How To Make A Fretted Cigar Box Guitar
A cigar box guitar tutorial was the first project video of this kind I ever filmed. That was 4 years ago. I've always wanted to build a fretted version from the ground up, and for this video I finally got around to it. I hope you enjoy! The goal I set for the design was to use only tools and materials that can be purchased at a local hardware store, other than a cigar box and guitar strings.
Below are the parts and tools used for this project. I occasionally overlook an item in a video this long so let me know if you notice anything missing from the lists. If you try this project be sure to let me know! I would love to see a video of your own cigar box guitars.
Tools:
-----------------------------------------------------
Tape Measure
Pen/Pencil
Hand Saw
Hammer(Mallet)/Chisel
Drill w/Bits
Sand Paper/Sanding Block
Fine Grain File
Gel Super Glue
Tape
Razor
Paste Wax (optional)
Materials:
-----------------------------------------------------
1” x 3” Maple Plank (must not be warped)
Wood Cigar Box
1 1/2” Inside Corner Brace (x3)
4” Eye Bolts/Nuts (x3)
Door Hinge Pin
Fencing Staples
1 1/2” Finish Nails (x12)
#18 x 5/8” Pins (x3)
Acoustic Guitar Strings
Total build time should be around 8 hours, so the project can fit comfortably into a weekend. The cost of the materials not including any of the tools is about $35. Not bad for a guitar! I suspect I am going to receive quite a few comments saying I should have used wing nuts on the tuners so a wrench wouldn't be required, and that was initially my plan. The bolts are a little too close together on my model for wing nuts to spin without hitting each other, but feel free to try it yourself.
If you would like to build a guitar with a different scale length than 24" you can use this website to calculate fret measurements: www.harpkit.com/category/fretc...
The first song I play in this video is 'Prelude to Cello Suite No.1' by Bach. The later songs are improvised blues. I was in drop D tuning.
I also want to give a shout out to one of my favorite song covers played on a frettless Cigar Box Guitar, check this out if you want to see how well a CBG can be played: • Muddy Waters - I can't...
Пікірлер: 2 800
I made this for a science project and got an A+ thanks man!!
@stephendifranco9781
3 жыл бұрын
I made one a few years before the grade where we had to make an instrument, but then that teacher left before I got to bring it in and brag
@lancewaitalot
2 жыл бұрын
Same bro, even got extra credit for playing Smoke On The Water
@AzizDAMadman
2 жыл бұрын
Why the hell would you need a guitar for science
@JPike223
Жыл бұрын
dont you mean A# ?
@uganda_mn397
Жыл бұрын
that's pretty cool, did you need a lot of skill or is it ok?
The most important thing in ANY tutorial is that each step be cleared explained with each step clearly filmed. You did a GREAT job on this score! Thank you, sir. :-)
I watched your video and it's nice to see a guitar being made from basic parts. I make cigar box guitars and for very little money and effort, I would suggest real machine heads. They are easy to install and much easier to tune. Also fret wire is so inexpensive and with the right size of slots being cut, will stay in without any need for glue. For cutting out the shape of the neck I would clamp the wood and cut slots along the neck up to the line and then chip them out with a chisel. There's less chance of splitting the wood the wrong way. I'd also use a pencil to mark everything, use wood glue and clamps, mark the fret lines in two places and use a t-square to draw the line for cutting. I also like to install the neck inside the box and have the bridge on top of the box for better resonance. Sorry this isn't me being critical, these are just things that can be done for not much more effort or money. Great video :)
I want to be a music teacher and this is one of the coolest DIY projects I have ever seen. I don't have fancy heavy machinery, but I have lots of enthusiasm, so I am absolutely trying this out!
The video is 17 min long but really just felt like 8 min
@Nighthawkinlight
9 жыл бұрын
Thanks! I'm glad some of you are enjoying it even as long as it is. I wasn't sure very many people would watch the whole thing.
@xxGLhrMxx
9 жыл бұрын
Make sure you didn't change the video speed
@vasko002
9 жыл бұрын
NightHawkInLight Some of us love long videos. This one was amazing.
@prowokator
9 жыл бұрын
NightHawkInLight This was really fun to watch, I hope I get to build one next summer, always wanted to get myself a cig box guitar.
