First time poster here! This seems to be the best cigar box guitar website out there so I'd thought I'd check it out.
A little background on me: I've never made a cigar box guitar. In fact, I don't even PLAY guitar...yet. I have always wanted to play but never got around to learning. Now is the time to start! Not only do I want to learn to play the guitar, I would like to build my own guitar as well.
With that said, I have a little bit of a dilemma. I have seen some of the articles showing how to build a 3 or 4 string CBG, but not the traditional 6 string guitar. I believe I read somewhere that 6 string guitars are harder to make because of "higher tension" or something of that nature.
Even if it's more difficult to make, I'd like to build my own 6 string CBG. Although 3 and 4 string guitars seem cool, I'd rather learn to play on a full guitar. Can y'all point me in the right direction to building my own 6 string CBG? Any articles or videos you guys recommend?
Thank you all very much!!
Replies
Welcome to the site Griffin.
Look for "Advanced Cigar Box Guitar Construction by Josh Gayou" on the web or he may have it on this site. Very detailed guide and he shows the start to finish work on a 6 string CBG.
I never built a guitar or know how to play, either. I started this adventure in August.
I've built a few and have done a few commission pieces already. I'm kind of obsessive and did a lot of searching the Internet \ YouTube and came to this site and look everywhere, reading as much as I could.
My approach has been build one guitar at a time, adding complexity as I go.
At some point I may graduate to a full blown 6 stringer. As many say, the 3 string CBG is a good learning instrument. I've found that I am learning from the 1 string, too. It's easy to play and fun. I'm not musically talented, but my goal is not to perform. So I can move at my pace.
Good luck,
Greg
Thanks for the comment Greg!
Hmmm, it seems like everyone here is recommending starting with a 3 string build. Like I said, I wanted to do a full 6 string but maybe I should put that off until after I have a little experience building 3 or 4 stringers.
But since I have no guitar experience yet, would learning to play on a 3 stringer give me any bad habits for when I do get to the 6 string guitar? Is there any transfer over from 3 string playing ability to the regular guitar? I just don't want to spend all this time learning how to play a 3 string guitar if it's not going to ultimately help me in playing a regular 6 string guitar.
Hi Griffin,
I used to be a guitarist years ago, but haven't played seriously in over 10 years. I started making CBGs as a way to force myself back into it. I learned how to play 6 string, but for me, 3 strings is both easier and harder.
Since I know my frets and chords it's harder for to play a 3 or 4 string fretless (most people's first, go-to CBG) because you almost have to play it with a slide. That's not something I am used to... having to almost search for the notes. For me, it's a blessing and a curse (a blessing because you can fudge it a little and it still sound fine, but can be frustrating if you want to play something particular). Don't get me wrong, if made with decent, low enough action you can play a fretless CBG without a slide, but it's just not the same sound as a guitar with frets.
With 6 strings there is a lot to know that you would pickup from making a 3 or 4 string. I am currently working on a Skateboard guitar for a children's benefit. I have made about 10 CBGs so far, but this is my first electric 6 string. If your mind is made up on a 6 string, then I would go the bolt-on neck route. I got a few off eBay that came with tuners and everything. I would also make sure you do a good job bracing your box, and make sure to have solid pieces to bolt the neck and bridge to.
I don't mean to sound vague in those last statements. If you question anything I said in that last part of the previous paragraph, then you definitely need to start with a 3 or 4 string CBG first. Ultimately it sounds like you really just want to learn to play guitar, and the build is secondary. If that is the case, then I would go to a Pawn Shop and buy a cheap ($125 or less) electric guitar. You could learn some basic chord, learn some songs, and then figure out how to make a 6 string CBG if you are still wanting to (or maybe make a few 3 and 4 strings while you learn to play the 6 string you bought).
That's just my 25 cents. I hope it helps. Good luck with it all!
Lots of great, detailed help here. Don't overlook YouTube as a great source of tutorials:
https://www.google.com/?gws_rd=ssl#q=youtube+how+to+make+a+6+string...
yeah, i've looked at CBG videos on youtube (in fact, thats where I first learned about Cigar Box Guitars in the first place). So far I've pretty much only encountered 3 and 4 string CBGs so I may have to do a little digging to find a 6 string tutorial.
http://www.cigarboxnation.com/group/6stringcigarboxguitars
Cool, thanks for the heads up.
Three string is a good place to start as they are easy to play as tuned as an open chord,so with a slide you can do lots even without frets. You would need to practice the art of fretting.See slowpaw steve's page buidling a CBG, as he has a video all the way through which is facinating to watch.. 6 strings are a bit more tricky but practice makes perfect.
any bit of wood with 3 strings on it some tuners and a resonating chamber seems to work.. I have tried most things
setting up well is the key to being playable...
Have a look around at peoples photos and use the search bar top right, and just ask if you need help.
The chaps are all really helpful on here,I'm more of a player than a builder , hopefully this blog should take off.
Welcome by the way..
BUG
Thanks BUG, I'll check out slowpaw steve.