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 Michael Fred Johnson on August 25, 2016 at 10:16am

Dani,are you fixing the pole into a neck block? It will need to stop short of the bowl

Comment by Paul Craig on August 25, 2016 at 9:56am

It's usually the case for me to have the right tool, but can't find it when needed and see it all the time when not needed. LOL

Comment by Slow Blues Dani & Ol' Grey Bear on August 25, 2016 at 9:47am

Wondering if I should go four string with a 28mm wooden pole rather than six string what with string pressure on the neck and all. It's an old hoe handle so should be quite strong? Certainly feels strong anyway. I can't imagine it will be pine or other softwood.

Comment by Slow Blues Dani & Ol' Grey Bear on August 25, 2016 at 9:35am

Thanks Paul. I have a 32mm and several bigger but want a tight fit so will have to visit a main hardware store to get one tomorrow. Typical that I've got plenty but not the right one haha.

Michael I need to drill a 28mm hole for a pole neck. Looking at a six string slide guitar and hopefully with a pet bowl. Strings will be suspended above the pole neck like I've seen on one of Shane Speal's guitars from one of his videos. Hopefully with my own make do, finance lacking stamp on it. Making do with what I have laying around this time. Just so happens I don't have a 28mm bit but do have a 28mm diameter pole. Definitely typical!

Comment by Fomhorach on August 25, 2016 at 9:06am

I found having less weight on the soundboard (and things touching it in general) produces more volume in the bass tonal range.

I also found that the lighter and more solid a bridge is on a dogbowl the more fuller louder sound range you get from it.

Comment by Michael Fred Johnson on August 25, 2016 at 9:00am

Or like Phil said you could just use blocks under the screw positions.

Dani and Ole, what's the cutter for?

Comment by Michael Hagen on August 25, 2016 at 6:46am

Since the plywood ring is completely hidden by the bowl, you could cut four quarter-ring segments from a smaller section of scrap rather than cut away 90 percent of a usable rectangle. 

Waste not, want not.

Comment by Paul Craig on August 25, 2016 at 6:22am

Great work Michael and a good tip about the inside ring.

Dani and Ole Grey Bear: 28mm is 1 &1/8" standard or close to it if that helps.

Comment by Michael Fred Johnson on August 25, 2016 at 3:48am

Going back to the pickup arrangements on cat bowl reso's,this cheap chinese control plate works well with a single coil and twin piezo's on this "pussycaster"

Comment by Michael Fred Johnson on August 25, 2016 at 3:36am

You can glue on a ring cut from a sheet of ply

 

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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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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

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

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

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