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: 

  1. 55.6cm   
  2. 52.5cm   
  3. 49.6cm   0
  4. 46.8cm  
  5. 44.2cm  0
  6. 41.7cm  
  7. 39.3cm   0
  8. 37.1cm  
  9. 35cm     
  10. 33.1cm 0 (G chord)
  11. 31.2cm
  12. 29.5cm 00
  13. 27.8cm
  14. 26.2cm
  15. 24.8cm
  16. 23.4cm
  17. 22.1cm
  18. 20.8cm
  19. 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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Very cool and well done.  All the BEW TEE FULL,  fancy and often expensive builds on the nation......  But our heritage is some poor guy trying to make a geetar out of what he could scrounge and he didn't want to craft that sucker for weeks, he wanted it ASAP!

I built my first CBG after finding your videos in an instructable.  It's a great way to get up and "strumming," I guess.  It made my first build so simple that now I'm planning on making more instruments soon as I get some more cigar boxes. 

 

I had to watch the vids a couple times, and take really good notes on each step, even so it only took me about four hours total to get 'er done.  I also put one coat of tung oil on the neck and then let it dry for a few hours before I attached everything - now my mom thinks my new guitar is "pretty."

 

I would highly recommend the Uncle Crow style for anyone's first build; it's so easy and you're playing in just a few hours, instead of days and days of planning and measuring, etc.  Only thing that would've helped me is if the instructions were written out somewhere so I could watch the vids and then read the plans as I built - but I guess that's not too big of a deal 'cause I still got it done.

Uncle Crow, best how-to cbg vid I've seen yet. NICE. Thanks. Looks like I'm going to have to use your recipe on my next one! -Glenn
love the song shine . i cant seem to get  mine to sound that good nor play shine need a how to on tht
you guys are awesome! i'm so glad to see my build method is helpful, and i can't wait to see what you guys build, be sure to take pictures for me!! :D
how much do you reckon this ended up costing all together?

Thank you so much !  This has to be the definitive 1st build guide. I've spent two weeks planning and trying to understand all the posts on the forums and the instructions round about. The more I read the more undecided I became.   I spent four hours today messing on with trying to sink a hardwood neck under the cigar box without the needed tools. I even broke two best boxes and thought I'd never get finished unless I befriended a carpenter!  Was at the point of tears and you've saved me from giving up.  Can't thank you enough. Your presentation is spot on, clear and utterly charming :) Looking forward to hearing you play some more too :)  I hope there's a link put to this video in the plans section ASAP! 

 

 

well here you go man, i just recorded this last night, i hope you enjoy it!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cgh8QTq9eX0

 

i'm always so happy to see that my hard work has paid off, i spent a lot of time frustrated, trying to develop the most basic, reliable build method, with the intent to pass on everything i've learned, and it's so great seeing it in action!!

 

keep up the great work guys, and if you know of anyone that has built guitars using my method, please get them to post here with a picture and a short story! i love hearing from you guys!!!!

 

Bronwen Banner said:

Thank you so much !  This has to be the definitive 1st build guide. I've spent two weeks planning and trying to understand all the posts on the forums and the instructions round about. The more I read the more undecided I became.   I spent four hours today messing on with trying to sink a hardwood neck under the cigar box without the needed tools. I even broke two best boxes and thought I'd never get finished unless I befriended a carpenter!  Was at the point of tears and you've saved me from giving up.  Can't thank you enough. Your presentation is spot on, clear and utterly charming :) Looking forward to hearing you play some more too :)  I hope there's a link put to this video in the plans section ASAP! 

 

 

Thank you :)  Beautiful, and all the more poignant for the original composition. 

 

Don't know if you have the same expression in the US ?  ~ Kitchen Sink Drama.  I think you should start a new movement for kitchen sink music!

I too have done the note taking thing during a second watch of the videos today. Would it be a help to write up the salient points here to save others from having to do so?  

 

Also - for brits - you can convert those drill bit sizes etc. here

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:Decimal-fraction_equivalents--v00...


 



 

I was actually thinking of doing a write up myself.  I've still got all my notes handy, I just hadn't got around to writing everything out in an easy to read format.  If that's something people are wanting, then definitely somebody should do it.

Uncle Crow,

 

Since I have time on my hands (part of my convolesence), I finally watched the full set of your tutorials... Well done sir!

 

A couple questions.....

 

1. Have you ever just crazy glued the necks onto the box (especially cardboard)?

2.  Have you had any interested in 4 string, or fretted or dulci-strummer variations?

3.  Have you gone craft show, music festival sales with these?  If so, how were they received?

 

I've going to be busy in the Ozarks as part of my retirement and an Old Crow style CBG might be a fun thing to try out.

 

Again, thanks for sharing,

the best,

 

Wichita Sam

@michael glenn

 

you know, it seems i keep telling myself i'll sit down and do a full write up, but like i said in the videos, it seems like it takes less time to just build the guitar than it would take to write it all out LOL

michael, if you would have the time and would be so inclined to do a write up, i'd be more than happy to accept your help. if you would like to start with the notes you have, i'd be glad to do the final formatting and fill in any additional information that i may have been unclear about.

 

i'm getting so excited, i'm so happy to see others take so much interest in my method, this is exactly what i set out to do, discover and share!

 

Michael Glenn said:

I was actually thinking of doing a write up myself.  I've still got all my notes handy, I just hadn't got around to writing everything out in an easy to read format.  If that's something people are wanting, then definitely somebody should do it.

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