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Building a Cigar Box Guitar 101

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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!

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Cutting deep boxes in half

Started by Justin Stanchfield. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 20. 9 Replies 2 Likes

Attention 1st time builders!

Started by BrianQ.. Last reply by MadGomer Feb 27. 2 Replies 4 Likes

Brickhouse CBG Wiring

Started by Ian Boyd. Last reply by Ian Boyd Dec 11, 2023. 1 Reply 0 Likes

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Comment by Mark K on January 15, 2017 at 3:31am: Oh, and @Paul Craig: hubcap is from a 62 Lark!

Comment by Mark K on January 15, 2017 at 3:30am: Hey all - thanks for the suggestions. I think I just need to be patient - I believe the strings are working their way into their grooves (I am sure I cut them sloppily) since the more I play it the better it gets - holds its tune and is easier to get right on the note as well.

But I am sure photos are always fun to look at, so here's some detail shots:

Nut:

Bridge:

Pickup:

and finally hookups:

Comment by Paul Craig on January 14, 2017 at 9:03pm: My guess is the buzzing is nut related.

My stepdad tried to give me a operational 50's Studebaker Lark, but I turned it down. What did I know? I was 16 and wanted a Camaro.

Comment by Thomas "Duck" Petry on January 14, 2017 at 6:59pm: Well done Mark, my first car was a 1950 Studebaker that I bought for $25.00 in 1962. Wish I still had the old beast, it was a nice riding car.

Comment by Mark Bliss on January 14, 2017 at 6:55pm: Cool build Mark!

(Maybe pics of the nut area, closer and from a few angles would help narrow in on a suggestion.)

Comment by MadGomer on January 14, 2017 at 6:32pm: Mark, hard to say for sure without looking at it, but for some reason the string has room to vibrate in the slot so you will just need to fiddle with that too in order to decide the best action to take. Could be width, depth, or angle.

Comment by Mark K on January 14, 2017 at 3:49pm: Thanks all...You all know how once you start fiddlign around you can't stop, right? Well, I put in the magnetic pickup and it sounds AWESOME! @MadGomer, I think the nut design is weak, so you are probably right - to get the buzz down I should RAISE the string slot (or lower the string entry)?

(I may have to get a proper nut and trim the homemade one down, or put something in the slots as they are probably too deep)

Comment by MadGomer on January 14, 2017 at 3:16pm: Mark, outstanding first build, well done! Based on your description of the buzz, I'm guessing it has to be at the string/nut interface. You might need to tweak the string slot or see if you can get more down pressure on the nut by winding the string lower on the peg??