Cigar Box Guitar and Two-String Diddley Bow - Demo and Quick Shout Out

[dacrowster]

Really nice video, I appreciate someone to explain the building and materials, I don't understand that someone gives him a 'don't like' ?

[RamblinAround]

@dacrowster Thanks for watching, I appreciate it!

[aquanaut009]

Awesome instruments and even cooler that you are sharing your info with us. I always appreciate it when someone can lend their experience and cut down on my learning curve. I am going to use the hair trimmer coils. I read above about the scale length you are using. Was there any trial and error with placement of the coils from the bridge? Thanks again!!

[RamblinAround]

@aquanaut009 It's been a while since we put that one together. I think we placed the coils approximately where the neck pick-up would be on a strat. I'm glad you found it interesting...thanks for watching!

[p0w3rs3rj]

hey as for strings are you just using guitar strings? also what tuning? i want to make one but i have to get my hands on a cigar box

[RamblinAround]

@p0w3rs3rj I build the cigar box guitars on a standard Fender 25.5" scale, so I use regular light electric strings. On the four-string guitars, I tune them G, D, G(octave higher), B....that provides an Open G chord when strummed open. It's great tuning for playing slide.

[MrGuitarbike]

Be right back, gotta make a guitar.

[threeque]

LOL!! Wow they sound awesome.! BTW, that bridge is the latch plate from a screen door.

[RamblinAround]

@threeque Thanks for watching, I appreciate it!

[countorlock100]

hello sir, (great vid btw) im looking to make a diddley bow, can you help me ?, can you tell me more about the parts you took from the hair trimmers pls and the magnet you placed on top ? ;-)

[RamblinAround]

@countorlock100 When you take apart a set of electric hair clippers you'll find a large coil of wire on a plastic spool. There will be some metal plates in the middle of the spool. Take a screwdriver and a hammer and tap those plates out. Then you place a bar magnet in the middle of the spool. To make it fit tighter, you can replace a few of the metal plates on each side of the magnet..then glue the magnet in place with hot glue. Hook the two wires(one + one -)from the coil to a 1/4"output jack

[Ullarobinlilly]

I need one!!!!

[RamblinAround]

@Ullarobinlilly Thanks for watching!

[AroborisBattleblade]

This is awesome!!!

[RamblinAround]

@AroborisBattleblade Thanks for watching!

[GuitarZeroable]

Check out Tyre Carter You Tube Him!

[RamblinAround]

@TheWastelandWarrior9 Yes, the neck goes all the way through the box and it's glued in place.

[dtt6skeeter]

Please explain in more detail 4 me how you made the pickups on your son's 2 string. I love it and wanna do the same..

[RamblinAround]

@dtt6skeeter When you take apart a set of electric hair clippers you'll find a large coil of wire on a plastic spool. There will be some metal plates in the middle of the spool. Take a screwdriver and a hammer and tap those plates out. Then you place a bar magnet in the middle of the spool. To make it fit tighter, you can replace a few of the metal plates on each side of the magnet...then glue the magnet in place with hot glue. Hook the two wires(one + one -) from the coil to a 1/4" output jack.

[cjliendo]

@RamblinAround Do you know if i would be able to put a humbucker guitar pickup inside of an altoids box to get the same effect? a response is appreciated, thanks

[RamblinAround]

@cjliendo You can mount a humbucker right to the wood, under the strings, and it'll sound just fine. My Arturo Fuente Cigar Box Guitar has a fender style humbucker in it and I'm real happy with it. I have some videos of it on my channel too.

[dtt6skeeter]

@RamblinAround Thanks man this helped me a lot and I got it done, it works good but my magnets are weak so I just ordered some neodymium n48's! That will do the trick. Hey keep up the good work brother, Peace!

[counterpunch101]

I love the distortion man, rock on.

[RamblinAround]

@counterpunch101 Thanks for watching!

[teccdeccdude231]

You have convinced me to make a diddley bow.

[RamblinAround]

@teccdeccdude231 You definitely should...people are always shocked at the sound you can get out of them.....now, if only I could actually play.... lol

[springerspencer]

Great video, enjoyed it. love the tone you get from the diddley bow! 

