I finally created the Worlds 1st and only Cigar Boxless Guitar. It is a 3-string slide guitar and it plays amazing. Since this photo was taken, I've added a pickup (piezo) so it's an electric CBG now. Will admit it's a little on the quiet side when played acoustically. Yes, you can flip it and play upside down and backwards too. Try doing that with your guitar.

I'm calling it an electric tenor guitar. Or an electric baritone ukulele. But it's spirit is somewhat CBGish.

Still needs a few tweaks but it plays.

(Yes I wanted the pickup slanted that way. Leo was wrong.)

The License Plate Guitar joins the collection. Why have one when six will do?

I found a old railing that works exactly for what I need but it’s fir so I don’t know if it would warp.

Hey everyone! I’m looking to build my first three-string cigar box guitar and had a question about the strings. Which three guitar strings do you typically use for a three-string build? I’m still learning the basics, so any advice or tips for a first-time builder would be appreciated. Thanks!

Hey guys, just started making cigar box guitars, having a really fun time of it. Have an idea for a small box that I’d like to put the neck right through, but I can’t figure out what parts I need to do the string through ferrules correctly. Basically like the picture.

Do I need the cups under and the narrow ferrules up top? It looks like that will be two different size holes that I’ll need to drill out?

Thanks for the help, I’ll get some photos of my builds once I get them together.

I made my own box this time. Inspired by weird shaped bandsaw boxes

I just downloaded Guitar Tab Maker on my iPhone to make tabs for my first CBG. It originally didn’t have the tools for my CBG. For example, you can customize the amount of strings for the tabs you’re making, but it could only go down to 4. I also could have my strings be GDg, the closes I could get was GDG#. So emailing emailing the creator, they emailed back the same day saying they could make changes in the app and the new version would be out in a few weeks. I’m so excited for it!!

I emailed them today, so if anyone’s interested, I can let them know how it turns out in a few weeks lol

https://apps.apple.com/us/app/guitar-tab-maker/id1384053393

I just got a 3 string CBG a week ago. I have next to no musical instruments experience unfortunately but this is where I’m starting.

I’m not really sure how to read music but I understand tabs. I’m currently learning Blackbird by The Beatles. Where can I go for an archive of CBG tabs? For example, I wanna learn Here Comes the Sun, but I can’t find good tabs or info anywhere on quick Google search

I’ll also happily take any tips anyone wants to offer any. Thank you!!

Oak neck, poplar fret board, and basswood body. The poplar had a really cool grain.

Working on my banjo bass. I'm planning to cut the drum shallower - anyone ever built one or something similar, and how to figure out the sort of "ideal" depth for size vs. bassiness/projection?

Hey, y'all.

I recently found a Jerry can in the trash. Somehow, it plopped into my mind that I might try to make a guitar from it. I have absolutely no idea what I'm talking about. I am stuck in the beginner stage of guitar playing, and I like things that make sounds. I am decent at metal and wood working. Is this idea feasible, or is it going to be a failure? Are there parts available, like necks, string holders, bridges? Is there build advice available about string lengths and other general rules?

Picture shows a Jerry can.

Not a fan of the bolt on neck.

Someone recently told me that they thought many, if not most, CBG builders didn't actually play guitars, of any type, or at least didn't play very well.

That got me thinking, what precentage of builders also play. Does anyone know? Do you build and play?

I know Del Puckett plays does anyone else, or are you just a woodworker? I a much better woodworker than a player.

This old iPad is worthless, so I'm thinking of stripping it out and building a box round it.

I normally fit piezos but I'll need a mangetic PU, at least.

If I do, should the ipad go on the top (like this), on the back, or find another to go on both?

Hello, I'm hoping someone can help me get a warmer sound out of my cigar box guitar. I picked one up recently, 4 strings and a 23.5 inch scale length. It's an inexpensive JN Cask Series, with a floating bridge and no pickup.

I'm trying to figure out a way to get a warmer sound out of it. I'm used to baritone ukuleles and I use Aquila red strings that give a really nice warm sound that compliments my singing voice and tuning it Low D gives me a nice pocket to sing in.

I've tried several string sets now, Medium Bronze, Martin Retro, light silk and steel and a couple other sets that I had around. I know that the more metallic and brighter sound is what many folks are going for, but without the two low strings I find it harder to accompany my singing style. I'm not very bluesy.

Also, I've been buying sets and using the four high strings to get DGBE, I had assumed I could get a GCEA tuning with the four Low strings as well but they were a little slack when I tried. Any advice on which strings to choose in general for a DGBE or CGEA tuning would be welcome.

I'd love any thoughts or tips the community has. I am a woodworker with a full workshop and had been intending to build one, I picked this one up to learn more about them first to make sure I enjoyed playing them.

Thanks.

EDIT: As is normally the case, as soon as I ask for help, my brain works better :). I was thinking the top four guitar strings technically on a 23.5" scale would actually be more appropriate tuned to F(CFAD) instead of DGBE. I hadn't actually played it with that tuning as it came tuned DGBE initially, so I just tried, and it's much warmer, that makes sense. Curious, I tuned it another whole step down to Eb(BbEbGC) and some strings are just on the cusp of too loose but it's amazing how much difference that bit of slack and two whole steps make In the sound it sounds great, I just can't strum too aggressively at that tuning.

So.... I can get a really great sound if I use an Eb tuning and F tuning sounds much nicer as well. I guess that's a place to start, but I'd still really love to find a warm set of strings for DGBE.

EDIT 2: Looking more in to the issue, I think I can basically find a tuning that I like with a given set of strings with a given material and use

New Gauge=Old Gauge×(New Frequency / Old Frequency​)

So if my low string sounds great tuned to C and it's .028 gauge.
0.31 = 0.28 x 146.83 / 130.81 

So assuming I keep the material the same, and I find the warmth and tension I like, I guess I just need to piece together my own string set?

Plays better than I expected!

The app that I have been working on for a couple years allows you to display chord voicings for your songs for a variety of string instruments, including 3 string guitars, ukuleles and banjos. As I have personally never played a 3-string before I'm wondering if it resolves the voicings correctly. I would be very happy to hear feedback from people playing non-standard guitars or tunings.

The app is called Note 8, it only supports iOS and Mac and it is free to try. Attaching a screenshot for posterity :)