Cigar Box Guitars: building tips, music and the cigar box culture

Old School

Information

19th and 20th century references to the humble cigar box guitar.

Members: 44
Latest Activity: Mar 13

Old School CBG

This Group is a tip of the hat to the Cigar Box Guitar pioneers of yesteryear. Lets remember where we came from and preserve the early pictures, stories and articles relating to CBGs.

Discussion Forum

BUILD AN "UNCLE ENOS" BANJO - Daniel Carter Beard, St. Nicholas Magazine . . . circa 1870 4 Replies

(first published in the 1870's by Daniel Carter Beard) Fig. No 315, shows a cigar-box with holes bored through the ends for the stick that supports the neck to pass through.The bottom of the box is…

Started by Knotlenny. Last reply by Alan Hogan Mar 13.

HOW TO MAKE A CIGAR BOX VIOLIN . . . . by P. M. Pennell - Popular Homecraft Magazine, date unknown 5 Replies

(by P. M. Pennel, published in Popular Homecraft Magazine, date unknown) Anyone who loves music and is handy with tools can make a cigar box violin that is capable of producing really good ton…

Started by Knotlenny. Last reply by Nick Feb 1.

What is the origin of "Diddley Bo"? 3 Replies

In fact to start with a definition would be in order. They seem mostly to have 1 string but 2 strings are not unknown. Some seem to be played by "striking/drumming" some by strumming/picking. The bot…

Tagged: bottle, slide, string, one, Bo

Started by Brian Lemin. Last reply by Nick Nov. 16, 2009.

Comment Wall

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Comment by MichaelS on February 23, 2010 at 5:34pm: Love old school, I know I'm new to this but I like to keep mine simple in the old school tradition. No frets or piezo's so far. (not that they are bad, just not old school)

Comment by Leanna King on February 23, 2010 at 12:56pm: I found an article in the Blues Fest Magazine 2008 on how to build a CBG and featured Shane/ and all it represents. Good article/how and when cigar box started. That's what got me to build my first one. From there it's history..

Comment by chris ekelman on December 6, 2009 at 12:15pm: just what i'm looking for.

Comment by Brian Lemin on August 10, 2009 at 5:55am: Just to let you know that I have put up the article on the "Historical development of the Diddly Bo" in the discussion "Wot no articles"