52 Australian Wood Review
PROJECTBuilding a
Cigar-Box Guitar
There is no end to the ways you can customise this
musical instrument, writes Vic Tesolin.A
s a woodworker, making your
own tools is a real treat because
you can make them to your exacting
specifications. The same holds true
for a musician – I’ve been playing
stringed instruments for over 30 years
and there is nothing more gratifying
than making your own instruments.
This cigar-box guitar (CBG for short)
is one of my favourites to build. I can
usually make one in a day and there is
no end to the options you have
for customisation.This particular model is acoustic
and fretless which is well suited
for slide playing. I have also made
versions that have a pick-up
installed in them to amplify the
sound, as well as versions with
frets for chording. CBG’s are also
characteristically made with odd
objects and commonly found parts
that you likely have laying around
your shed. Using items like bolts
and threaded rod for parts like
the nut and bridge may seem odd
but a quick internet search willturn up all kinds of weird and wacky
CBG’s so have some fun with it.Start by gathering your parts. As the
name suggests, a cigar box guitar
requires a cigar box that you can
usually find easily enough at a local
tobacconist. The size and type are
up to you, and you can even make
your own box if you like. Boxes are
made from anything ranging from
hardboard and plywood to solid wood.
I’ve made CBG’s out of all types of
boxes and they’ve all worked well.
You will also need the other bits and
pieces shown in the materials and
supplies list. I get all of my hardware
from http://www.cbgitty.comMark up the neck
You can use almost any timber to
make a CBG, so this is really up to
you. In this case I used a straight-
grained piece of construction
material, but fancy is good too. Mill
the neck to the dimensions listed and
indicate where the top surface and
top end are. Mark the nut location