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

Comment by Thomas "Duck" Petry on August 5, 2013 at 12:59pm

When it reaches bass camp. :)>

Comment by Alan "Poor Boy" Ackerson on August 5, 2013 at 11:34am

Last night I put the low G, Blues Blasters strings on my CBG, tuned to GDg. It really dropped the tone which sounds very cool, as the standard G strings from Gitty sounded a bit tinny on my build. It almost sounds like a base. What is the point where a guitar becomes a base?

Comment by Jim Dickison on August 2, 2013 at 5:30pm

One advantage is you don't end up with a drawer full of just fat and skinny strings!

Comment by Jim Dickison on August 2, 2013 at 5:27pm

FYI... Musicians Friend and Guitar Center sell bulk packs of strings of a single size. You can get 12 each of 3 different sizes of strings for about $20. Well under $2 a set for a 3-stringer.

MF has free shipping right now... GC will ship them to your nearest store for pickup free.

Guitar Center Bulk Strings

Musician's Friend Bulk Strings

JustStrings.com has bulk strings for a few dollars more (probably worth it!)

Just Strings Bulk Strings

Comment by Dan Moslander on August 2, 2013 at 4:25pm

Thanks, guys, for the come-back.....bought 3 sets from Gitty....one for the CBG I have now  and two more sets for the two I'm going to build.......thanks...

Comment by Randy S. Bretz on August 2, 2013 at 1:19pm

Musician Friend has a sale on now...I just got 12 packs of hign end brand name Jazz electric guitar strings for 30 bucks.

Comment by John Rivers on August 2, 2013 at 1:10pm

If you want to go with a light set of open g and get 12 of each string it will only cost you about  $1.40 a set from Gitty

Comment by Oscar Myer on August 2, 2013 at 9:55am

CB Gitty sells them for about $4.50 a set. Look for Open G.

#1 - .044" Bronze Wound
#2 - .034"
Bronze Wound
#3 - .026" Bronze Wound

Hope this helps.

Comment by Dan Moslander on August 2, 2013 at 4:21am

What string guages do you use for:  GDg????

Comment by John Rivers on August 1, 2013 at 8:33am

Saw some of your work this morning Randy...beautiful stuff

 

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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

Fretless fret markers

Started by Michael Myers. Last reply by Michael Myers Apr 20, 2023. 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

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CB Gitty Country Roads Banjo kit

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Cigar Box Nation: York PA - A CBG Builder's Meet-Up at York Town Craft Guild

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