[fcukmegently]

Facinating.

By the looks of the offers you have to buy your designs you could soon be a rich young man. ATB

[RamblinAround]

@fcukmegently Thanks for taking a look at them, I appreciate it. I did sell them for quite a while, but I've been taking a bit of a break lately.

[chickinstompin]

the bridge metal is a screen door latch catch, great guitars

[RamblinAround]

@chickinstompin Thanks for letting me know...I just grabbed it out of a box of junk I had. Thanks for watching!

[allabtMando]

That is one cool CBG.

[RamblinAround]

@allabtMando Thanks, I appreciate that!

[MrJoeydelips]

Loved it ! really must give it a go thanks

[RamblinAround]

@MrJoeydelips Thanks for checking it out. Good luck with yours!

[yenbadcito]

where do you get youre fretboards?

[RamblinAround]

@yenbadcito I make the fretboards myself out of red oak from home depot or Lowes.

[hondacr60r]

ill buy that one how much just fuckin wicked

[shadowolf1977]

Very kool! So simply n sooo kool!

[RamblinAround]

@shadowolf1977 Thanks for taking a look, I appreciate it!

[ButtsexV2]

man that cbg really growls. I might have to build one like that.

[RamblinAround]

@ButtsexV2 You should definitely give it a shot. It's a fun project and people are always shocked at how they can sound.

[Mrandrewizard]

man you deserve all my respect, seriously

[RamblinAround]

@Mrandrewizard Thank you very much, I appreciate that!

[TheTroubadourJacobs]

Yeah, they sound great!

I'd like to make those home made Pick-ups myself. Do you know a site with detailed instructions?

Thanks.

[RamblinAround]

@TheTroubadourJacobs I didn't have any plans, but they're easy to make. Just take the coil of wire out of an old set of hair clippers. When you remove the spool or wire, it will have some steel plates in the middle of it...just tap those out with a hammer and screwdriver, to make room for the magnet. I purchased a bar magnet from Hobby Lobby in this case. Hot glue the magnet into the middle of the coil, it should be a snug fit. Scrape the coating off the two ends of the copper wire....

[RamblinAround]

@RamblinAround Solder one wire to the positive side of a 1/4" output jack (standard amp cord size) and the other to the ground on the jack. You can get the 1/4" jack at Radio Shack or some similar electronics store. That's really about it, not really complicated. I came up with this because I happened to have a couple sets of old trimmers. If you want to see other styles of homemade pick-ups, just google Cigar box nation or Handmade Music Clubhouse. Both have tons of great ideas.

[fenderstratguy]

The coolest part (besides how it sounds) is the clever use of basic Hardware store parts. Looked like a security door flap and a cheap hinge and a door jamb and a few eyebolts for string trees.

[RamblinAround]

@fenderstratguy Thanks for taking a look, I appreciate it!

[fenderstratguy]

@RamblinAround Liked it so much, I went to the cigar store yesterday and got like 4-5 boxes, and now I hope that I ever git around to it.

[donokanagan]

I think they are sweet. Its nice to know there are fathers like you out there. We wanna see more basement fab stuff, FEED US MAN!!

[RamblinAround]

@donokanagan Thanks for checking it out, I appreciate it! We'll have more projects on the way shortly.

[ruffbumm]

That is simply amazing!! I never knew it could be that simple to make them!

[RamblinAround]

@ruffbumm Thanks for watching! They really are fun to build..you should give it a try.

[cserpico84]

awesome

[RamblinAround]

@cserpico84 Thanks for checking it out!

[RamblinAround]

@cserpico84 Thanks for checking it out!

[DoctorDetroit313]

WoW Freakin Amazing I really Digg that black one you made how would you sell one for or To make one for?

[RamblinAround]

@DoctorDetroit313 I've sold quite a few of them in the past. They typically range in price from $300 - $600. One like the black one would be $350. But to be honest, I'm so busy with other things at the moment that I've had to take a break from building them for a while. I'm glad you find them interesting and I appreciate the comments. If you get time, check out my latest build, it's the video titled, "Homemade Guitar Finished - Robert Johnson Tribute - Part 8" Thanks for watching!

