Of all the RUclips videos on building cigar box guitars (CBG), this is the rawest, crudest, unprofessional and outrageous means to create an instrument. Using a hacksaw on wood, a screwdriver for a chisel, and a tailor’s tape for fret layout, is a disgrace to fine lutherie. But somehow you make it work, and I was fascinated from start to finish. RUclips has videos of some finely handcrafted CBG builds, but I think I learned more from watching this video than all the others. Thank you for putting yourself out there; watching you build this wonderfully playable CBG is awesome inspiration. Please keep building and playing, you have much to offer!!!
Just found your video after making my own single string diddley bow. There's many a great CBG builder on RUclips but none, repeat NONE, give all the dimensions and step by step building and cutting instructions that you have provided. This is a Dummies guide to building your own CBG, 101! No excuses for getting anything wrong because everything is provided for. A truly instructional video in every sense of the word. Kudos to you and keep up the great work. I take off my hat to you Ma'am...
Thank you so much Joe. I will be doing a video for more advanced builds here in the future. Also if you need parts you can visit www.cbgitty.com/?ref=darstellabotta and recieve 10% off with coupon code DARSTELLABOTTA
I love how you explain the steps, especially the cutting of the neck in the video. Great that you show the measurement markings in the video too. Wonderful job!
That must be the greatest cigar box guitar build video I have ever seen !!! You have given me all the information I need to finally have a go at making one.
This is so great! I've been building regular acoustic guitars and it was so much fun to build a cigar box in a day! It's got a growlin' bluesy tone no regular guitar can match. One possible correction: Around 28 minutes you have a diagram showing how to wind the strings around the tuners. You show the low G string winding around the outside of the tuner and the insideof the guide screw. While this will work, I think it would drive the player crazy (at least it would drive me crazy) to have one tuner working the reverse direction from the others. So I passed the string around the outside of the screw and the inside of the tuner and it works just fine. Thanks for this great video!
I don't know why your video hasn't any thanks. I think you did a great job at the build video. I certainly thank you. I also like that you showed you can do it with only hand tools. Great job.
Great how to video, makes me feel like I could actually do this at home. You may find it helpful when cutting the notch in the cigar box to score that bottom mark with a utility knife or box cutter so that the piece breaks where you want it to snap - like you said, there are different ways to do it. Thank you for posting the video and dimensions!
Thank you for this well paced tutorial, I start my first build in the next couple of weeks, and I will be using your plans. Thanks again for taking the time to do this. Andy
Hi Dar, Nice basic instructional video on how to build a slide cbg, one thing of constructive criticism is the lack of internal support of the neck, I have been building for quite a while now and have found that without some type of bracing the neck, it will eventually move or bow, didn't see you reinforce the neck, unless I missed it, at all. Very simply to do, block the neck from the box opening you cut in front and back and glue those supports in. Now countersink a hole through the neck above the block and tighten her down...whammo a nice tight fit, that will spread the tension out evenly...works well for me, thought I would share it. Keep up the good work and video's.
Yes, in this video are songs from my first CBG album “One Woman Jam.” It is available on all platforms and a free download on bandcamp darstellabotta.bandcamp.com/album/one-woman-jam
Hi there. Great video! Just a question, I know some CBGs have an added fret board on the neck, raising it above the body. Is there any reason why i can't do that with this kind of neck? I mean just raising it a little above the box height? Thanks
Yes you can use wood glue and clamps to add a fret board, I would suggest getting a bolt that is proper height for the strings to be slightly above the fret board.
Hi Everyone, sorry I got to your comments so late. I hold the comments for review and did not realize there were so many. Thank you so much for watching and I will check my comments more frequently to try to answer everyones questions.
It really doesn't matter just something with a little thickness to get the strings off the box and neck. Just have them be the same or close to the same size as each other.
Of all the RUclips videos on building cigar box guitars (CBG), this is the rawest, crudest, unprofessional and outrageous means to create an instrument. Using a hacksaw on wood, a screwdriver for a chisel, and a tailor’s tape for fret layout, is a disgrace to fine lutherie. But somehow you make it work, and I was fascinated from start to finish. RUclips has videos of some finely handcrafted CBG builds, but I think I learned more from watching this video than all the others. Thank you for putting yourself out there; watching you build this wonderfully playable CBG is awesome inspiration. Please keep building and playing, you have much to offer!!!
