Building a Cigar Box Guitar 101

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Building a Cigar Box Guitar 101

This group is for discussing the basics of CBG building for newer builders - where to start, what to do, common pitfalls, tips and techniques.

Keep in mind that new builders can find other great informative articles on CBG building, as well as most of the parts you'll need, over at C. B. Gitty Crafter Supply!

Members: 1746
Latest Activity: Mar 20

Discussion Forum

Cutting deep boxes in half

Started by Justin Stanchfield. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 20. 9 Replies

Attention 1st time builders!

Started by BrianQ.. Last reply by MadGomer Feb 27. 2 Replies

Brickhouse CBG Wiring

Started by Ian Boyd. Last reply by Ian Boyd Dec 11, 2023. 1 Reply

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Comment by gary sheldon on November 26, 2014 at 10:13am

Oh, I forgot the details:

  Home made Cedar box, Birds Eye Maple top.  11.5" X 9.5" X 3.5".  Oak neck and Oak fretboard.  Sounds good acoustically, but I also have a piezo.  Home made fake cigar box label.  4 string, open G tuning.  Built on my sailboat.

Comment by gary sheldon on November 26, 2014 at 10:08am

Corner Bling:

I had a chip in the wood of this guitar right at the corner.  It was making me crazy and was in a spot that would be very difficult to do a decent job of filling.  I finally decided to put  decorative corners on.  I am happy with the results.  Maybe chrome would have been better, but brass is what I had.

Comment by swannjie on November 17, 2014 at 7:05pm

Good points, thanks for the reality report from another angle.  Its good to know the range of possibilities that might just happen.  I will keep this in mind.  Thanks, will evaluate if its do-able and under what conditions will it happen.  :)

Comment by Wichita Sam on November 17, 2014 at 10:51am

Skill learning is different for each learner.  I am a point and grunt learner.  I need a teacher and examples in front of me and plenty of "do-overs".  Some can learn off videos.  I'm not so good at that. Some can sit in an empty room with a picture and get it done.

At then start of the "revolution" there were few people will to share learning, skills and advice.  Shane Speal and Ted Crocker got me over the hump.  Now there is a flood of teaching/learning resources.   I done several workshops and demonstration builds.  Always lots of fun.

Best thing to tell a new builder or player is keep at it.  You'll get there.!!!

Comment by swannjie on November 16, 2014 at 11:59pm

Hello Lenny Henderson:

Do you have a sample of the flute that you made?  Could I see it?

Thanks in advance.

Comment by swannjie on November 16, 2014 at 11:57pm

Hello Lenny Henderson:

Thanks for the information.  The group who asked me to teach this - adults - doesnt want me to see their existing skills - I asked them to show me any object made by this group just to see an example of their maker skills.  They say, they are very "smart" - if I cannot see what level of skills they already have, I think I must be prepared that the skill might be zero.  :)   It took me one week to do my own first guitar (acoustic) - I imagine maybe it will take at least a month or 6 wks for people without experience?  

Comment by Lenny Henderson on November 16, 2014 at 11:06pm

I have taught 10-12 year olds to make flutes that take me 30 minutes to make and it takes 3-4 hours for a group of 6-8. I have to do some of the work for some of them and detailed slow demo is also needed for all. I imagine guitars with a lot of work done already would take more time. I think about 16 would be half the time as I have taught Varsity Scouts the flutes in 45 minutes or more.

Comment by swannjie on November 16, 2014 at 7:36pm

Hello, dear makers of cdg, can anybody tell me, if I were to teach a group of no experience kids no woodwork experienece - a simple 3 string guitar - how to estimate the time needed to make a simple basic 3 string guitar?  Thanks in advance.  Lovely group!

Comment by Tom Caneschi aka cbg tom on November 16, 2014 at 8:18am

 Yes ... I also would like to see a 4 string version !!!

Comment by gary sheldon on November 16, 2014 at 7:11am

I like that  chart.  Will there be a 4 string version coming out in the furure?

 

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Discussion Forum

Cutting deep boxes in half

Started by Justin Stanchfield. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 20. 9 Replies

Attention 1st time builders!

Started by BrianQ.. Last reply by MadGomer Feb 27. 2 Replies

Brickhouse CBG Wiring

Started by Ian Boyd. Last reply by Ian Boyd Dec 11, 2023. 1 Reply

Fretless fret markers

Started by Michael Myers. Last reply by Michael Myers Apr 20, 2023. 8 Replies

canjo building and tuning

Started by Brenda. Last reply by MadGomer Dec 3, 2022. 5 Replies

Minimum tools needed

Started by Wichita Sam. Last reply by Taffy Evans Nov 14, 2022. 21 Replies

High G problem

Started by Michael Myers. Last reply by Taffy Evans Nov 3, 2022. 4 Replies

Doubling the high string

Started by Robert Killen. Last reply by Paul Craig Oct 14, 2022. 23 Replies

Aluminum License Plate

Started by Larry Sobol. Last reply by Larry Sobol Oct 1, 2022. 6 Replies

C. B. Gifty three string fretless kits.

Started by jon neet. Last reply by Taffy Evans Aug 16, 2022. 6 Replies

Frettin' and stainin'

Started by Doug Laffin. Last reply by Order99 Aug 11, 2022. 4 Replies

Bolt on neck to a set neck body?

Started by Paul Craig. Last reply by Paul Craig Jul 17, 2022. 14 Replies

Locations

Started by Roy Smith. Last reply by the anonymous pick May 15, 2022. 2 Replies

Help please re Bento Box Uke "nut"

Started by Al Lobe. Last reply by BrianQ. May 10, 2022. 18 Replies

Clarification on pick ups

Started by Michael Myers. Last reply by Taffy Evans May 6, 2022. 5 Replies

Licence plate cbg

Started by Michael Myers. Last reply by Michael Myers May 2, 2022. 5 Replies

Builder's Tips

Started by Wichita Sam. Last reply by MadGomer Feb 23, 2022. 2 Replies

Getting there but needing advice/help please.

Started by Lionhound. Last reply by MadGomer Feb 18, 2022. 8 Replies

Tres Cubano Build

Started by Paul Craig. Last reply by Paul Craig Dec 9, 2021. 18 Replies

CB Gitty Country Roads Banjo kit

Started by Ken Hope. Last reply by Christopher G Daniels Nov 29, 2021. 4 Replies

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