How to build a 3 string Cigar Box Guitar - Setting the string height.

How to build a 3 string Cigar Box Guitar - Setting the string height.
Plus, I show the first cigar box guitar I built.
Michael Bianconi~
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[@jasonreheis]

HomeMade instruments are awesome I can't stop making guitars either. Isn't it Great 👍

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Yes, they are awesome. and YES, its GREAT!!! Thanks for checking it out Jason. M~

[@KM-ws8qs]

Thanks Michael. Good way to remember. As I say, you never over-complicate, & that's awesome. Iffin' I had 3 hands, 3 thumbs up.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Your welcome, Thank you Tennesee.

[@fatherfoxstrongpaw8968]

HAhahaHAha!!! great minds think alike! 😂 that's almost EXACTLY my first build! soo cool. i did the same box and made the same flush neck mistake, same screened sound hole covers but 4 up top, same corners, hinge rear string holder, buffalo nickle bridge, fretted neck with wood nut and same tuners plus bottlecap piezo pickup. all CBGitty parts. another irony was that i got all my cigar boxes from a guy named Mike that worked at a local smoke shop. he gave me several good sized and sounding boxes for free, so i started making my first box and was going to give it to him in trade for the boxes he gave me and for another set i was supposed to pick up in 2 weeks. here's the downer. he was robbed just before closing time a couple days before i was supposed to give it to him and pick up my next set. 3 dudes in masks and a shotgun. the guitar was never delivered and the killers still haven't been identified. the smoke shop was shut down a month later. He had no family in america, so the box wound up being broken up and trashed. all but 1 box was given away. i still have some corner pieces and 1good box i keep my gater palm sander and sand paper in in his memory. i made several 6 strings well before that first 3 string, all valued north of $2K but that last box was the last guitar ive made in more than 5 years. i remember my first box fondly because Mike was the one that inspired me to try cbg's. i still miss my old friend. last night was the first time i've looked at cbg's or even considered wanting to do another guitar of any kind. been binge watching all things cbg since i stumbled on one of your older vids. thank you for reminding me how much fun these magical instruments can be.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks, Sorry to hear about the smoke shop guy, that's too bad. :( I'm happy to hear your back into CBG's. They are a blast. M~

[@sting82ray54]

A good one Michael. Thanks! Joe- (Mountain Man Primitive Instruments).

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Joe. M~

[@samiam8706]

Thanks for the helpful info! Also really like the shirt!

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Your welcome, Sam I AM. Thanks for checking it out. Thanks for the comment on the shirt, also. M~

[@stevepethel6843]

Love your honesty and showing that first build with errors included.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Steve. M~

[@tumbleweed4213]

Thanks for the video Michael, Valuable information! I am in the process of build # 1. All of your videos of tips and techniques have been very helpful! Hopefully some day I will make guitars as nice as that beauty (#145) that I bought from you!

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Your welcome Tumbleweed, Thank you for checking it out. Just remember every one gets a little better. I hope your #1 comes out better than my #1. I could barley play the darn thing lol

[@normanacree1635]

I see that Arturo Fuentes box in more videos than any other box. Lucky I have access to a lot of them locally to make it easier to apply what I see on these videos.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Norman. M~

[@beentheredoneit]

Tx Michael to a great and very well built CBG send to me to the Hotel in Texas. Love it

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Your welcome. Thank you, Klaus. I'm glad you like it. Happy Pickin. M~

[@charleszuhlke7047]

Your first cbg looks better than my 6th

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Charles. I hope you are at least shaping the necks a little, my neck was horrible LOL M~

[@charleszuhlke7047]

Southern Fire Guitars I do shape them now, but I have a few of those old square necks hanging on my wall ;)

[@richbutters2106]

Brilliant video as aways mate. Thank you

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thank you Rich, for checking it out. M~

[@clintgorman8436]

Hey very cool of you to show you first , I’ve built one and man the sound could use a lot of help. Thanks man

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Clint. Its fun to go back and see all the things you did wrong lol

[@terryc47]

Thanks Michael. Really appreciating your "how to" videos. Building my first box guitar 🎸

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Your welcome terry, thanks for checking them out, and good luck with your first build. M~

[@user-wg3pd9kb3b]

I love the jack plate. That’s great creative.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Tim, M~

[@stevepethel6843]

That's a ROCKIN out to sounds so good. I loved that Jesus t shirt too.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thank you, Steve. M~

[@waltaskew7410]

Thank you again

[@pedromusic4209]

I like Mike. I think I caught the CBG fever for building 🤒👍🏻

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Pedro, That's great, you can't build JUST one. :) M~

[@TonyBrown-lf5nj]

Amen witness found our Fathers a Master Carpenter Howdy from Texas.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Tony, Stay safe in Texas, my friend. M~

[@mghenry7540]

Thanks Michael I have learned allot from your videos. I'm chasing my tail on my first build but after watching a few of your videos (and rewatching and rewatching) I think I just may be zeroing in on the issues it has to do with the action and some string buzzing mainly on the bass string.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Your welcome MG. Thanks for checking out the videos. Good luck on your build. To learn how I build my CBG's step by step, check out my Pro Builders WorkShop. www.southernfireguitars.com/

[@jasonbull5961]

Just built my first! Used a a CB Gitty kit and some add on parts I bought through them as well. Have stuff to build another 4 now…..may have a problem brewing!

