Building a Cigar Box Guitar Part 1

As an artist and a very amateur guitarist, the idea of making my own instrument seems very appealing to me. The obvious choice is a cigar box guitar. This instrument was made out of necessity to create music when one couldn't afford instruments. Kids and adults alike created their own instruments out of the materials on hand.




This is my first attempt at creating a cigar box guitar and I will try to document the stages I go through.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• Cigar
• box
• guitar
• how
• to
• music
• homemade
• instrument

[xspert1970]

in doing my research for this project I found your video to be one of the most helpful. I am still trying to get the wiring figured out.

[Parksart]

@xspert1970 Thanks for the compliment!  Let me know if I can help.

[miskers12]

Could you just put the neck on one end of the cigar box instead of it going through it? Because i got a pretty short box... and i dont think it will fit.

[Parksart]

@miskers12 Sorry, I missed this when it was originally posted. The neck needs to go through usually because the strings are so tight that they will rip the box. Cigar box's are really thin and weak.

[miskers12]

@Parksart Thanks so much, this helped a lot. i Havent made one yet but i am taking lots of time to make sure its top quality cigar box guitar for exellent sound.

Thanks

[Parksart]

@miskers12 I would say just get a box and make one! HA! For your first one it's a learning experience anyway. I haven't made one yet that I don't like the sound... they all have their own sound. Jump in!

[faunoram]

this is the best explained and detailed video of cigar box guitars in youtube, you are really a great teacher, your students are really lucky

i ll watch them all

thanks and keep the good work!

cheers!!

[taraflexxxx]

great job man!

what kind of wood did you used for the neck and the fretboard?

[xspert1970]

i have finished my first guitar the hardest thing to fing online is wiring instructions. it sounds good on my P.A. but i am building the 9v amp to go with it. I will send some pictures soon

[Parksart]

@Nicksta2588 They'll have one and if not, you can ask that they save them for you. They may even give you one if you tell them what you're doing with it. Be sure and post a vid after you make one!

[Nicksta2588]

@Parksart Thanks for the reply, I'll go ask at the local cigar shop, and if that doesnt work, try michaels. For my first CBG Im trying to spend as little money as possible as its probably not going to turn out perfect. I just want to get a feel for the process so I can put some more money into making a nicer one when I get a little more experience.

[Parksart]

@Nicksta2588 On this one I got it at Hobby Lobby. Michaels has them too. Both places are priced around 6 to 8 dollars I think for an appropriate size box. However, it's actually cheaper to just get a real wooden cigar box! They are like 2 or 3 dollars or free if you find the right place. I go into cheap tobacco stores (like Discount Tobacco City is one name hehe) and while, as a non-smoker, it's a challenge to breath in there, you can find really nice boxes.