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

Comment Wall

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Comment by John Mark Perchalski on February 24, 2020 at 7:39am

Ben, on that 5-stringer, are you having to put any sort of bracing on the lid of the cigar box? I'm just curious about the tension involved as it doesn't look like you've got the neck running through the box.

Comment by Taffy Evans on February 23, 2020 at 12:06pm

Hi, yep got to agree with the other comments very nice easy on the eye builds. Good to see guitar building techniques or features used on the simple CBG. Taff  

Comment by Ben Ridgeway on February 23, 2020 at 2:09am

Thanx for the complement, now if I could only learn to play em better!

Comment by John Mark Perchalski on February 22, 2020 at 7:44pm

Beautiful stuff there, Ben!

Comment by Ben Ridgeway on February 22, 2020 at 6:18pm

Carving the neck is one of my favorite parts of the build

Therapeutic and rewarding

Mahogany and Spanish cedar are my go to

A few pencil lines and hand full of rasps and let the wood tell me what's gonna happen. Haha

Comment by Chuck Groves on February 22, 2020 at 4:55pm

That five string would be fantastic for playing Rolling Stones songs! Keith Richards often takes the low e string off his guitar tuned to Open G, making it effectively a five string.  I’m thinking of doing the same thing as you for that reason.  And the music man type headstock looks really cool.

Comment by 3 Chord Ziggy on February 22, 2020 at 1:19pm

Man, those are beauties!!  You carve those neck?  Love the headstocks!

Comment by Ben Ridgeway on February 22, 2020 at 12:27pm

Love playin open G with the 5 string

Had to build a big brother for my 4 banger

Comment by 3 Chord Ziggy on February 22, 2020 at 12:09pm

Whatever tuning it'll hold!  No, I'm happiest playing slide in G, which is a bit easier on questionable necks. That 5th in the root on a 6-banger in G is annoying sometimes. Think Keif and his Tele.  But standard is working OK, too. 

Comment by MadGomer on February 22, 2020 at 11:37am
Love it Ziggy, curious what tuning you're going with on that 5 stringer.
 

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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

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CB Gitty Country Roads Banjo kit

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