Welcome to Cigar Box Nation! A letter from C. B. Gitty...

If this is your first time visiting Cigar Box Nation, you may be a little overwhelmed by the great amount of information in here.  Let me give you the nickel tour...

Building a Cigar Box Guitar

We have a variety of cigar box instrument plans that are free for you to download.  Some are new and others are more than 100 years old.  If you're new to woodworking or are looking to start with something simple, I suggest the following:

How to Build a 3-String Cigar Box Guitar  -  This new 8-page set of plans walks you through building a simple but fully playable 3-string cigar box guitar from scratch. These present well-illustrated, up-to-date how-to info in an easy to understand method that will enable young and old to build their first cigar box guitar with minimal effort.

If you want something more challenging, then dive head-first into our vast selection of instrument plans!

You will probably have some questions along the way.  That's what makes Cigar Box Nation so great!  We have forums, discussions and even a live chat room on the front page just waiting for your questions. 

How to Play a Cigar Box Guitar

We have lessons in Video, TAB and other formats for every level of player.  You can see them all here.

Where do I get the parts needed to make a cigar box guitar?

Cigar Box Nation is run by C. B. Gitty, the cigar box guitar superstore.  We have kits, parts and great building ideas just waiting for you.  Visit us at www.CBGitty.com.

Join the Community!

Now that you have the basics, I encourage you to create your own Cigar Box Nation profile and really dig in to all the conversations and photos. 

Thank you for visiting Cigar Box Nation. 

Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker 

(visit my own Cigar Box Nation profile here!)

P. S.  If you want to know more about this whole Cigar Box Guitar movement, check out the Cigar Box Guitar Manifesto.

 

Comment

You need to be a member of Cigar Box Nation to add comments!

Join Cigar Box Nation

Comment by Devon on September 2, 2021 at 2:50am

Hiya! I'm new in this neck of the woods. I haven't built one yet. Still waiting for the kit to come in the mail. ( maybe tomorrow)

I'm starting to think I bit off more than I can chew. I'm 54 and NEVER played any stringed instrument before. I've got a lot to learn. So be patient with me. 

Comment by Devon on September 2, 2021 at 2:49am

Hiya! I'm new in this neck of the woods. I haven't built one yet. Still waiting for the kit to come in the mail. ( maybe tomorrow)

I'm starting to think I bit off more than I can chew. I'm 54 and NEVER played any stringed instrument before. I've got a lot to learn. So be patient with me. 

Comment by Hans Coppens on March 30, 2021 at 10:32pm

Hi thank you for the add!
I"m new to guitar building, just started planning my first box guitar.

Would love to hear your view on my design / plan, I'll upload the plans to the community in a minute.

Regards,
Hans 

Comment by lee willoughby on July 23, 2020 at 2:30pm

Hi there, my name is Lee and I am new to the forum. I have just completed my third guitar project and can't wait to meet other slightly demented individuals.

Comment by Simon on May 22, 2020 at 12:58am

Hi everyone,  and thankyou for the add.

I'm currently working on my first 3 string build. 

Its Not technically a c.b.g,  as it's an oil can build.

(was all I had available,  on lockdown)

But all my build ideas and plans have been "gleaned" from cigar box nation.

My question to the community is.. 

Would uploading photos of my build be welcomed on the site? 

With it not technically being a c. b. g,  and being a new member,  

I just wanted to make sure that this would be ok. 

Thanks in advance. 

Simon 

Comment by Greg Geracioti on March 22, 2020 at 12:07pm

Hi all,

I'm finally got around to building this kit.

"Reso-Plate" 3-string License Plate Resonator Guitar Kit

I'm looking for finishing ideas. I'm not even sure what kind of wood is used in these kits. I think it's not grainy enough to use danish oil or things like that.

Any ideas is appreciated, the simpler the better LOL.

Comment by wayne messina on February 7, 2020 at 8:02am

I am building a dog bowl resonator guitar. I need to know where to place the tone piezo. I don't know which one is vol and which one is tone. I will place vol into the dog bowl.

