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"
Replies
I know it's been a long while since you posted this but I just completed my very first CBG, and I used you plans.The Uncle Crow is beautiful in it's simplicity and soundness. I'v built a lot of different things over the years, but I'm pretty excited over this (especially for and old dude such as myself - nearly 63). I thank you for sharing your plans and thoughts. I really enjoyed this and plan on building more. I'll post some pics in the very near future. Again thank you, and if you read this Merry Christmas! - Eddie Mac
Is it normal to have a slight "bow" to the neck? Built a neck on top and not using heavy strings. (first build)
depends on the size of the neck and the type of wood used. the tension of the strings will tend to bow the neck. if it is a slide git then its not really a problem but if fretted then you can get intonation issues like fretted notes going sharp .
Thank you so much!
These are so cool.
These are great instructions . . . After building a basic one - I used the plans as an R&D experimentation platform and ventured over to make me a rather awesome sounding paint can lid resonator with a fly bridge using the "Uncle-Crow" building method that sounds incredible when played. See attached photos . . .
The last attached photo shows how I did my inside box bracing to ensure the lid was able to vibrate freely . . . I duct taped a piezo directly to the 1 gallon paint can lid to allow me to connect it to an amp, but the resonator is loud enough to where you really don't need an amp to easily play it with good volume in your living room . . .
Absolutely awesome!
very nice resonator!!!
I've wondered about putting a pup on a resonator-ed CBG. Looks like you put the piezo directly on the resonator. Yes?
Great videos for the build and Love the eye-bolt tuning pegs!
Hi Crow. Thanks for the very helpful "Uncle Crow Guitar" vids. I'm going to build one.
My question: Would your plan work with a metal box? I have a cookie tin left from Christmas, and I'm thinking of using it to make my "Uncle Crow". It's square, so that should help. I also have a couple of round tins. I want to make something with those too. Maybe...since the square one might be a tad flimsy, one of the round ones would be better. Maybe? Anyway, would a metal box work?
Thanks!
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