Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Shawn on September 5, 2010 at 11:32am

In a world filled with high-teck souless devices we build low-teck and soulful insterments.

We breath life into junk and give it a voice to sing to others hearts.

For me there is no greater thrill than that first strum of a CBG that was built by my own hand.

One man's junk is another man's Cigar Box Guitar.

The problems of the world today can be solved with the music of yesterday.

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Permalink Reply by colin mcgrath on September 5, 2010 at 1:54pm

Is this going to be more of a coffee table style book or like some of their other informational step by step manuals?

I am by no means a professional builder. I found out about the whole subject only 7 years ago, via newspaper that was advertising an art show on the instrument. I have since found that I like to take a long time thinking on the shape, color, size, and plain ole look of the guitar. I think about my movements shaving the neck for the shape I want it to have and how I need to cut into the headstock. I do not install frets, I have found that by doing so I feel more free to play with the sound of the instrument without being confined by what is typical or normal playing. Also it seems to be more work than I want to do. I like a low string height, no higher than 1/6". It has proven affective for me to leave the bridge floating, where as it is not glued down, to allow for adjustments if needed. I prefer acoustic builds, but I am also thinking I might do my first Piezoelectric build. I enjoy playing punk style and noise (minimalist), but I try the blues as well; not any particular variety. All in all it is a good hobby and it keeps me active and thinking, and playing music on an inexpensive instrument that can sound good. Usually the build's cost is under $20.
-Colin Mcgrath
from (the tentatively called) Cigar Rath Guitars.

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Permalink Reply by Wild Rover on September 5, 2010 at 4:23pm

The cigar box guitar is a physical manifestation that begins as a single thought. A tremendous amount of passion is infused into it. It is a sculpture that can produce music. It is a vehicle that allows me to connect to the very roots of the music of this country. When I play my 3 string cigar box guitar or one of the one string diddly bows I built, it transports me back in time. To a place where all you needed was a stick of wood, some wire and maybe an old cigar box to make music, real music. The experience of building and playing a cigar box guitar has brought me great joy and a better understanding and appreciation for the early music of our country and the men who made it.

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Permalink Reply by Shawn on September 5, 2010 at 5:22pm

Funtional art.

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Permalink Reply by Julz aka Varnum Slim on September 6, 2010 at 3:12am

Very poetically put :o)

Shawn said:

In a world filled with high-teck souless devices we build low-teck and soulful insterments.

We breath life into junk and give it a voice to sing to others hearts.

For me there is no greater thrill than that first strum of a CBG that was built by my own hand.

One man's junk is another man's Cigar Box Guitar.

The problems of the world today can be solved with the music of yesterday.

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Permalink Reply by Tom Caneschi aka cbg tom on October 21, 2010 at 9:29am

If you’re a builder, a player or just a member, Cigar Box Nation is like a brotherhood every body is willing to help you succeed.
There are so many different ways to build and play a cigar box guitar you can’t help but be inspired buy what you see and read on Cigar Box Nation,
Playing an instrument I built gives me much more satisfaction than playing one I bought, it’s something almost anyone can do it just takes a few tools a little research and light woodworking skills.
I was a below average woodworker when I started this hobby and not much has changed but a year and a half later I have now built 6 guitars and 4 amps.
Personally I consider it to be an art form and at the same time a form of self-expression. The thing I like most is that there’s no right or wrong way to play it or build it, like everyone says (there are no rules). It’s an obsession that gets into your blood and won’t go away.
I’ve always had an interest in making my own guitar, now thanks to Cigar Box Nation and it’s members I can scratch one off the bucket list.

Tom Caneschi AKA TC

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Permalink Reply by David Sutton on October 21, 2010 at 9:46am

i LOVE this, Tom, thanks.




Tom Caneschi aka TC said:

If you’re a builder, a player or just a member, Cigar Box Nation is like a brotherhood every body is willing to help you succeed.
There are so many different ways to build and play a cigar box guitar you can’t help but be inspired buy what you see and read on Cigar Box Nation,
Playing an instrument I built gives me much more satisfaction than playing one I bought, it’s something almost anyone can do it just takes a few tools a little research and light woodworking skills.
I was a below average woodworker when I started this hobby and not much has changed but a year and a half later I have now built 6 guitars and 4 amps.
Personally I consider it to be an art form and at the same time a form of self-expression. The thing I like most is that there’s no right or wrong way to play it or build it, like everyone says (there are no rules). It’s an obsession that gets into your blood and won’t go away.
I’ve always had an interest in making my own guitar, now thanks to Cigar Box Nation and it’s members I can scratch one off the bucket list.

Tom Caneschi AKA TC

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Permalink Reply by Cigar Box Nation on October 21, 2010 at 11:59am

My name is Shane Speal and...um... I'm a cigar box guitar addict.

***everyone: Hi Shane!***

My descent into "the madness" was quick. I built my first, a simple Swisher Sweets job and played it for a year. Then I had to build another. Then another. Eventually, I couldn't stop. I had to play more...build more...buy more...

***everyone: we understand, Shane. We're not here to judge you***

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Permalink Reply by Dan Sleep on October 21, 2010 at 12:05pm

Building or playing a cigar box guitar can be sneakily addictive. I don't think anyone thinks when they build their first one, that they will ever build another one. But they build the first one, make their mistakes, and discover how easy it can be. They look at the one they built, and they think to themselves, “That little mistake right there is easy to correct. I should just build another one.” So they build a second one, and then a third one. And before they know it, they can no longer count how many they have built. As their building skills improve, so does their playing, even if they couldn't play a stringed instrument before. Before long, they are playing complete songs in spite of not knowing anything about music.

The tinkering aspect is what appeals to me the most. I look at the process of creating an instrument from a “gadget” perspective. Each cigar box is different, and presents different challenges to the builder. The sheer number of possible components makes it easy to make each guitar completely different. I find that it is difficult to make any two guitars the same, even if I try. “What can I use for a bridge? How about this door hinge for a tailpiece?” A trip down the aisle at the home improvement store turns into a CBG parts locating expedition.

And when you complete your instrument, and you string it up, and you strum your first chord, those first notes that come from your creation make it all worth while. The satisfaction derived from building your own instrument is unique. And then, your friends and family see the guitars you have built. The first time one of them picks up your CBG and plucks at it, and smiles, you yourself can't help but smile.

And smiles is what makes life bearable.

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Permalink Reply by Dr. Dave on June 12, 2012 at 3:14pm

You are right on with the concept of seeing a mistake, then trying to correct it with the next build.  It is what drives me, and why I am always thinking three builds ahead.

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Permalink Reply by Mike Bingham on October 21, 2010 at 12:30pm

Building cigar box guitars is very addicting. I'm working on the seventh build since discovering cigar box guitars nine months ago. It is a study in seat-of-the-pants engineering, creativity, scrounging, making do, anticipation, and gratification. But the biggest rush (and addiction) to me is watching people's faces when they see a cigar box guitar for the first time. It seems that people go through three distinct phases: the "What the heck is that thing?" phase, the " oh, but I'll bet it sounds like c**p." phase, and finally, when they hear some good solid licks played on it, the "I'll be doggone!!" phase. I'll NEVER get tired of watching the realization set in for people when the CBG proves itself to be a real instrument capable of some fine music. - Mike Bingham

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Permalink Reply by David Sutton on May 28, 2012 at 11:40am

Well. It's no longer in the works! It's a book, and it's out there and it's for sale. Did I mention that
 it's beautiful? Let me say so myself…

It's actually titled, simply, Cigar Box Guitars.

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