#1 resource for Cigar Box Guitars, Free Plans, How-To, Parts & More!

I'm Anne, from Louisville, KY

Hi everyone! I stumbled across this site a few times searching for answers on how to convert a transistor radio into a guitar amplifier. My lifelong dream was always to do something beautiful with music. I wanted to be a luthier when I was a bit younger, and I still have that yearning to craft something usable with my hands. I never knew of a cigar box guitar until about a month ago. Well, the idea of building one has been floating around in my mind ever since. Today I just listened to Purgatory Hill for the first time, and a blues album I found on here. Spectacular music comes from these instruments... I have been through so many different guitars in such a short time. I have had about 30 or more in my life, and now have 3. Since I was 11 I have played guitar, I am 31 now... I feel like if I make this cigar box guitar I will feel a sense of accomplishment, even if my mom thinks it's silly, that music and I will bond again, and I can find solace and ease once more in the notes like a shade tree in the south. I have a box recently purchased for $5. I found a piece of oak barn wood. I don't have much money, but this isn't about glamour, this seems to be a down to the nuts and bolts of what music was supposed to be about, the heart of the music, the emotion...

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Paul Craig on March 9, 2016 at 8:21am

Welcome Anne, can't wait to see what you build.

Permalink Reply by Anne M. Fridley-Owen on March 9, 2016 at 8:44am

Thank you, I'll post when it is finished! Is there a section for new builds?

Permalink Reply by Seasick Mick on March 9, 2016 at 8:49am

You can post in many groups such as 'introduce yourself' and Build a cigar box guitar 101'...It will get seen no matter which...

Permalink Reply by Anne M. Fridley-Owen on March 9, 2016 at 8:58am

Ok. Thank you.

Permalink Reply by Jim Morris on March 9, 2016 at 8:24am

Welcome Anne. If you look at pics on this site you'll soon see that these things run from a simple broomstick thru a box with one string to some finely crafted instruments. If you're on a limited budget there's truly nothing more satisfying than making a real instrument from stuff pulled out of a dumpster that other folks thought was useless. Lots of great info here on making and playing these wonderful things!

Permalink Reply by Anne M. Fridley-Owen on March 9, 2016 at 8:50am

I love re-purposing things. I had a few ideas in mind already, like using a tea ball and taking it apart to stick in the sound holes... but I really don't know what my first design should be, I know I want to work up to an electric, but I think since I haven't acquired many tools yet, that it should be an acoustic, and fretless.

Permalink Reply by Seasick Mick on March 9, 2016 at 8:31am

Make an instrument,enjoy it and post it,Anne....Everyone is welcome here on the Nation.

Permalink Reply by Anne M. Fridley-Owen on March 9, 2016 at 8:51am

Thank you, and I shall... :)

Permalink Reply by Thomas "Duck" Petry on March 9, 2016 at 8:50am

Hi Anne, welcome to the Nation. Just remember, once you build that first one, more will follow. The fun never stops.

Permalink Reply by Anne M. Fridley-Owen on March 9, 2016 at 8:53am

I am expecting it to just get better, and hopefully, I get better at it. lol

Permalink Reply by music2me on March 9, 2016 at 9:10am

Good luck Anne and welcome aboard,I made my first about a year ago and I have built 5 more since.Im learning as I go and it does give you a sensevof acomplishment, especially when you play a song with one that you built can't wait to see your build!

Permalink Reply by Anne M. Fridley-Owen on March 9, 2016 at 7:16pm

Thank you all! I can't wait, but I'm trying to be as patient as I can...