Cigar box guitars were a sensation during the mid 1800s up till the early 1900s, and were made by budding musicians from poor rural areas. Until recently, these fascinating instruments have taken a resurgence in the art of making them again and playing them. They create harmonious blues melodies, and are a specialty in the Carolinas, Virginia, and Pennsylvania.

 

If you are a music lover or one of your loved ones is, you can follow this simply DIY guide on making a cigar box guitar :

 

Things you will need

 

  • Wooden cigar box
  • Drill
  • Drill bits
  • Wood glue
  • Guitar strings
  • Wood stock
  • Oak or poplar strip
  • Bolts
  • Sandpaper
  • Hand saw
  • Screwdriver
  • Hammer
  • Ruler
  • Pencil

 

Instructions

  1. Open the box by removing the lid, and mark the wood where the grooves will be. The grooves should be in a way that the box closes easily.

 

  1. Keep the end where the box will close and attached to the neck at least 2 inches away from the bottom area of the box.

 

  1. Make the grooves, so that the match the closing of the box. You will need a saw for this.

 

  1. Make holes according to the number of strings you will have for the guitar. Use the drill to make the holes.

 

  1. You will then make holes for the sound in the wooden box. These will be at the top of the box.

 

  1. Use the wood glue to fix the piece of wood to the box. Let it dry.

 

  1. Remove the metal hinge of the box, and place wood glue over it, Keep it 1.5 inches from the bottom to create the bridge of the guitar.

 

  1. Pass the string through the drilled hole and into the other from the bottom of the cigar box. Make knots to hold the strings firmly.

 

  1. Pull the strings over the bridge, and then bring them at the top of the guitar. Roll them over the nut threading, bringing it down through one hole and at the top of the neck into the other hole.

 

  1. Wrap the string at the eye lag, and screw the eye lag in the top most hole. this is where the tuning will be done when needed.