Gear Acquisition Syndrome

GAS isn’t reserved just for guitarists, but as a guitar player I have experienced the irrational allure of purchasing gear and then instantaneously feeling the need to buy something even shinier.

I believe the Covid Pandemic and Josh Scott are to blame for creating this global phenomenon (buyer’s sickness). YouTube didn’t create the virus or the JHS Show so you can’t really blame them. Perhaps equal blame could go to Mick and Dan from That Pedal Show (British YouTube channel).

As you can see in the photo caption I used above, the price for this average, previously undesirable overdrive pedal, is completely absurd. It screams, ‘bullshit’, but even still, this is an actual online ad asking $27,000 for a pedal worth about $80 a year ago. After Josh Scott did a show on the merits of this pedal, I witnessed the flood of nonsense that is GAS. I looked behind the curtain on this one and realized the utter nonsense at play😳.

However, in my own way I have been to the well, but time, I did not, would not, could not drink the GAS. That sounds horrible and poisonous. In fact I gave given away two guitars and sold one, and I still gave more guitars than I need. The same for FX pedals. I still look at guitars and pedals online and in stores and feel the desire build, but I haven’t given in to it.

Call it GAS or use more subtle terms like hobby, collecting, completist, but in some cases it really is a form of addiction. I really feel that if wasn’t so scared of being broke (even though I’m not), I would have a terrible time getting that Bad Monkey off my back. It’s better for me that I don’t let it happen at all.

For modern musicians the technology options for creating music are as vast as the Grand Canyon, but I’m trying narrow my tools to ones I feel help me sound like me; whatever that is. I’ve been through the GAS rehabilitation program and I’m on the mend. Baby steps friends, baby steps.

Nudge

Tuesday, September 29, 2020

DIY Cigar Box Guitar

One mans‘ trash is another mans’ cigar box guitar.

This is not a how to blog, but more of a ‘hey look, I did this and you can too’ blog.

About a year ago, while walking my dog, I found a broken acoustic guitar tossed in the trash. The guitar looked like someone had stepped on it just above the bridge, but beyond that it was excellent. It would take me almost a year to make a serious attempt to build a cigar box guitar with some of its usable parts.

Problem number one, I need a cigar box.

But I don’t smoke. I also don’t know anyone who smokes cigars either. I know, Kijiji!

Now traditional artists build quite a large amount of tools and supplies over time. My own stockpile of art supplies has been growing out of control for years (I hate throwing things away). While browsing Kijiji for days I finally hit the jackpot. I bought not 1 cigar box, but 9 empty cigar boxes, yes 9.

This purchase allowed me to solve two issues at once. With much OCD fretting and sorting through my pastels, pencils etc, I still had three boxes left.

A luthering we go!

Gorilla Glue and Clamps and Mistakes, Oh My!

FYI, I play guitar, but I am not a guitar maker or wood worker, so I’m not offering any detailed CGB plans. I’m just documenting that I built a CGB guitar and it worked (well enough for me).

‘Think twice before you glue‘, my Grandpappy always said.

I learned very quickly that Gorilla Glue is way, way stronger than the thin wood cigar boxes are made of. There is no undo button here. It was a good thing I had three cigar boxes to work with.

I would say that planning the inner structure was the most difficult part. I dry fit and made adjustments to the inner supports many many times before locking it down for good. I was also very worried that when I strung the guitar to pitch, it just might blow apart in my face. Being sure the body could support the neck tension was a bit of a gamble.

After about a month of gluing, clamping and sanding, it’s done!

Miraculously the guitar didn’t blow up, it resonates well and holds its tuning OK. The intonation along the length of the neck is a bit off, but it will let you play the blues just like a CGB Guitar should.

Some final touches

Graphics and an electric pick up are the next step to final completion of this CGB Axe. I’ve ordered a piezo pick up from Amazon so I can play it through my amplifier and effects pedals. I also sketched a digital version of how I’d like the painted graphics to span across and unite the two boxes together. Hopefully, this last part won’t take a year.

Watch for a future update of the finished project.

I did, so you can too.

Let me know what you think of this project and tell me about your creative ideas and projects. Best of luck and have fun.

Cheers,

Nudge