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

Comment Wall

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Comment by MadGomer on June 24, 2015 at 1:08pm
I think if you shake some chicken bones over the neck and sprinkle pieces of a shredded Lady Gaga CD on it you can reverse the curse.
Comment by Bama Hound on June 24, 2015 at 5:29am

Frank, you might need an exorcism and I can't help you with that. I am also not your "go to" guy on wiring. You need to be more specific with your wiring problem.

Your frets being level and having one higher or lower than the other is what is called an oxymoron. If you are doing a neck through design, I can't help you either. If you are doing a bolt on neck post a picture looking from the side at string level showing the action and I will give it a whirl. You are a bit frustrated it seems and brother, I hear you. Hang in there. (:-D)

Comment by frank tennyson on June 23, 2015 at 4:33pm

I have a crse. I try and try fretting but always have higher or lower frets even after leveling. What is the trick?

My curse extends to wiring. For some reason I always have problems, even with a pre-wired setup from Gitty!

Help!

Comment by Jack O'wheelie on May 30, 2015 at 12:13am

This is my entry in the 2015 2x4 competition. I provided a link back to CBNation at the end of the video with thanks to this community for so much help and good tips.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VdjRhRd__Hc

Comment by Cynthia on May 27, 2015 at 4:32pm

I may be too late for this comment, but; I have lots of "wrong side hinged boxes" The one you have is perfect acoustic, So , I would make the bottom the top. Neck will be centered, braced, and sound hole cut on bottom. You can then open back if you neatly cut paper hinge and apply hinges to the long side. OR, you could sell the box to me. I would love the opportunity.  Sorry to disagree to Keith; but this box begs to be played. The dimensions are too good to be an amp box. 

Comment by Henry S on April 12, 2015 at 3:47pm

Well I'm set to start my first CBG, garage and work area cleaned and ready. Now I can actually see the work bench. Basic Gitty kit neck through box deal. Quarter sawn oak fretted neck through a nice gold Macanudo box. I want the neck to be flush with the top so I'll have to notch the neck down. Mainly I need to thank the CB Nation as a great place to get info from builders of all types. A lot of ideas and information to be found. I will have a lot of questions in the next two weeks.

Comment by MadGomer on April 12, 2015 at 1:47pm
Yes, I've experienced that too. Spend some time talking with them if you can, it will probably brighten their day. Ask them what they were building, tell them about your plans, and maybe even go back later to show them a finished project. One day soon we'll be in their shoes.
Comment by Henry S on April 12, 2015 at 11:31am

So for the past few weeks I've been cruising craigslist for a band saw and even looked at some scroll saws. Boy there is a lot of sadness in those two saws, they both seem to be popular with retired folks (I should talk I'm almost 60 !) for hobbies and such. Either in the listing or when talking to to some of these folks its basically they bought the tools then the wife or husband has a stroke, heart attack, etc. and now they are selling everything. Sad  .... 

Comment by Henry S on March 27, 2015 at 9:09am

Hi Scott - I was going to do a plain gitty neck and glue on a fb but then went the middle way and ordered a gitty neck that is fully fretted. So I have a quarter sawn oak fretted neck - so I do see that I will need to notch down an 1/8 or 3/16 to set the nut (I think). Appreciate your help here and I'll have a bunch of questions as I get going next week.

Comment by Scott aka Farmer Ted on March 27, 2015 at 8:58am

Henry, if you use a fretboard, you dont have to slot the neck for the nut, it just goes against the fb.

 

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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!

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

Fretless fret markers

Started by Michael Myers. Last reply by Michael Myers Apr 20, 2023. 8 Replies

canjo building and tuning

Started by Brenda. Last reply by MadGomer Dec 3, 2022. 5 Replies

Minimum tools needed

Started by Wichita Sam. Last reply by Taffy Evans Nov 14, 2022. 21 Replies

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

Clarification on pick ups

Started by Michael Myers. Last reply by Taffy Evans May 6, 2022. 5 Replies

Licence plate cbg

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

Builder's Tips

Started by Wichita Sam. Last reply by MadGomer Feb 23, 2022. 2 Replies

Getting there but needing advice/help please.

Started by Lionhound. Last reply by MadGomer Feb 18, 2022. 8 Replies

Tres Cubano Build

Started by Paul Craig. Last reply by Paul Craig Dec 9, 2021. 18 Replies

CB Gitty Country Roads Banjo kit

Started by Ken Hope. Last reply by Christopher G Daniels Nov 29, 2021. 4 Replies

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A.D.EKER commented on Dar Stellabotta's video
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Im Troubled (Tribute) Mc K Morganfield by BCB - A.D .Eker 2024.

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Project Punch!

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Punch Project!

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AGP #527 - ''Led-Zep 2''

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Doug Thorsvik commented on A.D.EKER's video
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Im Troubled (Tribute) Mc K Morganfield by BCB - A.D .Eker 2024.

"Diggin’ the slow blues. I like that last pic Andries! Look at all those cool guitars. Yeah!!!"
15 hours ago
Dar Stellabotta posted a video

A Cigar Box Guitar Six Stringer Built by Louie Lamanna

This video is the unboxing and the demonstration of a beautiful, six stringer built by Louie Lamanna. Join Louie and I June 15 at the second annual Pittsburg...
16 hours ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on Doug Thorsvik's video
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Hail the Resurrection Day: 2-String Violin Chugger Cigar Box Guitar

"Happy Easter to you too Andries! The passion is definitely in full swing. Turns out I’m…"
17 hours ago
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Hail the Resurrection Day: 2-String Violin Chugger Cigar Box Guitar

"Happy Easter Doug ! the Passion is in full swing !"
17 hours ago
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