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 Mark Bliss on November 5, 2019 at 11:40am

Hi Bill

 The best answer I can give without a drawing, plan, image is....

Whatever it takes to get a break angle over the nut that works. Too flat is a common problem, and the reason for the cut that I think you are describing. But I could be misunderstanding what you mean.

Comment by Bill McNamara on November 5, 2019 at 11:08am

Hello all,

I have a neck question.

If I buy the just the neck with no fret board or anything. Do I still have to cut the top of the neck to fit the tuning pegs,or can I just drill and install them...

Comment by BrianQ. on October 27, 2019 at 5:01pm
Comment by Paul Craig on October 17, 2019 at 8:00am

The little stereo speakers do okay til there's high gain involved. I've had good results from car stereo speakers for guitar and Sub-Woofers for bass or acoustic.

Other than that you can find Jensen MOD or WGS 20watt speakers that are made for guitar/bass for 40 bucks that will handle everything.

Big speaker = bigger sound

Comment by Kevin Keating on October 15, 2019 at 10:42am

Nevermind.  Problem fixed.  Junk battery from Family Dollar.  :)

Comment by Kevin Keating on October 15, 2019 at 10:27am

I built an amplifier in an Acid cigar box.  I just installed the 2.5 watt Artec amp.  The speaker is 5 watt at 8 ohms, came out of an old Thomas Piccone stereo.  It works but has a very nasty screeching sound.  I didn't put an LED in this yet, not sure if that needs to be hooked up to avoid this or not.  All connections are correct.  Touching the LED ground wire to spkr ground stops the all sound all together.  Any advice???

Comment by MadGomer on June 11, 2019 at 3:39pm
You're off to a great start Wesley, keep the pictures coming!
Comment by Wesley on June 11, 2019 at 12:46pm

My first build in progress...

Comment by BrianQ. on April 23, 2019 at 1:48pm

You can use anything, as long as you keep to thin coats? Otherwise, you’ll get dark wet spots that don’t go away? I have found for paper boxes that poly built up in thin coats works perfect? Good luck to ya :)

Comment by Christopher G Daniels on April 23, 2019 at 12:29pm

Art Prior: I'm still, newish, but I coat clear poly, now I do it before anything else to protect the paper a bit, and cut down on minor ripping, tearing, or otherwise surface marring. I'd rather touch up if necessary afterwards than be thinking "this wouldn't of happened if I put a few coats on first." Basically what happened on my first build. I might reconsider with non-paper covered boxes.

 

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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

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canjo building and tuning

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High G problem

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Doubling the high string

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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

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Builder's Tips

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