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

The Beginners Club

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A club for beginners who are building for the first time and need some support from each other as well as experienced builders who are willing to teach newbies the ropes. Welcome!

Location: Rochester, New York
Members: 318
Latest Activity: Feb 26

15 members like this

Discussion Forum

Can a box be too shallow?

Started by Sean Murphy. Last reply by Raymond Grimmitt Dec 21, 2021. 3 Replies 1 Like

I picked up two boxes for my first couple of attempts at CBG's; finished the first and I'm getting ready to start the second.The box I got is nice and long, but it's a bit shallow - only 2" deep. I feel like it'll be an interesting build but I'm…Continue

Removing box labels

Started by Robert Dawkins. Last reply by Order99 Jul 6, 2020. 8 Replies 0 Likes

My first cigar box is on the way, and it's a paper-covered wood one. As cool as the label might be, I'd rather have a plain wood box, so I can customize it to my liking...is there a set method of removing these labels, without ruining the wood…Continue

Build 2!

Started by Sean Murphy. Last reply by Sean Murphy Oct 28, 2018. 3 Replies 1 Like

I built a second CBG, finished Monday night - I can't every do anything simply so I went with a knockoff of a pic I saw on this site recently.It actually worked out really well! I didn't cut a sound hole but the resonance is so good I'm considering…Continue

Best/"Easiest " Way to notch out CBG Neck......?????

Started by Brian M Nusser. Last reply by ChickenboneJohn Nov 14, 2017. 16 Replies 0 Likes

Hey Everyone!!I am planning on building my first CBG in the near future, and am looking for some suggestions on the best way/easiest way that you have found to notch out the neck? I must admit that I possess very rudimentary "woodworking" skills,…Continue

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Comment by Charles Z on March 12, 2011 at 1:53pm: cbg1.jpg

Soon, Ive got most of the parts together. Gonna start it out tomorrow.

Comment by Dan Sleep on March 6, 2011 at 12:13pm: If folks think they may be attending, please post in the other thread so I can get an approximate head count.

http://www.cigarboxnation.com/forum/topics/cigar-box-nation-online

Comment by Wichita Sam on March 6, 2011 at 11:43am: hmmmmm, online conference call.... might be a great idea.... I'll check my schedule and see if I can make it....

Comment by Dan Sleep on March 6, 2011 at 4:25am: Online Conference Call: We have schedule the first ever Cigar Box Nation online seminar and conference call. It is intended to give builders and players a chance to ask questions of other builders/players in real time. Read more about it here:

http://www.cigarboxnation.com/forum/topics/cigar-box-nation-online

Comment by Dan Sleep on March 4, 2011 at 1:25pm: I don't think many of the newcomers to CBN know about the documentary about the cigar box guitar movement. Pick your self up a copy of Songs Inside The Box and see some great footage of the foundation folks of the Revolution.

http://www.songsinsidethebox.com/

Comment by Dan Sleep on February 27, 2011 at 1:07pm: I did a short video on box selection for the newer builders. I hope it proves useful.

http://www.cigarboxnation.com/video/how-to-choose-a-cigar-box?xg_so...

Comment by Gene Sweeney on February 26, 2011 at 11:09am: Working on my first cigar box ukulele...I think I need a refresher course in fractions and rulers!

Comment by Jon Pruett on February 25, 2011 at 3:47pm: Hey Hal - I'm sure some of the other folks here can give you more detailed responses to your question about string height, but I'll tell you what I try to do. At the nut I like to have the strings one fret width above the first fret. I then setup the bridge so the strings have almost twice that height at the last fret. Other folks might have better advice for you on this - I'm not much of a player and am still learning setups myself.

Comment by MichaelS Country Boy Guitars on February 24, 2011 at 12:40pm: Jon is right, I've made over 20 now with piezos in the bridge and they sound great thru a roland micro cube amp and a cheap first act practice amp. They are loud and have a neat sound. Just build it, if it doesn't work ask questions later. : )

Smoke detectors have them also.