@dodoz44
9 жыл бұрын
NightHawkInLight I wasn't expecting myself to watch it all either, but then it finished after what felt like 7-10 minutes... And I'm left with an urge to go to home depot lmao.
Amazing!
@AKIORII
9 жыл бұрын
woAh
@hopslvr314
9 жыл бұрын
Can you use a jigsaw for the cuts in the neck?
@paulbingaman5481
9 жыл бұрын
Germey Bovenzi I do not see why not, and it would be much quicker.
@mznshah
6 жыл бұрын
Alltime10s it is good i want to meet you
I'm loving the Prelude to Cello Suite No. 1 at the beginning.
Brought back great memories of my Grampa and my dad making and playing cigar box guitars ! Has been so many years ago. What a great flashback ! Nice tone quality by the way ! Thanks
This needs to be the flagship video for this subject. Very detailed! Maybe I'll try this!
@Nighthawkinlight
9 жыл бұрын
Thank you kindly!
Great tutorial. I don't think you could have made it shorter. I often watch video's like these and realise half way through I don't have the correct tools or expertise so I like the use of basic tools most people will have access to and the easy to follow instructions and useful tips for novices.
@Nighthawkinlight
9 жыл бұрын
Thanks! Yeah I definitely could not have made it any shorter. As it is I cut out explaining some of the more simple things with the hope that the viewer will understand what I'm talking about anyway. Things like what a scale length is, a head stock...
I've made one of these years ago and never thought about frets. Thanks for sharing!
Working on my CBG as I speak. I’ve stolen some of your ideas and have added a few of my own. First off you can’t get cigar boxes where I live in N Ireland and so I’ve had to make my own box out of 3mm ply with a lite pine baton for the sides. I could only get a piece of walnut for the neck which I had to buy rough cut and miles too big all round. I’ve spent most of the day shaping it because I decided on a profiled neck wide enough for 4 strings. I’m using your tuner idea but put wing nuts on so hopefully I’ll not need a wrench to tune up. I’m enjoying the challenge. And I thank you for giving me the inspiration. I can’t see mine turning out anywhere near as nice as yours but I’m doing alright for an old timer with Parkinson’s. I’ll keep you posted.
I love your making a guitar video. You went slowly over some of the steps in making a musical instrument make sounds correctly so that is understood. I am not a musician at all but I am a wood worker and I am impressed how well you did using a limited number of woodworking tools. No band saw, hole saw, orbital sander, no polyurethane, just wax, The really hard wood working you did very well by hand could be done very easily and very quickly with power tools. I am not criticizing your wood working, just saying that part could be done a lot easier with a few cheap power tools. The really neat part was how you explained frets, stringing , drilling in the right places, the depth of the nails, their positions and all the stuff that makes a guitar work properly. You have created an excellent guitar making video. A person could alter the woodworking part and maintain the musical integrity that you showed so clearly and make a guitar that looked any way the wood worker wanted and yet when strung the way you showed and explained would most likely sound acceptable if played by a musician.
@Nighthawkinlight
9 жыл бұрын
Thanks! I am a very amateur wood worker but it's something I would like to become better at. I do have quite a good selection of power tools, but part of the goal for my videos is using the simplest/most affordable methods possible. Besides, I think chisels are fun to use!
@EthanPerales.
9 жыл бұрын
NightHawkInLight FINALLY!! someone actually agrees
@JamesKing2understandinglife
9 жыл бұрын
NightHawkInLight You have succeeded in a wonderful simple way to make a wonderful musical instrument. I love how you did it. A chisel at best in my hands a very crude tool. You make the chisel work beautiful!
I would watch one hundered thousand how to videos if your voice was in it. this is the most helpful video I have EVER watched.
@Nighthawkinlight
8 жыл бұрын
+LameNch33zy Thanks!
Now that's what I call CBG playing. AND you even show us how to make our own guitar. It doesn't get better than that.
I think I'll make one, learn, then teach my boy. Because that is fruition, serendipity, perfection. You got one life. Spend it well.
@michael98277
7 жыл бұрын
And I shall make it from a box from Rockey Patels, which is what all my family smoked in celebration of his birth.
That actually sounds better than some of the acoustic guitars you can buy...
