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How to Build a Cigar Box Guitar - Make a Bridge, Fast and Easy.

How to Build a Cigar Box Guitar - Make a Bridge, Fast and Easy.
I show I make a bridge, fast and easy, and make them consistent from start to finish.
Michael Bianconi~
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Пікірлер: 116

  • @SouthernFireGuitars
    @SouthernFireGuitars4 жыл бұрын

    This is an easy way to make a bridge or bridges for your CBG's. Let me know what you think. Thanks. M~

  • @Chriswoodworker
    @Chriswoodworker3 жыл бұрын

    I can't make my mind up whether I like you making videos better or your playing but what I do like is your little bit of madness you put into them all. Keep them coming.

  • @SouthernFireGuitars

    @SouthernFireGuitars

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you, Steve. I appreciate that. I'm glad you like both, and I will Keep em coming. M~

  • @writehandman2833
    @writehandman28332 жыл бұрын

    I tried using square dowels and a Japanese hand saw and sawed them diagonally corner to corner (not easy). It made a nice pair of bridges and the CBG sounds great.

  • @SouthernFireGuitars

    @SouthernFireGuitars

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the info, HandyMan. That's a good idea, I bet that's NOT easy. I would have a big pile of scrap wood. lol M~

  • @CelesteSanderson-ez2gp
    @CelesteSanderson-ez2gp3 ай бұрын

    Love saw, fixing to attempt my first box guitar, need all help can get, channel is amazing, keep it alive, 5 STARS

  • @SouthernFireGuitars

    @SouthernFireGuitars

    3 ай бұрын

    Thanks, good luck on your build. M~

  • @1stetson57
    @1stetson5711 ай бұрын

    I make these as well and I take the fret wire and solder a length of 20-22 ga wire to the tang and then drill a hole in the slot down to the inside of the GBG. Then slide the wire down into the CBG and set the fret wire in the bridge (I just have em made up that way now). Then solder it to a ground for grounding the strings. Nice Video!

  • @SouthernFireGuitars

    @SouthernFireGuitars

    11 ай бұрын

    Thanks for the tips. M~

  • @eml5086
    @eml5086 Жыл бұрын

    I’m learning a lot from your videos. Thank you! Thank you!

  • @SouthernFireGuitars

    @SouthernFireGuitars

    Жыл бұрын

    Your welcome, thanks for watching. M~

  • @derekrobertson7912
    @derekrobertson7912 Жыл бұрын

    hi from uk just picked up my boxes last night and they were local [makes a change] got to sort out necks next.your a great help thanks.

  • @MajorUpgrade
    @MajorUpgrade Жыл бұрын

    Nice job Michael! You really "bridged" the gap in my knowledge here! :D

  • @SouthernFireGuitars

    @SouthernFireGuitars

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks Major. good one lol

  • @pctips4all
    @pctips4all9 ай бұрын

    As always bud…. That was a great explanation!!! Thank you for everything.

  • @SouthernFireGuitars

    @SouthernFireGuitars

    9 ай бұрын

    You bet! M~

  • @pctips4all

    @pctips4all

    9 ай бұрын

    @@SouthernFireGuitars you rock Michael!

  • @bobrinchik564
    @bobrinchik5642 жыл бұрын

    great idea for a person just starting to build guitars, like me,, Thanks

  • @SouthernFireGuitars

    @SouthernFireGuitars

    2 жыл бұрын

    Your welcome. bob. Thanks for watching. M~

  • @CMRWoodworks
    @CMRWoodworks9 ай бұрын

    Good info! Helpful.

  • @KM-ws8qs
    @KM-ws8qs4 жыл бұрын

    Love your channel, buddy. Always good stuff. You have a way of making us feel like we've known you our whole lives.👍

  • @SouthernFireGuitars

    @SouthernFireGuitars

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thank you very much KM, I really appreciate that. M~

  • @robertyoung7027
    @robertyoung70273 жыл бұрын

    I'VE LEARNED SO MUCH, THANKS MAN

  • @SouthernFireGuitars

    @SouthernFireGuitars

    3 жыл бұрын

    Your welcome, thank you for watching , Robert. M~

  • @marcmayou1422
    @marcmayou142210 ай бұрын

    My local hardware store is An Ace they well have it Lowes is too far way. I have been just using scraps from cutting opening for the neck. But that looks more consistent. Marc

