Cigar Box Guitar - Installing a Flat, Top of the Box Pickup.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

I think this pickup sounds great, looks great and its fast and easy to install. You gota love that. 😎

[@charlestaylor5286]

How close can the cover be to the strings?

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

@@charlestaylor5286 Hi Charles. In my opinion it can be as close as you want as long as your string are not hitting it, even when you fretting the last fret. M~

[@yellowsnow9731]

Thanks for the videos. Very informative. I live South of Tampa & came across an old Cuban cigar box. A CBG seems like an awesome idea.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

@@yellowsnow9731 Your welcome. Yes, take it and make you a CBG for sure. M~

[@CalloftheWreckingBall]

Southern FG is my go to for friendly fun that that goes along great with the best CBG tutorials easy to learn from Mike

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thank you, Collin. I appreciate that. M~

[@mulekickhandmadeguitars8465]

Hi Mike, Mike Daugherty here. I've used those flatwound humbuckers lots of times and they're lightning in a bottle. Beautiful sounding.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Mike. Yes they are. M~

[@Mark-gi3py]

Mike, I love your tips and tricks. They are such a great help and inspiration. The tune you played in this post was beautiful and probably the nicest thing I have ever heard on any CBG. Thank you and keep up the good work.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thank you Mark, 😎

[@shadowminister4090]

Michael, I always like your build videos.

[@JohnnyHurbonConnections]

Michael, your weirdness and quirkiness are fun to watch, it really shows your truth and honesty and lack of ego. I really appreciate your lessons and your presence in the musical cigar box community. Mustang Johnny from Tucson Az. Home of The House of Bards

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thank you, Johnny. M~

[@pd8559]

Time spent in the workshop: Cleaning 13%, Working on a project 5%, Searching for that tool I just had in my hand (10 freaking seconds ago) 82%. 🤣 Happy holidays to you and yours Michael!

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

LOL Yeah, that's about right. Thanks Hobby. You as well. M~

[@tubekook55]

Yeah! The tool you just had in your hand...ten seconds ago! :0)

[@bobhunt1253]

Thanks Michael. Very good concise instruction, best I have seen on KZbin. I have gotta try the flat ones now, so much simpler. Merry Christmas.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Your welcome, Bob. Thanks for watching. I appreciate that. Yes, their very simple. Merry Christmas to you as well. M~

[@cliffingram270]

Love your playing.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thank you, Cliff. M~

[@richardjones1975]

Great video Mr. Mike very informative!! Thanks for sharing so much !!!

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Your welcome Richard. Thanks for watching. M~

[@richardjones1975]

Where do I get that pickup Mr. Mike .?

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

@@richardjones1975 I say where their from, within the first 2 min. of the video. :)

[@richardjones1975]

Right found it , thanks

[@DugMcClure]

You da man, Michael! Thanks for reigniting my interest!

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Your welcome, Dug. Thanks for watching. M~

[@c2lartphoto]

Hello, thanks for your good video and your smile 😊👏👍 I’m a beginner and your help is welcome Good vibration from France 👋

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks my friend, I appreciate that. M~

[@jackburns4691]

Hey man... this is the first time I’ve commented. I’ve got to tell you- you make the best videos!- so informative and also funny and you are my favorite cigar box guitar builder... and I love the way you play too! thanks for all the info and the great videos!

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thank you very much, Jack. I really appreciate that. Its a nice comment , you should do it more often ;) M~

[@edgelite]

Wow that sounds great. The guitar I'm building right now is getting one. I hope it sounds that good. Great playing as usual.

[@stevepethel6843]

Wooh I wasn't expecting such a big beautiful sound or such a talented music man...

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thank you, Steve. M~

[@JohnnyHurbonConnections]

You have a simple and effective guitar pickup (not your Grandad’s pickup) wiring tutorial which is clear and concise with an interesting voice. Thank You. Mustang Johnny in Tucson Arizona.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Mustang Johnny. I appreciate that. M~

[@Johno143]

Just what I was looking for ! 👌..Thanks Michael another great 'How to'guide. Keep em coming, have a good day mate. 👍

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

YOur welcome, Paul. Thanks for watching. M~

[@troykurz9615]

I forgot to glue mine, thanks for reminding me. I do like the growl from the humbucker. It's amazing to me that something so small can sound that good.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Troy, I do like those humbuckers too. :)

[@pedromusic4209]

I think that sounds fantastic and the guitars look amazing 👏👍

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thank you, Pedro. M~

[@mikeclarke9281]

Very nice

[@jamesbailey-uu3ek]

Going to try the flat Humbucker Mike 😊😊😊 sounds really good

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks James. M~

[@JerryFaurote]

That was awesome

[@doodlespachesco7306]

Enjoyed it and good job 👍

[@computer2404]

looks good sounds great.