@bobu5213
7 жыл бұрын
It is an opinion. I personally think both have ups and downs.
@MrTrollinglol
7 жыл бұрын
Well I think it's his playing and the style he is playing. Kind of like how Bossa Nova sounds infinitely better on a nylon string than a steel string
@fubarjenkins7438
7 жыл бұрын
Pat Gedeon no wrong
@shaniquebrackett117
5 жыл бұрын
Gedeon Music ok
Brilliant video, well edited and perfect commentary. I have been wanting to build my own guitar for a while now but decided to go with a cigar box style guitar first and this video is exactly what I was looking for. No expensive routers, table saws or other expensive tools, just good old fashioned elbow grease and hand tools!
This is by far the most straightforward video of a cigar box guitar I have found. Thank you so much for taking the time to share. Now I feel confident enough to try one this weekend.
I bought 3 cigar boxes not long ago from a flea market. My oldest daughter was with me at another flea market this weekend and saw some guitars for sale, I told her I could make one. Your video came up when I searched how to make a guitar. I think I will try what you did in this video. When I bought the cigar boxes, I had no real use in mind, just picked them up. Thanks for your video, very detailed.
Great video, thanks for the easy DIY version. I cannot wait to make one.
Good Stuff Guy....... "The ultimate dream of man, is to build something that lives on beyond himself" (Nivek)
Super Job. Thanks for having shared this project.
Never Made one of these but I just ordered some boxes from a place here near where I live. Totally stoked to try making one of these. What a great video. Love the nails, and the staples are a great idea!
This is a really good video, well put together, easy to follow, and well explained. I also like that you have demos of you playing in the beginning and end. I found this because I have a physics project where I have to build an instrument. Not only did I get an A but I also have a rad cigar box guitar now! Thanks man!
I am starting up a woods shop here soon. And one of the things I want to do is be able to teach people how to be self sufficient. Projects like this have a variety of skills and tips that gives people the tools to be able to solve the problems they may confront in life. Honestly, thank you for these videos. Maybe one day you will head a class when the shop is open.
@MrGrombie
9 жыл бұрын
What inspired you to take up this craft?
@squirlmy
5 жыл бұрын
well, one could use one to busk- you might get sympathy even if you can't really play! But self-sufficiency? Please! Considering the tools, materials and workspace needed- this is not self-sufficiency. I've befriended enough homeless people to know these kind of classes don't help, it just makes teachers like you feel better about yourselves. Heck, if I could find an employer just looking for basic woodworking skills- I'd be applying myself.
We homeschool and this has just become a math/ music project for my son and my husband. Thanks!
Love this build! Making some for gifts this year!!
Dude, you're amazing! I don't know if you're crazy for having this kind of patience or if you're a genius for making this, but thank you so much for sharing!
All i can say is amazing
I started to watch this a year ago and got sidetracked, came back to it today and WOW how cool was this build!
Amazing. I liked how you designed the tuners. I made a diddley bow a few weeks ago with home made tuner, but it was overly complicated compered to this one. I plan on making an acoustic bass next year both because it's fun and of financial reasons and it would help if I didn't have to actually buy tuners. Maybe I will design her head based on your vid, so thanks.
Yet another great video. I belong to a local makerspace and we have used some of your other videos to get kids interested in making and building things for themselves. I think this one may have to join the ranks also.
@Nighthawkinlight
9 жыл бұрын
That's great! Those are my favorite sort of things to hear
@McRay47
9 жыл бұрын
NightHawkInLight why you dont use fretsaw?
@Nighthawkinlight
9 жыл бұрын
McRay47 Because not very many people have one
This is a great tutorial man. Thanks for posting. I've been wanting to build one of these for a while. I really like your design. Sounds great too!
Thank you so much for posting this step-by-step. Huge help.
Wow, this was absolutely amazing!
Great video. I especially like that you have used simple tools instead of power tools. Maybe in the next video you could make a piezo beer-can microphone to complete the vintage country rig? ;)
@Nighthawkinlight
9 жыл бұрын
I haven't looked into that before, but I bet the sound would go great with a CBG!