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Congrats on your first CBG. I could have told you, you can't build just ONE lol M~

[@bobhunt1253]

It s a learning curve isn't it but a lot of fun. Thanks for this one. I'm only up to #9 so a ways to go yet.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Yes, there is a bit of a learning curve, but its definitely a lot of FUN learning. I do agree. Good luck with #9 my friend. M~

[@Beemers325is]

sounds great

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thank John

[@peterhaynes8258]

ANOTHER BRILLIANT VIDEO, THANK YOU SIR.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thank you Peter.

[@graysaw]

Just picked up a couple of boxes today, gonna see what plays out!

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

That's Awesome, Good luck with the builds.

[@eugenthemain3509]

Hey michael, thanks for that video. I just started my third build and this time its a dog bowl resonator and i do hope that i get the string height right on that one. Have a blessed day and greetings from switzerland

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks for checking it out Eugen, and good luck with the dog bowl rez. You have a blessed day as well, way over there in Switzerland. M~

[@velhomajor]

Thank you so much 🐺🇧🇷

[@fokker313]

Hi Michael, I have built over 400 cbg's to date, and have yet to find a "rule of thumb" for constantly setting the string height of my builds. I use a zero fret, as you talked about, and it does work nicely, however it seems to limit the very low action some better players demand in the upper registry. I believe it is do to the very low and even action on the first 1-7 frets which is great. However as you go further up the neck the action does increase as expected, making fingerling more difficult. I have tried lowering the floating bridge, as you suggested, but have found no set formula for achieving significant improvement in the upper frets, which is fine for slide (appx. 2.4 at 12th), but still a tad more difficult to finger. If you sand the bridge to lower, you get fret buzz on the first several frets. I tend to be a perfectionist in my builds and trying to resolve this makes me nuts. This situation, however doesn't affect the intonation and tuning, perhaps I will experiment with a bone nut instead of a zero fret. Just thought I would share and ask your opinion. Love your videos and keep rocking!! Doc

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Each build is different as you know. I try to get a good balance between the fret board height, bridge height and nut height to give each one nice play ability, with or without a slide. Thanks for checking out the videos. M~

[@halmartin7668]

Hey Michael, GOOD job. I've been making bone nuts and it takes me a while to get that string height down where I want it. Nice playing KEEP'EM COMING!

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thank you Hal, Ive made a few bone nuts as well, they look nice when their done, but definitely more involved. M~

[@Jack-fs2im]

thanx luved it

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Your welcome Jack. Thanks for checking it out.

[@kewlbns69]

i keep getting these late for some reason. anyway...good stuff as always bud. catch ya next time. :D

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thank you Kewl Beans, better late than never :) M~

[@kewlbns69]

@@SouthernFireGuitars youtube algorithm is wonky sometimes. shows me a crapton of videos i've already seen and makes me dig for the goods lol.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

@@kewlbns69 Geeezzz

[@kewlbns69]

@@SouthernFireGuitars yea. it is what it is. either youtube is a lil broken or i need to find something else to do cuz apparently i've seen everything here. haha!

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

@@kewlbns69 lol

[@frankschrodinger1424]

I've noticed a lot of cigar box builders are a few frogs short of a pond

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Ohh look Jokes..

[@harrymaselii9889]

Thank you sir very helpful advice

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks for checking it out, Harry. M~

[@TonyBrown-lf5nj]

That intro says Lord you know I am gunna love you

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thank you, Tony. :) M~

[@CigarboxSchulzi]

Cool shirt, Bro!

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thank you. M~

[@shipoffools2183]

I can feel my own #1 build growing inside me! I have fairly beefy hands ( No not fat ), and I struggle with a standard guitar. How do decide how wide to make the neck?

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

That would be up to you, my necks are 1.5'' wide, each string is 1/2'' apart, on 3 stringers. M~

[@graysaw]

Dig the shotgun shell volume knob

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks David. It give a great look. :) M~

[@tomdenny8507]

Good info, thanks. What scale length do you normally use, 24, 24.5, 25?

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks Tom, I do a lot of 23''s, some 25''s and some shorty's at 20''.

