CONTEST OVERVIEW:

What instrument can you build that starts with a 2x4 plank?  We're looking for the most spectacular, innovative, interesting and artistic creations.  Note:  This contest will also include all instruments, whether stringed, wind, percussion or keyboard.  

We're challenging you to create new and exciting instruments starting with common 2x4 planks!  You should build to impress!

 

SUBMISSION RULES - NO EXCEPTIONS:

  1. You must build a playable musical instrument using a common 2x4 plank* as the main component of the construction.
  2. Submit your entry by uploading two (2) different photos in the COMMENTS section below.  
  3. Add a 1 paragraph description of your instrument (parts used,building techniques, inspiration yadda yadda yadda)
  4. All submissions must be built by the person submitting them.
  5. Contest submissions end Wednesday, May 31, 2017 at 11:59 pm (Eastern Standard Time US)

*Common 2x4 dimensional lumber, aka framing stud.  The 2x4 can be construction grade or top choice quality.

YOU WILL BE JUDGED BY THE STAFF OF CIGAR BOX NATION

PRIZES:

First place:  $100 gift certificate from C. B. Gitty Crafter Supply

Second place: $50 gift certificate from C. B. Gitty Crafter Supply

Third place:  $25 Gift Certificate from C. B. Gitty Crafter Supply

THIS PAGE IS FOR CONTEST SUBMISSIONS ONLY.  

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This is my 4x2 instrument, a lapsteel guitar.
I built this in a single room studio apartment 32 floors up.
It has a Gitty laser cut acrylic fretboard, hand filed bone nut, locking tuners, Fender strat bridge and reversed output jack plate, and a single humbucker, painted in pink enamel.

Joker King Lap Steel

Built w/materials "on hand" (except paint). I started with an old white wood construction grade 2x4. It would not set flat on my workbench so, off to the 4" jointer and tablesaw... The final dimensions were 2-15/16" x 1-7/16". The neck (24" scale) sets on a piece of 1/2" MDF and then is sandwiched between two "wings" of 3/4" MDF. The pickguard and control plate are made from some old Formica counter top material covered with flat black X2 spray paint. The "frets" are black nylon wire ties embedded in the neck. The position markers are various tacks and brads. 3/8" threaded rod make up the bridge and nut. The finish is Krylon "Gloss Bright Idea" spray enamel. The headstock logo is cut from a playing card and initially held in place w/double sided tape. The single T/caster neck pup is controlled by a volume pot, a tone pot and a mini toggle switch. The Wiring diagram can be found here: https://sites.google.com/site/phostenixwiringdiagrams/teles/esquire...

Hey can we hear you play it?

Hello Cigar Box Nation.

I combined the 2x4 with a cigar box to make an interesting lap steel guitar. I used a steel bridge with adjustable saddles ( generic version of Fender Strat ). I used a Gretsch Electromatic Lap Steel pickup. I used a 24.5" fretboad from Georgeboards, Deluxe black with abalone lines and rectangle markers. This is my first attempt at building a guitar. Michael Edwards

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It's an acoustic lap steel guitar. I got the idea from Ben's 2x4 guitar. I drilled 2 end holes, and using stops on my table saw, I hollowed it out.Hardware is from Home Depot. Tuners are from CBGitty. It's painted with Rustolium Metalic Blue Cobalt. The frets are also painted with Rustolium chrome.It sounds good as an acoustic, but better with the piezo pickup and an amp.There are 2 side panels ripped from another 2x4. Carpet tacks with the heads removed were used as pins along the edge to keep the deck from flexing.

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my entry in the 2x4 contest i had never built a drum before but the video shane speal put up inspired me. Instead of one row of staves i did four smaller ones arranged so that the joints did not overlap i actually had to build a drum lathe to turn this to size the hoops were glued up then i sawed them in half and glued them together so that all seams were supported, in keeping with cigar box tradition i used hardware store items instead of typical drum hardware the heads and snare being the exception (i actually wanted to do both heads in black but at the time only the thickness for the snare side was available) the finish was done with a propane torch, then buffed with a paper towel , then Danish oil. i am really happy with the sound, and am now planning on building an entire drum kit

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Hey will you post a pic of your drum lathe? Thank you, your drum looks amazing

thanx heres a pic of my lathe not my idea just my interpretation

Awesome! Did you power that with your drill?

no i hand turned it super easy to control and the shell came out 13 7/8" in diameter perfect for a 14" head

Meet "Barb", the zombie slayer  2x4 guitar. Created  from a salvaged 32" 2x4 and hand formed into a baseball bat shape. There was plenty of material to rout and slip a mag pickup in the back and insert screws through the front which act as adjustable pole pieces. By using zither pins and grommets through the end of the bat, the design is kept simple and not too busy(keeping it simple was a challenge in itself). Barbed wire look was created from wrapped cotton string dipped in glue and silver paint, then dry brushed with rust and black paint. Can be played standard or on your lap.

 

I have always heard that blonds have more fun. Here is my blond fiddle. The only wood on here is from the 2x4. I started the build by ripping part of the 2x4 into 1\8 strips. I glued them back together and made the neck. I decided to make my focus about moving air so I could get some volume from the fiddle. I made the back and the sides and coated the inside with high gloss lacquer, since pine is so soft I needed something to reflect the sound from the top. Then I made the top and the bottom 1\8 in the middle of the fiddle and they skinny to 1\16 at the edge, like a drum.They also make classical guitars like this too. Well I finally put everything together. I made the finger board and end piece from a cut off of PVC pipe and the button on the end from the top of an old fork. Surprisingly it is fairly loud and has a really nice tone. It sure was fun to build. I will try to find someone here who plays the fiddle or violin and post a sound check for you. Thanks  

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