Comment by Kenneth Lindahl on February 6, 2020 at 3:21am

I started building a diddly bow for X-mas presents for my daughters family

I saw that one could make 2 and 3 strings and started in a making 

thanks to CBgitty , Shane Speal , Puckett  and many others

Ken

Comment by Maggie Freestone on December 18, 2019 at 2:55am

Hello from a newbie. I currently own 2 cogs from Chickenbone John and as a beginner I am finding them good fun. I have banjo and guitar but broke both my wrists and find the reach too hard now. I broke my bottle neck slide and want to make a new one. Grateful for tips as tried a glass utter but did not cut. It is difficult to buy one as I live on a small island with no postal service and just one music shop which did not have one

Comment by Lee Greer on July 15, 2019 at 2:15am

I am trying to get in touch with Doug Christensen who posted a lot on a blog here in 2014 about tube amp plans he had worked up. I wanted to ask him about buying one of the tube amp kits he had at the time  (2014) and cannot find any other way to get in touch with him except through this forum. I have built and rebuilt many guitars and other stringed instruments from scratch designed, to restoring old ( vintage ) guitars. Built a few can jo's and some fretted 4 string back pack things before cigar box guitars were a common term. Now I'm more into tube amps than more instruments. Doug's plans and concept are great and worth building, and I hope to get in touch with him. I left a message for him in this forum, but no reply. Does anyone know him or have experience with his tube amp kit?

Comment by Fantacone Box Works on July 12, 2019 at 2:15pm

Hi all, is there a thread on how to navigate this forum? It is truly the hardest forum to follow and post

Thanks

Mike

Comment by Chuck Bouwens on June 17, 2019 at 1:59am

I first became familiar with the cigar box guitar when I was listening to music on you tube. Justin Johnson was playing and I became a fan. I've always been handy with woodworking so I decided to build my first CBG. This one is going to my grandson who is a pretty fair guitar player (which I'am not). The deal is he gets the first one and he teaches me some basics after I build another for myself.

Comment by TN Twang on June 15, 2019 at 12:03pm

Not new, but gone a long time due to illness. Trying to be "back," but having to learn the website all over again.

QUESTION: Shane's group "How to play the Cigar Box Guitar" shows Latest Activity on May 23, but the Discussions are 2016 and before and the Comments are 2018 and before. What happened on May 23 and how could I find out about it?

I remember some of the people and discussions from 2016 and before, but I'd like to try to catch up by reading more recent posts.

Any help appreciated!

Comment by Jeff 'Bones' Reilly on January 21, 2019 at 8:24pm

Of coarse mate no rules in this game I do only off set necks now I find them to look better and play better seems to suit my style. Cheers Brian Q you got your finger on the pulse 

Comment by Tim Pannabecker on January 21, 2019 at 12:34pm

Im planning a build.  What if I do not center my neck on the CB, but instead I want to position it very off-center.  Are there building rules or guidelines for a good sounding instrument, as far as neck location?

thanks I’m new but the CBG sound resonates with my soul

Comment by JRK on January 20, 2019 at 8:06pm

Hey all,

I Love the CBG.  i added two cbg songs I recorded to my page and some pre cbg songs. If yu havethe time give them a listen.

Thanks,

Jason Kutz

Comment by David Deacon on January 4, 2019 at 8:35am

Thanks Jeff, I appreciate the advice 

Comment by Jeff 'Bones' Reilly on January 3, 2019 at 11:08pm

As Pick said Tassie oak you can get it at Bunnings in 25 mm thick 75 mm wide 1.2 m long around $22 odd you can get 2 necks from that width I try to get mine with some recurve in it to help with neck tension when it’s strung up ready to play , have fun Cobba .

Comment by the anonymous pick on January 3, 2019 at 6:42pm

David , Tasmanian Oak seems popular  for Australian necks .

