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The Piccolo Cigar Box Guitar - Get Mandolin & Uke Tones with 1/2 Scale Concept

I like to build instruments that will cover the full sonic spectrum. If I'm looking for something that will cover the upper end, a simple PICCOLO cigar box guitar is the perfect solution.

A piccolo cigar box guitar only has a 12.5" scale
It is tuned to Open F (FCf)
It's just as easy to build as a regular cigar box guitar.

Demo video:

HOW TO MAKE THIS PICCOLO CIGAR BOX GUITAR:

Follow our instructions for making a classic 3-string cigar box guitar.
Instead of using a 3 foot length of poplar for the neck, only use approx. 20" section.
Allow for a 12.5" scale length. You'll need 4" for headstock and 3-4" for the neck section that falls behind the bridge.

If you plan on adding frets or fret markers, here are the measurements:

Finish the guitar as shown in the original plans.

Just remember, the simplicity of the cigar box guitar design allows for all kinds of experimentation. Try different scales, string gauges and # of strings. Use this concept to make baritones and even bass cigar box guitars. The only limitation is your imagination!

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Permalink Reply by William Gregg Nichols on April 23, 2016 at 4:18am

My attempt!

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image.jpeg, 1.6 MB

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Permalink Reply by Kigar on April 23, 2016 at 5:14am

Nice! Did you get a similar sound? What strings and tuning did you use?

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Permalink Reply by William Gregg Nichols on April 23, 2016 at 5:27am

Sounds pretty good.very similar I Used ADG,tuned open F like the vid?

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Permalink Reply by Kigar on April 24, 2016 at 3:22am

So are you basically an octave higher than a full scale length? Sort of like a capo at the 12th fret.

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Permalink Reply by gary sheldon on April 23, 2016 at 9:18pm

I built mine today. It uses a bolt on neck, no frets, really high action (I'll lower it tomorrow), not even a sound hole yet. Problem is that I forgot to learn how to play a 3 string.

anyway, I used a pack of uke nylon strings; the 4th G tuned to F for my 3rd string, the 3rd C tuned to Cfor my 2nd string, and the 2nd E tuned to f for my 1st (bottom-closest to the floor) string. Is that right Shane?

String #3 is really floppy.

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Permalink Reply by Lane Martin on June 3, 2016 at 1:12am

On a standard set of uke strings, that G would be tuned higher than the C and E (aka reentrant tuning.) If you tuned it low, it would really flop. They make "low G" strings that will work.

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Permalink Reply by Kirsten Macfarlane on June 2, 2016 at 6:21pm

Hi from NZ, i've given it a crack, have a couple of tiny boxes so it's worked out well, nearly finished and I snuck a pick up in there as well! Great idea

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13320934_10209701825121619_850123858773764056_o.jpg, 95 KB

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Permalink Reply by Lane Martin on June 3, 2016 at 1:09am

Nice work.

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Permalink Reply by gary sheldon on June 3, 2016 at 1:22am

Lane,

Thanks for that info. It may be what I am looking for. I'll try going up an octave on the 3rd string. I was also thinking of doing a mag PU and going to steel strings. That could be fun.

Gary