Information

The Beginners Club

A club for beginners who are building for the first time and need some support from each other as well as experienced builders who are willing to teach newbies the ropes. Welcome!

Location: Rochester, New York
Members: 318
Latest Activity: Feb 26

Discussion Forum

Can a box be too shallow?

Started by Sean Murphy. Last reply by Raymond Grimmitt Dec 21, 2021. 3 Replies

I picked up two boxes for my first couple of attempts at CBG's; finished the first and I'm getting ready to start the second.The box I got is nice and long, but it's a bit shallow - only 2" deep. I feel like it'll be an interesting build but I'm…Continue

Removing box labels

Started by Robert Dawkins. Last reply by Order99 Jul 6, 2020. 8 Replies

My first cigar box is on the way, and it's a paper-covered wood one. As cool as the label might be, I'd rather have a plain wood box, so I can customize it to my liking...is there a set method of removing these labels, without ruining the wood…Continue

Build 2!

Started by Sean Murphy. Last reply by Sean Murphy Oct 28, 2018. 3 Replies

I built a second CBG, finished Monday night - I can't every do anything simply so I went with a knockoff of a pic I saw on this site recently.It actually worked out really well! I didn't cut a sound hole but the resonance is so good I'm considering…Continue

Best/"Easiest " Way to notch out CBG Neck......?????

Started by Brian M Nusser. Last reply by ChickenboneJohn Nov 14, 2017. 16 Replies

Hey Everyone!!I am planning on building my first CBG in the near future, and am looking for some suggestions on the best way/easiest way that you have found to notch out the neck? I must admit that I possess very rudimentary "woodworking" skills,…Continue

Comment Wall

Comment

You need to be a member of The Beginners Club to add comments!

Comment by Joe on May 13, 2020 at 10:30am

I have an old king Edwards cigar box that says 7 cents each on the inside of the lid I was sent a link for a video on here on how to make them  and now I need to make one well to start with any ways I have thought about making it electric but I’m not shire yet would it be best to make it acoustic sence it will be my first build 

Comment by Eric Shepherd on March 31, 2017 at 1:23pm

I finally finished my second build.. Light years better than my first with a much cleaner sound.. I went with a 24 & 3/4 scale length and again using Jarrah for the neck.. It's as hard as hell and completely tore up one saw blade cutting the fret slots.. I used ox bone for the nut and bridge and stuffed in a piezo pickup as well.. There are still a few niggling mistakes but I feel I am getting better at resolving them.. Unfortunately my playing ability is still garbage but when the neighbours are out and the volume is cranked up who cares :)  

Comment by mtfallsmikey on January 12, 2016 at 12:46am

First build... mocked it up last night. Mistakes aplenty, but have not pitched the neck yet.

Comment by Slow Blues Dani & Ol' Grey Bear on January 10, 2016 at 8:10am

Hi all. Just joined the group and only joined the site about a week ago. First thing that has to be said is you all RAWK! So friendly and helpful around here, a true credit to the revolution. I had a read through some of your comments and saw folks adding images of their first builds. I'm on build three, owning four once this is done but this was my first ever build. Hope the picture shows.

One string plank.

Comment by evanmars on April 7, 2015 at 2:36pm

My first CBG.  How high should the strings be for a slider?  Pretty sure mine are way too high.  Thought I would have to make them high because my neck is the thickness of the back of the box, which is the front of the CBG because it is thinner than the cover.  Figured it'd make a better sound board.  

I think the "F" holes are bigger than they should've been.

Tuned to GDG.  The low G and D sound OK, the high G sounds really weak unless played right at the bridge.  Any fix to that?

Comment by Tommy Phillips on October 3, 2014 at 6:05pm

Here is my proof of graduation from the first-timers:

https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=10202604432742369

Comment by Thomas "Duck" Petry on June 12, 2014 at 8:43am

Ken, we could probably see easier if there was a picture attached.

Comment by Ken Dameron on June 12, 2014 at 7:21am

I've just started making CBGs for about 6 months.  I'm 50 years old and thought it was time to come up with a new hobby.  Here is a picture of my first upright bass.  it stands about 6', the frets are wooden tooth picks, the markers are from a wooden dowel I found, and the cigar box is about 18'X5"X4".  The string is weed eater string.  As you can see at the top, the tuning key is an eyebolt, a washer, and two bolts holding it in place.

Comment by Wichita Sam on May 16, 2014 at 2:52am

Glenn, 

 

Nice video.  Thanks for joining the club of "takers and givers".  Groups like ours depend upon folks who are willing to share what they have learned with others.  No one has to (or can) know it all before starting to share.  If you have something that works, why not?  I'm in this crazy thing for 7 years and over 450 builds by now and I am still learning tricks and tips from folks who just began months ago.

 

Bravo!!!

 

Wichita Sam 

Comment by Wichita Sam on May 4, 2014 at 5:51am

slim, moving from an idea of how something is,..to a concrete form is often an unsettling experience.  my first was a CBuke that I didn't allow enough headstock room and had to scab on another 3" to make it work.  The point is a realtive few with woodworking or instrument building experience build great CBGs first try.  But also,..most people can see that they can get to a playable instrument relatively quickly.   After that how far you take it is up to you.  If you' are having fun, keep building... if you're not try something else...