  • @SouthernFireGuitars

    @SouthernFireGuitars

    10 ай бұрын

    I use a lot of scrap pieces as well. M~ 😎

  • @kewlbns69
    @kewlbns694 жыл бұрын

    good stuff as always mike. i never would've thought to use fret wire on a bridge. have a great day! :D

  • @SouthernFireGuitars

    @SouthernFireGuitars

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thank you Kewl. It works great. You have a great day as well. M~

  • @walterkemp6558
    @walterkemp65582 жыл бұрын

    Another great video. Nice one Michael.

  • @SouthernFireGuitars

    @SouthernFireGuitars

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thank you, Walter. M~

  • @blindstrom14
    @blindstrom143 жыл бұрын

    i've been making fret wire bridges for quite some time, but I've always used wood scraps and shaped them individually. Square dowels - brilliant! Thanks for the tip!

  • @SouthernFireGuitars

    @SouthernFireGuitars

    3 жыл бұрын

    Your welcome, Bil. Thank you for checking it out. Those dowels work great.. and their cheap lol M~

  • @danc.5607
    @danc.56072 жыл бұрын

    Fairly easy to sharpen that dull saw. Simple jig and small triangular file.

  • @SouthernFireGuitars

    @SouthernFireGuitars

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the tip Dan. I'll have to try that next time. M~

  • @Heather22056
    @Heather220562 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for the best.😎

  • @SouthernFireGuitars

    @SouthernFireGuitars

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Doodles. M~

  • @andrewscheuermann1890
    @andrewscheuermann18902 жыл бұрын

    I think you are the best

  • @SouthernFireGuitars

    @SouthernFireGuitars

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks andrew. M~

  • @tumbleweed4213
    @tumbleweed42134 жыл бұрын

    Let's Just Say..It happened to a friend of mine once... LOL :) Another helpful Video Michael! Thank you.

  • @SouthernFireGuitars

    @SouthernFireGuitars

    4 жыл бұрын

    Your welcome, Tumbleweed. Yeah, my friend said that was really painful. lol Thanks for checking it out. M~

  • @rocketpoolpki
    @rocketpoolpki4 жыл бұрын

    Beautiful sound..hahaha...Fingers McMichael...Shefield steel has been the coice of premier knife and sword makers in England scince the middle ages but is super renown for the Stainless and Crucible steel manufacture in the 1800's allowing clock makers to get real precise, and also mass production of stainless cutlery...it's been a place of constant human occupation for around 13,000 years, back then they had to make their own boxes and necks from Oak tree and mammoth bone with cat gut strings...not as good as Southern Fire Guitars by a long shot.

  • @SouthernFireGuitars

    @SouthernFireGuitars

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thank you very much David, and thanks for the interesting Sheffield steel lesson, I had no idea :) M~

  • @sixstring001
    @sixstring0014 жыл бұрын

    Wince tip! I usually use piece cut from a 1x2 poplar. But this will be much easier. Closer to finished size. Thanks! 👍

  • @SouthernFireGuitars

    @SouthernFireGuitars

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thank you sixstring. Yes, very easy to make like that. M~

  • @rzambory2938
    @rzambory293810 ай бұрын

    done and done !!

  • @johnmitchelljr
    @johnmitchelljr4 жыл бұрын

    Very good video. Great saw. The right tool makes building fun. Thank you.

  • @SouthernFireGuitars

    @SouthernFireGuitars

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thank you, John. Your right, the right tool makes it fun and of course a lot easier. :) M~

  • @rstarguitar5350
    @rstarguitar5350 Жыл бұрын

    Well I really appreciate information it’s always good to hear how someone else does it and get some great ideas from your channel which keeps getting better and better . Thank you for the fretting recommendation it’s good to have alternatives when it comes to tools . For sure! anyway thanks again👍

  • @SouthernFireGuitars

    @SouthernFireGuitars

    Жыл бұрын

    Thank you, R Star. 😎🎸

  • @peterhaynes8258
    @peterhaynes82584 жыл бұрын

    Very clever & informative video Michael, also a lovely sound when you played the CBG. GOD BLESS.

