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EASY TO BUILD CIGAR BOX GUITAR: AN UNCLE CROW STYLE CBG IN ONE HOUR!!

Today we're going to have a step-by-step cigar box guitar building class! The total time to build is about one hour, not including the introduction video, or video 8, where we're just playing the guitar.

Build a three string, slide cigar box guitar with the following items:

Materials

wooden cigar box - $3
1x2 - $1
three eye bolts, 3/16" x 3" , 24 thread - $1.50
six #8 washers - $.98
three wing nuts, 3/16", 24 thread - $.98
three 6/32 machine screws with matching nuts - $.98
machine bolt, 1/4" x 2" long - $.98
guitar strings, one pack - $5
three wood screws - 1 1/2" long - $.98

These items are really much cheaper than i list here. most of them are bought in bulk, so for just a little more money you could build a LOT of guitars. The prices listed above are the average hardware store price, if you were to buy the item in small numbers in individual bags from the pegs in the fasteners section.

Tools

drill
1/2" paddle bit for three sound holes (you could use 1/4 bit with six holes)
regular smaller drill bits
phillips bit
hand saw (box saw is best)
sand paper

Additional items

guitar picks can be bought at most box stores
slides can be bought at home depot. go to the cabinet section, and ask for a 2" long 3/4" steel spacer. they cost $1.50, and are the best slides i've ever used!!

WORKSPACE, SUPPLIES AND TOOLS

NECK

NECK, EYE BOLT TUNER INSTALLATION AND BODY BLOCK

MOUNTING THE NECK AND SOUND HOLES

FRET CALCULATION AND FRET MARKERS

Fret Markings: THANKS TO DAZEDLEMONPIE, the following fret measurements have been transcribed for us, and i've copied and pasted them here.

"i just written down all the fret measurement from part 5 of the video, I thought I would share it with those interested in building one.

The following are based on scale length of 59cm

59cm multiply .9439 (or any other scale length) equals your first fret location. It should be marked as follows:

55.6cm
52.5cm
49.6cm 0
46.8cm
44.2cm 0
41.7cm
39.3cm 0
37.1cm
35cm
33.1cm 0 (G chord)
31.2cm
29.5cm 00
27.8cm
26.2cm
24.8cm
23.4cm
22.1cm
20.8cm
19.6cm"

STRINGING IT UP, STRINGS AND EYE BOLT TUNERS

TUNE IT UP AN PLAY!

PLAYING THE CIGAR BOX GUITAR : COLLECTIVE SOUL - "SHINE"

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Moritz Voegeli on March 14, 2016 at 8:13am

For comparison I did a series of acoustic CBGs from the same boxes [Partagas No. 4], and a somewhat different design, similar to C. B. Gitty's "Pure & Simple" CBG with a flying bridge, but letting a gap between soundboard and neck, has the fullest tone and the best sustain. I suppose the less stuff inside the box the better sound and sustain.

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Permalink Reply by Brian Revels on March 14, 2016 at 8:58am

What do you mean "letting a gap"? How did you leave a gap?

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Permalink Reply by Moritz Voegeli on March 14, 2016 at 9:10am

Sorry for my poor explanation, what I meant to say: the neck on top of the box doesn't touch the soundboard but on the ends of the box for about half an inch, so the soundboard can vibrate freely.

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Permalink Reply by Brian Revels on March 15, 2016 at 4:01am

Hmmm, I think I know what you mean now, but do you have a picture to share, and maybe a sound sample? I am now intrigued. Some of my best sounded CBGs have been crow builds.Hmmm, I think I know what you mean now, but do you have a picture to share, and maybe a sound sample? I am now intrigued. Some of my best sounded CBGs have been crow builds.

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Permalink Reply by Moritz Voegeli on March 15, 2016 at 4:38am

I don't have sound samples now, but I did five boxes nearly identical by dimension and material, but different in construction, so my preference for the type shown in the picture below for fullest tone and best sustain is based on direct comparison. I'm waiting to get some more Partagas No. 4 boxes for further experiments for a future post with good sound samples.

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Permalink Reply by Brian Revels on March 15, 2016 at 5:30am

thnx

Permalink Reply by Fomhorach on March 15, 2016 at 10:43am

Oh nice. I was wondering about that design. Your picture just solved a dilemma I had. Thanks.

Permalink Reply by Tom Drommond on February 8, 2013 at 10:28pm

That's some good thinking. I have a box that I can't bring myself to ruin the top of. I've been putting off a build on it. This gives me some ideas for it.

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Permalink Reply by Bluesheart on February 9, 2013 at 6:29am

Wow Crow, those are great and I love you rendition of Shine. I think I will try one of these just to see if I can learn to play that on it!! Looks like a blast and that thing sounds awesome!

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Permalink Reply by Dr. Dave on February 24, 2013 at 9:08am

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Permalink Reply by Dr. Dave on February 24, 2013 at 9:10am

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Permalink Reply by Fomhorach on March 15, 2016 at 10:38am

Hi. Try a second bolt and washer on the loop side right up to where the thread of the bolt ends to give yourself a little 'winding' space. It will also help you tighten the bolts without the strings getting squashed.