[laiholapso]

7:57 noticed the dog !!!!!! o im epic you people didn't notice!!

[walkwithwolf]

Dude you must have very chuffed lickal boy.I bet the kids at school freaked out when he played that in his lesson. AWESOME

[robmmathieu]

Do you sell any of your instruments? I'm interested in purchasing a cigar box guitar...

Let me know when you can...Thanks!

Rob.

[kevin1993bosman]

WTF that is fucking awesome

[RamblinAround]

@kevin1993bosman Thanks for watching!

[opltf]

noticed the dog inside at 7:58 ??

[PlankofWood1]

Wow, those homemade pickups sound great!

[RamblinAround]

@PlankofWood1 Thanks....we were as surprised as anyone..lol Thanks for watching!

[ufoimtc]

Cool! I am cranking out canjos left & right, i'm hooked! I want to make them electric but i get a bad buzz. How do i grolund out the pick up?

[RamblinAround]

@ufoimtc Most guitar makers ground all the pickups to a common ground on the back of the volume pot. I also run a ground wire from my bridge as well...to ground the strings.

[MrNikcccc]

what kind of wood did you use for the diddley bow

[RamblinAround]

@MrNikcccc I believe I used Red Oak for that one, because I had it on hand. It doesn't matter very much, which wood you use on the Diddley bows because the string tension isn't that high. Even pine would work just fine. Once you start getting to 3, 4, or 5 strings...you really need to use a good hard wood.

[BitchBeTrollinHard]

i would have liked to here you play some other music other then slide on the black beast

[MoonshineGuitars]

Very nice, I like the use of clipper coils. Its about time I made a few more guitars :)

[stralerman]

Press 0:01 To spik the add !

Yes no Justin Bieber Fans (no dislikes)

[PinkieStanley]

Very nice! They both sound great!

[RamblinAround]

@PinkieStanley Thanks for checking them out!

[meeco007]

I really enjoyed this! Thanks...

[RamblinAround]

@meeco007 Thanks for watching!

[FATMANFALLDOWN]

@RamblinAround Yeah I got that, but do you have to do anything particular for that tone? I tried making a diddley bow after watching a couple of your videos and they just didnt compare :/

[RamblinAround]

@FATMANFALLDOWN You really just need quite a bit of gain on your amp so that you get a some distortion. That rough sound is because I'm kind of overpowering that amp a bit. If your amp can't produce that much distortion, there are boxes that you can run your guitar through to help produce the sound you're looking for.

[Elephuunk]

Sound friggin awesome!!!

[RamblinAround]

@Elephuunk Thanks for watching!

[MrNikcccc]

nice what strings should i use for a 3 string cigar box guitar

[RamblinAround]

@MrNikcccc I use the A, D, and G strings from a regular string set.

[MrNikcccc]

nice

[RamblinAround]

@MrNikcccc Thanks!

[Buchoass]

Way too cool! I appreciate how you utilize, kitcken hinges and picture hangers.

Very cool

~CHEERS~

B.Champagne

[RamblinAround]

@Buchoass Yep, I'll use just about anything. That's part of the fun...finding new things that'll work well. Thanks for watching!

[Buchoass]

@RamblinAround I also like how you use the pine tree as a guitar stand. Oh! and the part at 4:20 is a storm door catch. Cool!

~CHEERS~

B.Champagne

[josderedneck22]

how come i've never seen this vid ?? your really amazing Jeff !! how can i steel some off your powers ?? kryptonite ?? hahhahaha

[RamblinAround]

@josderedneck22 LOL....thanks Jos, I appreciate the comments. Hope you're having a great weekend!

[josderedneck22]

@RamblinAround your welcome jeff ! excually i just come back from the emeregin doctors post. got a terrible pain in my groin ! just got some painkillers for that. mothing serious,

anyway nice guitars man !

[RamblinAround]

@josderedneck22 Maybe you're spending a little too much time with your girlfriend....lol..just kidding. Hope the pain goes away, whatever it is.