@ezrocks4u
9 жыл бұрын
That would be sweet! I have built cigar box guitars before, but this is so much nicer of a design... I'll be using this for sure! I would absolutely love the beer can piezo microphone idea to go with it! The idea with the eyebolts is genius, does it hold tune well? And the bridge pins, does the pressure the strings create hold them in well, without tuning issues? Cheers, thanks for the new ideas!
@Nighthawkinlight
9 жыл бұрын
ezrocks4u The tuners work pretty well, they're just easy to bump which sends them out of tune. The bridge pin works fine under string pressure
One of the things that I took away from the video, more than style or the how to, but I was taken by the why. I don't play guitar, so the reason why I enjoyed the video is now I understand the fretting, the reason why the neck has to be a certain length for a certain note. There is so much in this video that gives information rather than how to put the nails in the hole.
@Nighthawkinlight
9 жыл бұрын
Willards51 Thanks! That's what I like to hear
BEAUTIFUL CRAFTSMAN!
@trailkeeper
9 жыл бұрын
I was once considering how to make tuners/tensioners out of nuts and bolts, but this is a good design with the eye hooks. A bandsaw is a good tool to have, but could be expensive, or a few minutes at a friends one, makes it simple, but chisling shows craftmanship with basic tools. It would be good to convert those fret positions to inches and, plus, 16ths or 32nds of an inch. THis is unique construction and design, and practical without fuss to make something. An oval hole on the neck could help the string sound get into the sound body a bit better, but it would not matter if you put a PAF in it. Possibly , the back of the neck can be rounded a bit more, with a 45 degree angle at the sides, perhaps 1/2 to 3/4 in, and then gradually smooth it round with a file and sand paper.
@Claudiomarsantos
9 жыл бұрын
Muito interessante...!!! ~rr" ...
@alessandroadamo2703
6 жыл бұрын
GREENPOWERSCIENCE p
Man, this was such an awesome video to watch. I used to have an acoustic bass, but sadly no more. This video has made me want to try building my own. I noticed one thing about the way you constructed the head makes it not an easy guitar to tune on the fly. There are probably a bunch of other people who mentioned this in the comments here... But if you altered the design of the head a little bit, it would also make changing the strings easier too. I would angle the strings the opposite way you've done it and create a second bridge at the point where the head and neck meet. This would allow you to put tension on the lines without adding the additional block of wood you did. It could also enable you to easily make this a 4 string bass by positioning the tuning pegs to two on the top and two on the bottom.
Most detailed video tutorial i've ever seen, i don't think i'll be making my own but the whole process was just a pleasure to watch. Cheers
So great! Thanks for such detailed instructions.
Great job mate! I like the "raw" sound that comes out of it!
@Nighthawkinlight
9 жыл бұрын
Thanks! I'm considering uploading an extended version of this video in a few days without any talking, just the tool sounds.
@TheAmericanDiablo
9 жыл бұрын
NightHawkInLight I think that would be a cool idea, I love woodworking videos of just the sounds of sanding and cutting.
This is amazing. I am bookmarking this because I simply have to try it myself!
@Nighthawkinlight
7 жыл бұрын
If you do make one I would love to see some pictures of the result.
@oddryan8896
7 жыл бұрын
nice vid man
That was great! Have some boxes. Going to give it a try. Very detailed.
PLAY FREEBIRD!!!!
@wakimaniac
9 жыл бұрын
Play Wonderwall
@ihave3heads
9 жыл бұрын
TheWakimaniac haha no,
@newiferussin
9 жыл бұрын
FREEBIRD
@BraindeadRacoon
9 жыл бұрын
play through the fire and flames
@freejoey123
9 жыл бұрын
get out household hacker you suck now
whoa this is awesome work. I wish I knew how to play guitar so I had a reason to make one.
@ophionnox1582
8 жыл бұрын
make one, then you'll have a reason to learn!
@netbirth
8 жыл бұрын
exactly!
@thebeekeeperhc
6 жыл бұрын
maz make one and learn
@reeceburns5681
6 жыл бұрын
This is easy to learn trust me.
This is going to be my winter project!! I am so excited about this. Thank you!
Well done! The concept--simple tools and home center parts--is brilliant, and the result is excellent.
IM MAKING ONE RIGHT NOW.
