Building a Cigar Box Guitar 101

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Building a Cigar Box Guitar 101

This group is for discussing the basics of CBG building for newer builders - where to start, what to do, common pitfalls, tips and techniques.

Keep in mind that new builders can find other great informative articles on CBG building, as well as most of the parts you'll need, over at C. B. Gitty Crafter Supply!

Members: 1746
Latest Activity: Mar 20

Discussion Forum

Cutting deep boxes in half

Started by Justin Stanchfield. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 20. 9 Replies

Attention 1st time builders!

Started by BrianQ.. Last reply by MadGomer Feb 27. 2 Replies

Brickhouse CBG Wiring

Started by Ian Boyd. Last reply by Ian Boyd Dec 11, 2023. 1 Reply

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Comment by MadGomer on August 10, 2014 at 1:56am
While I hate to suggest that anyone wait on something as fun as building a cbg (maybe you can start on other aspects of it?) I wouldn't mess with the zither pins - they're just not well suited to the constant tweaking a guitar tuner does and would soon work loose, not to mention that they make string changes difficult. Best wishes for your upcoming build!
Comment by James Dukas on August 9, 2014 at 10:46am

Thanks for all the suggestions. I've only used tuners in the past but was out and my daughter was requesting one so I wasn't wanting to wait until an order got to Germany to do the build. It takes a little longer than standard mail here. I'll wait instead. Rather do it right than give her something that didn't work well.   

Comment by gary sheldon on August 8, 2014 at 11:44am

I, also would go with the economy tuners or vintage tuners from CB 

Gitty.  They are very reasonable and I have used them on 5 or 6 instruments with little or no problems.

Comment by Blue Hair Bob on August 8, 2014 at 7:35am

With Autoharps, we use "zither Pins".  These have a very fine thread and screw right into a sized hole in the wood.  They have a hole drilled in them to thread the string.  Normally, you tighten or loosen these with a "tuning wrench" or keyt of some kind.  They are cheap and easy to find (eBay, etc.) if you want to try that route..  

Comment by William McCauley on August 8, 2014 at 6:50am

I have tried them a couple of times and was not happy with the results. They made the guit heavy on the end. I thought that they were difficult to string, tune, and to keep in tune. They were also hard to keep tight (I used double nuts and lock washers). But, I am no expert, that is just my opinion. Also, the economy tuners are cheap enough that they may be cheaper than eye bolts. 

Comment by James Dukas on August 8, 2014 at 5:56am

Wondering if anyone has a suggestion for an alternative to standard tuners. i thought about straight through bolts but not sure if they would just unwind under the string tension. Has anyone tried it. 

Comment by Bill Baker on August 2, 2014 at 11:23am

A friend gave me a Palma Lites, Sportsmans Series box.  Apparently circa 1980's     Drat...Guess I'll have to build something out of it...

Comment by Bill Baker on August 1, 2014 at 2:23pm

The Delta Groove guys, The Dukes brothers,  deserve an attaboy. They make a great neck and offer super service.

Comment by Tom Caneschi aka cbg tom on July 30, 2014 at 1:07pm

Jerry here's a link for a bridge on ebay their not old school but they work well for 4 to 6 stringers.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Electric-Guitar-Strings-Bridge-Saddle-Hardt...

Comment by Jerry Morey on July 30, 2014 at 9:34am

Thanks again guys. On my next build I was planning on using a slice of slotted ebony for the nut bridge and trying to come up with a height adjustable saddle of some kind and I was looking for some place to start. I think this will do that.

 

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Discussion Forum

Cutting deep boxes in half

Started by Justin Stanchfield. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 20. 9 Replies

Attention 1st time builders!

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Brickhouse CBG Wiring

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Fretless fret markers

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canjo building and tuning

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Minimum tools needed

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High G problem

Started by Michael Myers. Last reply by Taffy Evans Nov 3, 2022. 4 Replies

Doubling the high string

Started by Robert Killen. Last reply by Paul Craig Oct 14, 2022. 23 Replies

Aluminum License Plate

Started by Larry Sobol. Last reply by Larry Sobol Oct 1, 2022. 6 Replies

C. B. Gifty three string fretless kits.

Started by jon neet. Last reply by Taffy Evans Aug 16, 2022. 6 Replies

Frettin' and stainin'

Started by Doug Laffin. Last reply by Order99 Aug 11, 2022. 4 Replies

Bolt on neck to a set neck body?

Started by Paul Craig. Last reply by Paul Craig Jul 17, 2022. 14 Replies

Locations

Started by Roy Smith. Last reply by the anonymous pick May 15, 2022. 2 Replies

Help please re Bento Box Uke "nut"

Started by Al Lobe. Last reply by BrianQ. May 10, 2022. 18 Replies

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Started by Michael Myers. Last reply by Michael Myers May 2, 2022. 5 Replies

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