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

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Comment by Ian Carpenter on April 28, 2010 at 4:04pm

So, here's a picture of my first cbg. Still needs a little bit of work, but plays great and sounds pretty good too!
Comment by Diane in Chicago on April 28, 2010 at 3:57pm
Wes, the 1/8" hole punch can be tricky to find, try the scrapbooking aisle at Michaels or like that. If you find one, get two, because you'll go through them pretty fast. They weren't made for this sort of abuse!
Comment by David L. on April 27, 2010 at 6:49am
I have used these stick on fretmarkers off ebay
http://cgi.ebay.co.uk/Glow-dark-fret-markers-cool-looking-EZ-apply-...
They stick very well (and glow in the dark), you get big markers for the fretboard and smaller ones for the side of the neck. I give them a quick coat of varnish and none have fallen off so far.
Comment by David Fultz on April 27, 2010 at 3:47am
If you are clear coating Wes, paper and a hole punch is way cheap. Same guitar pictured below ended up with hole punch paper markers and looks WAY better than it sounds..the paper that is : )
Comment by David Fultz on April 27, 2010 at 3:43am
My buddy made this fret jig measured at a 25 inch scale. Now we just clamp in the neck and run a straight edge mark across her. Handy time saver.

Comment by Mike Ptolomey on April 27, 2010 at 1:53am
Hi. I read a comment on here recently that someone was having trouble workingout fret spacing? Sorry, I lost track of who it was. Anyway,I would like to offer some help. Try this. Measure your scale lenght (what ever scale you want to use, nut to bridge/saddle). Divide it by 17.817. The result gives you distance from nut to fret 1. Measure from fret 1 to bridge/saddle and do the same and you have fret 2. Keep doing this down the neck for each fret as far as you need. The spacing works out. If you like to use a set scale lenght, you can make a template in the form of a rule if you like. Home made scale lenght and fret spacing tool. Try it on paper first. I'm sure it works.
Comment by Tracy Kennedy on April 27, 2010 at 1:50am
I like that copper wire idea...it would age well
Comment by Alan Roberts on April 27, 2010 at 1:42am
I tried the hole puncch on Fender xtra heavy picks, and it didn't work. Masking taped those doggies onto scrap wood like CRAZY and hit 'em with plug cutter. Handy things, plug cutters.
But as far as SIDE markers, would graphite (mechanical pencil lead) be too soft? Would glass beads be to hard?
Comment by Wes "I'm Baaaaack" Yates on April 27, 2010 at 1:40am
Diane, not bad. 1/8" eh? would have to get a punch like that.

-WY
Comment by Diane in Chicago on April 27, 2010 at 1:06am
I use guitar picks punched with a 1/8" hole punch. But this is murder on your hold puncher. Fender mediums is as heavy as you can go. A drop of crazy glue and you are good to go.
 

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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

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