EASY TO BUILD CIGAR BOX GUITAR: AN UNCLE CROW STYLE CBG IN ONE HOUR!!

by Crow

May 18, 2010

Today we're going to have a step-by-step cigar box guitar building class!  The total time to build is about one hour, not including the introduction video, or video 8, where we're just playing the guitar.



Build a three string, slide cigar box guitar with the following items:

Materials

  • wooden cigar box - $3
  • 1x2  - $1
  • three eye bolts, 3/16" x 3" , 24 thread - $1.50
  • six #8 washers - $.98
  • three wing nuts, 3/16", 24 thread - $.98
  • three 6/32 machine screws with matching nuts - $.98
  • machine bolt, 1/4" x 2" long - $.98
  • guitar strings, one pack - $5
  • three wood screws - 1 1/2" long - $.98


These items are really much cheaper than i list here. most of them are bought in bulk, so for just a little more money you could build a LOT of guitars. The prices listed above are the average hardware store price, if you were to buy the item in small numbers in individual bags from the pegs in the fasteners section.

Tools

  • drill
  • 1/2" paddle bit for three sound holes (you could use 1/4 bit with six holes)
  • regular smaller drill bits
  • phillips bit
  • hand saw (box saw is best)
  • sand paper


Additional items

  • guitar picks can be bought at most box stores
  • slides can be bought at home depot. go to the cabinet section, and ask for a 2" long 3/4" steel spacer. they cost $1.50, and are the best slides i've ever used!!

 

WORKSPACE, SUPPLIES AND TOOLS

 


NECK

NECK, EYE BOLT TUNER INSTALLATION AND BODY BLOCK


MOUNTING THE NECK AND SOUND HOLES


FRET CALCULATION AND FRET MARKERS

Fret Markings:  THANKS TO DAZEDLEMONPIE, the following fret measurements have been transcribed for us, and i've copied and pasted them here.

"i just written down all the fret measurement from part 5 of the video, I thought I would share it with those interested in building one.

The following are based on scale length of 59cm

59cm multiply .9439 (or any other scale length) equals your first fret location.  It should be marked as follows: 

  1. 55.6cm   
  2. 52.5cm   
  3. 49.6cm   0
  4. 46.8cm  
  5. 44.2cm  0
  6. 41.7cm  
  7. 39.3cm   0
  8. 37.1cm  
  9. 35cm     
  10. 33.1cm 0 (G chord)
  11. 31.2cm
  12. 29.5cm 00
  13. 27.8cm
  14. 26.2cm
  15. 24.8cm
  16. 23.4cm
  17. 22.1cm
  18. 20.8cm
  19. 19.6cm"

STRINGING IT UP, STRINGS AND EYE BOLT TUNERS


TUNE IT UP AN PLAY!


PLAYING THE CIGAR BOX GUITAR : COLLECTIVE SOUL - "SHINE"

Load Previous Replies
  • up

    George Jones

    These are great instructions . . .   After building a basic one - I used the plans as an R&D experimentation platform and ventured over to make me a rather awesome sounding paint can lid resonator with a fly bridge using the "Uncle-Crow" building method that sounds incredible when played.  See attached photos . . .

    The last attached photo shows how I did my inside box bracing to ensure the lid was able to vibrate freely . . .  I duct taped a piezo directly to the 1 gallon paint can lid to allow me to connect it to an amp, but the resonator is loud enough to where you really don't need an amp to easily play it with good volume in your living room . . .

    3

    Jan 31, 2018

    • up

      rodger moore

      Thank you so much!

      These are so cool.

      May 4, 2018

      • up

        Edward McCarthy

        I know it's been a long while since you posted this but I just completed my very first CBG, and I used you plans.The Uncle Crow is beautiful in it's simplicity and soundness. I'v built a lot of different things over the years, but I'm pretty excited over this (especially for and old dude such as myself - nearly 63). I thank you for sharing your plans and thoughts. I really enjoyed this and plan on building more. I'll post some pics in the very near future. Again thank you, and if you read this Merry Christmas!  - Eddie Mac

        Dec 22, 2019