[@TonyBrown-lf5nj]

You build awesome Cigar box Guitars.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thank you, Tony. M~

[@user-wg3pd9kb3b]

Smooth sound 🎶🎶

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Tim. M~

[@barrycarol2]

Thank you michael

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Your welcome, Barry. Thanks for watching. M~

[@jedeckerd5969]

I have the same box on the bench right now. Definitely my favorite one to work with. Your talent is awesomely awesome. Another great video thanks

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thank you, Max. I appreciate that. That's one of my favorite boxes as well. M~

[@guzzoofoz]

Beautiful sound Michael. Cheers and blessings from Australia 🇦🇺

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thank you Guzzo, God Bless, stay safe Down Under. M~

[@Heather22056]

Thanks again 😎

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Doodles. Thanks for checking it out. M~

[@peterhaynes8258]

Very helpful Video, Thank you Michael.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Your welcome, Peter, Thank you for checking it out. M~

[@p-mlin.1117]

One more video with a just so positive attitude :-) it is so enjoying to watch videos like this :-) This CBG sounds perfect to wooov , nice playing Michael :-) you are such a good inspireing person..hummm..inspireing...hope it is right splend ;-) " let's vote " ...tick tock tick tock...it will beeeeeee..... 4 yesses from here, you gooooooooe straight up to theeeee top Mike . ;-) :-() Humbucker pickup...hummm i agree, it sound good this cigar box Mike..well done and a great job Michael ..keep oooon playyyying Mike :-() .. All the best from here . " Dog Spirit " P-M Denmark.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thank you, P-M . I appreciate that. M~

[@webingerphoto49]

Excellent video presentation! CBG sounds awesome.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

I appreciate that. Thank you much, M~

[@alwayslearning8365]

I am installing that pick up on a couple of license plate guitars I am building for Christmas gifts. The hot glue to hold it in place is a good tip. Thanks.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Cris. Good luck with those guitars. M~

[@janfranklin6078]

Great job; great vid !

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thank you, Jan. M~

[@palm444]

Excellent job!

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

I appreciate that, thank you Steve. M~

[@tubekook55]

Wow, thanks. I'm getting set to install a flat pickup exactly like that one. This is perfect. And, I like how you fix your wires to the lid (mine just flop around loose inside the box). I was wondering what kind of adhesive you use for that (it might be in another Southern Fire video, I'll look around.) And really nice playing. Thanks again.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Your welcome, Flow. Thanks for checking out the video. Good luck with your build. I use hot glue to fix the wires to the inside lid. Keeps it a little neater . M~

[@tubekook55]

@@SouthernFireGuitars ahhh. hot glue! Thanks, Michael! I recently got a hot glue gun, used for only one project in a very different area, so it didn't occur to me. And thanks as well for the public service of showing your worktable (especially @ 11:05), makes those of us with similar work spaces feel better. It's amazing how the various categories of tools, parts, scraps, wires, solder, etc. can build up so fast on the table. I can accumulate so much stuff in three hours that I can lose parts in a three foot square area. I take it as a good sign that the work is going well - get so involved in the process that you lose track. :0)

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

@@tubekook55 I know what you mean, I will start out with one or two tools on my work bench, and in a matter of an hour I have 20 tools and a big mess lol I need to re organize my work area to make more room, so I can misplace MORE tools and stuff. :)

[@tubekook55]

@@SouthernFireGuitars great plan. :0)

[@cosmiccigarboxguitars4807]

Fantastic video!!! 🎸

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Man, I appreciate that. M~

[@pd8559]

Michael, just ordered one of these to try out myself. Are you able to do more how to wire videos. I've done a piezo disc for my youngest on a tiny 18" scale to spark her curiosity in musicand would love to compare my wiring method to yours. I have a rod piezo to try next.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Hi Hobby, Yes, I'm sure I will do more wiring videos coming up. M~

[@CalloftheWreckingBall]

Im attempting to build my first cbg its an antique Sano Gigars box its a 8 x6 box

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Cool, Good luck with your build. M~

[@rzambory2938]

thank you.. rock on

[@stevesstrings5243]

Great information! Thanks!

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thank you, Steve. M~

[@haroldyeager6124]

I have that same pickup Yet to install it on a CBG. Don’t know what I was thinking when I ordered it. I forgot to order cover plate. Rather than ordering one now I will have to figure out a creative cover for it. Enjoyed your video. That guitar sounds good

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thank you for checking out the videos, Harold. You can probably send them an email, and arrange to get a cover for it. Good luck with that build. M~

[@haroldyeager6124]

@@SouthernFireGuitars I thought of that also, but I enjoy making extra little things on my builds that probably won’t be duplicated

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

@@haroldyeager6124 That is always a plus.

