The Cigar Box Guitar Builder

A new name and a new picture. There will be more interviews and all the fun stuff plus more in the next couple of weeks.  Regards Adam Harrison

Ok, things got a little crazy on this episode. A lot of people have asked me about the best place to put piezo pickups. I love to experiment so I learnt a lot on this episode about wiring up piezo pickups and I was even able to confirm what I enjoy about my choice of piezo placement. Hope you enjoy the episode and tell your friends. Adam

Wow we are over 4000 plays!!! A huge thankyou to all of our listeners. Don't forget to sign up for the Facebook group. In this episode I discuss the different saws that I use in the shop. This episode has been inspired by a facebook message regardin the use of saws for fretting. These are my ideas and are not meant to cause offence to anyone who is doing things differently. They are just my experiences. Hope you enjoy Adam Harrison  

In this episode I talk about my favorite builders and companies. I try to give examples of what I like about their businesses and instruments. All of these builders and companies have developed over time due to hard work and determination. Hope you enjoy. Thanks  Adam Harrison

Thanks for being a patron of the show. Enjoy this extra information about fretting from Pat Procter. Adam Harrison

This week I chat with Pat Procter about his amazing parquetry CBGs. Big thanks to Pat for being patient with me as I was having some tech difficulties. He was very giving and a great example of a do-it-yourself builder who started with minimal skills and developed his art to the amazing level it is at now.  After we finished the sign off we had a further discussion about a previous episode where I was talking about fretting issues. He was happy to share his ideas for the patron only content. You can sign up to support the show here through podbean and become a patron. Thanks for listening Adam Harrison

In this episode I am joined by regular contributor, Mark Wilmot from MRWS instrument supplies. We discuss new builds and problems that new and experienced builders can face when making frettless and fretted instruments. Hope you enjoy this week's episode and thank you for listening. Adam Harrison www.birdwoodGuitars.com Mark Wilmot www.mrwsinstruments.com  

Hi all and thanks for listening. This week's episode has been made because of the question I asked on the FB group. Fretting is a skill that I am constantly working on - constantly. I don't have the best tools but I have invested a small amount of money on a couple of tools that have worked wonders. I am not an expert by any means and I hope I don't come across as one on this podcast. The reason I made this podcast in the first place was to share what I know and my experiences. Recently I have seen a number of CBGs in stores around Sydney and although I really liked the style and vibe of them I was disapointed at the quality of the fretwork. If we are selling our wares to a buying public we have to represent ourselves and the industry by producing a quality product that is comfortable and safe to play. Thoughts? :) Best regards Adam Harrison

This week I speak with Ben Baker, the man behind C.B.Gitty. We talk about how he discovered cigar box guitars and how he started his business. We also discuss different styles of building, whether piezo pickups are better than magnetic pickups and the use of social media. My thanks to Ben for fitting us in during his very bust schedule. I can't believe this is episode 30!! My thanks to all you wonderful people who have been listening.  Keep building Adam Harrison

This week we hear from the inspirational Pip Cowan who just returned from a trip of a lifetime to the place that gave birth to the blues. What makes Philip's trip so amazing is that he self-funded the experience through busking and gaining the support of the wonderful Shayne Soall among so many others. Pip is a diddly bow player who turned to this one string instrument after a motorcycle accident made it impossible to play standard 6 string guitar. Pip is planning to release the video footage of his trip as a documentary but there is still a way to go. Enjoy Pip's story and Thanks. Adam Harrison

Mark contacted me this week to let me know that we now have two podcasts that are about cigar box guitars!! What wonderful news for all of us, as now I get to listen to someone else talking about these amazing instruments. Marks show is called, COME AND MAKE IT DIGITAL RODEO and he has about 11 episodes at this point. It's really easy to find on iTunes. Mark wanted to interview me for his show which blew me away. I'm very humbled. What a great guy! We decided to put it up as a joint podcast, so here it is. Enjoy:) This last month has seen the passing of a number of great instrument builders including a highly respected members of the CBG comunity. My condolences to all their family, friends and colegues. Happy Building Adam Harrison

Oh wow this episode was fun to do! Bill is such a great interview. Funny, informative and very easy going. I apologise for the poor reception which popped up every now and then, mostly affecting Mark Wilmot's line. Stick aroiund for the last few minutes as Bill remembers a very important instrument from his collection. Both of Bill's books; One Man's Trash and Cigar Box Ukulele, are available from cigarboxguitar.org Mark Wilmot can be found at https://www.facebook.com/MrWsHandmadeInstruments/ ...and you can find me at https://www.facebook.com/BirdwoodCBG/?fref=ts Thanks to all Adam Harrison

In this fun packed (and dogless) episode, Mark and I discuss first builds, why I dislike like MetaL songs that dont have blazing guitar solos, how to build laminated necks and compare different humbucking pickups. Mark will be uploading his beautiful build to the podcast group so you can see what we were talking about. Remember that our ideas are just that, our ideas. Our ways of building aren't the only ways to do things and we rely on your input so please comment here on Podbean, itunes or on the Facebook group. Have fun building. Adam Harrison

In this episode I go through some of my favourite book and DVD resources. Some of my best ones are by Charles Atchison, Mike Orr, David Sutton and William Jehle and Justin Johnson. I have also filmed this episode as a live Facebook feed so don't hesitate to check out my profile at Adam Harrison from Birdwood Guitars. Find me at THE CIGAR BOX GUITAR BUILDER PODCAST group. I have some more great interviews on the line for the next few weeks as well so stay tuned.  Big thanks Adam Harrison

In this episode I get to speak with the highly influential and respected performer and builder, Mike Snowden. We chat about his build process, his history in the music business and OZZY!! You can find Mike Snowden on Facebook, Instagram and at www.snowdenguitars.com Thanks for listening Adam Harrison