Cigar Box Guitar - Humbucker Pickup, Bridge OR Neck Position ??

Cigar Box Guitar - Humbucker Pickup, Bridge OR Neck Position ??
I play two of the same Cigar Box Guitars, only difference is, one has a humbucker in the bridge position, the other in the neck position. Which one has the better tone?
Michael Bianconi~
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[@sting82ray54]

Neck position very mellow sound-I love it!

[@123pap]

Definitely prefer up by the neck

[@philnoel5839]

Neck Position, Without Doubt. For me anyway.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Phil. I appreciate it. M~

[@marcmayou1422]

I'm think the neck pickup.

[@sarue7317]

Great video my friend. I think the sound is more poppy in the bridge, and the nuances are more defined, too cool to play rock. In the neck, the sound becomes more mellow and velvety, very cool for blues.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks, Good ear. 😎🎸

[@guzzoofoz]

I liked the neck pickup. 👍

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Guzzo. M~

[@TheSongfulSoul]

I like neck for the sound I want. It all depend on the individual music style

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks. I like the neck sound too on this one. M~

[@danc.5607]

I liked the bridge for a dirty, gritty, chicken wired, smoky dark bar sound. The neck would be better for a church social. They both sound really good!

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thank you, Dan. M~

[@JohnSmith-om5bw]

I liked the neck pickup location

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks John. It does sound good. M~

[@stevesstrings5243]

Thanks for the comparison! To my ear, the bridge position sounds sharper or brighter whereas the neck sounded warmer. I can’t say I really prefer one over the other.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Steve, good ear, my thoughts as well. I think both their place for different tunes. 😎🎸

[@michaelcox5096]

Definitely humbucker in bridge position... sounds better more old school.

[@paulf2534]

Really enjoy your comparison videos. Such a great way to learn the way different setups sound. I preferred the bridge position.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks you Paul. M~

[@larrysjpereira2074]

To my ear, the neck position is what I like.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Larry. M~

[@shipoffools2183]

Hard to choose, but l’d be leaning towards the neck.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Ship. M~

[@scottbostic9072]

I like the bridge position

[@hanslindgren6999]

Bridge position sounds best I think😊!

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thank you, Hans. M~

[@57aflores]

The neck position.

Dude, keep bringing more content like this experimenting CBG's with minucious variations of construction. This brings empirical knowledge and helps a lot our community! Very nice video! By the way, for the CBG's I'll always be #neckpositionteam

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks brother. The neck position sounds great. M~

[@joshuataft5541]

Awsome job..wife looked happy too..good job buddy..awsome 😀

[@shadowminister4090]

I thought the Bridge had more of a more rocky sound and it was my preference. That little rhythm amp is a beauty.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Shadow, It is a very cool little amp, their hard to find any more. I see them on Ebay sometimes.

[@CBGuitars]

They both sounded different but great. The neck pickup wins hands down in my humble opinion, and that's where I position most of mine.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks CB. M~

[@_zhawkeye_9808]

...both sound great...and, as always, it depends on the song and what kind of emotion you want to project as to which one to use... Well done...👍 Matt

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks, I agree. M~

[@kevinorr6880]

First day here. Subscribed. Going to build 9ne myself …and learn to play. I like the Neck pickup.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thank you, Kevin. Yes, build one their fun and easy to play. M~

[@kevinorr6880]

@@SouthernFireGuitars would you truss (torsion) the neck? A resonator until one can but an amp? Or is that not necessary?

[@beaumorris5289]

My son and I are just getting started on my CBG Journey... And Loving it. We are changing out our pickups and this helps Greatly.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Morris. Good lick with your build. M~

[@ProfY3ll0wm00n]

They all sound AMAZING. I prefer the pickup up the neck; slightly more versatile tone.