Thanks man! 😁
Very nice, most help ever, truely appreciate you.
Happy to help
Thanks for giving the measurements for the fretboard spacing. This is the first tutorial I have come across to give them.
Your welcome
This is the best step by step video on how to build a cbg have seen...including the wall hangeradd on...liked and sub.
Thank you so much!
we love it in the uk , inspiring
Awww thank you so much!❤️
Just found your video after making my own single string diddley bow.
There's many a great CBG builder on RUclips but none, repeat NONE, give all the dimensions and step by step building and cutting instructions that you have provided.
This is a Dummies guide to building your own CBG, 101!
No excuses for getting anything wrong because everything is provided for.
A truly instructional video in every sense of the word.
Kudos to you and keep up the great work.
I take off my hat to you Ma'am...
Thank you so much Joe. I will be doing a video for more advanced builds here in the future. Also if you need parts you can visit www.cbgitty.com/?ref=darstellabotta and recieve 10% off with coupon code DARSTELLABOTTA
going to make my first cbg and this is by far the best video, thanks Dar
Awesome, if you have any questions feel free to reach out on this thread.
Best video I e found on RUclips for making a cigar box geetar!
Glad it was helpful!
Great guitar ! Nice to see someone build with basic tools and not have a shop full of machines so thank you !
I love how you explain the steps, especially the cutting of the neck in the video. Great that you show the measurement markings in the video too. Wonderful job!
I am glad you enjoyed the video! Please do subscribe!
Greetings from Scotland Dar, I just finished making my first build using your easy to follow instrutions. Sounds fantastic.
Thanks your a star.
That is wonderful! I am so glad the video helped!
That must be the greatest cigar box guitar build video I have ever seen !!! You have given me all the information I need to finally have a go at making one.
I am sure glad about that! Please do subscribe!
Very clear explanations and you take all the time I need to understand. Thank you. Peter from Belgium.
Glad it was helpful!
Hey Dar, probably the best basic build of a CBG I have seen ! Good music as well, Thx !
Thank you so much!
Best and most informative video on here!!! Well done and thank you.
Thank you very much, please do subscribe and stay tuned for “How to build a cigar box guitar 2.0!”
Best cigar box guitar build video ever. Great job and thanks.
No problem
This is so great! I've been building regular acoustic guitars and it was so much fun to build a cigar box in a day! It's got a growlin' bluesy tone no regular guitar can match. One possible correction:
Around 28 minutes you have a diagram showing how to wind the strings around the tuners. You show the low G string winding around the outside of the tuner and the insideof the guide screw. While this will work, I think it would drive the player crazy (at least it would drive me crazy) to have one tuner working the reverse direction from the others. So I passed the string around the outside of the screw and the inside of the tuner and it works just fine. Thanks for this great video!
Oh thank you, my mistake! I will have to re-do the diagram. Thank you for the heads up!
Great job. I've been watching these builds for a while and your video is the most helpful so far
Glad to hear it!
Fantastic video! Now I must build one!
Do it!
Great job . I really enjoy this video very helpful for when I go to build my cigar box
Thanks
Awesome
Great video easy to follow instructions, I'm gunna make 1 👍👍
Do it!
Great job. Love the guitar gonna make a few and give them to friends or hand them out at shows
Awesome! Glad the video helped!
I enjoyed every minute of this video. Thank you so much!
Your welcome!
Thank you, your video helped me a lot, I really appreciate it.
Glad it helped!
Sounds really nice, i'm definitely going to make one.
Awesome!
Thanks Dar! I am getting ready to build my first CBG. I'm sure I'll be watching several times.
Thanks, please do subscribe!
I don't know why your video hasn't any thanks. I think you did a great job at the build video. I certainly thank you. I also like that you showed you can do it with only hand tools. Great job.
Thank you.
Wow! You’re amazing! I’ve also played with the idea of making a cigar box amp
Yes if I get time I will def pursue that project
Awesome job and explanation! Thank you soooo much!
Glad it was helpful!
