Replacements for Cigar Boxes

[David]

Hello everyone. Just getting into this. My first project will be a bass, which is my natural instrument. However, I am in a dilemma because I don't smoke and therefore can't get one. Does anyone have a suggestion for a different box. Thanks.

[Chuck Dubman]

I've recycled plenty of old Baltimore city school desks.  Very nice, heavy maple.  Hoping to find one with the right carved initials to resaw into guitar tops, something reminiscent of the cover from School's Out.

[TN Twang]

Goodwill furniture wasn't much help, but housewares had some great wooden stuff: Cutting boards, serving trays, wooden towel racks, and even an oak breadbox.

Nothing long enough to make a neck our of, but several options for the sides and bottoms of boxes--all in the $1-$3 range. (That's cheaper than "craft wood" at Lowe's.)

WARNING: They use nails and staples to stabilize the glue when they factory-make this stuff. Watch out for metal when cutting into found items.

[Chuck Dubman]

Rare earth magnets make good metal detectors.

[Rand Moore]

Hi David.

CBN also has info on box building...

Here's a discussion group dedicated to that topic: Home Made Resonator Boxes 101, v.2.0

Most of my instruments are based on home-made sound boxes of various shapes.

-Rand.

[David]

Just what I was looking for, thanks.

[Groucho]

I just went to Goodwill this afternoon and picked up this stuff for about $11.  A metal file box, 2 lunch boxes, 2 spoons, a heart shaped candy tin and what appears to be some sort of portable "Tavern in a Suitcase".