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 Alex Russell on June 13, 2018 at 12:20pm

I'm in the process of building my 1st CGB, everything has been going well until now. I have cut the notch in the neck too deep, in places way below the underside of the box lid. Despite that, the neck is firmly in place when I close the lid. How important is it that the box lid rests on the neck? Is it likely to move with the tension of the strings? 

Comment by Estone Villan on May 16, 2018 at 7:55pm

It's beech. 

The missing piece was far too thin thanks to a stupid idea to not add wood to the back and a bit hole for a pick up. That part is in the bin and the box ruined.

It was in a Camacho box and will probably go back into one if i can swing it.

Here's a link to the guitar when it was actually a guitar: http://www.cigarboxnation.com/photo/cbg8-7?context=user

Comment by Mark Bliss on May 16, 2018 at 5:34pm

That deer whacker comment didn't appear to post and still doesn't appear from here, odd! LOL!

The 24mm thickness eliminates some of my initial ideas. How deep is the box you plan to use? What kind of wood is that and what's the missing piece look like?

Comment by Estone Villan on May 16, 2018 at 2:18pm

Yes it'd be good as a deer whacker when the zombies attack if i fail to find a way to fit it to a box.

Also, it's the best i can currently do so to me the neck is worth the effort.



Comment by Mark Bliss on May 16, 2018 at 1:36pm

Yes, many possible solutions.

What's the thickness at the heal? One could probably splice in a through box tail section. Possibly reinforce the joint if necessary, but with tight joinery, it shouldn't be too difficult to create something successful.

Hard to judge the best approach from just those pics. But I suspect a side view cutaway, creating a .75" mortise with a tight fitting piece glued in might do it. Pin or spline the splice if so inclined, but that might be overkill. 

And without seeing the neck its hard to judge how much effort is worthwhile. Though I will say I like the headstock design. Looks like a nice angle and straight string pulls nut to tuner. Things I like to see.

Comment by Estone Villan on May 16, 2018 at 1:30pm

I like the sound of that. Thanks, i'll give it a try.

Comment by MadGomer on May 16, 2018 at 1:11pm
Lots of possibilities Eston, but I'd create a rectangular frame that fits into the box, and sandwich the nut end of the box between the neck heel and the frame, running the screws from the inside of the frame, through the box end, and into the heel. Personally once I was happy with the fit and alignment, I'd pull out the screws, get glue on both sides of the sandwich, and run the screws down tight. Bridge end of the frame could go all the way to the box end or stop right below where you want your bridge to land.
Comment by Estone Villan on May 16, 2018 at 11:10am

Thanks for the advice.

Glue the heal into the box and screw through the box and heal (losing the heal on the outside of the box)

Or

glue the heal on to another piece of wood (maybe shape it to look like part of the heal) and screw through that, butting the neck against the box but keeping the heal outside?

Am i over thinking this?

Comment by MadGomer on May 16, 2018 at 10:36am
What Paul said. For a three string guitar I think you have a good chance of saving it.
Comment by Paul Craig on May 16, 2018 at 8:47am

The tenon was about the same size. It should hold for a 3 or 4 sting CBG.

 

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Discussion Forum

Cutting deep boxes in half

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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

Bolt on neck to a set neck body?

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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