Can you do a video on how to play that sweet Jam you were playing
@khaki.shorts
5 жыл бұрын
its called Bach Cello Suite No 1. (the first one)
Brilliant idea for Father's Day
In all my years watching your videos I never knew you could play guitar that good!
my lord this instrument reminds me so much of the music that is in the "cowboy bebop" series, it gave me a real nostalgia kick, I think I might make this for a birthday present,I cant play worth to save my life but I can build! thank you so much for sharing this,I could never pick out the instrument/ what it was until now,Im sure of it.
@emilcarr7190
9 жыл бұрын
TeshiMeshi Yeah it does sound a bit like that but it reminded me more of 'Bastion'
@TeshiMeshi
9 жыл бұрын
Emil Carr ahhh, yes that too! shows how great this instrument is though regardless.
@maxnaz47
8 жыл бұрын
+TeshiMeshi I do believe it is a banjo in Cowboy Bebop... I could be wrong...
There is a mistake at 9:51 and every couple months I remember it and have to come back and watch this video. In the video, he says "3.168" instead of the correct 3.618
Awesome 😎 idea! Definitely trying this out !
Outstanding video. This project is on the list very soon! Thanks for taking the time and putting in the effort to share this with all of us. Great job!
This was a thorough and well-planned video. I'm a casual woodworker, and had no problems following along with not only the 'what' you were doing, but you also did a great job explaining the 'why.' I don't play guitar, but this makes me want to try it! One question for you: have you found that the superglue holding the neck to the box was adequate? I'd be worried about those two lines of glue holding the entire neck to the box.
@Nighthawkinlight
8 жыл бұрын
+RusselSprouts1 Thanks Russel! Yes, I have found the superglue to be adequate. It would not be terribly difficult to break the box free with some effort, but doing so would not damage the neck so no harm would be done. Since the box has no reason to be held on any more securely than it is, I opted for a relatively weak connection in case it ever needed to be removed for repairs/replacement.
@RusselSprouts1
8 жыл бұрын
Ahh, excellent point. Solid work, I might have to give it a shot!
I feel the need to ask a very important question? Is it capable of dj0nt?
@tylerkilbourne3745
8 жыл бұрын
+Kevin Luper too many frets for the dj0nting
@OrmTostesson
8 жыл бұрын
+Tyler Kilbourne it has about 11 frets too many for djent, and it could also do with a couple strings less
@JayHeartwing
5 жыл бұрын
I feel this can djent
@koffieverslaafde627
5 жыл бұрын
OrmTostesson for djent: as many or as little strings as possible, no in between
@squirlmy
5 жыл бұрын
@@koffieverslaafde627 Single string "thunderstick" with electromagnetic pickup! Nothing else will do!
Truly a hand made instrument! From the tools you used to the hardware installed. I've watched other videos on making a cigar box guitar and most use tuner pegs and saws to cut. Good job! The sound is awesome and you play it well!!
As a luthier who has thousands of $ in tools, I appreciate your use of basic hand tools. Fine job!
Please upload a 20 min video of playing on that guitar uncut just leave it as it is :))
@Nighthawkinlight
9 жыл бұрын
Haha, we'll see.
I now have an irresistible urge to rewatch the TV show firefly... o_o anyone else?
@mikedrop4421
6 жыл бұрын
christopher onciu I know this post is old but i thought the same thing about firefly.
Love how detailed this was. Thanks for the info
a most enjoyable tutorial! Thanks for doing this for us!
could you show us how you make an electric 6 string version of your cigar box guitar? something with a gibson scale lenght and with a p90 pickup which would be more than suitable for rock n roll
@-julianlindop-9844
8 жыл бұрын
That's called a guitar.
@ACDC1998Zippo
8 жыл бұрын
well yes but with a cigar box as a body. so you could think of it as a les paul junior with a hollow cedar body.
@-julianlindop-9844
8 жыл бұрын
+ACDC1998Zippo A cigar box guitar is its own instrument, but I see what your getting at
@greggswanson2055
8 жыл бұрын
+ACDC1998Zippo You'd be better off just looking up a tutorial on how to build an electric guitar. with the time and effort put into making an electric guitar out of a cigar box it would be easier to just get a couple solid pieces of wood and building an electric guitar.
