Building a Cigar Box Guitar 101

Information

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: 1745
Latest Activity: Nov 7

Discussion Forum

Cutting deep boxes in half

Started by Justin Stanchfield. Last reply by Taffy Evans Sep 20. 7 Replies

Fretless fret markers

Started by Michael Myers. Last reply by Michael Myers Apr 20. 8 Replies

canjo building and tuning

Started by Brenda. Last reply by MadGomer Dec 3, 2022. 5 Replies

Comment Wall

Comment

You need to be a member of Building a Cigar Box Guitar 101 to add comments!

Comment by Tyler Jones on March 4, 2022 at 9:32pm

Hi I live in virginia usa, 

its hard to find some body in virginia near me to help me or teach me to make cbgs., but if yall knew anybody in virginia near mechanicsville richmond area in virginia i would appriced it tyler jones

Comment by Tyler Jones on March 4, 2022 at 9:32pm

Hi I live in virginia usa, 

its hard to find some body in virginia near me to help me or teach me to make cbgs., but if yall knew anybody in virginia near mechanicsville richmond area in virginia i would appriced it tyler jones

Comment by Tyler Jones on March 4, 2022 at 9:32pm

Hi I live in virginia usa, 

its hard to find some body in virginia near me to help me or teach me to make cbgs., but if yall knew anybody in virginia near mechanicsville richmond area in virginia i would appriced it tyler jones

Comment by Tyler Jones on March 4, 2022 at 9:32pm

Hi I live in virginia usa, 

its hard to find some body in virginia near me to help me or teach me to make cbgs., but if yall knew anybody in virginia near mechanicsville richmond area in virginia i would appriced it tyler jones

Comment by Tyler Jones on March 4, 2022 at 9:32pm

Hi I live in virginia usa, 

its hard to find some body in virginia near me to help me or teach me to make cbgs., but if yall knew anybody in virginia near mechanicsville richmond area in virginia i would appriced it tyler jones

Comment by Paul Craig on February 25, 2022 at 11:52am

Looks great Rich, no problem making your own box. ;)

Comment by Rich Butters on February 23, 2022 at 7:25pm

OK, been building for a few weeks now.  First I made a prototype just to get a 'hang of' the woodworking then made my for electric 3 string.  I cant get the proper cigar boxes so I make my own from 8mm plywood.  The neck is scrap palette wood and the electrics supplied by Chickenbone John (in the UK)

Turned out OK and sounds good

Comment by Kigar on December 27, 2021 at 8:05am

Found a new source for boxes - Total Wine.  Sort of big box store for booze. Claim to be the largest seller of cigars in the US.  Anyway, one opened near me and they had a lot of boxes at only $1.25 each.  And wood wine boxes for $5.  Not sure if that is at all stores but maybe worth a look.

Comment by BrianQ. on November 18, 2021 at 9:52am

Nut oils are also one of the best for necks/fretboards, on the pricey side tho, but I happen to live in a part of Cali that grows almonds & walnuts commercially, so I get it straight from the farm after it’s processed at wholesale price? Post a pic, so we can see your project :)

Comment by Taffy Evans on November 17, 2021 at 6:48pm

Hi, as James says Teak oil, I use Teak wax, is good, I have used the wax version for over 30 years. It uses a mix of different natural oils. 

Danish oil, I understand, has a lacquer mixed with it apparently. 

I usually put the wax over a couple of coats of Shellac to get a smooth semi gloss finish.

Taff

 

Members (1745)

3qt17g550yh6r
 
 
 

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


Discussion Forum

Cutting deep boxes in half

Started by Justin Stanchfield. Last reply by Taffy Evans Sep 20. 7 Replies

Fretless fret markers

Started by Michael Myers. Last reply by Michael Myers Apr 20. 8 Replies

canjo building and tuning

Started by Brenda. Last reply by MadGomer Dec 3, 2022. 5 Replies

Minimum tools needed

Started by Wichita Sam. Last reply by Taffy Evans Nov 14, 2022. 21 Replies

High G problem

Started by Michael Myers. Last reply by Taffy Evans Nov 3, 2022. 4 Replies

Doubling the high string

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

Locations

Started by Roy Smith. Last reply by the anonymous pick May 15, 2022. 2 Replies

Help please re Bento Box Uke "nut"

Started by Al Lobe. Last reply by BrianQ. May 10, 2022. 18 Replies

Clarification on pick ups

Started by Michael Myers. Last reply by Taffy Evans May 6, 2022. 5 Replies

Licence plate cbg

Started by Michael Myers. Last reply by Michael Myers May 2, 2022. 5 Replies

Builder's Tips

Started by Wichita Sam. Last reply by MadGomer Feb 23, 2022. 2 Replies

Getting there but needing advice/help please.

Started by Lionhound. Last reply by MadGomer Feb 18, 2022. 8 Replies

Tres Cubano Build

Started by Paul Craig. Last reply by Paul Craig Dec 9, 2021. 18 Replies

CB Gitty Country Roads Banjo kit

Started by Ken Hope. Last reply by Christopher G Daniels Nov 29, 2021. 4 Replies

Drawings or pictures on the box

Started by Martin. Last reply by Chad Taylor Oct 22, 2021. 6 Replies

Hard metal bridges

Started by Michael Myers. Last reply by Michael Fred Johnson Oct 22, 2021. 2 Replies

Blog Posts

My first CBG from Captain Nemoff.

Posted by Vlad on November 29, 2023 at 3:41am 0 Comments

New Album 2023

Posted by Gary O'slide on November 5, 2023 at 2:41am 0 Comments

Latest Activity

3 String Blues posted a video

1920's Cigar Box Blues - Homemade Resonator Guitar

Old School Blues from Dave Lynas - from website https://www.reddogguitars.com Original song by Jimmy Rodgers 1929 - Nobody knows but me#cigarboxguitar #3str...
22 minutes ago
Chance commented on Poorness Studios's video
Thumbnail

Visiting the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) in Phoenix, Arizona | vacation trip

"Wow! I would love to visit the MIM one day. Thank You for sharing such wonderful photos of the…"
3 hours ago
smilingdog1 commented on Doug Thorsvik's video
6 hours ago
smilingdog1 liked Doug Thorsvik's video
6 hours ago
smilingdog1 commented on Glenn Kaiser's video
6 hours ago
smilingdog1 liked Glenn Kaiser's video
6 hours ago
BrianQ. liked Gary O'slide's video
7 hours ago
Skeesix posted a discussion

Cigar Box Nation Christmas Album 2023???

Just wondering if there was going to a Cigar Box Nation Christmas album this year?It seems that…See More
8 hours ago
Gary O'slide posted a video
10 hours ago
BrianQ. commented on Troy Eckstein's status
11 hours ago
Poorness Studios liked Glenn Kaiser's video
12 hours ago
BrianQ. commented on Poorness Studios's video
Thumbnail

Visiting the Musical Instrument Museum (MIM) in Phoenix, Arizona | vacation trip

"Kool, looks like they’ve added more stuff since I last visited, thanx for sharing :) "
12 hours ago

Events

Music

© 2023   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 -->