Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by David McQueen on October 10, 2013 at 3:25pm

I've been building my own this year. I've done oak, pine and ash boxes with oak, spruce and larch tops. For sides, I am taking a 1 x 2 and sawing it in half to get about 5/16" thick sides. For the tops and backs, I am sawing up to 2 1/2" wide lumber in 1/8" slices and then gluing it together using a glueing frame. 2 1/2" is as thick as my little table saw will cut. So I end up with about 4 x 1/8" pieces glued together side by side for a top or bottom.

I reinforce the corners with blocking. the tops are glued on and the backs are screwed on so you can get back into them.

Here is the link to one all in oak. http://www.cigarboxnation.com/photo/second-closeup-oak-guitar?conte...

Here is a screwed on pine back. http://www.cigarboxnation.com/photo/back16?context=user

Here is a spruce top from reclaimed 2"x 3" lumber. http://www.cigarboxnation.com/photo/box2-16?context=user

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Permalink Reply by Piht Bull (Delta Dawg Guitars) on October 10, 2013 at 3:51pm

I dont own any power tools so im a little limited on my options .  Hell my work bench is a tree stump with a half sheet of plywood screwed to it lol .

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Permalink Reply by David McQueen on October 10, 2013 at 11:23pm

Then the other approaches above sound like thw way ro go. Just giving an alternative.

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Permalink Reply by Reeds Taylor on October 10, 2013 at 4:46pm

I used crafters paint then ployurethane, also before I had power tools I used a hand saw for all my cutting.

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Permalink Reply by David McQueen on October 11, 2013 at 6:19am

If you want to try gluing together a box top and bottom from hardwood, StewMac has side bending practice wood. You get two strips 4" x about 24". Use that for the back and get someone to slice up a spruce 2 x 4 for the top.

Here is a link. http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bodies,_necks,_wood/Acoustic_guitar_bac...

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Permalink Reply by Mark Lindsay on October 11, 2013 at 7:16am

Some HD and Lowe's stores carry 3/16" thick luan door skins. They're usually over in the door and window section of the store. Just ask, and they'll direct you to the right spot. Not all of them carry it, so don't be surprised if yours doesn't. As has been mentioned, hollow core doors are a good source of thin sheet material. Check your local Craig's List Free section. I see hollow core doors listed on mine quite often. I'd pass on fiberglass or metal skinned doors for obvious reasons. 

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Permalink Reply by Michael Fred Johnson on October 13, 2013 at 12:19am

Try a model shop for a source of timber. This pre-finished walnut came in 3ft lengths 4" wide, if you're careful glueing it up a little scraping and sanding and it's ready to varnish

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Permalink Reply by Richey Kay on October 14, 2013 at 6:15pm

...seconded, I just finished my first box using spruce sheet from a model aircraft shop:

As MFJ (who gave me some wonderful advice on this project) says, the sheets come in 4" widths, so you will have to glue the top and bottom. This link shows a rather nifty way of achieving a good seamless joint:

http://home.comcast.net/%7Ekathymatsushita/movies/jointhetop.mov

I'll hopefully get the build finished by the weekend - can't wait to hear how it sounds!

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Permalink Reply by Norman Smith on October 26, 2013 at 1:09pm

I am in japan and don't have ready access to cigar boxes so I build all my boxes. Sides are 7 mm thick cedar, ends are 4mm. The top is the thinnest ply I can find usually 2mm but I found 1.6mm ply in a craft store for the last two and it has a better sound although it needs bracing.

Overall I am very pleased with the sound of my guitars although I haven't seen a "real" CBG in person so I only have videos to compare them to.

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Permalink Reply by Norman Smith on October 26, 2013 at 1:44pm

This is my most recent box. Still haven't sanded the edges. You can see the boards I use are beveled already.

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Permalink Reply by TN Twang on February 25, 2014 at 8:32am

A question of protocol:

I've got a buddy who makes excellent boxes for various purposes. His stuff is better than anything I can buy from the tobacco shop, and I can get him to make whatever size & shape I need.

What should we call these creations? They aren't "cigar box" guitars.

"Cigar Box-Style Guitars??" "Custom Box Guitars??" "Homemade Box Guitars??"

I liked "Humidor Guitars," but that turns out to be the trademark of a particular maker.

I believe in truth in advertising. What should they be called?

Suggestions appreciated...

TN

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Permalink Reply by Dan Sleep on February 25, 2014 at 9:26am

I would just call them Box Guitars.

And yes, Humidor Guitars is an awesome name, and yes, someone has that already.

Wait, that's me!

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