[@normanacree1635]

How is a 'zero' fret different from a standard 'nut'? It seems the two terms described the piece responsible for starting the fret board but not the same thing as I watch a lot of videos.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Hi Norman, The zero fret for gives me a consistent height at the nut every time. Its really a preference. Remember there are No rules. lol Here's a video on how I use a zero fret. kzbin.info/www/bejne/l53YppKhiMtgqck

[@ssmbssmbssmb]

Hi Michael, I am so curious, what is the parts name from the doors that you got from your friend ? thanks Michael.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Those are called strike plates. M ~

[@normanacree1635]

Isn't the wooden bridge with the fret cut into it (about 6:30) too soft to vibrate the box very much?

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

It works very good actually. M~

[@wayneshipman7406]

Loving the t-shirt Jesus is king amen

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thank you, Wayne. Yes he is. :)

[@adamfields5718]

When you lower the bridge will it lower strings all the way down the neck or just up the neck? I’m close down the neck but I’d like to lower the frets from 12 up.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Hi adam, yes, if you lower the bridge, it will lower the strings across the whole neck. M~

[@adamfox4765]

Hey question for you well 2. What size frets do you prefer with your cigar boxes. And I see other people putting the tail for the strings on the cigar box is that just for looks or does it serve a purpose. I prefer the look of yours with a strings ending at the edge of the box on the strike plate.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

I use med nickel fret wire, I do the guitars with the neck going completely thought the box as well. Its a preference thing for me. M~

[@graysaw]

Do you use a fret template for the neck?

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Hey David, yes I do, CBGitty has them. M~

[@rstarguitar5350]

Hey Mike, if I’m correct I count approximately 18 frets on your guitars . I believe you May have said That you use a 23 1/2 inch scale sometimes ,and your frets stop right at the box . My first question is what template are you using For the scale length? is it from CB Gitty ? Because I don’t know if they have a 23 1/2 inch scale template Your guitars Always sound so great and i’m trying to find tune my sounds and get some consistency . My builds vary anywhere from 23 inches to (25 1/2 as in a standard Strat length) occasionally I have absolutely no intonation issues but sometimes I do which as you might know it can be very frustrating so I’m trying to get some consistency on my builds perhaps you have some words of wisdom in this realm I can help . I would appreciate Your thoughts definitely appreciate it Thanks again.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Hi Rstar, The number of frets will vary, depending on the length of my box and my bridge placement. I use a 23'' scale length usually. I got the template from CBGitty. Setting the intonation can be challenging at times because everything comes into play, nut height, string height, bridge height, bridge placement, fret spacing must be accurate. When I get a formula that works nice, I try to apply it to all my builds, as close as I can. M~

[@rstarguitar5350]

Thanks again Mike . Sounds like I should float that bridge at least until intonation sounds correct. Just trying to zero in on a good sound that can be replicated. Great help !

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

@@rstarguitar5350 Your welcome Rstar, good luck with your builds. M~

[@TheLookingOne]

Hey SFG, Is a cigar box that is 2 3/4 inches deep too much for a CBG ?

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Not at all, Ive made plenty around that size. M~

[@TheLookingOne]

@@SouthernFireGuitars Thank you.

[@TheLookingOne]

My Perdomo Inmenso cigar box just came in. Actually, it seems small. Have you ever thought of adding a hand rest on the tail end of any of your CBGs?

[@standeyoe7468]

what size fret wire do you use ? they look big . thanks much

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Hey stan, I use medium fret wire, and if I use a Zero fret for the nut, it is a Jumbo. M~

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Hey Stan, Thank you so much, my friend. I really appreciate it. One way to find out, is to ask questions, I don't mind at all :) M~

[@larzhillbot1443]

lol just like my first build Nose bleed high string action Oh well we had to start some where he he

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

That's true, you have to start somewhere. Each one gets a little bit better. M~

[@peterhaynes8258]

Hi Michael, I have 2 CBG's, one is fine & made by a reputable company but the other resembles your first kit CBG & has the same type of faults. The difference is the size, this one has an overall length, tip to tip, of almost 31 inches, fret-board is 14 & quarter inches, with 16 frets. Would your string settings be the same for mine?

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Not really sure about that.

[@peterhaynes8258]

Thank You Michael, Sorry to bother you, Best Wishes, Peter H.

[@tracymcdougal6381]

I can’t either stop

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

I hear ya. lol

[@Heather22056]

Me too 😂

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks

[@stevesstrings5243]

You got a witness in me. I also have CBGBS (cigar box building syndrome)! I hear its incurable! We don't suffer but our wives just have to learn to live with it! Nice playing in the outro! In case you are interested, I'm doing another giveaway! This time, it's a dulcimer kzbin.info/www/bejne/hH2qn5mOfNd_mJI

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thank you Steve, CBGBS LOL Good luck on the give a way. M~

[@wildcatdjservice9823]

That one could easily be fixed.

[@SouthernFireGuitars]

Thanks WildCat, You are correct. M~