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Hi all!
I'm pretty new to this forum. I needed advice fixing a buddy's Washburn solid body electric. Thanks to the good people here, it went swimmingly, and is back in action, sounding as good as a Washburn import can
As I was perusing the forum I saw a few cigar box guitar builds. I'm kinda at ground zero for the second coming of CBG's, that is, Central PA. If ya all ever heard of Shane Speal (yo Shane, whatup?!?!), he is the self proclaimed King of CBG, and right down the road in York, PA. I have seen him on the local news several times over the last few years, and I really dig what he is doing, and the whole CBG scene. They have a festival in the fall (I think) that coincides with Arts Fest or similar. So 2 summers ago I built one myself. I figured I'd share with ya all.

The biggest expense was the piece of mahogany for the neck and the spoke shave to carve it. Less than $20. About $5 worth of electronics from Radio Shack (piezo transducer, 1/4" jack, volume pot). Everything else was stuff I had laying around. The nut is a finishing nail, the bridge is a piece of threaded rod, the string ferrules are unpopped rivets with the nail removed, sound hole cover is a sink strainer, machine heads and volume knob were take-off stuff from other guitar projects and of course the CB is from the tobacco outlet. Fret markers on the edge of the neck are painted on with a paint pen.

It's mostly done. The neck needs more work, it's VERY chunky and square. Ya gotta sit down and play it with a slide. I'm especially proud of the headstock shape. I need to get the Dremel out and shape it appropriately. Does it remind you of anything? I know, childish...

That is hilarious and awesome. Love the repurposed parts, especially the strainer!

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PMoMC

I still like making CBG's. They are alot of fun.

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Chris

They are fun to make, but after a little while they are not so fun to play, and you get back to a modern guitar that is comfortable and works. A great way to get the building bug to create something more permanent and useful. Not knocking the greats who came up playing these, and others who are having fun with music on these.

It is common to remove the piezo element from the plastic case, works both ways.

I like the NYC skyline in the headstock, I think Bennedetto made one like that.

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Well, it ain't exactly NYC skyline, although it could be the NYC motto. Try this... make a fist and hold it in front of your face, palm facing you. Now compare this to the headstock photo and adjust accordingly. Need I say more...?