  • @SouthernFireGuitars

    @SouthernFireGuitars

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thank you, Peter. M~

  • @stephenpascoe1148
    @stephenpascoe1148 Жыл бұрын

    Great footage Michael...do you ever glue in the fret wire in bridges or fret boards and what is the colour stain you use? Thank you...keep up the good work !!

  • @SouthernFireGuitars

    @SouthernFireGuitars

    Жыл бұрын

    Thanks, I use a little super glue for both.. I use all colors of stain. M~

  • @stevemanleycbg.5232
    @stevemanleycbg.52324 жыл бұрын

    Great informative video! I always have trouble cutting slot straight ! And in middle.

  • @SouthernFireGuitars

    @SouthernFireGuitars

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thank you, Steve.

  • @stevesstrings5243
    @stevesstrings52434 жыл бұрын

    Great tips Michael! Thanks!

  • @SouthernFireGuitars

    @SouthernFireGuitars

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thank you, Steve for checking it out. M~

  • @doggylv
    @doggylv4 жыл бұрын

    Great Tip!!

  • @SouthernFireGuitars

    @SouthernFireGuitars

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thank you, doggylv. M~

  • @bondoman2k
    @bondoman2k4 жыл бұрын

    I actually do the same thing with round dowels and finishing nails. I sand down the dowels to get the desired shape, then I glue on the nails to work like the fret wire. Probably not as strong as using actual fret wire though. ;) I need to start looking for the square dowels though, definitely a time saver. ;)

  • @SouthernFireGuitars

    @SouthernFireGuitars

    4 жыл бұрын

    The nail is a good idea, Ive done a few like that before, definitely cheaper than the fret wire lol

  • @mshrad
    @mshrad4 жыл бұрын

    Great video and tip. I was wondering if you notice any difference when using a harder wood like oak as compared to the softer poplar. I like your method but have read that for bridges, the denser the wood the better.

  • @SouthernFireGuitars

    @SouthernFireGuitars

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thank you mshrad, I don't really hear much difference, I guess because there are so many other factors involved, string gauge, action, box type, box top thickness and so on. M~

  • @larzhillbot1443
    @larzhillbot14434 жыл бұрын

    Great method Thanks as always

  • @SouthernFireGuitars

    @SouthernFireGuitars

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thank you, Larz. M~

  • @larzhillbot1443

    @larzhillbot1443

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@SouthernFireGuitars Michael you should make a couple of dulcimer Scale fret board CBG I have been having a Real Hoot so many fun tunings I like DGD i use like a 22 # 12 # 12# for strings All the fun simple songs and Hymns guess you could still use the cromatic scale but it just seems more simple with out all the half steps Any way if you have nt allready give it a try its FUN :)

  • @SouthernFireGuitars

    @SouthernFireGuitars

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@larzhillbot1443 Thank Larz. I wanted to do one of those one day, maybe its time to give it a shot, they do look fun to play. :)

  • @UliKuder
    @UliKuder4 жыл бұрын

    oh, you have a old new amp?? as always YOU are my hero!!! Thanks

  • @SouthernFireGuitars

    @SouthernFireGuitars

    4 жыл бұрын

    Hey Uli, thank you very much. If your talking about that Ibanez amp, I did get that recently, but I was playing through my Line 6 Spider, on the bottom shelf. My Vox Mini 5 amp was resting in the house. lol M~

  • @UliKuder

    @UliKuder

    4 жыл бұрын

    @@SouthernFireGuitars oh sorry, yes i was talking about the ibanez amp. Thanks for answering....

  • @TLAS
    @TLAS3 жыл бұрын

    Love your videos. I see you using that same small handsaw in many of your videos but don't recall you mentioning its make or where we could find one. Could you share some info on it? Thanks!

  • @SouthernFireGuitars

    @SouthernFireGuitars

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks TL, That little saw is from Harbor Freight.

  • @roberthamrick9711
    @roberthamrick97113 жыл бұрын

    Geeze!! I’ve YET to find a video or written instructions as to how the bridges are attached to the cigar box. So are these that you’ve made glued to the box? Are they screwed into the box? Are they nailed into the box? Or, since no one ever addresses it, does it just miracle itself onto the box top?

