These two instruments represent the application of principles I've learned building a few CBGs to the creation of some CBG-like instruments. But they aren't guitars, and they aren't made from cigar boxes. 

The first is a hand-drum banjo made with plans I found at Banjo Hangout: 

The second is a license plate banjo with bent red oak sides, a white oak top,…

I thought I'd document my method for cutting fret slots. Disclaimer: This is how I do it. BE SAFE. Follow your tools' directions. I'm not responsible for your accidents or bad decisions. In fact, DON'T DO THIS. 

Are we good now?

SoI started with a shopmade miter box and a Harbor Freight pull saw, as shown above. I actually like that other saw better as the back…

Last night at the Destination Blues Listening Room, a monthly event sponsored by The Exchange in Bloomsburg, PA, Clarence Spady banged out a tune on the license plate guitar I built and donated for a raffle. It was dramatically untuned after being fooled with for a couple of months, but he found music in it. It was a blast seeing an instrument I built in the hands of such a talented musician! I hope the winner of the raffle enjoys the instrument too. It was autographed by the members of…

These photos show the neck of my uke project after attachment using pocket holes. The double holes on the top will be covered by the fretboard; the bottom one, filled with a maple plug, will be visible. The neck is rock solid, screwed through the box into a maple block. But it's not reversible ... We're past the point of no return here. 

The fretboard is glued on and curing tonight; all that remains is the saddle, and then the adjustments. …