Topic: Cigar Box guitar

[waxwing]

Looks cool, Lenny, altho' I'm more into the acoustic thing. I'm gonna make a few more diddley bows soon and I'll post pics and sound clips. I have about 40 cigarboxes (ebay) to choose from, both vintage and new, so I'll have lots of different tonalities. How 'bout a sound clip of yours, played acoustically? I'm wondering if the box adds any resonance, since it seems you've attached the bridge almost directly to the neck stick.

BTW, for your ease of viewing, I merged all these threads to keep the info all in one place. Continue the discussion by using the Reply function. No need to start a new thread every time.

All for now.
John C.

[uncle bud]

Looks fun, Lenny. Am looking forward to hearing a sound sample!

[leonard]

Hey John
Thanks. I think different sized boxes will make a difference. I cheated and used a jewelry type box. It really does resonate. Not as loud as a guitar,but it really has a different sound. I'm gonna do the sound clip as soon as I unclamp it. I think it would have been alot louder without the sound hole covers. I thought about putting 2 more smaller holes in the top .
You'll be surprised how much fun it is.
It doesn't need a amp. Next time I want to line up the tuners with the string slots in the nut better. Had a nasty ring on the high string. Reversed the string on the post and file the slot alittle more,straigtened it right out.
I took it to work,a few guitar players there. They liked it. I felt like a proud papa.
I kinda think it sounded better with out the varnish,not sure it just seemed to .
Where the strings come up from the stick they barely touched the box.
I think it was affecting the sound some,seemed to mute it alittle.After I put that little brass piece on it got alittle crisper.   Lenny

[leonard]

Thanks Uncle Bud.
Its really fun to play. I didn't really think there would be much to it. Stays in tune great! I'm going to do the sound clip tonight or tomorrow.
                                                                              Lenny

[leonard]

I wanted to do a sound clip yesterday. Broke a string. I think I keep wanting to tune it too high. Having alittle trouble figuring out what strings to use . Still experimenting.

[leonard]

I'm trying to figure out how to do a audio file thats not so large . I have cakewalk but the file comes out really large. Will post when I get this down.   lenny

[uncle bud]

Hi Lenny - you need to convert to mp3 with a low bit rate like 32 kbps to get a file that is under the limit. 32 usually works, especially mono recordings. That's for a 3 minute song. A shorter sample can be converted at a higher bit rate. A one minute sample you could try at 48 kbps.

[leonard]

Thanks!!!   I need to work on that tonight.  lenny

[leonard]

Thanks for the help with the sound file. I kept breaking the d string. I knew the sound I wanted ,just couldn't quite get it. The strings are A D G B.   The tuning is F C F C. I went to a cigarbox forum to get help with the tunings they suggested to use E A D G  for the strings. Tunings were G D A E or D F# A D or D G B D. They are nice,more bass. I like having that B string in there,its fun for slide. I mostly play acoustic,but this thing sounds cool thru the amp with dis.  This clip is recorded using a   mic only. Please let me know if it opens ok. Thanks  Lenny

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[Rivers]

Opened fine Lenny, sounds very John Fahey-ish. Intonation and tone are good, hard to tell though with the pickup and amp. That's cheating! 

[leonard]

Thanks! John Fahey,thats a big compliment! I swear I didn't cheat. This recording was straight .no amp. Didn't even plug it in. It might sound alittle off because of the size reduction.Haven't got that down real good yet.
Its fun to lay back on the couch and watch tv with this thing.
Couldn't have made the thing without the Weanie Campbell Site
and your help.Hell  I couldn't even convert the sound file.
                                                                               Lp

[leonard]

here's one with my nasty old amp. 

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[Rivers]

Pretty gothic that one.

[leonard]

I was thinkin about buying a old 1930's cathedral radio on ebay and putting alittle amp in it. It would look pretty cool. the radio cabinets are kinda expensive. Still thinking on that one.