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: Feb 27

Discussion Forum

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

Cutting deep boxes in half

Started by Justin Stanchfield. Last reply by Taffy Evans Sep 20, 2023. 7 Replies

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Comment by BrianQ. on February 3, 2024 at 8:33am

Got this over at our sister site on Facebook, yes there’s a Facebook page? https://www.popularmechanics.com/technology/audio/a15895641/diy-bui...

Comment by MadGomer on January 28, 2024 at 10:42am
Fully concur Staff!
Comment by Taffy Evans on January 27, 2024 at 10:20am
Hi, I was just typing the same as Madgomer, but I'll add this. The inner plys of most plywood is rubbish, and also I think it would not add much stability to the neck. Fretless may be the way to go. And if you have to level the fretboard before fretting [often a must-do task]you may go through the outside ply.
Cheers Taff
Comment by MadGomer on January 27, 2024 at 9:38am
I have not. While I wouldn't be afraid to use it for a soundboard, I'd be very concerned about fret retention using ply as a fretboard. At a minimum I'd plan to glue the frets in place. You might also crush the soft ply when hammering in the frets, and splinters could be an issue on the edges. Personally I wouldn't do it.
Comment by Mi Rankin on January 27, 2024 at 9:25am

hi - has anyone used 5mm ply as a fretboard? would it work?

Comment by Taffy Evans on November 16, 2022 at 9:00am

Hi Carl, there are a couple of ways to get nut action, but yes measure are first fret is what I do.

Hi Madgomer, I use the set it the neck, or neck angle as a means to arrive at a suitable bridge height. If I do a good fret job then it’s just a matter of adjusting action in the normal way so strings should not buzz. But as you point out if one does not keep in mind that angelling Of the neck lowers the strings…buzz.
Taff

Comment by Carl Floyd on November 16, 2022 at 5:18am

"At the nut the action is also important and I set mine by eye on a cbg, but it’s probably .5mm."

Measured at 1st fret, correct?

Comment by MadGomer on November 15, 2022 at 3:04pm
Agree with Taffy's points below. The only thing I'd add is if you can build the guitar with some neck angle built in, it makes the action height and intonation job a little easier. I put about two degrees in my last build and really liked the sound and playability. I think I was about.030" at the nut and around the.070" range at the 12th fret, not far from his recommendation. Too much back angle and you risk a lot of fret buzz, but too little seems to make it hard to get good playability.
Comment by Taffy Evans on November 14, 2022 at 8:12pm
Hi Murray, it’s a good idea to set your action height before setting your intonation. String gauge and string height will effect the amount of compensation needed
action height is normally measured at the 12th fret, and is the gap between the top of the fret and the underside of the string. It varies between player preference and if the guitar is acoustic or solid body electric.

I won’t go into all the variables but as a a starting point in your case, I’d start at 2mm under your bass string and 1.75mm under the high string. At the nut the action is also important and I set mine by eye on a cbg, but it’s probably .5mm.

Hope this helps.
Taff

If you have done a good fret job and levelled the frets and redound them your guitar should play well
Comment by BrianQ. on November 14, 2022 at 7:32pm

Murray, there’s a Search box all the way up at the top right of the page, most of the time you can find answers to your questions in the search results, just type in your question( sometimes you have to rephrase them)? Here’s a video by a member about Action for CBG’s, good luck : https://www.cigarboxnation.com/forum/topics/almost-all-about-string... 

 

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Discussion Forum

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

Cutting deep boxes in half

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Fretless fret markers

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canjo building and tuning

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Minimum tools needed

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High G problem

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

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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

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

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

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Builder's Tips

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