Hi folks, I'm a new member and a new builder so be gentle with me.  I made my first cigar box guitar about 2 months ago and to be honest I've never stopped since.  I'm trying to keep them simple but trying to add something new to each one.  Just trying to fit some time in around work to build them.  These are some of the guitars I've made so far...

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y234/clarkyboy100/DSCN2051.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y234/clarkyboy100/DSCN2049.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y234/clarkyboy100/DSCN2043.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y234/clarkyboy100/DSCN2025.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y234/clarkyboy100/DSCN2008.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y234/clarkyboy100/DSCN1999_zps35b6...

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y234/clarkyboy100/Picture001.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y234/clarkyboy100/DSCN1988.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y234/clarkyboy100/DSCN1956.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y234/clarkyboy100/DSCN1934.jpg

http://i6.photobucket.com/albums/y234/clarkyboy100/DiddlyBo002.jpg

So mostly cigar box guitars but a couple made from jewelry boxes, an oil can guitar and a diddly bo.  Most are pretty simple efforts with a piezo pickup, only one is actually fretted and has volume control.
  I read somewhere that this can become an obsession and I think it has become one!

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Yea, it does that. I started out with one and am well over 100 now. Welcome to The Addiction!

your   stuff  looks  great  man  ,,  and welcome    to  the addiction  ;-)

Amazing stuff you made.  I think all of us here at the nation started the same... made one and now can't stop.  : )

Keep up the great work!

Thanks very much dudes!  I've already started a couple of other projects.  I'm off into the loft tonight to see what junk I can find.  I'd prefer to make them out of old bits and bobs but I rapidly ran out of junk.

The family reaction is amazing.  A lot of people have never even heard of cigar box guitars.  Best....hobby....ever!

Nice looking builds. Keep it up and yes it is a good hobby to have
I was struck by the clean lines of the early pics especially - then I realized many of them don't have bridges/saddles.

Is that just for the pics or do you have some secret no-bridge design?

In any case I do like the biscuit theme :)

Stewart

It looks like the ferrules stick up above the neck sufficiently to provide clearance over the soundboard.  An interesting simple method.  Probably not the loudest, but very clean looking.

You're in good company here.  :)

Yeah Ed's spot on. Nice and simple but it works!

Great looking CBG's. You might try adding a solid bridge just ahead of the ferrules measuring between nut and bridge for intonation, this would improve volume and sustain. Another  technique I find helpful is making a template for my necks where they join the box. This will eliminate any gaps and reduce building time drastically for your next one. I have several different neck styles and several routing templates to match. Cuts out all that remeasuring and ensures accuracy. I use a thin sheet of maple ply 1/4" works great, easier to work with and holds it's edge for reuse.

Thanks for the tips, I'm a total amateur to be honest and I've just been making it up as I go along.  I've been lucky so far in that 11 out of 12 builds have worked and can be played.  The advice on the gap where the neck joins the box is great thanks, it's pretty annoying.

I'm slowly building up a set of decent tools to work with too.  I started out with nothing (and I still got most of it left). :D

I've kept my first build as a humorous inspiration to remind me that things can only get better. What I find unique about all of the cigar box community is the openness to share our ideas, thus I have salvaged many helpful hints from others. Anyway twelve makes is a lot for one just getting started. Keep em rolling!

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