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Build The BATFINK Cigar Box Cello - Our most insane DIY instrument plans ever!
A note from Shane: When I received these plans from Ward Shrake several weeks ago, I had to double check my blood alcohol levels to make sure I wasn't imagining things. Sure enough, I was 100% sober...and I was gazing at a full set of instrument pl
Read more…Truss rod placement ?
so, i did a bit of a search but couldnt find anything definite .
How / where do i layout the truss rod channel? neck is scarf joint and will have a fretboard . i find lots of pictures of channels and rods in channels but not how to place it on the n
Read more…Box side thickness?
I am getting ready to start my Cigar Box Guitar, I am making my own box. What is the ideal thickness for the sides of the box? I'm planning on making the top and back 1/8 inch thick.
Does the thickness of the box sides have much to do with the sound?
Read more…Cleaning Cigar Boxes
I have come across some cigar boxes in a shed that I am trying to figure out how to clean them up. They are pretty dirty but structurally sound and have some cool graphics on them. They are dirty and faded a little from the dirt.
Any advice on cleani
Read more…wood soundboard on metal box
Early morning thinking. Anyone ever used a wood soundboard on something like a metal baking pan or a non wood material for back and sides?
Read more…Sound hole placement
Just curious here. I've noticed almost all CBGs have sound-holes anywhere but under the strings like a traditional guitar. Why is that? Is it because the actual "real-estate" of the cigarbox lid is too small or because the neck would be seen in th
Read more…Bridge angle?
Hi everyone. I'm pretty new to this with 6 builds now. I've been noticing in many pictures of builds that people are angling the bridge. It seems with the high g side angled back towards the neck more. What is the reasoning for this? I realise it mus
Read more…Made a CBG, now what? I need help
I have made a few CBG’s, now what.
I have no musical experience but I really want to start playing these bad boys. Where is the best place to start for a true beginner? I have found a lot of videos on YouTube, but they are out of my league. Is there
Read more…First build - and a question about the CBG community in LA?
Hey - long time lurker, first time poster.
I built my CBG from scratch, using the plans from CBN and a bunch of bits 'n' pieces from the hardware store - I wanted to make it as simple and old school as possible, so the sound hole covers are from sink
Read more…New Ed Stilley Museum Exhibit + VIDEO - Still on the Hill play Cigar Box Nation Member's Tribute Guitar
A new museum exhibit of prophetic instrument builder, Ed Stilley has just opened at the Shiloh Museum of Ozark History in Springdale, Arkansas. The display contains more than 20 instruments on display, all on loan from private collections.
LINK: I
Read more…Short fretboard-long box
Looking for suggestions on how to improve the distance between the tail piece and bridge location.
Right now due to length of Box and 24.75" scale, the bridge is positioned about 3" from edge of box then the tailpiece is extended another 2" holding t
Read more…Fret width / depth
Sorry if this has been covered 1000 times before but I was unable to quickly find a discussion on this. Anyhoo <sic>, I was looking into purchasing fret wire for a project but realized that they come in SO many widths and depths...how does one deter
Read more…LM386 Amps, AliExpress
Is anyone getting their amp kits from AliExpress? There's a ton of listings, I can't see how they sell kits for very little money, so I'm questioning quality.
Read more…Cover songs, Love em Or Leave em?
Some people love covers, some don't. I personally love them. My favorite covers are when a band you would'nt expect covers a song, puts their spin on it and nails it. For example Devo's cover of "Satisfaction" by the Stones. I also love Otis Red
Read more…New Used Guitar Day x 2
My local pawnshop had a certain guitar that I saw a couple months ago, but didn't have the money to get it. I finally got some ME money and went to see if they still had it, they did.
I took it off the wall and plucked the strings to see if it had a
Read more…Spring is in the Air
Hey Everyone, Its melting here in Chicago and I am getting the itch to get moving on a Cigar Box Guitar. I have been searching and learning lately and have found Kurt Schoen Guitars. Well, I just love them and really would love to know what the reso
Read more…Peizo's and capacitors.
I am wondering if adding a capacitor like an orange drop to a simple piezo circuit will help with the tone? I am working with an antique box, and I wan't to keep it simple. Just a piezo wired to a jack. all volume and tone control coming from the am
Read more…Neck Finsihing
Hi.
Am working on my 3rd neck. Have left the previous two poplar necks unfinished. But the current neck is oak and I thought it might do well with some kind of finish.
My first thought was a 50-50 mix of mineral spirits and tung oil followed by a s
Read more…bitten by the CBG bug - learning to play advice ? first post
recently bitten by the bug - while im waitng to build by cbg - got a simple and probably dumb question - I've never played the 6 string but always wanted to and like many have one sitting around collecting dust - While i am waiting on a cbg - can i
Read more…