 

Members (318)

 
 
 

The Essential Pages

New to Cigar Box Nation? How to Play Cigar Box GuitarsFree Plans & How to Build Cigar Box GuitarsCigar Box Guitar Building Basics

Site Sponsor

Recommended Links & Resources


Discussion Forum

Can a box be too shallow?

Started by Sean Murphy. Last reply by Raymond Grimmitt Dec 21, 2021. 3 Replies

Removing box labels

Started by Robert Dawkins. Last reply by Order99 Jul 6, 2020. 8 Replies

Build 2!

Started by Sean Murphy. Last reply by Sean Murphy Oct 28, 2018. 3 Replies

Best/"Easiest " Way to notch out CBG Neck......?????

Started by Brian M Nusser. Last reply by ChickenboneJohn Nov 14, 2017. 16 Replies

First build, not-great results

Started by Sean Murphy. Last reply by Slow Blues Dani & Ol' Grey Bear Nov 14, 2017. 3 Replies

Neck length

Started by Holly Hodson. Last reply by Thomas "Duck" Petry Nov 9, 2017. 4 Replies

"If you wand to get something done real bad . . ."

Started by Michael Zimmerle. Last reply by Richard Dean Oct 23, 2017. 2 Replies

First build and a broken string.

Started by Dan Mullen. Last reply by Richard Dean Oct 23, 2017. 8 Replies

What type of saw to use?

Started by Anne M. Fridley-Owen. Last reply by Anne M. Fridley-Owen Dec 4, 2016. 3 Replies

*()@%&$! Piezo

Started by Chance. Last reply by Chance Oct 24, 2016. 3 Replies

general

Started by tommy farrar. Last reply by tommy farrar Nov 28, 2015. 2 Replies

Tail - or where the strings are mounted

Started by evanmars. Last reply by Richey Kay Aug 25, 2015. 7 Replies

My fifth build

Started by James A OBrien Apr 7, 2015. 0 Replies

Cardboard Cigar Box

Started by Redbelly. Last reply by Thomas "Duck" Petry Jun 30, 2014. 3 Replies

Just Finished My First CBG. YAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! (The Sequel)

Started by L. W. Carlson. Last reply by Thomas "Duck" Petry Jun 27, 2014. 3 Replies

Scale Length

Started by Wagner Richter. Last reply by Wagner Richter May 7, 2014. 3 Replies

Connecting a Neck

Started by Thumper Apr 18, 2014. 0 Replies

Latest Activity

A.D.EKER commented on A.D.EKER's video
Thumbnail

Im Troubled (Tribute) Mc K Morganfield by BCB - A.D .Eker 2024.

"Thank you Poorness ! for loving it ! appreciated!"
12 hours ago
Southern Ray replied to Timothy Hunter's discussion just came accross this pickup idea on youtube.
" Very interesting. Thank you Timothy!"
12 hours ago
Kent Thurston updated their profile
12 hours ago
Southern Ray posted a photo

Punch Project!

She now sports gold metal CBGitty knobs, speaker and an Artec 2.5 watt speaker. Finished this in…
13 hours ago
Southern Ray posted a photo

Project Punch!

Gonna finally get back on this long-delayed project that is more than half complete. (The matching…
13 hours ago
Poorness Studios liked A.D.EKER's video
15 hours ago
BrianQ. left a comment for Rob (Uker) Porras
"Hope this helps?"
15 hours ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on Doug Thorsvik's photo
Thumbnail

Dueling Flatheads

"I appreciate the kind words Papa D! I have always loved the look of these cigar boxes. Glad to have…"
18 hours ago
A.D.EKER commented on A.D.EKER's video
21 hours ago
A.D.EKER posted a video

Im Troubled (Tribute) Mc K Morganfield by BCB - A.D .Eker 2024.

The recorded History By Alan Lomax for the library of Congres of the Blues, from Mc Kinley Morganfield (Aka Muddy Waters) the in this take recorded Tribute ...
21 hours ago
Papa D commented on Doug Thorsvik's photo
Thumbnail

Dueling Flatheads

"Beautiful..Nice work Doug.."
yesterday
Papa D commented on Papa D's photo
Thumbnail

american1 Sun Glo

"Thanx AGP & Doug..  4 more coming soon"
yesterday

Music

© 2024   Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

\uastyle>\ud/** Scrollup **/\ud.scrollup {\ud background: url("https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/963882636?profile=original") no-repeat scroll 0 0 transparent;\ud bottom: 25px;\ud display: inline !important;\ud height: 40px;\ud opacity: 0.3 !important;\ud position: fixed;\ud right: 30px;\ud text-indent: -9999px;\ud width: 40px;\ud z-index: 999;\ud}\ud.scrollup:hover {\ud opacity:0.99!important;\ud}\ud \uascript type="text/javascript">\ud x$(document).ready(function(){\ud x$(window).scroll(function(){\ud if (x$(this).scrollTop() > 100) {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeIn();\ud } else {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeOut();\ud }\ud });\ud x$('.scrollup').click(function(){\ud x$("html, body").animate({ scrollTop: 0 }, 600);\ud return false;\ud });\ud });\ud \ua!-- End Scroll Up -->