#1 resource for Cigar Box Guitars, Free Plans, How-To, Parts & More!

Completely Newb

Completely new to CBGs and have NO experience playing ANY instrument. I have always wanted to, but they all seemed complicated and/or intimidating - as I am not the most coordinated individual you will ever meet.

Anyway, I go by The Bane online and live in the South Central US (Louisiana) and am currently 46. Don't remember how I stumbled onto CBGs online, but have been enamored with them ever since (about 3 weeks now). I have burned up just about all my bandwidth searching articles, forums, and videos of this wonderful art that begets art.

The "Uncle Crow" style of CBG has convinced me that I can and will build some of these! Took my first steps today trying to find cigar boxes locally (absolutely NO luck) and stopped into a local music store to price tuners, strings, and see if they had any bulletin board adds for instructors. Just so happened an employee gives lessons and said to learn I needed a guitar - begin sales pitch. I hesitantly said, "That's just it. You might find this funny, but I want to build one. They are called a CBG or Cigar Box Guitar..." He just laughed at me and I thought I had 'gone and done it', when he says he knows all about them and even plays one in a local band!!

He buys his rather than builds them, but long story short - we talked for a long while and he even pulled me around behind the counter to check out some of his Youtube videos! He's good too! Anyway, I feel like a putts but I forgot his name, but once I get my first one built I will definitely go back and get reacquainted and take some lessons! Funny thing is he said he charges by the lesson, because after about four lessons he usually points them, or they find their own way, to Youtube and tells them to "get after it."

Great site. Have learned a lot, but will have to leave this here as I have tons more research to do!

Best,

The Bane

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by The Bane on August 20, 2016 at 9:09am

Playing is gonna be the hard part ;)

The Bane

Permalink Reply by Fomhorach on August 23, 2016 at 9:27am

Totally agree..

Get a bit of wood, a box or a can, join them together and put a string over it.

Sounds simple, it really is.

Then it's onwards and upwards.

Just go for it. Arm yourself with whatever is in your toolbox, have a beer or 3 and construct a "thing".

Fun is in the doing

Permalink Reply by Rusty Summer on August 23, 2016 at 9:38am

This is my first CBG. Please note! Stick...Box...String....Done! Still one of my favorites to play.

Permalink Reply by The Bane on August 23, 2016 at 10:48am

That's pretty nice! Got any vids of it being played?

Best,

The Bane

Permalink Reply by Rusty Summer on August 23, 2016 at 11:32am

If I end up streaming my concert Live on Thursday, I will.

Permalink Reply by The Bane on August 23, 2016 at 1:27pm

Hey, let us know when and how to view it!

Best,

The Bane

Permalink Reply by Rusty Summer on August 23, 2016 at 5:52pm

I am going to do a sound and internet check tomorrow. If I my signal is strong enough to broadcast, it will be Thursday 8/25 at 12:00 noon MST. Here is the link.

Rusty Summer Live from Alli's Cafe

Permalink Reply by Fomhorach on August 23, 2016 at 9:40am

https://youtu.be/yZ7DZ7HPXck

Here watch this

Permalink Reply by Rusty Summer on August 23, 2016 at 9:52am

I was looking for that video!!!! Thanks.