[@congerscott6064]

Another great video, I can't believe how much I have learned since I subscribed to this channel 🇺🇸👍🏆.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thank you Scott. I appreciate that. M~ 😎

[@tonypistilli7111]

It was pretty much what I expectedas far as tonal difference. But I preferred the bridge for picking and the neck for rhythm. Opposite of what I usually use. But then again I don’t play near as well.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thank you Tony. 🎸😎

[@Psalmist374DKR]

Your wife and I have the actual same favorite color lol You remind me of an old friend I miss dearly My real dad's name was Michael Been playing for well over 25yrs Cigars gave me cancer lol

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Darrell, Smoking BAD. I don't smoke em, I just like to play with the box. M~

[@crackerjack3359]

They both sound really good Micheal. Everyone need one of each, or better still two switchable pickups on the same axe.Sentinel Guitars Bozeman MT.

[@robertneumann1117]

Thank you for posting this... I noticed this years ago with my regular guitars... I found that when I'm playing with other instruments, the bridge position creates real estate in the mix for others to sit without muddying up the works, but when alone or riffing, I use the neck position to give it a bit more depth. Each has their own methods and preferences, but just how I tend to make my choices... You could put a pickup in both places and a 3 way switch between them to change on the fly if that's what one is looking for as well...

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Robert. Yes duel pickups would be a nice guitar. M~

[@timschultz1139]

Mr Southern Fire. Great job as always. I liked the neck sound best. Tim Schultz

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Tim. M~

[@sarue7317]

I came here to try to decide between neck and bridge, but I was even more in doubt because they both sound perfect. I think it's more a matter of style and occasions

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks, I think you're right. 😎

[@willymccoy3427]

I liked them both.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Willy. I will have to agree. 😀

[@howardc9882]

Michael, I think they bothsound good,,,you do a wonderful job explaining , Thank you

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

You are very welcome. M~

[@briancarpenter4156]

Hey Mike, you rock man .thanks for sharing. Killbuck Ohio

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thank you, Brian. 😎🎸

[@MaddMystro]

I've been researching this as I have a cig box with the artwork where you'd put a neck pickup. My preference would be to find a pickup thats song enough to mount under the lid but now I'm considering that a bridge pickup wouldn’t be too bad. Thanks

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

MGBGuitars.com does have a pickup for under the lid, if you decide to go that way. M~ 😎

[@MaddMystro]

@@SouthernFireGuitars That's awesome, thanks. 😁

[@garymenhusen8077]

Liked them all but the bridge position sounds best to me 😀

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thank you, Gary. I appreciate it. M~ 😎🔥

[@Heather22056]

Great job 😎

[@shmuckyToledo]

NECK only!

[@jamesnewton3709]

Brother....I wish I was your neighbor!

[@Lancelot.666]

Neck position sound great when you where pickin but to dull for slide maybe.. 🤔

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Knight. M~

[@jasonbull5961]

I definitely prefer the bridge position!!🔥🔥🔥🤘

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Jason. M~

[@walterkemp6558]

Playing rhythm I like the neck position best and picking on the bridge. But if you did it again I would probably like it the other way round. Really they all sounded great and look fantastic. Great stuff. 👍

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thank you, Walter. 😎

[@dirtysouth53]

Bridge sounds sharper, neck has more depth. I like the neck better. All of my CBG’s with a humbucker is in the neck position. Good video!

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Jimmy.. M~ 😎🎸

[@YakMan1313]

Speaking strictly from a professional view a humbucker pickup in the bridge position has more algorithms than anywhere else on the body. I've built quite a few cbg's in my day experimenting along the way. It gets mighty cold up here in Canada and our necks sometimes freezes thus producing an icier sound. Nuff said !!

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Yakman. It rains a lot here in Florida, so our neck have a more wet sound. 😉☔

[@Thomas-nu7fn]

Tough choice. I like the warmer, full sound from the bridge-I thought the neck position provided a lighter, more crisp sound. I like them both, they are just different. I have a pair of these Humbuckers. I guess I need to build a pair of guitars. Thanks again for a great video.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Thomas. It is a nice sounding pickup either way. M~

[@BKRMON]

I agree, if you reverse the bridge & neck sound descriptions.

