Primary research - Interview
In my original plan I asked my friend Ollie to help advise me on my build since he has experience with the technical side of guitars but unfortunately, we had timing issues where he had gone away on tour around the time I needed to complete the interview. This was quite a stressful problem as I needed to get my work done in order to start construction and keep making consistent progress. I instead made the decision to interview my father who loves guitars and has worked as an electrician and builder so I could have some advice beforehand.
Below I've written out all of the interview clearly as the original audio was unclear and cut off before the ending. Overall I'm happy with how it went and it's definitely helped with my questions.
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Me: Hi, so today I'm going to do a casual interview with you for my EPQ where I'll ask a couple of questions.
Dad: That's fine.
Me: Awesome! So first up, I know a cigar box isn't the typical choice, but the issue I've worried about is how light it is, I'm scared it'll break from the weight of the neck. Any ideas on what I could do?
Dad: Yeah thats gonna be hard. Look, I'd try to weigh the box down with as much wood on the inside and just go from there.
Me: That's what I was thinking but I wasn't sure or not.
Dad: I mean judging by the neck the other day, it's quite heavy but I'd just give it a go with some oak and stuff.
Me: I suppose I'll have to, I'll try my best to pack it. Anyway, moving on, how long do you think the construcction itself will take?
Dad: Well it depends. You're new to it all so it might take you awhile. Give it a couple of days of hard work.
Me: Yeah I'm gonna dedicate a couple of days to just focusing on it all. Are there any tools you think are vital to the project? Like anything I'll struggle without.
Dad: Without spending what - hundreds? Just make you have the basics, screwdrivers obviously, plenty of them. You'll need a coping saw for the headstock as well as a drill and drill bits. I'd try a hammer too for the tuners.
Me: And then just the expected like screws and wood. Is there anything I'll need from Alan's workshop?
Dad: Oh yeah, he's got all the electric stuff and well, the space itself.
Me: Yeah that's handy. I'm pretty worried about all the tension, I'm scared it (the cigar box bass) will snap right away, any tips on what to do?
Dad: Well the wood inside should help with that and screwing the bridge through the front, into the extra wood just to make it secure. Try to string and tune it slowly so it doesn't snap into your eye or something.
Me: Thanks, hoping it won't. What would you say is the most important aspect of this project?
Dad: Measurements. If you don't take the time to be careful then the whole plan can go wrong. Make sure to measure every bit you need.
Me: I'll bear that in mind. Anyway, thank you for answering my questions so far, I only really want to ask, do you have any final advice?
Dad: It's a hard thing to build without any experience, just make sure you do your research and stuff. Apart from that good luck.
Me: Haha thanks. And thank you for letting me interview you.
Dad: No problem.