Wednesday, July 6, 2016

A simple pine box (CBG)

Life isn't all about bicycles, sometimes you just got to make some noise! So when I came across this simple little wooden puzzle box, I just couldn't resist taking it and turning it into a "stanged thang". In this case, I planned on making a simple two string cigar box guitar, known as a chugger. I went searching through the wood pile and found an old piece of scrap wood from another project that would serve well as the neck for my prospected noise maker. Then, after compiling all of the necessary components like tuners, strings, and hardware accessories like nuts and bolts, screws and nails, I proceeded to sand and chisel away to create the instrument. After a few hours I had the makings of a CBG (cigar box guitar).
It was when I decided to electrify the contraption that I ran into a slight problem. I wanted to add a pickup and jack, both of which I had laying around the Works. The problem was that I did not have any electrical wire to use to install the parts. So I did what I always do when I need parts and supplies. I went dumpster diving!
It wasn't long before I came up with something useful. I found this JVC tape deck player that someone had thrown out. Normally I would have kept it to reuse (i love me some old school mix tapes!), but in this case someone had already cut the main power cord off of it, and besides I had other plans for it on that day. I pedaled back to the Works with this monstrosity in tow. Once back at the shop I busted out the toolbox and began dissecting the defunct electronic component in order to harvest it's parts.
It was easy work to remove the screws that held the casing together and pull apart it's plastic shell to reveal the tangled veins of copper that lay inside.
After a few snips, I had more than enough electrical wiring to do the job at hand!
Then it was back to the work table to finish off my latest creation. After some measuring, some drilling, some staining and sanding, I soldered the whole pile of trash together and ended up with this "Simple Pine Box" of a CBG!

 It is lightweight and very "clean" looking without a lot of frills or embellishments other than the standard random bike parts that I always like to incorporate into everything I build.

In this case I utilized an old sprocket from the rear hub of a bicycle to accent the sound hole, and a couple of old chain links from a discarded bicycle chain to hold the strings in place.

And when it is plugged in, it sounds like the Devil's music! But don't take my word for it, watch the video of me demonstrating the way it sounds.

If you like what you see and hear then go to the WBW Etsy shop to find out more on how you could bring this sick little number into your life! Thanks for stopping by and until next time, keep pedaling and keep making noise!

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