[@DavidAndersoniiVI]

Sounds great Mike, keep the videos coming.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Orwell, I will keep em coming. M~

[@edt.5118]

I lean toward the neck pickup sound. A bit more mid-range. But the Patriot neck pickup just had something special, extra. Probably just my ears. What was the pickup in the patriot. Is of one of those flat humbuckers? Really like your videos. I learn a lot watching them.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thank you, Ed. M~

[@flyboymercury]

Neck position is my favourite, it has a warmer sound.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Glenn. I appreciate it. M~

[@dalegrant7015]

Great sound out of both especially the slide diddy wish you could do a lesson on that as riff what a sound 👍😎

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Dale. M~

[@iansomerfield7037]

Close choice, but I have to go with the bridge position. I find this surprising all4 of mine are in the neck position. Time for me to experiment. Grizz.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Ian. M~

[@oliverfuchs3925]

Plz build a CBG Version of Brian Mays "Red Special" Guitar with 3 pickups positions and pickup reverse function. 😂😂😂😂😂😂😂

[@mulekickhandmadeguitars8465]

Pretty easy. I could hear substantially more punch & pizzazz from the gitty with the neck pickup.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks. M~

[@Richw55]

The neck position, hands down good.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thank you, Rich. M~ 🎸

[@ross1458]

Duane Allman/Diceky Betts? Love them both.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Ross, Great slide players, for sure. M~

[@ross1458]

@@SouthernFireGuitars Duane usually soloed on the lead pickup. Dickey on the neck. Your 3 strings generally have a great sound but part of that is the player.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

@@ross1458 Great info, thanks I appreciate it.

[@roymccarty6931]

Liked the sound of each, so why not both positions?

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks, Works for me

[@pedraw]

both positions sound real good. Generally on a 6 string I prefer the bridge position.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks pedraw. M~

[@HairyHu]

Neck position sounds better. Technically speaking, it is closer to the middle of the strings, therefore it picks up more of the harmonics.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Hairy. M~

[@Thomas-nu7fn]

Guidance needed. Is there a rule of thumb as to how far from the edge of the box a neck mounted pickup should be? How about a bridge mounted-distance from bridge? Thanks again. Great video.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Hi Thomas. Not sure of a rule of thumb, for the neck pickup I usually just eye ball it where it looks good on the box, the bridge about the same, but maybe about 1'' from the bridge. M~

[@attilasipeki1418]

Another great video! But what if you put the humbucker at the middle between the neck and the bridge? Thank you!

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Atillia. I haven't trued that yet. May have to give it a go. M~

[@TheBanjo53]

It depends on what you play. Neck sounded better for picking but with slide the bridge postiton sounds better.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Banjo. I agree. its all in what your playin. M~

[@ronellis3857]

The PATRIOT! SINCE I HAVE ONE!

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Ron, That PATRIOT does sound awesome. 😎

[@Bojammer]

Bridge position sounded more clear and detailed. The Neck position sounded full and muffled or blended. I'll go with the Bridge. Thanks Mike

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks bojammer. M~

[@brevs8387]

I liked the one with the bridge position. It had a bit more clarity and attack. The ones in the neck sounded good, but too much of a bassy trebly sound for my tastes (almost like when you take the tone control down to zero). Nice playing btw ...

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thank you B Revs. I know what you mean. 😎

[@larrytaylor6192]

I liked the neck position. It has a warmer sound. The bridge was a little harsh

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Larry. Warn is good. 😀

[@mrskint55]

Neck pickup for me . Do you make your own boxes ?

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks, I have made the boxes, but mostly use cigar boxes. M~

[@richardvickers7829]

I like the pickup on the bridge better

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thank you, Richard. I appreciate that. M~

[@dragonclaw88]

So.....why not make the cbg with 2 pickups?? Seems like a no brainier..and put in a push pull to split the humbuckers

[@klauspenczek4247]

Maybe I am not objektive enough to answer, because I always build my humbucker to the neck-position. So my ear is more familiar with that.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Klaus, That's cool, there are NO rules. 😎

[@troykurz9615]

It's like switching from a Tele to a Les Paul. Both have their places and soung good though.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Troy, That's a good way to put it. M~

[@davidbriggs7123]

Neck position sounds best to my ear!

