How to Make a Cigar Box Guitar
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Cigar Box Guitars - Simple and Easy to Make
Cigar box guitars are becoming more popular as enthusiasts are proudly sharing their creations and popular musicians such as Tom Waits, are playing them. These simple guitars are made from the wooden boxes that cigars are packed in. They're easy to put together and very inexpensive to make.
There's evidence that cigar box guitars have been around since the 1840's. Early cigar box guitars had one or two strings, while our modern day ones usually have three. During the depression when money was scarce, cigar box guitars became a popular musical instrument because you could find a cigar box, a broom handle and a couple of pieces of wire from an old screen, almost anywhere. We are seeing a revival of cigar box guitars in the movies and with popular bands picking up the instrument. So let's get all our tools together and make one. Want to see some old cigar box labels? Visit Cigar Box Labels.
Image is in the public domain.
There's evidence that cigar box guitars have been around since the 1840's. Early cigar box guitars had one or two strings, while our modern day ones usually have three. During the depression when money was scarce, cigar box guitars became a popular musical instrument because you could find a cigar box, a broom handle and a couple of pieces of wire from an old screen, almost anywhere. We are seeing a revival of cigar box guitars in the movies and with popular bands picking up the instrument. So let's get all our tools together and make one. Want to see some old cigar box labels? Visit Cigar Box Labels.
Image is in the public domain.
Cigar Box Guitar
Tools You'll Need
wooden cigar box
3 - tuning pegs
3' long, 1 x 2 (popular)
12 - 1" finishing nails
hack saw
pocket knife
drill
file
1/4" x 2 1/4" eye bolt
8/32 X 1 1/2" bolt
sandpaper
wood glue
stain
spongebrush
wood saw
Books About Making Your Own Cigar Box Guitar
Instructions for Making a Cigar Box Guitar
Cigar Box Guitars: The Ultimate DIY Guide for the Makers and Players of the Handmade Music Revolution
Amazon Price: $17.89 (as of 06/02/2012)
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Make Your Own Instruments
Build Your Own Guitar or Banjo
Handmade Music Factory: The Ultimate Guide to Making Foot-Stompin'-Good Instruments
Amazon Price: $12.95 (as of 06/02/2012)
Buy a cigar box guitar kit
Everything you need to make your own guitar
Basic Cigar Box Guitar Kit with Detailed Assembly Instructions
Amazon Price: $39.99 (as of 06/02/2012)
Usually ships in 1-2 business days
Cigar Box Amp
All Wood Cigar Box Design
C. B. Gitty Cigar Box Amplifier: Oliva G Series
Amazon Price: $59.99 (as of 06/02/2012)
Buy parts for cigar box guitars
Step by Step Instructions for Making a Cigar Box Guitar
On DVD
Buy a cigar box guitar
Isn't it gorgeous?
Buy cigar box guitars on eBay
Listing updates hourly
Cigar Box Music
Great Sites About Cigar Box Guitars
- Cigar Box Guitars - Join the Revolution
- All things Cigar Box Guitars. The original home base for the Cigar Box Guitar community, Instruments, Players, Music, Members, Techniques, Festivals, Resources and More!
- Daddy Mojo Custom Cigar Box Guitars
- Handmade, custom-built cigarbox guitars from Montreal, Canada -- unique blues and old-time country music sounds.
- Cigar Box Guitar Parts and Accessories
- Your resource for information about parts and supplies for building and playing cigar box guitars and other homemade instruments.
- Cigar Box Guitar History Museum
- The most complete history of the cigar box guitar.
- Cigar Box Labels
- Love cigar box art? This page shows off some of the beautiful artwork on old and new cigar boxes.
- Songs Inside The Box, the cigar box guitar documentary by Max Shores
- Songs Inside The Box is a documentary film that takes viewers to the world's largest concert of cigar box guitar music and provides a unique glimpse into a popular hobby and growing movement of self expression participants call the cigar box guitar revolution.
Cigar Box posters
Cigar box guitar clothing
Pre-shrunk 100% cotton Cigar Box Guitar Shirt. Comes in a variety of colors. Sizes small-4X-large.
Pre-shrunk 100% cotton Cigar Box Guitar - Everything Else Is Just Parts t-shirt. Comes in a variety of colors. Sizes small-3X-large.
Pre-shrunk 100% cotton Cigar Box Guitarist T-Shirt. Comes in a variety of colors. Sizes small-3X-large.
Pre-shrunk 100% cotton Cigar Box Guitar Kokopelli T-Shirt. Comes in a variety of colors. Sizes small-3X-large.
LJK Cigar Box Guitars Long Sleeve T-Shirt made of 100% luxuriously soft ring spun cotton. Comes in a variety of colors. Sizes small-4X-large.
Cigar box street sign
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Do you have a cigar box guitar?
Or just leave a note to say you stopped by
If you love cigar boxes and their beautiful designs visit Cigar Box Labels to see more of them.
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squidoopets
Mar 11, 2012 @ 2:47 pm | delete
- No I don't have a cigar box guitar, but what a super fun idea!
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PBJasen
Feb 25, 2012 @ 4:44 am | delete
- Friend of mine is fanatic when it comes to cigarette box guitars.
According to him, this is not just an idea it's a movement.
Personally don't have it, but tried to play on some. Different than regular guitars ,but strangely charming :)
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WatchMovie
Feb 24, 2012 @ 11:19 am | delete
- this is a cool idea, thanks for sharing this
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MillBucks
Feb 2, 2012 @ 7:13 pm | delete
- What a great idea, I never knew this was possible! Thanks for the great project idea.
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karelito
Feb 2, 2012 @ 5:53 am | delete
- Cool idea, gotta make one =o
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by survivorsrock
I love old cigar boxes. They are beautiful and interesting to collect. As I learned more about the history behind the boxes I discovered that people m... more »
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History of cigar box guitars
One Man's Trash: A History of the Cigar Box Guitar
Amazon Price: $20.53 (as of 06/02/2012)
Buy empty cigar boxes
Paper Covered Empty Cigar Box; pack of 15
Amazon Price: $14.95 (as of 06/02/2012)
Step by step instructions
For Kindle
Cigar Box Guitars and Cookie Tin Banjos
Amazon Price: (as of 06/02/2012)
