A new FREE Book on Cigar Box Guitar making is available in the Free Plans section!!!

Hey, all.

Just wanted to put the word out. I recently wrote a book on advanced CBG making over the holiday that I wanted to share with you all. It will take you through the complete construction of a high end CBG and has loads of pictures and instructions (many sections include alternate approaches to accomplishing various tasks).

I have already made this book available ahead of time to the members of my group (Smokehouse Guitars) but now Shane has given me the okay to go public and make it widely available to all the rest of you.

This book is totally free. Consider it my belated Christmas gift to the Nation.

The book itself is in PDF format in a zip file. Just download it to your PC, unzip it, and enjoy. Be sure to join my group, where I will happily answer any questions you might have.

Go to the Free Plans section on this site to get your copy.

Best Regards to you all,

Josh

P.S. Should you feel the need at any point to thank me, you can do so by going to the main page of this site and making a paypal donation to cigar box nation, which will go towards keeping this community open and free to all of us.

Your suggestions for expansion have been duly noted. I will address this when I do the next revision (already working on ideas on how to expand).

Mark Bliss said:

I would like to thank you Josh for your work on this, having put together such projects I am aware of how much time and effort it takes.

I downloaded and printed (Whew!) the book when it was first posted in the group and read it cover to cover. I highly recommend it to anyone who is building (or contemplating building) any level of instrument.

The build covered in the book is a six string solid body style, but even so, many of the tips and techniques are helpful for other styles. Also, while much can be done with less tools than used in the book, but its good to study various methods and ideas. The book is full of well written instructions and useful pictures. If I could suggest any area for improvement, it would be more in the form of the need for expansion, in the area of final set-up.

Thanks again for your efforts Josh.

Replies

Bluesheart March 9, 2011 at 12:11pm

Wow, thank you. That is an amazing job you did, great writing, great photos. Excellent.
Paul Doug January 24, 2011 at 2:19pm

That is very generous. Great looking book. Thank-you
Josh Gayou (SmokehouseGuitars) January 22, 2011 at 1:04pm

The videos that I posted from Steve's Guitar Making are fantastic. I don't do it exactly the way he does (I don't use pumice for instance) but he definitely gives you the foundation you need to get started.

Huntz Meyer said:

Thanks Josh! This is really great.

With Josh for inspiration, I'm working on my 2nd & 3rd French Polish jobs. If you haven't tried it, do so. Takes a bit of time, but it isn't hard and screwups (my forte) are easy to fix. When that shine starts coming up and the grain of the wood really starts to pop, I get giddy. It is awesome! That is just one of many tips I'm learning through this book.

Thanks again Josh!

Huntz
Huntz Meyer January 22, 2011 at 9:31am

Thanks Josh! This is really great.

With Josh for inspiration, I'm working on my 2nd & 3rd French Polish jobs. If you haven't tried it, do so. Takes a bit of time, but it isn't hard and screwups (my forte) are easy to fix. When that shine starts coming up and the grain of the wood really starts to pop, I get giddy. It is awesome! That is just one of many tips I'm learning through this book.

Thanks again Josh!

Huntz
Bad Golfer January 21, 2011 at 9:07pm

Awesome ..a BIG Thanks..looking forward
Josh Gayou (SmokehouseGuitars) January 21, 2011 at 2:27pm

THANK YOU!!!!

Dan DeBruler said:

Just want to say thanks for your in-depth guide. Just a quick glance so far, but even THAT answered some lingering questions I had.

p.s. I'll gladly go to the main page and make a donation...
Josh Gayou (SmokehouseGuitars) January 20, 2011 at 10:50pm

Your suggestions for expansion have been duly noted. I will address this when I do the next revision (already working on ideas on how to expand).

Mark Bliss said:

I would like to thank you Josh for your work on this, having put together such projects I am aware of how much time and effort it takes.

I downloaded and printed (Whew!) the book when it was first posted in the group and read it cover to cover. I highly recommend it to anyone who is building (or contemplating building) any level of instrument.

The build covered in the book is a six string solid body style, but even so, many of the tips and techniques are helpful for other styles. Also, while much can be done with less tools than used in the book, but its good to study various methods and ideas. The book is full of well written instructions and useful pictures. If I could suggest any area for improvement, it would be more in the form of the need for expansion, in the area of final set-up.

Thanks again for your efforts Josh.
Josh Gayou (SmokehouseGuitars) January 20, 2011 at 8:26pm

I dunno if I'd go that far...

HERMIT said:

You sir are a gentleman.............
HERMIT January 20, 2011 at 6:46pm

You sir are a gentleman.............
Thomas Smith January 20, 2011 at 2:34pm

Thank you. I downloaded the book this morning and started to look it over. Ended up getting to work late, but thats ok, I still beat all the slackers to the office...

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