Note: I realized after posting that the links will take you away from this page.

Hey there! This is the first post in a blog I will be keeping to document my first CBG build. As many of you reading this from Cigar Box Nation have been through this process many years ago I thought it would be fun to include you in my account of earning my 'strings'. (hahah.. strings, wings,that was good right?) Hopefully I can show other new comers that anybody can indeed build something that is useful and beautiful. I must add that I was an industrial design major in college, so I have a little more skill then the average person in building things. But my knowledge of these instruments is the same as anyone who has never seen one in person. Hopefully I will recruit several of you to assist me in my process. I will be taking as many pictures as I can and keeping the blog updated at least once a week.

As I learned in Design School several years ago, the best place to start is with an idea. Since I do not have an extensive background in instruments, specifically guitars, I knew I needed to look at as many examples as possible to get the idea in the first place. A quick run on Wikipedia.com produced a nice little history of the CBG and a picture that I found really useful.

I knew that this style of guitar could be made in many different styles, but I did not expect to find the traditional versions so simple. I do find the idea of a simple build pleasing because the chance of success would be improved. However, I do not wish to construct something from a kit or that would not gain the attention of a seasoned vet. Out of all the simple builds available on the internet my favorite so far has been by GuitarIsMyLife with a nice breakdown of the several components. I also came across the documentary  Songs Inside The Box which I will definitely look into, although there are plenty of pictures of these amazing instruments there is little about the people who build them.

So my first task is going to be to design my CBG and see if it would be functional and what elements of the design would need to be changed. I'm also going to begin putting together a parts list with prices to develop an overall idea for the cost of the build. Again my goal here is not to produce a 'how to' but to document the process one would go through when attempting their first build.

Until next time.

-Stone 'Barnyard' Barnard