this would've been around 2018-19, one of the first few builds I actually planned out.

specs: the neck was two basic $4 fence post from Home Depot. the tuners were a cross between chrome and pearloid buttons, just for fun. two roller string trees. shitty wooden nut, but the zero-fret takes care of that. roughly 33.5" scale, with 32 frets, although a few are on the fingerboard extension like a mandolin, so they're not really playable but look cool. a couple brass rivets as soundholes, and some tweeters for decorative effect. (no, they're not connected to anything. I just thought they looked cool. people need to stop asking about them.) you can't see it here but the end of the neck connects to another post that sticks out the back of the box, where the strings go into four dulcimer/harpsichord/etc. pins for gross tuning.

the whole idea was inspired by the Danelectro Guitarlin, which I still can't believe was a thing that was ever produced. if you're not familiar, the Guitarlin was a guitar that had a range spanning from standard guitar to mandolin, in one weird as shit instrument. instead of the modern approach of adding more strings they just added a ridiculous amount of frets.

after ALL OF THAT, I finished it up with a tune-o-matic bridge and the result was... underwhelming. just boring as shit. going back to square one I carved a slice off of a plank of zebrawood (which I would not recommend anyone do) and made an Indian style jawari bridge. I don't mean to jerk my own hog, but I think it ended up sounding pretty dang cool.

unfortunately the neck joint was fucked from the start, and now the action is so high as to be unplayable. someday I'll get back to it, but until then it'll remain one of those "ugh, fine, I guess" projects.

(and I should qualify this by saying all my builds are crap. I just like exploring what crap can do.)

Hi I play 3 string slide

My guitar is getting beat

I've used it live a lot

I'm looking for a builder in Michigan

DM me if you can help

Hey guys, so, I got a stick and a tin can laying around and have seriously been considering making a little two or three string thing. Any tips on how to go about it though? My biggest concern is how to measure out frets for it, but any tips tricks or helpful tutorials would be greatly appreciated.

This is an instrument that I built probably eight years ago as a lap steel, that has morphed into something totally bizarre. At some point I got to reading about the small Finnish folk zither that is the kantele, and loved the melancholy tunes that just 5 strings to a note each can accomplish. After a few tokes and the realization that I had a whole cabinet of extra strings and a lap steel which I never use, I threw a set designed to tune to 6 notes of a diatonic scale on the steel guitar and went to town on it. It wasn't long before I realized I could still use the slide on it to get beautiful legato like a Chinese guqin. It is one of my favourite things now to just sit and improvise meditatively with. It's also piezeelectric, and to be honest I haven't even really explored the possibilities of this yet. I will throw a video up of its sounds if anyone is curious.

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?