CONTEST OVERVIEW:

What instrument can you build that starts with a 2x4 plank?  We're looking for the most spectacular, innovative, interesting and artistic creations.  Note:  This contest will also include all instruments, whether stringed, wind, percussion or keyboard.  

We're challenging you to create new and exciting instruments starting with common 2x4 planks!  You should build to impress!

 

SUBMISSION RULES - NO EXCEPTIONS:

  1. You must build a playable musical instrument using a common 2x4 plank* as the main component of the construction.
  2. Submit your entry by uploading two (2) different photos in the COMMENTS section below.  
  3. Add a 1 paragraph description of your instrument (parts used,building techniques, inspiration yadda yadda yadda)
  4. All submissions must be built by the person submitting them.
  5. Contest submissions end Wednesday, May 31, 2017 at 11:59 pm (Eastern Standard Time US)

*Common 2x4 dimensional lumber, aka framing stud.  The 2x4 can be construction grade or top choice quality.

YOU WILL BE JUDGED BY THE STAFF OF CIGAR BOX NATION

PRIZES:

First place:  $100 gift certificate from C. B. Gitty Crafter Supply

Second place: $50 gift certificate from C. B. Gitty Crafter Supply

Third place:  $25 Gift Certificate from C. B. Gitty Crafter Supply

THIS PAGE IS FOR CONTEST SUBMISSIONS ONLY.  

Views: 9045

Replies are closed for this discussion.

Replies to This Discussion

2x4,  4 string acoustic guitar.

Built for the challenge in a little over a week.   I spent way too much time when I should have been mowing grass and keeping up with the "honey do's".  Anyway, all the wood is from one construction grade 8 ft. stud. It was laying outside on the ground for a while, maybe a year.   The other materials are:  a "1/2 square steel tubing neck re-enforcement rod salvaged from a plant hanger, copper plate tail piece held on with a lag screw and spacer to double as a strap hanger, domino nut, deer antler capped 2x4 wood bridge,  tuners salvaged from a pink plastic thrift store ukulele, fret wire, glue, extra light gauge 80/20 guitar strings.  Branded on fret markers (screw head).   I really struggled trying to decide between the 2x4 fret board and using a piece of walnut, but in the end I went with the all 2x4 theme.  Named it "The Tennessee Stud" and carved a little horseshoe from around a knothole and glued it on.   The face of the peg-head has the weathered wood  with just the splinters sanded off. "25 1/2 scale.  I think it sounds pretty good.

Build Album: https://goo.gl/photos/T1a8qmetmP5zUC8v8

Sound Test: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gfVzYJwhwR0

Thanks!

The first time I ever heard of a "Diddley Bow" was five years ago in a live Seasick Steve video at Pinkpop. Seasick Steve plays this old beaat up 2x4 one string contraption through all sorts of distortion/fuzz and I knew right then I wanted one. After researching further I found a video with Shane Speal playing a one string Diddley Bow with bottle caps and a P90 pickup, plus I think a little rubber Zombie? Either way I was determined that one day I would have a mix of the two. I ended up buying one I found on C.B. Gitty It was the "C.B. Gitty Can Gitty" an amazing little Canjo guitar that plugged in but didn't the loudness I was looking for. One day I was walking home and I see in my neighbors trash two scrap 2x4 boards. I quickly grabbed them and began to work one my one string 2x4 guitar. It took almost two days to build, one day to cut out and assemble everything and another to sand and stain. The finished project is a one string wall of sound, I call it the "Baked Bean Express". I originally had a C.B. Gitty soap bar P90 but eventually switched that out for the Gold Toaster Bucker both sound amazing. Here are two pictures wish I could upload more I also have video of me playing it as WetWilly OMB check it out it sounds great!

This one is for demo purposes and doesn't fit all the 2x4 criteria. It is a 2x4 but it's Cherry which disqualifies it from the wall stud category. Still, I built it using the same methods as my other 2x4 entries and the added strength of cherry let me do a full 8 string mando.

Mini Taser 2X4 Teddley Bow

A single string 'Teddley Bow' made from 2 pieces of a 2X4. Based on my Taser 6 string build. Custom Crocker Stonehenge humbucker pickup, vintage Fender butterscotch stain, gold tuner with root beer knob, gold hardware, cherry dowel neck.

Check my photos page for more detailed pics.  (Rules said upload 2 pics)

As this year is the 50th Anniversary to S.E. Hinton's "The Outsiders" book, I knew immediately what my 2x4 lap steel would be inspired by. I have always been a huge SE Hinton fan and especially The Outsiders. Picking only two pictures to choose from was difficult task here though. I used CB Gitty's acrylic lap steel fretboard and gold tuners, a gold humbucker, and Shane Speal's signature strings. I found the shiniest gold paper fro beneath the fretboard and laid "Stay Gold Ponybony" in chrome lettering. I painted a base of metallic gold and sprayed glitter gold on top, then a few coats of shiny clear finish. I typically put an indian nickel in all of builds, but this build I used the St. Christopher medallion that Dallas Winston (Matt Dillon) wore throughout the film. It is tuned to open D : DADF#AD.

Attachments:

This is my first 2x4 challenge entry. Wall stud hadstock and neck half-lapped into a homemade box. Used a plate from my folks' shed for the top. Oak fretboard with fret locations burned in; Roman numeral side markers, hinge tailpiece. Tuned DAD.

Working on a mag pup to put under the plate.

Attachments:

OK this is Freckle Face, a 4 string mandolin. She's my last 2x4 instrument for this challenge. Pretty much copied Ben Baker's design with a few modifications. I'll post a "how I done it" video and sound sample soon. The name came from a surprise bird's eye pattern I found inside the 2x4 when I cut a piece for the top.