@CockatooDude
8 жыл бұрын
+ACDC1998Zippo There is a guy who made one, the channel name is "scrap wood city", but it is only 4 stringed.
I feel like I’m watching something that comes on only on early Saturday mornings😂😂
This is a great video breaking down the basics to make a cbg. No special tools needed. Really good to give a beginner a chance of making something playable and not breaking the bank. Maybe next time electrify the guitar. Thanks keep up the good work.
What I like about this video is that you use everyday hand tools everyone has in their garage. Great video, thanks!
what kind of animal dislikes a video like this
me casually band saw cuz chisel is meh
Very clear instructions. Very clever design. Just what I needed. Thank you from Australia
Most interesting. You have a lot of patience. What a great thing for you to do for all of us to watch. Thanks.
you guys need to use metric !!
@tissuepaper9962
7 жыл бұрын
Tell that to the old people who won't let us.
@MrTrollinglol
7 жыл бұрын
One president already tried it, it didn't work out, although I wish it did
@tissuepaper9962
7 жыл бұрын
Damnit Jimmy! Why couldn't you pull through for us?
@JakeW50
7 жыл бұрын
you need to suck it the fuck up
@spoderman15
7 жыл бұрын
I'm American and use metric with all my original measurements
im a wood worker coming at an instrument for a friend. know NOTHING about guitars. I found this very very informational about the guitar fret structure. thank you.
I really wish I saw this video 8 years ago, the way youve set up the tuners is very clever.
A very good friend is waiting to have his heart worked on and stents put in. I sent this to him in hopes he uses some of his waiting time to build one of these. Right now he is composing musing on his computer and he does play the piano, so learning to play this guitar should be a breeze.
Great job with clear instructions
Great video and fantastic ideas! Thanks for your help!
LOVED THE VIDEO .... it makes you wanna build Your Own!!!
Thanks for taking the time to make this. Very cool!
This is fantastic, very well narrated and explained. I’m going to give this a shot, thanks! Look forward to more 👍
Very clever.It sounds musical as well
This is so cool, I really want to play it! I'm not even great with my ukulele, but I love instruments like this!
One of the best diy's on a cigar box I've seen. Thanks for the detailed explanations.
Man, one of the coolest diy CBG I've seen! The offset and shaped neck really gives it some style.
Definitely going to make one asap! Wonderful video!
Quite an interesting watch. Well done.
Hey I just wanted to say thanks for putting this up! back when I was 17 my sister and I split rent on an apartment, and one day while walking around our local Lowe's and looking at the pre dimensioned craft wood section, I decided that I was going to build a 5-string banjo with a wooden body! ( because I had always wanted a banjo but could never afford one) Well I bought a coping saw and a in indecent amount of sandpaper, and got started! thankfully we had one local music store so I got some old guitar tuners and I had a neck off of an old Fender which I used to copy the Fret spacing, which was ironically a 24-inch scale length, so went to work with steak knives and Titebond II wood glue and by the time it was over I put a half of juice can in the front of that thing and it sounded all right! Now at 30 years old I have a half-decent wood shop with a workbench and an assortment of reasonably respectable machines and hand tools, but I never have made the journey back into lutherie although that is what got me started to begin with, but I just might, I just might!
Awesome DIY vid!! Will definitely use some of these ideas in my own build. Thanks for sharing.
Thanks for how informative this video is!
I've been wanting to make one of these for a couple of years. Thank you for the detailed video.
This is the most well done cigar box tutorial I have seen
Great video with careful steps. Going to try to do this soon. Thanks for posting.
I have turned 2 Bowl blues guitar s and this by far is the best description I have seen! Thank you ,halarty Now I can learn to play!
My son and I are going to try to make a couple of these...thanks so much!!!
Thank you for your video, very well done. I very much enjoyed watching you measure, cut, and shape the neck and headstock as I am about to begin a CBG and wasn't sure whether to attempt a neck, or just buy one - you've inspired me to make my own, so thanks again.
Great video! I love these cigar box guitars and have been wanting to build one thanks!
Great video and design. I love how you followed the one stop shop rule. I'm going to building my first CBG's soon. I have my own design worked out but you were the first person I saw carve their neck and will doing the same. Thank you
Definitely gona make one it's really a excellent weekend project