How to build a cigar box

What do you need to make a cigar box guitar?

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1. 01. Box: Find a wooden cigar box. …
2. Wood: You will need to find some hardwood for the neck. …
3. Tools: You will need a coping saw, tape measure, pencil, drill with 3/8, 9/32 and 1/8 bits, rasp (Those rasp/chisels are pretty good for the money) and various grits of sandpaper.

What are the dimensions of a cigar box?

Cigar Box Nation suggests the following dimensions for a wooden box: 8″ wide x 11″ long x 3″ deep (6″ wide x 8″ long by 1 1/2″)

How is a cigar box guitar tuned?

Common Tunings for The 3-string Cigar Box Guitar

1. 1- Standard: E3 B3 E4.
2. 2- Open B: F3# B3 D4#
3. 3- Guitar tuning: G3 B3 E4 (bottom three strings of standard guitar)
4. 4- Open G: G3 B3 D4 or some prefer G3 D4 G4 (power chord)
5. 5- Fifths: E3 B3 F4# (intervals between strings are perfect 5ths)

How long is a cigar box guitar?

Let’s look at two cigar box guitars (CBGs) using the same gauge strings, both tuned G-D-G, but that have different scale lengths, say 25 (635mm) and 23-inches (584mm).

Are cigar box guitars easy to play?

The Cigar Box guitar is an easy to play instrument and an excellent one to begin exploring playing with a slide. … An understanding of the tuning, a few scales, and a few simple chord progressions can ease your way into enjoying this complexly simple instrument.

How much do cigar boxes sell for?

Old cigar boxes can be worth from $5 up to $5,000.

How long is a cigar box guitar neck?

25 inches

How many strings does a cigar box guitar have?

The vast majority of Cigar Box Guitars are made with 3 or 4 strings – you really need 3 strings or more to get the harmonic depth and range of pitches that makes a sound people associate with the concept of a guitar.

What strings do you use on a 4 string cigar box guitar?

There string cigar box guitars tuned to G or A use the 5th, 4th and 3rd strings. Three string cigar box guitars tuned to D or E use the 6th, 5th and 4th strings.

How do you make a guitar box at home?

Directions:

1. Trace a large circle into the center of the cereal box and cut it out carefully.
2. Next, trace a circle onto to the top of the cereal box, using the cardboard tube as a guide. …
3. Stretch rubber bands of various sizes around the box. …
4. Secure three “frets” to the top of the cardboard tube using a hot glue gun.