actually only needs about 1/4" to accomplish that -- just enough space so the neck isn't touching the top. The neck really needs all the strength it can get. It's the heart of the instrument. As far as the "tinny" sound you said you're getting, I think you might find the sound more pleasing if you reduce the size of your sound hole by at least half. Try it and see if it helps on your next build. My last suggestion is that I've been buying Extra Light Acoustic Strings for my CBG's. And, I always reduce the string tension when the guitar isn't being played. In closing, I really like your guitars, and greatly appreciate your amazing ingenuity. You definitely know how to do good work. Your video's are very well done also. Can't wait to see, and hear, your next creation.
Wow Mike! Thank you so much for all your great advice. It’s very helpful. I agree, a build is a complete build. You’re dead on with your observations. On the 6 string, I had to put a camber on both the nut and bridge bolts by pounding them with a sledge hammer on a piece of wood. I also had to add more wood on the back of the neck because it was too thin and hurting my hand while playing. My next build will be aluminum. Using aluminum tubing for the neck and 1/8” thick brushed aluminum substrate for the body. It would be another 6 string. I wonder how that will sound?
@@davidographicsguy I think that should be pretty cool! I told my guitar player son I was thinking of a diamond plate fret board for another fretless slide guitar. He gave me a look I can't quite describe, if you know what I mean. LOL By the way, I wasn't sure, but it did look like your neck was pretty thin. I always use 3/4" maple with a 1/8th" oak fretboard, but I think I'll add another 1/8" strip of oak to the bottom side of the neck for additional strength on the guitar I'm building now. I've made a pine body with a 7% trapezoid slant on the sides. I'll look for your next build. Have fun. That's really the point, isn't it?
I've had this idea of converting my 4 String Cigar Box Guitar into a 6 String by making a new neck for it but I'm holding off on it because my father's shoulder is hurt
@@davidographicsguy Not to worry it will heal soon. But going back our new idea, converting a 3 or 4 string Cigar Box Guitar into a 6 (or more) string version does actually require swapping out the original neck with a brand new one that's a bit wider to accommodate more strings as long as you make plans for it and design it in a way to fit the original body. It's a really special conversion neck that I call the "Dumbell Neck" because the center is narrower than the ends just like a Dumbell. Because the body is the same size, that 6 String Cigar Box Guitar would work best in Nashville Tuning which is the Octave Strings from a 12 String set and Octave4Plus now has a High B4 at .006. The only Cigar Box Guitar we're missing is a 6 String Nashville Tuned Cigar Box Guitar.
@@davidographicsguy Yes we do and the idea of upgrading a 4 String CBG into a 6 (or more) String by making a new neck is actually pretty old because it reminds me of alot of the 19th and 20th Centuries when all the Baroque Bowed Instruments were being upgraded into modern ones. The modern neck involved surgically removing the old neck and putting on a new one w/ a steeper angle.
Want bracing at least on the top of guitar or ukulele help keep top flat from warping latter bracing is easiest also want bridge plate at the top should have a truss rod in neck also even a piece of steel something.
Too cool! I've always wanted to build a cigar box guitar. I like your cover/music stand, great idea
You’re up my friend! And you better post it 😁👍
All you need now is a cup holder on music tray! Like you say "it's just something I wanted to build" Ask I type I am looking at cigar box guitar. I live in my friends band rehearsal building. I am surrounded by instruments. My rock a billy drum kit in the corner. I think you did a fine job on your instruments. And your humble assessment of "they are what they are" did not deter you from sharing. We are having fun.
Oh dang! You’re living in paradise!
Cup holder, ha! Great idea 👍
Yeah! Fake it till you make it!
Whooohooo!
Love the paint can resonator. Cool idea. On the second guitar, you should file some slots like a normal bridge. It will keep the strings in place and lower the action some.
‘Resonator’ that’s what it’s called! 😁
Great idea! That would be easier than trying to bend it. Thank you!