Here's my 2nd entry...a 2x4 2-string lap steel with a 23" scale. The strings are acoustic 36 and 30 gauge, tuned A/D, but can be pulled up to A/E. The A/D tuning allows for playing the low string as the melody and the high string as a drone, similar to the way a Tennessee music box works. I have a piezo inside the altoids tin...allows for a nice acoustic sound. I'll upload a sound sample when I finish the amp.

The finish is the Japanese shou-sugi-ban method with boiled linseed oil added after the burning/brushing steps. You can see some of the crackle better in the second image. Fret markings were done with a gold paint pen. Still need to sign and date it. This was a fun and quick build which provided some insight as I have a Tennessee music box (box dulcimer) in the works.

Attachments:

"Missouri Hudu Voodoo Stick" 2 x 4 lap steel.Scrap oak 2x from 90 year old house,C.B. Gitty duel humbucker,Atlas Prager bottle opener for a string retainer,frets wood burner in ,with the fret markers being symbols hobo's used to mark fence posts,barn sides informing other travelers if farm was safe,bad dog,police,etc.Backwards strat input,bird skull and Skeleton Key on head stock for essential Hillbilly Mojo. This was an older Skeleton Key Guitars build that I pulled from the back of the guitar pile and haven't put it down since.

My 2x4 entry – tried to cut out the elements of a guitar from a 2x4 leaving the board mostly intact.  Instead of a neck thru the box, it is flipped into a box thru the neck.  Completed it twice, the first version had a brace below the neck but it turned out to not be enough space to play very well so I had to cut it off.    Started with a box store 2x4, found a fairly thin box to fit.  The finish is torched a little bit, stained a couple colors, topped with tru oil.  Lightly slotted fret lines filled with white putty.  Bottle opener string retainer, floating bridge, screw for a nut.  Old piece of rope for a strap. 3 string, tuned GDG. It has a deep acoustic sound, maybe because the bridge is the only thing touching the top of the box.  Fun build and great contest!

Attachments:

Kudos! That is one feat of engineering!

My entry to the 2x4 challenge, an old jarrah wall stud from a shed demolition, one end had been buried in dirt for over 50 years, so i used that extra thick for the neck and added a thick fretboard from the core of the other end, which also supplied the top, bottom and frame of the box, tin tail-piece plus an induction type pup with an old mint tin cover. Timber treatment was fly spray to kill the termites, and a light coat of olive oil on the fretboard.One thing i have discovered is the extra thick neck and fretboard has meant i have to improve my slide technique, as i'm back to banging frets again for the first 5 or so frets, oh, 630 mm scale, cheapo tuners, dearest single item for whole build was the bone bridge, but i ate the steak it came wrapped in.

RSS

The Essential Pages

New to Cigar Box Nation? How to Play Cigar Box GuitarsFree Plans & How to Build Cigar Box GuitarsCigar Box Guitar Building Basics

Site Sponsor

Recommended Links & Resources


Forum

crossover guitar.

Started by Timothy Hunter in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 21. 11 Replies

Tune up songs

Started by Ghostbuttons in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 9. 5 Replies

Duel output jacks

Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 8. 6 Replies

How to Get Your Own Music on Spotify

Started by Cigar Box Nation in Feature Articles. Last reply by Southern Ray Feb 21. 2 Replies

CB Bass Guitar

Started by Mi Rankin in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Justin Stanchfield Jan 27. 5 Replies

Latest Activity

BrianQ. commented on Dar Stellabotta's video
2 hours ago
BrianQ. liked Dar Stellabotta's video
2 hours ago
Southern Ray commented on Southern Ray's photo
Thumbnail

Project Punch!

" Thank ya again Keith!"
4 hours ago
Southern Ray commented on Southern Ray's photo
Thumbnail

Punch Project!

" Thank Ya Keith!"
4 hours ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on AGP #'s photo
Thumbnail

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

"This build really strung you along Alan! Reminded me of all my fishing line experiments; a lot of…"
6 hours ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on A.D.EKER's video
Thumbnail

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!!!"
6 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...
7 hours ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on Doug Thorsvik's video
Thumbnail

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…"
8 hours ago
A.D.EKER commented on Doug Thorsvik's video
Thumbnail

Hail the Resurrection Day: 2-String Violin Chugger Cigar Box Guitar

"Happy Easter Doug ! the Passion is in full swing !"
8 hours ago
A.D.EKER commented on Ricky D's photo
8 hours ago
A.D.EKER commented on A.D.EKER's video
8 hours ago
Keith Rearick liked Doug Thorsvik's video
12 hours ago

Music

© 2024   Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

\uastyle>\ud/** Scrollup **/\ud.scrollup {\ud background: url("https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/963882636?profile=original") no-repeat scroll 0 0 transparent;\ud bottom: 25px;\ud display: inline !important;\ud height: 40px;\ud opacity: 0.3 !important;\ud position: fixed;\ud right: 30px;\ud text-indent: -9999px;\ud width: 40px;\ud z-index: 999;\ud}\ud.scrollup:hover {\ud opacity:0.99!important;\ud}\ud \uascript type="text/javascript">\ud x$(document).ready(function(){\ud x$(window).scroll(function(){\ud if (x$(this).scrollTop() > 100) {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeIn();\ud } else {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeOut();\ud }\ud });\ud x$('.scrollup').click(function(){\ud x$("html, body").animate({ scrollTop: 0 }, 600);\ud return false;\ud });\ud });\ud \ua!-- End Scroll Up -->