Great how to video, makes me feel like I could actually do this at home.
You may find it helpful when cutting the notch in the cigar box to score that bottom mark with a utility knife or box cutter so that the piece breaks where you want it to snap - like you said, there are different ways to do it.
Thank you for posting the video and dimensions!
No problem!
Enjoyed your video 👍
Thank you
Nice job.. Sounds good...
Thanks!
Very good video!
Thank you very much!
Thank you for this well paced tutorial, I start my first build in the next couple of weeks, and I will be using your plans. Thanks again for taking the time to do this. Andy
No problem
very good tenéis for the mrsures.jorge Gómez desde Argentina.
Hola Amigo! ❤️ Gracias
Excelente trabajo!!
Saludos
Gracias Amigo!
Hi Dar,
Nice basic instructional video on how to build a slide cbg, one thing of constructive criticism is the lack of internal support of the neck, I have been building for quite a while now and have found that without some type of bracing the neck, it will eventually move or bow, didn't see you reinforce the neck, unless I missed it, at all.
Very simply to do, block the neck from the box opening you cut in front and back and glue those supports in. Now countersink a hole through the neck above the block and tighten her down...whammo a nice tight fit, that will spread the tension out evenly...works well for me, thought I would share it.
Keep up the good work and video's.
Thank you. I would like to see a diagram of that. compose2005@yahoo.com or video
fokker313 I wouldn't mind seeing a diagram of that as well. Perhaps you could make a video?
Awesome! Thanks!
No problem!
Nice video very educational.
Oh my god!! This guitar looks so good!! Nice job!!
When marking the frets with letters, if I used a different tuning, I assume the letters for me would be different? Thanks.
Yes they would, I believe
Hi Darr try millimeters instead of inches a whole lot easier great video
Lol 😉
well done down to earth video thanks was that u singing ??
Yes, in this video are songs from my first CBG album “One Woman Jam.” It is available on all platforms and a free download on bandcamp darstellabotta.bandcamp.com/album/one-woman-jam
Could you please tell me diameter of the strings and type of them,acustics,etc.TY
The strings are Southbound String Co .042, .030 & .009 I get them from CB Gitty.
You have done a very good job making your video and guitar. Thank you
Your Welcome
Hi there. Great video! Just a question, I know some CBGs have an added fret board on the neck, raising it above the body. Is there any reason why i can't do that with this kind of neck? I mean just raising it a little above the box height? Thanks
Yes you can use wood glue and clamps to add a fret board, I would suggest getting a bolt that is proper height for the strings to be slightly above the fret board.
Great job. Thank you.
yes indeed, I'm gonna build me one.
Awesome!
Really nice job, I should be starting mine soon, should I cover the pick-up encasing it in glue?
yes use hot glue. you may need to buy a hot glue gun and hot glue sticks.
Thank you for this!
Thanks a lot! I'm trying it exactly your way (more or less).
Oh, but it's really hard to convert 25 5/8 inches to the metric system. That's what my ruler shows me. My problem at least ;)
amasing!
Hi there Dar ! How are You ! long time no see ! indorsing Glenn Watt ?
Hi A.D. I am good, thank you for the letter! And yes Glenn rocks!
Hi Dar.
Did you put frets into the finger board or just leave it flat. Thanks Greg
I leave it flat. Slide instruments usually have no frets.
Hi Dar, could you please tell me how far apart should the strings be apart on the fretboard. Appreciate your time and thank you. Greg
from each side go in 1/4 inch, the middle should be 3/4 inch in. What kind of tuners do you have? 2right 1 left?
Hi Everyone, sorry I got to your comments so late. I hold the comments for review and did not realize there were so many. Thank you so much for watching and I will check my comments more frequently to try to answer everyones questions.
Guauu! Thanks!
What size bolt for the bridge and what bolt size for the nut?
It really doesn't matter just something with a little thickness to get the strings off the box and neck. Just have them be the same or close to the same size as each other.
WHAT IS THE PEDAL?
It is a Dirty Rat distortion pedal
Very impressed
the only difficulty is laying the frets, shaving and planning them.
I need to do a video on frets
You are using a L square. Not a T square.
👍
Wow! That was so cool!
Good Intro! I loved it!