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thank you, David. 😎

[@robertkroberjr.157]

One of my favorite players is Samantha Fish! 🤗🎸🔥🔥🔥

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Robert. M~ 😎🎸

[@mooncricket8551]

lovely lady. lovely guitar. 3 strings too many

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thank you, Moon. M~ 😎

[@ratmanmurray7137]

They all have a different voice... it is like asking which of your kids have the nicest voice haha. having said that tho, I liked the neck position one personally... hang on, make that the Bridge position.... No wait... the Patriot... DoH!!... I like anything you play haha

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thank you, Ratman, I agree, they all have e different voice. M~

[@michaelteehan1773]

Neck position. Nice mellow sound. I thought the bridge position was a little harsh. But that's just me...

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thank you, Michael. 😎🎸

[@FattyjaDude]

For my ear neck pickup sounded better.

[@MikeSimpsonrednecktele]

HI Michael! well, as usual they both sound really good! Different but good! BUT NOW! The burning question is how would it sound basically in the middle??? Maybe you can sort this out? AND maybe spilt the coils with a coil tap tone knob?

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thank you, Mike. I may have to try that. M~

[@thomasernst4894]

...I prefer the neck position, it was smooth as Tennessee whiskey, but I think you could make a tree limb with a rock for a slide sound good...just sayin'...👍😎...

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Tom. M~

[@johnaustin1825]

She's a bit of alright - and the lady

[@cmmbsnyder55]

Nice demo. I prefer the neck version! Be careful regarding the squirrels. They might think they be swamp gator squirrels!

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Chuck. LOL

[@waden404]

I like both, but im not a player.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Wade, I agree, I like them both too. M~

[@sgblues4238]

Bridge

[@jerrymander1492]

Hey Mike I can’t find those same black and red pickups on Amazon?

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

amzn.to/3SGyjfZ

[@h20doctor]

Bridge position...

[@waynesylvia1083]

The bridge pick up is more sharper than the neck and the Patriot pick up sound just a smidge sharper,are all they the same wound or is the Patriot pick up different?

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Wayne. The Patriot had a surface mounted flat style humbucker.

[@mikewaite5849]

Neck position seems a little hollower/muffled.

[@dmw83831]

Bridge sound more rock n roll, and neck sounds more country

[@johnaustin1825]

Bridge position - deeper chunkier?? But it could all be imagination??

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks John. M~

[@paulmaartensphotography9950]

I’m not sure I could tell the difference between the black lightening versions but then I do suffer from tinitus 😂 The patriot was a little sharper in tone I think.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Paul. M~

[@sicfukferrara8002]

No wrong answer here. If I had to choose, I'd choose bridge but then again... oh hell

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks SIC, I agree, I think they both have their place. 😎🎸

[@anthonymiller3970]

Bridge

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Anthony. M~

[@seadoggozo-fishingguitarsa1837]

Which do you think would be better for slide?

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Seadog. I think they both sound good with a slide. I think its more of a preference thing. 😎🎸

[@MiguelReyesMotifEs]

Bridge ❤️🌉

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thank you, Miguel M~

[@jimhuitt9854]

Are the tops of these guitars burned with a fractal burner? If so, did you do it or did you have it done? I'm very interested in making guitars with tops burned with the fractal method.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Hi Jim, Yes they are, I do it myself. M~

[@jimhuitt9854]

Did you put your own burner together and would you ever consider doing a video on fractal burning?

[@Fernando-ef]

Bridge has a richer tone

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Richard. I appreciate it. M~

[@Samuli501]

Neck.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Hakala. M~

[@johnmarshall8484]

Bridge just has that “tone”…😊

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thank you, John. 😎🎸

[@sixoffive]

Now I know why I play so bad, I might be tone deaf. No, no just kidding. I like em both, but I’d probably try to play the bridge.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Six. lol

[@sixoffive]

@@SouthernFireGuitars Oh hey, that guitar, your one lucky guy.

[@shmuckyToledo]

Don’t waste time with installing bridge pickups because they’re thin and tinny sounding

[@Joseph-z3m7v]

The bridge pickup sounds like it’s been castrated. neck for all..