[josderedneck22]

@RamblinAround what do you think ? she is not here yet till the 31e. hop its gone by then! hahahaha

[FATMANFALLDOWN]

do you have a setting for the fuzz? or do all homemades sound like that? :)

[RamblinAround]

@FATMANFALLDOWN First of all, that's not an amp it's a karaoke machine and secondly, my camera mic couldn't really handle the sound.

[jackallan001]

PLEASE ANSWER: what is that metal thing in your left hand ?

[RamblinAround]

@jackallan001 That is a deep well socket. They make pretty good slides. Thanks for watching!

[jackallan001]

@RamblinAround Ok, thank you very much. :)

[BlisterOnTheMoon]

whats the amp?

[RamblinAround]

@BlisterOnTheMoon I had my amp loaned out to a friend at the time. That thing I was using is just an old Karaoke machine with about a 6 1/2" speaker in it. I guess it did the job, but believe me, they sound a lot better on a decent amp.

[TheArts2010]

i want ask ? Are you invent your own decor??? :S

[RamblinAround]

@TheArts2010 I build them with common household parts and then hand-paint them as well. Thanks for watching!

[TheArts2010]

@RamblinAround

i hope all guy have good mind like you :) You are the rare youth spend time inventing things :)

gad bless to you welcome :)

[KurtCobinmyhero]

did you make that pickup for the black cbg or did you buy it??

[RamblinAround]

@KurtCobinmyhero I have wound my own pickups, but that particular guitar has a fender single-coil pick-up in it.

[gruxthinks]

Was your tuning E A D G ?

[RamblinAround]

@gruxthinks I think it was either GDGB or GDGD

[StupidChicagoPunk]

the black one sounded great!

[RamblinAround]

@StupidChicagoPunk Thanks for checking it out!

[RamblinAround]

@sambluecat Yes, that's what I was talking about. You can even buy a cheap piezo transducer from the electronics store and make it work.

[RamblinAround]

@sambluecat You can use mason twine to make them, but I would replace the tin with something that resonates better like a bottle or can. If you use the altoid tin, you can put a piezo pickup and a 1/4" output jack in the tin, so that you can play through an amp. You can also make a diddley bow with a cigar box, a piece of broom handle, a nail, and the mason twine.

[RamblinAround]

@RamblinAround Personally, I would recommend using steel guitar strings....they work better and they cost almost nothing. Your local guitar store probably has a drawer full of used tuning machines too. Check out cigarboxnation. com if you want to get some ideas. Thanks for watching my vids.

[dronespace]

Lovely guitar.

[RamblinAround]

@dronespace Thank you very much!

[luv2cheez]

i fuckin love it

[RamblinAround]

@luv2cheez Thanks!

[ddpunk123]

porch monkey! naw lol jk man nice vid i love ur guitars bro well done

[RamblinAround]

@ddpunk123 Thanks for checking them out man, I appreciate it.

[RamblinAround]

@naattori2000 Thanks for watching!

[RamblinAround]

@sambluecat I play it on my lap sometimes and upright sometimes........I tend to suck equally either way. Thanks for watching, I appreciate it.

[MrBluesCollector]

You must have great neighbors haha !

Cool stuff man.

[RamblinAround]

@MrBluesCollector Yeah, I don't generally play on the front porch. I love building guitars and getting them into the hands of people that can really make them sing. I can't play a lick, but I still like messing around with them. Thanks for watching!

[rubberman2602]

One great thing would be to show us how to wire up an electric guitar. That would be very helpful for people who are new to this.

[RamblinAround]

@rubberman2602 That's a great idea, I'll see what I can do.

[dmeckle]

ok i just made a 2 string diddley bow what do you tune them to?

[RamblinAround]

@dmeckle That's cool that you made your own. With 3 strings or above it's easy...you just tune to an open chord. But, with a 2 string I just experiment with what sounds good together. I've tuned each string to the same note, but a full octave apart. I've also tried portions of chords. Like D and G, A and E, etc... Just experiment and see what sounds good to your ear.

[dmeckle]

@RamblinAround HA my son and i made it took like no time. cool little project and he likes to play it. easier than guitar. i did e and g but not what im looking for i like the idea of the same tuning just diff. octaves. Ill tune it to E later. THANKS

like your instruments looked at all your videos.

