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 Slow Blues Dani & Ol' Grey Bear on July 6, 2016 at 8:12am

I've been a silent observer of this thread through emails for a while and it's just paid off. Recently built a rubbish four string and after using the thinnest four and not liking it I restrung it today with the thickest four. Got it tuned DAda but not liking it much. Think I'm going to reorder them and tune the light gauge EADG as GCEA. Thanks Bushyhands and Paul.

Comment by Busyhands Slim on July 6, 2016 at 7:43am

That's what I was suggesting, too, Paul, but not very clearly.

Ukuleles come in different sizes, with different scale lengths. The strings you want to tune ACEA or GCEA will have to be the right size to make that pitch on the scale length of your instrument. measure your neck and do some research on ukulele sizes to get something similar. For example, if your CBG has a 25-inch scale (~60cm), you could try tenor uke strings.

Comment by Paul Craig on July 5, 2016 at 8:20pm

Before we start recommending strings, it would be good to know the scale of your CBG. For instance, if your CBG is a 25 inch scale, it would be difficult to put Uke strings on it.

The gauge of the strings will be of your personal preference. Light gauge are easier to bend notes while heavy gauge tend to be harder to bend, but give more volume and react better to slides. Medium gauge can be a good compromise.

Comment by Busyhands Slim on July 5, 2016 at 6:02pm
Moises, since you have specified a tuning that is almost the same as standard ukulele tuning,.(GCEA) I suggest finding strings for the ukulele that are closest to the size you have built.
Comment by Moises Rivera on July 5, 2016 at 5:34pm
  • Hello there, i'm from Argentina and i'm kinda new cigar box player, i really would like to try an ACEA tuning, but i dont know wich strings gauge choose, to preserve mi cigar box well, any sugestions
    Thaks for your hellp

Comment by MadGomer on May 28, 2016 at 2:46am
Wayfinder, I have used sand as well as salt, and it works fine. Just be careful not to get pieces in the joint that are too course (small pebbles etc). The material needs to imbed fully in the wood so you end up with a tight joint. The staple approach is fine as well, have done things like that on other projects.
Comment by Michael Fred Johnson on May 28, 2016 at 12:03am

If you have a staple gun fire a couple of staples into one face(sit the gun on a piece of scrap ply so the staple isn't driven flush with the surface)cut off the top of the staples leaving the legs about 3mm above the surface.Line up the parts of the neck and press them together.Separate,glue and clamp.

If you haven't got a stapler knock in a couple of small nails and cut them off 3mm above the surface 

Comment by Paul Craig on May 27, 2016 at 9:55am

I like to clamp the pieces together dry and drill 2 small holes through 1 piece and deep into the other. Take it apart apply the glue with 2 tooth pick through the holes and clamp it all back together. After glue drys you just trim the tooth picks flat with the surface.

Comment by MadGomer on May 27, 2016 at 9:38am
Bill, yes it works. A little grit in the glue really helps keep things in place on the angled joint under clamp pressure. Regular table salt, not coarse salt or flakes, and not a significant amount.
Comment by Bama Hound on May 23, 2016 at 5:38am

I have been using a full length rod under a dog biscuit shaped for my signature piece. That way I could make use of full size rod without cutting. It made sense to me that the more surface you have, the more there is to pick up vibrations.Seems right, never researched.Bama_Hound_Signature_Dog_Biscuit

 

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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

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

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