[@davidspencer2333]

Michael - I have now watched this video 4-5 times. It may be one of the best CBG tutorial videos to date! Can you share which fret scale you used for this guitar? Also, the chords you played at the end of the video were very nice. Could you share the name for that music and perhaps do a tutorial video of the cord changes and strumming pattern in the future?

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks David, That CBG was on a 25'' scale. The music I usually play in my videos are my own tunes. More lesson videos coming. M~

[@paulfosbery6026]

Well done Michael! The CB Gitty Flat pickups would be perfect for my Cigar Box Guitar! Unfortunately, they are not available outside of the USA! Certainly not on Amazon UK, and the cost of ANYTHING shipped from the USA mostly cost more than the product itself! It's such a shame, as I'm sure there are local markets for them outside of the USA, with their attractive price! Take care, all, and be SAFE!

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thank you, Paul. That's a real bummer, that you can't find some flat pickups over there. I know the shipping is crazy, for sure. Hey, there's a business idea for you lol Stay safe. M~

[@tubekook55]

Hey Paul, you might already know about it, but the original flat pickups were made by a guy from Vienna named Elmar Zeilhofer. I tried to check on the internet just now, but couldn't tell if he is still making pickups. It would be closer. Not as cheap as the China-made, but outstanding quality. And he's a good guy.

[@lazykcigarboxguitars186]

Great videos. I am working a build with the same kind of pickup but with a cover on it is going microphonic on me, hopefully I can figure it out!

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Lazy. That's strange. Good luck with the build. M~

[@lazykcigarboxguitars186]

@@SouthernFireGuitars I think my hot glue is letting loose and then the pickup moves

[@guitarman_3693]

id like have heard that awesome tune w/ some dirt on it , i know that line-6 has some great grit to be had...!

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks guitarman, More videos coming. I'll be sure to add a little dirt :)

[@garylandau7159]

I would put the gold rings in the holes

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks gary, that would look good too. M~

[@ambu6478]

Man, what a great sounding and looking CBG! Are you selling any on your website?

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks, Yes I am, just posted a batch of new CBG's www.southernfireguitars.com/

[@richarddegen6184]

Excellante

[@normanacree1635]

Do these various pickups come with installation instructions?

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Some do come with wiring diagrams. M~

[@greenhornfarmer3598]

couple questions.......will it work if it is under the top of the box and what would 2 of those sound like????

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Ive heard of people putting them under the top, but Ive never tried it or Ive never tried 2 at once.

[@zipzip8239]

Have you ever installed one under the lid? I heard that you can, just wondering what it sounds like.

[@zipzip8239]

Oh and hopefully all my questions lately aren't too annoying lol.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Hey zip, I haven't installed one under the lid yet, but I do have a box I'm going to be trying it on. Because the box has such awesome graphics on the lid, I don't want to cover them with the pickup. M~

[@zipzip8239]

@@SouthernFireGuitars would be interesting to do a sound demo with it taped to the top of the lid first so it's easily removed then compare it to its final installation spot under the cover.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

@zip zip That's a good idea.

[@normanacree1635]

Do they come prewired with no need to solder?

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Not sure if they do, you'll have to check. M~

[@timschultz1139]

Micheal does the flat pickups from MGB come with wiring instructions also what size pots do you need. Tim Schultz

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Hi Tim, the pickups do not come with instructions, I use size 500 pots with them.

[@dela-vw6dp]

Hi Michael, Great video, I love your playing. Can you clarify which item this. On MGB website, neck is 2.0 $ bridge is 4.0 2 years ago you looked to reply it was a 4.0 & 1 Year ago you did a reply it was a 2.0 I would like to make sure I ordered the same as you fitted. Cheers D

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Ive used a lot of each size and I cant really tell the difference , they both sound the same to me. M~ 😎

[@mrwilly41]

I was a little confusedly by this. Why do you use acoustic strings instead of the electric string option, when you are basically building an electric guitar? Or does it really matter?

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Hi mrwilly, the strings on this guitar are nickle wound, so they are more for electric or magnetic pickups. But I have used bronze wound before as well. Its a preference thing, I believe. M~

[@brandonb8532]

The pickup you're using, is that a 2.0 3/4 wire or the 4.0 3/4 wire?

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Its the 2.0

[@pjs-1287]

Michael great video as usual! Where do you buy your flat pick ups? I’ve been buying single coil from C b Gitty great people but I like the flat one much easier to install

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thank you, psj. The flat ones I use are from mgbguitars.com/

[@DMAnnotti]

Which version of pick up do you use

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

@@DMAnnotti That one is the 4.0

[@fokker313]

Nice video Michael, I do have a question when you have time, I have noticed that your cbg's mostly do not use the tone pots, is there a reason for that? Thanks and be safe!

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks fokker. I don't think a tone knob is really necessary on a guitar with 3 strings. You do have your amp settings as well. M~

[@eaglestarmartin6474]

Comment commitment 😅