[RamblinAround]

@dmeckle It really is a fun little father/son project. Thanks for watching my vids, I appreciate it.

[rubberman2602]

They all look great. Nice hobby.

[RamblinAround]

@rubberman2602 Thanks for watching, I appreciate it.

[cycon666]

4 string = bass

[RamblinAround]

@cycon666 Thanks for watching.

[cycon666]

@RamblinAround your welcome its a shame that they are all sold though and since im 13 i dont have money to buy these art pieces

[treehouseman3]

@cycon666 not necessarily it actually depends on the thickness of the strings

[cycon666]

@treehouseman3 well shit

[ProfessorNguyen]

6:43 Ba ba ba Baadd, BAD TO THE BONE!

[RamblinAround]

@ProfessorNguyen Thanks for watching, I appreciate it.

[haeseler333]

What kinda cigars came from that box? lol.

[RamblinAround]

@haeseler333 It really is a Cohiba cigar box. Thanks for watching.

[Billy2Teddy8]

That's some sound craftsmanship. Awesome guitar. Nice work.

[RamblinAround]

@Billy2Teddy8 Thanks for checking them out, I appreciate it. If you get a chance, check out a few of my other guitars. Have a good one. ~Jeff

[hithazel]

Cool stuff.

[RamblinAround]

@hithazel Thanks for checking them out, I appreciate it.

[itsalmostanorange]

this might sound weird, but you would be the coolest uncle ever lol

[RamblinAround]

@itsalmostanorange Thanks.....I'll take that as a compliment. Thanks for watching.

[TheGreenerItGets]

Saweeet!

[RamblinAround]

@TheGreenerItGets Thanks. Be sure to check out my other cigar box guitar vids. Thanks for watching, I appreciate it.

[fredmariejullien]

j'adore ..! du fin fond des alpes ..votre enthousiasme ,je trouve ce siecle merveilleux , je me dis que c'est ca le bonheur :fabriquer une petite guitare .. puis la montrer au reste de la planete par une belle journée ensoleillée , on se dit que le repas est en train d'etre preparé dans la cuisine derriere la porte on s'y croirait .. superbe athmosphere ..

[LittleTurtleTV]

ive just amde my first diddley bow one string and acoustic

[bikebuilder13]

Rad guitar man.

[500passwords]

sounds good buddy

[RamblinAround]

@500passwords Thanks

[V8power923]

thats sweet!

[ziggassedup]

bro...i was waiting for the Big power chord and then"Pete Townsend" your amp.LOL.

No really...thats cool.

I mite have to make me a car parts guitar...

[KrankieV2]

the cigar box guitar is pretty damn sweet.

[805ROADKING]

Two very cool instruments!! You make it look so easy to play, sounded awesome. I turned my volume down this time. ☺

[RamblinAround]

@smashygadge Thanks, definitely build yourself a Diddley bow. They're real simple to construct and it's fun to see what you can do with them.

[SkouMusic]

Damn. Awesome.

[RamblinAround]

@SkouMusic Thanks

[TheKennyKennyKenny]

wow great guitars and love the sound!!!!!!!!!!

[edzgarage]

Very cool! Like Father Like Son.

[RamblinAround]

@edzgarage Thanks. Believe me, Jordan can build just about anything he puts his mind to.

[kookiemoose]

the bridge looks like a storm/screen door closer. These are both really cool.

I can't believe the kinds of things you use to build these, it's amazing.

[RamblinAround]

@kookiemoose Thanks, I'm glad you like them. I think you're right about that being some sort of door latch piece.

[sandrateager]

That was so awesome!!

Well Done!! =)

[RensStella]

really enjoy all your videos, excellent!

[RamblinAround]

@Freedom7557 Thanks for checking them out. That's cool that your wife plays the dulcimer. If you look at my channel background, you'll notice that the cigar box guitar has dulcimer style fretting.

[RamblinAround]

@JAYBEE643 Thanks, glad you happened by it. I have a few homemade bow videos on my channel as well, if you want to check them out.