Acoustic four string "Hobo" guitar - in the Cigar Box Style


This guitar is made from recycled and left over materials from my home renovation and from parts filched from unwanted or unplayable guitars.  The top and back are red cedar roof shingles, the neck is made from a left over 2x4 from a garden gate project (yes it does have a fixed truss rod; made from bar stock remaining after a lunatic moment when I thought I might branch out into iron working)  the sides are made from an aromatic cedar board left over when I put a new towel cabinet in the bathroom.  

While I agree that there are no rules in the CBG game I hesitated in calling this a CBG since it doesn't use a cigar box. I suppose it could have but I didn't have one as good as those roof shingles - so "Hobo" guitar it is because it is small - 8 inches wide (2 3/4 inches deep in the soundbox) 33 inches long and light, weighing in at 840 grams so it won't get in the way as you hop the slow train out of town.

My ongoing quest has been to build acoustic instruments from recycled and reused items - that is without benefit of specialty "luthier woods" or expensive tuners and bridges -  while still trying to get nice tone and volume and a playable instrument.  All that said, when I can't find used tuners I buy them - fret wire too - thank you CB Gitty for bringing us affordable supplies and tools and all that know how.

Check out the sound file - it was recorded at my computer with no amplification other than the guitar's soundbox.

Sound sample of the Hobo guitar  4%20String%20sample.mp3

Many thanks to my best friend Raul for helping me compose the little piece at the end of the sound file.

Post script, November 14, 2019.

I thought I would provide an update FYI.  The hobo guitar is still going strong and producing sweet music.  It sustained damage in a fall that was easily repaired.  Most interestingly, it seems to have improved becoming a bit louder and more mellow.   Have a listen...Slide%20thing%202019.wav

Happy building and playing.


Views: 715

Comment

You need to be a member of Cigar Box Nation to add comments!

Join Cigar Box Nation

Comment by Uncle John on February 13, 2016 at 3:54pm

Nice!

Comment by john w on February 11, 2016 at 5:11pm

Thanks Kigar.  All of the sound holes are through and it is reinforced with bracing.  The strings pass through a reinforced (hardwood) section in the tail and up through the body.  

Comment by Kigar on February 11, 2016 at 4:33pm

Nice!  I like the hole pattern, is the large hole the only one actually thru the wood?  Also while this sounds kinda wrong, I'd like to peak under the tail piece and see how the strings are routed.

Comment by the anonymous pick on February 10, 2016 at 7:24pm

lookin good  ;-)

The Essential Pages

New to Cigar Box Nation? How to Play Cigar Box GuitarsFree Plans & How to Build Cigar Box GuitarsCigar Box Guitar Building Basics

Site Sponsor

Recommended Links & Resources


Forum

crossover guitar.

Started by Timothy Hunter in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Apr 10. 14 Replies

Tune up songs

Started by Ghostbuttons in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 9. 5 Replies

Duel output jacks

Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 8. 6 Replies

How to Get Your Own Music on Spotify

Started by Cigar Box Nation in Feature Articles. Last reply by Southern Ray Feb 21. 2 Replies

Latest Activity

Rob (Uker) Porras commented on Randy S. Bretz's photo
Thumbnail

Off the Bench !

"Im assuming the wood is cherry?"
1 hour ago
Rob (Uker) Porras commented on Randy S. Bretz's photo
Thumbnail

Off the Bench !

"Wow wee!!! That is gorgeous!! "
1 hour ago
A.D.EKER commented on A.D.EKER's video
Thumbnail

Up the Hill A D Eker 2024

"thanks kale !yup that shaker sure keeps the groove going , and this LACE is my fender in the CBG…"
5 hours ago
AGP # liked Ghostbuttons's photo
6 hours ago
AGP # commented on Randy S. Bretz's photo
Thumbnail

Off the Bench !

"A while in the making, But!, well worth the wait, another outstanding one off Randy Bretz Build,…"
6 hours ago
AGP # liked Randy S. Bretz's photo
6 hours ago
AGP # liked Dar Stellabotta's video
6 hours ago
Randy S. Bretz posted a photo

Off the Bench !

Top neck - 23" 018p,028,038 / Bottom neck - 28" 018p,030,044,056.
7 hours ago
BrianQ. commented on Dar Stellabotta's video
Thumbnail

Wooden Guitar Slides from Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Demo!!!!

"They actually sound great, but I like the fact that they won’t break if you drop em! "
10 hours ago
Carl Floyd liked Moritz Voegeli's discussion Joseph J. Rogowski about Current Based Pickup Design
12 hours ago
A.D.EKER commented on Dar Stellabotta's video
Thumbnail

Wooden Guitar Slides from Scotland 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Demo!!!!

"Great Sliding ! But to be honest i dont hear that much a differens,  beleave the Glass is a…"
17 hours ago
A.D.EKER commented on A.D.EKER's video
Thumbnail

Up the Hill A D Eker 2024

"thanks AGP;# ! much appriciated !"
17 hours ago

Music

© 2024   Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

\uastyle>\ud/** Scrollup **/\ud.scrollup {\ud background: url("https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/963882636?profile=original") no-repeat scroll 0 0 transparent;\ud bottom: 25px;\ud display: inline !important;\ud height: 40px;\ud opacity: 0.3 !important;\ud position: fixed;\ud right: 30px;\ud text-indent: -9999px;\ud width: 40px;\ud z-index: 999;\ud}\ud.scrollup:hover {\ud opacity:0.99!important;\ud}\ud \uascript type="text/javascript">\ud x$(document).ready(function(){\ud x$(window).scroll(function(){\ud if (x$(this).scrollTop() > 100) {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeIn();\ud } else {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeOut();\ud }\ud });\ud x$('.scrollup').click(function(){\ud x$("html, body").animate({ scrollTop: 0 }, 600);\ud return false;\ud });\ud });\ud \ua!-- End Scroll Up -->