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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Comment by David McQueen on March 31, 2018 at 3:29am

I have also used 1/8 x 3/8" flat bar. I used it in 6 and 12 string builds. All I did to mount it was run a saw kerf the length of the neck, fill the kerf with glue and slide the bar into it. The fret board is later glued on top.

Comment by Paul Craig on March 30, 2018 at 9:04pm

Glad you got it sorted Thomas.

Comment by Paul Craig on March 30, 2018 at 9:03pm

I've used a piece of 1/8" x 3/8" flat bar steel for my CBG's. I cut a 3/16 wide by 7/16 deep channel for them and this works great without adding too much weight to the neck. Some people have also had good luck with aluminum bar stock, just have to be sure it won't bend easy.

Comment by Thomas Parr on March 30, 2018 at 7:47am

Thanks to all who commented of string height.

Comment by Thomas Parr on March 30, 2018 at 7:30am

I routed out a channel in the neck of my last two CBGs and inlet a shelf standard (3 sided steel - 7/16" width and depth and glued in with epoxy with the open side up and filled with a strip of wood).  I then glued the fret board  on top.  Guaranteed not to bend under any stress.

Comment by Paul Craig on March 29, 2018 at 8:00pm

Don't worry about a mess up, you learn what works and what won't work and we've all made similar mess ups.

Comment by Paul Craig on March 29, 2018 at 7:58pm

Always best to place the slide on your finger that's facing towards the bridge and use the other fingers lightly against the strings to help dampen strings behind the slide. Not doing that can cause some issues like your having.

Regular guitar strings on short scale gits can be a problem also and has a lot more stress. Thicker gauge strings work better in that situation, but the scale lengths you mentioned are Ukulele and Mandolin scales.  Try strings for a Uke or 3/4 Short Scale(Child's Guitar) for something this short.

Comment by Thomas Rasmussen on March 29, 2018 at 6:43pm

Hello 

Scala length one "14" freetless, one 17 "freetless"

Playing slide but would like to play with fingerboard

3 strings, tuned to G-D-G

I think I have found out the problem, after writing with Paul Craig, it maybe it´s the string gauge I think I´m using to thick strings :-)

Thanks for replay :-) Thomas

Comment by Ken Vickerson on March 29, 2018 at 10:41am

Hey Thomas congrats on build #2, I'm in agreement with the responses you have gotten. Scale length, strings, wood choice and your intentions in playing with a slide or on a fingerboard are all factors. I use either 1" x 3" ( 3/4" x 21/2" actual size) maple or oak for my necks on my 3 stringers which are mostly 24 inch scale lengths. If you are playing with a slide, the gap off the body and neck  might not be a problem. If you are using the fret board you might consider back angling the neck a couple of degrees and adjusting the string height with the nut and bridge. More strings and longer necks require more interventions. Good luck and have fun! K

Comment by Slow Blues Dani & Ol' Grey Bear on March 29, 2018 at 9:00am

Hi Thomas. I agree with Paul. I'll add that there is no hard and fast rule for string height on a fretless guitar. Greater height above the fretboard can put extra stress on the neck but the issues you're describing shouldn't be as a result of string height as far as I'm aware. Hopefully you'll figure out the solution but if you can provide more info as per Paul's questions we may be able to help more. All the best sir!

 

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