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EASY TO BUILD CIGAR BOX GUITAR: AN UNCLE CROW STYLE CBG IN ONE HOUR!!
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:
- 55.6cm
- 52.5cm
- 49.6cm 0
- 46.8cm
- 44.2cm 0
- 41.7cm
- 39.3cm 0
- 37.1cm
- 35cm
- 33.1cm 0 (G chord)
- 31.2cm
- 29.5cm 00
- 27.8cm
- 26.2cm
- 24.8cm
- 23.4cm
- 22.1cm
- 20.8cm
- 19.6cm"
STRINGING IT UP, STRINGS AND EYE BOLT TUNERS
TUNE IT UP AN PLAY!
PLAYING THE CIGAR BOX GUITAR : COLLECTIVE SOUL - "SHINE"
Replies to This Discussion
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Permalink Reply by Crow on
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hey guys, someone requested that i set these videos in order, in a blog entry, to make it easier for them to be viewed.
hope you have as much fun watching them as it was to make them!!
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Permalink Reply by Brady Scott on
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Nice simple build man. Those pants are pretty awesome too, lol. Thanks for putting this all together.
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Permalink Reply by Rev. Nix on
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I think im going to build 2 more of these tomorrow. The one i build for that kid played nice.
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Permalink Reply by Medicine Man CBG's-Mikel Doktor on
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http://www.cigarboxnation.com/photo/albums/old-crow-cigar-box I love this style. I find I play it more than my other CBG's. Great post Crow.
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Permalink Reply by Dave Onastik on
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Awesome videos crow! I like the simplicity and the results.
When you mentioned handmademusic.com, were you refering to handmademusic.noisepages.com?
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no, i meant the handmademusicclubhouse.com site, the other NING site hosted by ted crocker. i joined there recently, so i'm trying to address them too.
Dave Onastik said:Awesome videos crow! I like the simplicity and the results.
When you mentioned handmademusic.com, were you refering to handmademusic.noisepages.com?
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http://www.cigarboxnation.com/photo/crow-copy-1?context=user
Crow said:@ rev nix
you've started building your own? let's see them!!
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Permalink Reply by MichaelS Country Boy Guitars on
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I had thought that the neck thru the box with some space made a better sounding guitar.... until, I was in a music shop and he had 2 dulcimers, one with the neck under the soundboard and one with it on top, like your cbg's. I was impressed with the sound and both were loud and clean as they should be, learn something new all the time. Nice fun quick builds
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Permalink Reply by Ginwheel Johnny on
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Okay, i m such the typical guy...didnt pay attention to uncle crow's stringing instructions..almost gerrotted myself, but my babygirls cbg got her a good science mark for homemade instruments...thx for postin these crow...my next one will be better...lol
The Essential Pages
Recommended Links & Resources
- CigarBoxGuitar.com - the knowledgebase of the homemade music movement.
- Cigar Box Music - How-to-Build CBGs DVDs, How to Play CBG and more!
- 3-String-Guitar.com - John "Red Dog" McNair's unique take on cigar box guitars and their history - lots of historic photos!
- The Cigar Box Guitar Manifesto - the mission statement and rallying cry for the Cigar Box Guitar Revolution.
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