https://brian-c.github.io/fretboard-template-generator/
Found this today. Print out the scale you want, cut it out, tape together, and your in business, to do your fret boards. Once printed out, there is a box in the lower right hand corner, that is
Read more…I can't use the FretFind2 app, as there is a pup in it. My computer won't allow it, as the pup is malware. Any how, I know that at one time, there were other fretting apps on the internet. But when searching, all that is coming up, is this one. If I
Read more…I'm working on a license plate resonator guitar with two piezo pick-ups. The piezos are super glued to the back side of the plate, either side of the bridge.
This guitar also has a CB Gitty 3 pole, prewired, dual humbucker pick-up installed. I plan
Read more…Shane's back with another request...this time for the late, great Robert Johnson's "Preaching Blues." This lesson is for a 3-string slide guitar, tuned low to Open E (E-B-E).
First, let's hear the original.
Now on to the lesson. Take some time
Read more…The Some time ago I saw a video about grounding strings by running a wire to one of the eyelets used as string anchors, and using a metal saddle to get continuity to the remaining strings. It inspired me to ground all three strings at the bottom, wit
Read more…Here's an easy way to grasp the blues scale on a 3-string fretted cigar box guitar. Shane uses a CBGitty Tin Pan Alley guitar to teach the scale, but you can use any fretted 3-string cigar box guitar. Tuning is Open G (GDG).
Sponsor:
Does anyone know of any flat wound strings like the tape would strings by d'addario? I have them on my Ibanez Electric Solid body bass and love them. The microbasses have the rubber strings which are find but not stable... Does anyone know of a tap
Read more…Several months ago, I posted this photo from the 1890's in a Cigar Box Nation email with the challenge for somebody to make a similar instrument. The young man in the photo was from Savannah, GA and is playing a crude violin.
Read more…You guys wanted the funk? Well, I got da funk! Here's my favorite little funk riffs on 3-string, Open G cigar box guitar.
Make sure you're only sliding on the two high strings. Let that low string ring out like Bootsy Collins.
By the way, here's
Read more…In my upcoming book, Poor Man's Guitar, I explore the building techniques and history behind many antique homemade guitars in my collection. One very interesting instrument in the book is a syrup can guitar (circa. 1930's, Portland OR) that has cop
Read more…Here is how I gave life to an axe handle and a cigar box.
So... I began with a pile of parts and a vague idea how to do it.
Most importantly, the axe handle. I took a 80-cm one, which is quite small as strings need 63 cm and then there's the head...
Read more…Get the most out of your acoustic/electric cigar box guitars with an inexpensive piezo rod & preamp unit.
In this video, I show a simple mounting technique for neck-through cigar box guitars. The sound is fantastic and really allows a great tone re
Read more…OK guys, I've not given up on the shovel build a la Justin Johnson https://youtu.be/V9-ltPsbw9g but money and my own frustration with numbers really put me off it for a bit.
Heres where Im at: I own a shovel! I have also confirmed thru the man himsel
Made my first ever 1-string canjo from an old 1 qt oil can. I'm having lots of fun with it but would like to add a pickup. Problem is I'm not sure what type to use and where to mount it. I was thinking disk piezo glued to the can bottom (inside). Any
Read more…editor's note: G. S. Monroe is a Florida based folk art instrument maker. Shane Speal calls his instruments "visionary and a true throwback to the Depression Era sound." Visit his website at GSMonroe.com. Connect with him on Cigar Box Nation at t
Read more…Cigar Box Nation's Ben Baker tuned up his Open G cigar box guitar (tuned GDG) to play the Eric Bogle classic, "The Band Played Walzing Matilda." It's a fitting song for Memorial Day.
I'm in the planning stages for my next build...an (approximately)1/2-3/4 size upright acoustic bass. I want to stand up, pluck and slap out some blues and shuffle-Billy jams. Any suggestions re scale length to make sure I get that upright bass tonal
Read more…Glenn Watt of C. B. Gitty Crafter Supply takes one of the most popular songs of the 1970's teaches you how to play the entire thing with one finger! This John Denver classic is very easy to play using Glenn's simplified technique. You'll need a 3-
Read more…What are the pros and cons of a bolt on neck. Other than being able to change the neck angle. Are they worth the effort?
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