César Box Guitars by César
Vous pouvez lire cette interview en français ICI
NAME: César Box Guitars
NICK NAME : César
LIVING IN : 18340 VORLY, FRANCE
TRAINING & BACKGROUND: Self-taught
PLAYING: Guitar & cigar box
PLAYING IN A BAND: Subdream
LUTHIER YOU ADMIRE THE MOST: I really like Daddy Mojo’s work, his guitars but especially his cigar boxes
INSTRUMENT YOU DREAM TO HAVE ONE DAY: Not an instrument, but a vintage Vox AC30 (from the 60s)
LAST ALBUM YOU BOUGHT : The Pookies (album of one of the first bands of an artist I admire, Forest Pooky)
LAST MUSIC SONG YOU PUT IN YOUR CAR: not a song, but classical music, all the time in the car !
LAST SHOW YOU WENT TO : First Draft, awesome !
I look at what I have around me because I prefer to use recycled materials.
This is already the spirit of the cigar box making but I want to apply it to the electric guitar as well.
I search in my stock of wood coming from old tables and furniture found at charity shops, and there is often a piece of wood that speaks to me.
As far as cigar boxes are concerned, my favorite models are the 4 strings made from a real Cuban cigar box with an oak neck from the Tronçais forest.
As for electric guitars, the last one I made, the “Récupcaster” is my favorite model so far.
I intend to develop this range of electric guitars based on recycled wood. Each model will be unique both in its look and sound!
The artisanal manufacturing process, using raw wood from local forests or recycled wood, is in line with the values I want to carry as a craftsman.
To proceed in this way requires a lot of work, but I control the whole manufacturing process, I am completely autonomous.
I often use woods that are not considered to be lutherie woods. I don’t restrict myself in this area.
The most resonant guitar I’ve ever made has a body part made of pallet wood! In my opinion, the most important thing is to make your own experiments.
The sound of an instrument is mainly due to the attention to detail during the whole building process, right up to the final adjustments.
I encourage the musician to express his expectations in a simple way without worrying about the technique. It is through exchanges that the craftsman will be able to understand and translate these expectations in order to propose the most suitable instrument.
For a custom instrument, aesthetics are important, but it is essential to know the way the client is used to play and the styles of music he likes when he plays. This allows me to adapt the type of pickups, the electronics, but also the tension of the strings or the setting of the action. I communicate a lot with my client during the whole process.
For a custom made cigar box it takes an average of 2 to 3 weeks, for an electric guitar about 2 months.
Not yet !
To test my instruments, you just have to come and see me at my workshop.
I propose them in direct circuit, from the craftsman to the customer. You can also order them via my website www.cesarboxguitars.com or on my Etsy store https://www.etsy.com/fr/shop/CesarBoxGuitars.
I participate throughout the year in festivals where the curious can come and discuss with me, spend a convivial moment and of course try my instruments.
This allows me to promote my work, especially my cigar box, an instrument largely unknown in France.
We also invite you to follow him on his various social networks:
In the coming weeks, as for others luthiers for plucked string instruments, luthiers for bowed string instruments, amps & effects makers, wood & supplies dealers, lutherie events, jobs, schools & teachers subscribers on our site, you will be able to follow our series of mini-interviews dedicated to the fascinating world of luthiers.
See you soon…
If you are passionate about the world of luthiers, join us!