Comment by David Deacon on January 3, 2019 at 6:22pm

Hello,

I have just discovered cigar box guitars and live in East Gippsland, Victoria, Australia. I'm planning on building one ASAP. Can anyone please suggest which local species of timber I could use for the neck and if possible where to buy it? I prefer light oak in colour and would rather not have a fingerboard. Any advice would be appreciated

Cheers David 

The Essential Pages

New to Cigar Box Nation? How to Play Cigar Box GuitarsFree Plans & How to Build Cigar Box GuitarsCigar Box Guitar Building Basics

Site Sponsor

Recommended Links & Resources


Forum

crossover guitar.

Started by Timothy Hunter in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 21. 11 Replies

Tune up songs

Started by Ghostbuttons in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 9. 5 Replies

Duel output jacks

Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 8. 6 Replies

How to Get Your Own Music on Spotify

Started by Cigar Box Nation in Feature Articles. Last reply by Southern Ray Feb 21. 2 Replies

CB Bass Guitar

Started by Mi Rankin in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Justin Stanchfield Jan 27. 5 Replies

Latest Activity

A.D.EKER commented on Dar Stellabotta's video
Thumbnail

A Cigar Box Guitar Six Stringer Built by Louie Lamanna

"i See Your ready to Blow away the GRAND STADIUM ! tree strings more of DAR DELIGHT !! Shine Girl !…"
1 hour ago
A.D.EKER commented on A.D.EKER's video
Thumbnail

Im Troubled (Tribute) Mc K Morganfield by BCB - A.D .Eker 2024.

"Thank you for the kind comments Doug! Glad you liked the Picture !"
1 hour ago
BrianQ. commented on Dar Stellabotta's video
5 hours ago
BrianQ. liked Dar Stellabotta's video
5 hours ago
Southern Ray commented on Southern Ray's photo
Thumbnail

Project Punch!

" Thank ya again Keith!"
8 hours ago
Southern Ray commented on Southern Ray's photo
Thumbnail

Punch Project!

" Thank Ya Keith!"
8 hours ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on AGP #'s photo
Thumbnail

AGP #527 - ''Led-Zep 2''

"This build really strung you along Alan! Reminded me of all my fishing line experiments; a lot of…"
9 hours ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on A.D.EKER's video
Thumbnail

Im Troubled (Tribute) Mc K Morganfield by BCB - A.D .Eker 2024.

"Diggin’ the slow blues. I like that last pic Andries! Look at all those cool guitars. Yeah!!!"
9 hours ago
Dar Stellabotta posted a video

A Cigar Box Guitar Six Stringer Built by Louie Lamanna

This video is the unboxing and the demonstration of a beautiful, six stringer built by Louie Lamanna. Join Louie and I June 15 at the second annual Pittsburg...
11 hours ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on Doug Thorsvik's video
Thumbnail

Hail the Resurrection Day: 2-String Violin Chugger Cigar Box Guitar

"Happy Easter to you too Andries! The passion is definitely in full swing. Turns out I’m…"
11 hours ago
A.D.EKER commented on Doug Thorsvik's video
Thumbnail

Hail the Resurrection Day: 2-String Violin Chugger Cigar Box Guitar

"Happy Easter Doug ! the Passion is in full swing !"
12 hours ago
A.D.EKER commented on Ricky D's photo
12 hours ago

Music

© 2024   Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

\uastyle>\ud/** Scrollup **/\ud.scrollup {\ud background: url("https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/963882636?profile=original") no-repeat scroll 0 0 transparent;\ud bottom: 25px;\ud display: inline !important;\ud height: 40px;\ud opacity: 0.3 !important;\ud position: fixed;\ud right: 30px;\ud text-indent: -9999px;\ud width: 40px;\ud z-index: 999;\ud}\ud.scrollup:hover {\ud opacity:0.99!important;\ud}\ud \uascript type="text/javascript">\ud x$(document).ready(function(){\ud x$(window).scroll(function(){\ud if (x$(this).scrollTop() > 100) {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeIn();\ud } else {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeOut();\ud }\ud });\ud x$('.scrollup').click(function(){\ud x$("html, body").animate({ scrollTop: 0 }, 600);\ud return false;\ud });\ud });\ud \ua!-- End Scroll Up -->