  • @SouthernFireGuitars

    @SouthernFireGuitars

    3 жыл бұрын

    My guitars have a floating bridge, which means it is NOT ATTACHED to the box, I repeat NOT ATTACHED to the box. It is moveable so you can set the intonation :) M~

  • @fokker313
    @fokker3133 жыл бұрын

    Hi Michael, another great video, I was wondering about the humbucker pu's you use, if you have any issues with the internal depth of the magnets, causing you to groove or notch out the underlying neck inside the cigar box? I appreciate your advice. Thank you.

  • @SouthernFireGuitars

    @SouthernFireGuitars

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you, fokker. Some of the regular humbuckers I use, you will have to cut a pretty good notch into the neck, in that case I will use dowels in the neck for added support. I also like using the flat, top of the box pickups from MGBguitars.com. All you need is a little hole for the wire to go through, and hot glue them to the top of the box and add the cover. :) M~

  • @bobhunt1253
    @bobhunt12534 жыл бұрын

    Very nice bridges and very nice sound. On that guitar you are playing how would you ground the strings and mount the piezzo?

  • @SouthernFireGuitars

    @SouthernFireGuitars

    4 жыл бұрын

    Thank you Bob. I don't ground the strings when using a piezo, never really needed to, only on a magnetic pickup. The piezo is hot glued under the box lid under the bridge.

  • @graysaw
    @graysaw Жыл бұрын

    Do you have a favorite scale length you prefer

  • @SouthernFireGuitars

    @SouthernFireGuitars

    Жыл бұрын

    I like the 23's and the 25's

  • @brian2browder
    @brian2browder3 жыл бұрын

    Do you cut grooves in the fret wire on the bridge too keep your strings in place on the bridge?

  • @SouthernFireGuitars

    @SouthernFireGuitars

    3 жыл бұрын

    Hi Brian, not usually.

  • @joelchamblin2433
    @joelchamblin24333 жыл бұрын

    Total newby here, is the bridge attached to the box, if so how? Or is it held in place by the strings? Thanks, learning a lot from your videos.

  • @SouthernFireGuitars

    @SouthernFireGuitars

    3 жыл бұрын

    Your welcome, Thanks for watching the videos. The bridge is a floating bridge, not attached to the box. Its moveable to set the intonation. I explain it here in this video. kzread.info/dash/bejne/k4aH2JqKmr2snNY.html

  • @joelchamblin2433

    @joelchamblin2433

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for answering my question, will watch that video.

  • @SouthernFireGuitars

    @SouthernFireGuitars

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@joelchamblin2433 Your welcome, sounds good. M~

  • @gtrboy77
    @gtrboy773 жыл бұрын

    I had a couple questions about locating the bridge. First, do you locate them right at the exact scale length or do you move them a little to compensate for the string size (think traditional acoustic slanted saddles)? And second, how do you fasten them in place? I’m guessing a little hot glue...

  • @SouthernFireGuitars

    @SouthernFireGuitars

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thanks for checking out the videos. I start with the bridge right at the scale length, then adjust it to set the intonation, usually sliding it back a little. I do not attach the bridge to the box, ( its floating ) its being held down by the string tension. I leave it floating for adjusting the intonation. Hope this helps. M~

  • @denbo6054
    @denbo605411 ай бұрын

    Do CBG guitar bridges have to be fret wire? I'm thinking about making a more traditional Rosewood and bone bridge. Will that work?

  • @SouthernFireGuitars

    @SouthernFireGuitars

    11 ай бұрын

    They do not have to be fret wire, they can be wood or bone, or a rusty bolt. :) M~

  • @denbo6054

    @denbo6054

    11 ай бұрын

    @@SouthernFireGuitars Awesome. Thank you so much for the quick response. I really enjoy your videos and your playing. You motivated me to build one. Ive been playing guitar for over 50 years and have successfully built a Les Paul kit so I'm really looking forward to building and playing a CBG because of you and your videos.

  • @guzzoofoz
    @guzzoofoz4 жыл бұрын

    Q. Do you slot or mark the fret wire to hold the strings in place? 🙏🇦🇺

  • @SouthernFireGuitars

    @SouthernFireGuitars

    4 жыл бұрын

    Hi Guzzo, I have before but usually I do not, because sometimes it will cause string Buzzzzzz. M~

  • @rparker120
    @rparker1203 жыл бұрын

    I’ve watched your video on making bridges several times. Every time I come up with another idea. I found some knife handle scales from my knife making days. They are wood pieces laminated and sealed in resin. They are about 1 1/4” X 4” X 1/2”. Do you think they would work for bridges? Or would they be too hard?

