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Is it a Cigar Box guitar if you make the box yourself?

Here's what I'm thinking.

I intend to make a box out of scrap wood and a solid lump of Mahogany going through the middle for strength.

Now here's the thing, is it still a Cigar Box guitar if the box is not a Cigar Box?

I've made guitars out of Biscuit Tins, which can seem like a Cigar Box guitar, but are far from it, but is this going to be one of them?

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Permalink Reply by Rob Todd on August 30, 2016 at 9:52am

I don't see why not, a number of mine have been from self made boxes but the result is still the same.

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Permalink Reply by Cause the Blue rat on August 30, 2016 at 11:26am

Yes. It's a cigar box guitar if you make it out of solid wood too. No rules, just play it and enjoy.

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Permalink Reply by JP Lace Master on August 31, 2016 at 7:24am

I'm inclined to say the 3 stringer with the offset body is "Cigar Box esque" as I am sure the sound of the guitar will be similar if not the same as a real Cigar Box Guitar", whereas I would say the 1880 Cigar Box is an actually Cigar Box as it would of been cheaper and easier to get one opposed to making the box and since these are the original budget guitars, I'd say that's a fair assumption.

As for my original question, I'd conclude that my box will make it a Cigar Box Guitar as I will be keeping it a fairly regular size and shape, but my plans of adding a cutaway into the body may compromise that and its "Purity" to some extent.

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Permalink Reply by Gilles C. Caron on August 30, 2016 at 12:59pm

Good question...

I saw some guitars called Tramp Box Guitars.

And I saw some vintage guitars made from a plank of wood.

How should we call them?

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Permalink Reply by Jonno on August 30, 2016 at 1:17pm

I think the term 'Improvised Guitars' would be a good blanket description covering cigar box gits and what ever else people slap together with an assortment of standard and non standard materials.

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Permalink Reply by darryl kernaghan on August 30, 2016 at 1:30pm

in the famous words of Con the fruiterer,,,Aghhh,duzzenmadda!

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Permalink Reply by the anonymous pick on August 30, 2016 at 2:04pm

if you are loosing sleep over it ." cigar box style guitar" , is a simple alternative tag.

issue solved by adding one word .

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Permalink Reply by Jonno on August 30, 2016 at 2:42pm

Lol Darryl. Con the fruiterer. Man that brings back memories. An aussie classic.Up there with Rodney Rude's Mcdonalds and the Hoges,Strop, Kylie Mole, Kath and Kim. Great funny iconic stuff

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Permalink Reply by Timothy Hunter on August 30, 2016 at 8:59pm

dont forget Austen Tayshus, Australiana....

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Permalink Reply by Jonno on August 30, 2016 at 11:10pm

Classic Timothy. Our american cbg bretherin would have no idea what to make of Australiana. Gotta know the lingo.

I dunno know if Id lose any sleep wonderin when a cigarbox git ends and something else begins.

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Permalink Reply by the anonymous pick on August 31, 2016 at 12:38am

that's good , we lose enough sleep thinking up designs , what parts to use , nicely worded apologies to the wife for using all her silverware / pots / nail files , and belt buckles . etc etc .. ;-)

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Permalink Reply by Gilles C. Caron on August 31, 2016 at 4:25am

I have the same problem...

I have guitars hidden everywhere in my room and more on a wall, those that I use more often.

But I didn't have any 4 strings guitar...

So...