I got one of those cigar box guitar kits
Meet to replace the awful cardboard box. But the neck ain’t bad and it has a piano pickup . Look forward to switching it out
Hi David. I'm certainly no CBG expert, but I've built a few cigar box guitars myself -- even 2 shovel guitars. Since you asked for some suggestions I'll offer a few here. But, first of all, I must compliment you on the mere fact that you've built the entire neck yourself, instead of cheating and buying a manufactured neck, or cannibalizing one from an old/cheap guitar. I'm frequently disappointed watching guys build a beautiful unique guitar body then bolting on a ready-made, perfectly fretted neck to the body -- then claiming they "built a guitar". In my opinion, if you didn't build the damn neck, you didn't build a damn guitar. You, however, have built your whole guitar. I can see that you are not afraid to take on the neck-building challenge -- which is the fun part, in my opinion. (1) My first suggestion in neck-building is to run the neck ALL THE WAY THROUGH the full length of the body, and extend it 1-1/2" past the rear of the body. That 1-1/2" tailpiece allows you to dead end your strings easily, but also adds strength. (2) (your neck is bowing) The second problem I think I noticed is that it appears that the under side of the neck needs fortification by extending the heel from the front of the body all the way through to the back of the body. I could be wrong, but it looked like you didn't do that. (3) The third problem I saw is that it looks like you've cut away far too much wood on the upper side of the neck as it passes through the body -- which has caused weakness in your entire neck. I understand that you wanted to give the top plenty of room to resonate, but it actually only needs about 1/4" to accomplish that -- just enough space so the neck isn't touching the top. The neck really needs all the strength it can get. It's the heart of the instrument. As far as the "tinny" sound you said you're getting, I think you might find the sound more pleasing if you reduce the size of your sound hole by at least half. Try it and see if it helps on your next build. My last suggestion is that I've been buying Extra Light Acoustic Strings for my CBG's. And, I always reduce the string tension when the guitar isn't being played. In closing, I really like your guitars, and greatly appreciate your amazing ingenuity. You definitely know how to do good work. Your video's are very well done also. Can't wait to see, and hear, your next creation.
Wow Mike! Thank you so much for all your great advice. It’s very helpful. I agree, a build is a complete build. You’re dead on with your observations. On the 6 string, I had to put a camber on both the nut and bridge bolts by pounding them with a sledge hammer on a piece of wood. I also had to add more wood on the back of the neck because it was too thin and hurting my hand while playing. My next build will be aluminum. Using aluminum tubing for the neck and 1/8” thick brushed aluminum substrate for the body. It would be another 6 string. I wonder how that will sound?
@@davidographicsguy I think that should be pretty cool! I told my guitar player son I was thinking of a diamond plate fret board for another fretless slide guitar. He gave me a look I can't quite describe, if you know what I mean. LOL By the way, I wasn't sure, but it did look like your neck was pretty thin. I always use 3/4" maple with a 1/8th" oak fretboard, but I think I'll add another 1/8" strip of oak to the bottom side of the neck for additional strength on the guitar I'm building now. I've made a pine body with a 7% trapezoid slant on the sides. I'll look for your next build. Have fun. That's really the point, isn't it?
Sounds great! Can you post the ones you’ve made so we can see them?
@@davidographicsguy Yes, I'll do that.
cool!
Thank you!
To fix the neck bowing in 6 strings guitar...just use nylon strings, the sound is warm and authentic.👍🏼
Good recommendation! I’ll give that a try. Thank you!
I've had this idea of converting my 4 String Cigar Box Guitar into a 6 String by making a new neck for it but I'm holding off on it because my father's shoulder is hurt
Oh shoot, I hope his shoulder heals quickly. Do you work on these together?
@@davidographicsguy Not to worry it will heal soon. But going back our new idea, converting a 3 or 4 string Cigar Box Guitar into a 6 (or more) string version does actually require swapping out the original neck with a brand new one that's a bit wider to accommodate more strings as long as you make plans for it and design it in a way to fit the original body. It's a really special conversion neck that I call the "Dumbell Neck" because the center is narrower than the ends just like a Dumbell. Because the body is the same size, that 6 String Cigar Box Guitar would work best in Nashville Tuning which is the Octave Strings from a 12 String set and Octave4Plus now has a High B4 at .006. The only Cigar Box Guitar we're missing is a 6 String Nashville Tuned Cigar Box Guitar.
@@davidographicsguy Yes we do and the idea of upgrading a 4 String CBG into a 6 (or more) String by making a new neck is actually pretty old because it reminds me of alot of the 19th and 20th Centuries when all the Baroque Bowed Instruments were being upgraded into modern ones. The modern neck involved surgically removing the old neck and putting on a new one w/ a steeper angle.
That’s interesting. What is the benefit of having the neck more narrow in the middle, just curious.
Awesome! That sounds like a fun challenge. Would you make a progress video and post it?
Want bracing at least on the top of guitar or ukulele help keep top flat from warping latter bracing is easiest also want bridge plate at the top should have a truss rod in neck also even a piece of steel something.
I was going to install a truss rod but I was too lazy. So far it hasn’t needed one, we’ll see in time though.
I keep trying to reply with my email, but I guess I'm not allowed? It keeps deleting after I hit submit
How did you make the head/tuners for that six string? Do you have instructions that you used?
I can email the pattern to you if you want.
@@davidographicsguy that would be awesome!
To what email address?
Be good slide instruments since action so high
Yes. It needs amplification as the volume is weak, I have done some modification to lower the action.