  • @SouthernFireGuitars

    @SouthernFireGuitars

    3 жыл бұрын

    That's pretty cool, The only way to know for sure would be to make one and try it out. It may work great. Keep me posted :)

  • @zipzip8239
    @zipzip82393 жыл бұрын

    is there a reason you use this style of bridge instead of a bolt? curious if its just because its better looking or if it serves a purpose.

  • @SouthernFireGuitars

    @SouthernFireGuitars

    3 жыл бұрын

    I do use bolts occasionally, I think the wood bridges transfer the sound a little better acoustically, plus if I need to bring the string action down a little, I can just sand the bottoms some. M~

  • @zipzip8239

    @zipzip8239

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@SouthernFireGuitars makes sense, much easier to fine tune and i imagine it probably does help the sound a bit.

  • @SouthernFireGuitars

    @SouthernFireGuitars

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@zipzip8239 I think so

  • @matthewmcpherson610
    @matthewmcpherson610 Жыл бұрын

    Where do you get empty guitar boxes?

  • @SouthernFireGuitars

    @SouthernFireGuitars

    Жыл бұрын

    If you meant cigar boxes, you can find them at cigar stores, flea markets, online. M~

  • @timschultz1139
    @timschultz11393 жыл бұрын

    Mr Southern Fire: what is the string spacing on a three string CBC. Tim Schultz

  • @SouthernFireGuitars

    @SouthernFireGuitars

    3 жыл бұрын

    Hi Tim, its 1/4 inch.

  • @mrwilly41
    @mrwilly413 жыл бұрын

    Hi Mike, Two questions. What file are you using to cut the fret wire? And where do you get your sound hole ring covers? Thanks. P.S we just got 8" of frozen liquid sunshine...only we don't call it sunshine...we call something else in Iowa!🤐

  • @SouthernFireGuitars

    @SouthernFireGuitars

    3 жыл бұрын

    Hi mrwilly, I don't use a file to cut the fret wire, I use wire cutters. Sound hole grommets here amzn.to/34SeZUQ Frozen liquid sunshine is too cold for me lol

  • @mrwilly41

    @mrwilly41

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@SouthernFireGuitars What I meant to ask was, What are you using to cut the slots in the fret wire for the strings to nest in? Or do you even cut slots into the wire?

  • @SouthernFireGuitars

    @SouthernFireGuitars

    3 жыл бұрын

    @@mrwilly41 you can cut slots in the fret wire with a small triangle file.

  • @alwayslearning8365
    @alwayslearning83654 жыл бұрын

    Michael go to the Great Guitar Build Off. You can enter the 2ndary contest by building a guitar and posting a video of the build. There are no rules about what type of guitar you have to build. It would be great exposure for your KZread channel and would help it grow. Check it out at Crimson Guitars.

  • @SouthernFireGuitars

    @SouthernFireGuitars

    3 жыл бұрын

    Thank you Cris, Darn I just seen this.

  • @TheSpeenort
    @TheSpeenort3 жыл бұрын

    I make my nuts and bridges out of bone. My dog goes a little crazy when he smells the bone sawdust as I saw out the blanks.

  • @SouthernFireGuitars

    @SouthernFireGuitars

    2 жыл бұрын

    Thanks Greg. Yeah, that bone has a weird smell when you cut it. lol M~

  • @waltdavis29
    @waltdavis292 ай бұрын

    Love the jam at the end Michael, what song is that? Have a lesson maybe? I’m working on #429 this morning and stumbled (bumbled? 😂) across your channel again. I need to revisit your channel, good stuff!

  • @SouthernFireGuitars

    @SouthernFireGuitars

    2 ай бұрын

    Thanks Walt. That's one of my tunes. I do have a lesson video on my channel. 😎

  • @waltdavis29

    @waltdavis29

    2 ай бұрын

    @@SouthernFireGuitars I’ll look for it! As always, good job amigo! Wish I could head down your way and jam with you 🍻