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My Version for the CBG - The CBGR

R for revolution....

Hey, all you out there,

I'm new here and thought I share with you my view on the cigar box guitar and show you my latest build along the way. I have seen the cigar box guitar in tv and fell in love with it. I loved the history that this instrument folds within him and most important - its sound.

I immediately wanted to build one for my self but because of my poor playing skills, I knew I had no chance of learning the plat 3 or 4 string instruments. So, to make it happen, I knew it had to be a little different. I need it to be standard tuning 6 string guitar, so the neck would be like an electric guitar. Second, I don't really have access to a real cigar box plus, I wanted to make my version of the box, to show some skills.

So I decided to build my own Sapele wooden box with edge miter joint and reinforce with feather-spline. To close the box, I used figured maple. the neck was constructed from 5 pieces lamination of Maple and Saple wood, scraf-joint for the neck angle and butt-joint for the heel. the fingerboard was made from Paduk, which is a beautiful red colored wood, the headstock vennerwas also from Paduk. I used open-gear tunning machine-heads, black screen-cover in the sound-box, flat bridge and one mini Humbucker. Soon I will be starting a new build, this time I will make some build-along post here to share with you guys and galls.

Happy Pass-over

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Permalink Reply by JP Lace Master on April 19, 2019 at 9:23pm

Viva La Revolution. I like it, I do something similar with Cookie Tins and Bolt on 6 String necks, very nice work.

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Permalink Reply by Paul Craig on April 27, 2019 at 7:19pm

Great job building this one and I'm sure the Maple, Paduk and Saple makes it sound great too.

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Permalink Reply by Bob Herget on April 27, 2019 at 9:15pm

Wow!

Welcome to CBN!

That's a very ambitious build. I see from your page that this is build #6. Very nice.

I'd like to try a 6 string someday, but I've sort of been cautioned away from them due to the need for truss rods to strengthen the neck against the added stress of the additional strings, not to mention the inherent weaknesses in most real cigar boxes (unless you beef up the insides of them). Your custom box looks like it has the strength needed in that department.

Kudos to you!

P.S. - The 3 and 4 stringers are really fun and easy to learn how to play. Check out Justin Johnson or Shane Speal on YouTube. They both have super instructional videos, as well as a lot of other folks, too. Also, real cigar boxes are available cheap at brick & mortar cigar shops. There are also a number of sources online for them, although you'll pay a lot more for them online. My favorite way to get them, although pricey, is to buy them with the cigars in them. That way I get to smoke 'em and then build with the box. That reminds me, it's time to fire up a La Aroma De Cuba right now!

Cheers!

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Permalink Reply by Amir Sagi on May 1, 2019 at 6:37am

Thank you for your kind words.

I actually build electric guitars.
this cigar box electric has been a long time awaiting.
in fact, I'm getting ready to build the second CGBR and I will post a build along to share and show my build.

Regards,
Amir

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Permalink Reply by Taffy Evans on May 1, 2019 at 11:46am

Hi, that's a nice clean looking build. Sounds like your ideas were the same as mine when I started building CBG's some years ago I like to build and play 6 stringers. Well done.

Taff

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Permalink Reply by Amir Sagi on May 2, 2019 at 6:11am

Hi
I looked at your pic from your profile, its an amazing looking instrument.
It looks like an amplified acoustic guitar?

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Permalink Reply by Tim Pannabecker on May 21, 2019 at 1:13pm

Sweet box. One of my friends on here thinks it’s a cheat to use pre-made necks. Well you made it all, It’s a clean, beautiful build

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Permalink Reply by Amir Sagi on May 22, 2019 at 4:14am

hi there

this is not a pre-made neck, I actually build it from scratch by laminating 5 pcs. sapele and maple.

Regards,

Amir

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Permalink Reply by Tim Pannabecker on May 22, 2019 at 4:26am

I know it is great. I use the premade necks. I lack some important woodworking tools.

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Permalink Reply by the anonymous pick on May 21, 2019 at 3:43pm

yup . looks pretty spiffy

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Permalink Reply by Taffy Evans on May 22, 2019 at 9:24am

Hi Amir if you was referring to the photo of the CBG in the thumbnail photo here, yes it is as you describe.

Its a CBG designed and built to acoustic guitar specs and considerations. It was an experiment to show me how much better a "box" guitar can sound if the "rules" re acoustics are utilised.

Yes it does have a pre amp EQ fitted with under saddle piezo pickup, but when used, all sliders are at zero with just the volume up as it does not seem to nead any extra enhansment.

I use phosphor bronze strings and it's a joy to play and hear. Thanks for the comment Amir.

Oh, and my six string necks are pre made but also pre played. Old and used.

Taff