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!

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Cutting deep boxes in half

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Attention 1st time builders!

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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 May 5, 2011 at 5:44am

Bill Harbour:

I dont see the nut WIDTH as a problem, just make sure you have a sharp break and a snug fit at the fingerboard side, and I like to shape it with a roll over toward the tuners. The DEPTH of the nut however seems excessive to me, a notch that deep isnt necessary, and it may cause a weak point there in your neck. But like you said, live and learn for the next time.

Congrats on the build and getting it playing. Looks good.

One last tip, go easy on the lowering of the action, little steps. Going too far happens way too often! Shave a little off the back of the nut and bridge at a time, set it up and play it a while, let things "settle" before deciding to go further.

I have had to re-make many nuts from this tendency I must admit........ 

Comment by Mark Bliss on May 5, 2011 at 5:38am

PapaSimone:

I dont think there are too many tricks or tips you wont figure out with a little practice.

The saws tend to be very sharp, start slow with a light touch so it doesnt jump out of the groove.

Shoot for a depth of about 20% greater than the tang depth, which varies depending on what style and manufacturer of fret wire you use.

There are many various discussions and tips on the subject, I have tried to place links to the better ones I have found in one location, try this discussion thread.

Comment by Bill Harbour on May 5, 2011 at 2:05am
I've nearly finished my three banger.  I have a pic of the nearly finished three string in my album http://www.cigarboxnation.com/photo/albums/my-first-build-21.  I've installed the nut, bridge, tuners and strings and tuned it up in G.  Sounds great and, as far as I can tell, plays in tune.  I used parts from a phone receiver for the pickup.  Can't turn the amp up too much as it feeds back.   But otherwise good.  Now I have some major tweaking to do such as lowering the action as much as possible.  I will also have to replace the bridge as the grooves aren't deep enough to keep the strings in place with major strumming.  The box is from Michaels and not a true cigar box.  As you can see I made the nut too thick, but you live and learn!
Comment by PapaSimone on May 4, 2011 at 12:51pm

Hi all,

I just got a fret slotting saw and miter box from Stew-mac.  Any suggestions for me as I start to experiment?

cheers,

~Papa Simone

Comment by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker on May 2, 2011 at 12:39am
Hey everybody, just wanted to let you know that they've started posting new CBG Quick-Tips and other content over at http://www.cigarboxguitarparts.com. These are aimed at newer builders, aimed at helping to demystify some of the things that are the source of the questions that get asked the most around here. If you haven't checked it out, be sure to look through the archive of past posts, there is a lot of good information there! And now, after a bit of a hiatus, more is being added daily!
Comment by Wiley Rutledge on April 28, 2011 at 3:36pm
For hard to burn woods like black walnut and some of the "greasy" woods you might find a Pyrography pen like used by wood carvers and turners (if you can woodburn a dried gourd you can burn anything!) a good investment.  The other option would be an iron heated by a propane torch (or in a grill) or a soldering iron.  The pen type irons often won't stay hot or sometimes get hot enough for good quality burning.
Comment by PapaSimone on April 28, 2011 at 12:17pm
Thanks Michael.  I think I am not letting my woodburner warm up long enough.  By the by, do you have suggestions for selling CBG outside of Etsy and Ebay?  I think my guitars are not yet reliable enough for people to buy sight unseen.  I need a buyer beware type situation.
Comment by MichaelS Country Boy Guitars on April 28, 2011 at 12:12pm
By the way, Papa your cbg's look good to me.
Comment by MichaelS Country Boy Guitars on April 28, 2011 at 12:11pm
I let mine heat up for a long time, 1/2 hour to start, then let it warm up some between fret burns. The black walnut I use is tough to burn, takes 2 passes some times. I do make mistakes to, but its part of the cbg charm, thats what I tell people anyway.
Comment by PapaSimone on April 28, 2011 at 11:27am
Thanks Michael.  I am aspiring towards the look of your fretless gits.  I tried a square but did not have much success. Could be a cheapy woodburner.
 

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