Building a cigar box guitar

[RoccoFunnyMan]

First time building any guitar, so this should be interesting. Here are the parts, went with an All Parts Tele neck, SD Little 59 , and an All Parts top wound Tele Bridge. Just finished staining and polying the neck, need to take a pic of it.

 

[phred]

Re: Building a cigar box guitar

This looks fun.

 

[kramersteen]

Re: Building a cigar box guitar

I am looking forward to this build. Very cool

 

[Chickenwings]

Re: Building a cigar box guitar

my mate up here in the blueys makes cigar box axes and sells them. They sound pretty wicked.
http://www.rignoldguitars.com.au/index.html

 

[phred]

Re: Building a cigar box guitar

Sounds like my next project.

 

[RoccoFunnyMan]

Re: Building a cigar box guitar

To add rigidity I am using an oak plank inside the box, I will screw mount it to the top half of the box with space on top and bottom. I am going to mount the neck to it, just need to work out the measurements and placement. It's not a huge box which is why I am only doing a single pup, but it should be pretty badass when done. If it comes out well I might start building and selling them as a little side hobby. Maybe it will offset the cost of all the cigars I smoke !! More pics to follow.

 

[phred]

Re: Building a cigar box guitar

Where do you get the boxes?

 

[RoccoFunnyMan]

Re: Building a cigar box guitar

Where do you get the boxes?

I smoke the contents. :werd:

 

[mikeyp]

Re: Building a cigar box guitar

Looks cool. I made one with an old Washburn baby acoustic neck which was something like a 19" scale. I'm kinda curious if you're box is long enough/enable you to get the bridge in the proper location with that neck. Now that I think about it I had a couple inch's to spare behind the bridge so I guess you'll be good to go. Have fun!

 

[RoccoFunnyMan]

Re: Building a cigar box guitar

Looks cool. I made one with an old Washburn baby acoustic neck which was something like a 19" scale. I'm kinda curious if you're box is long enough/enable you to get the bridge in the proper location with that neck. Now that I think about it I had a couple inch's to spare behind the bridge so I guess you'll be good to go. Have fun!

It should be good, but there isn't a ton of room. Once I get it taped off for cuts I will lay it out dry and take some pics. It should be an interesting little twanger !

 

[GuitarStv]

Re: Building a cigar box guitar

That is a WAY fancier neck that most cigar box guitars I've seen! Looks like it'll be fun and playable when you're done . . .

 

[RoccoFunnyMan]

Re: Building a cigar box guitar

 

[RoccoFunnyMan]

Re: Building a cigar box guitar

I am thinking I am going to cut a notch out on the bridge side of the box and extend the internal support plank out of the cut . This will let me move the bridge a little further away from the neck. If I do this it will be 3.5" from the beginning of the bridge bracket to the neck, if not it will be 2.5" and I think that is a little too close.

2.5 inch space


3,5 inch space

 

[Artie]

Re: Building a cigar box guitar

Sorry if I'm telling you something that you already know, but you can't just place the bridge anywhere you want. The saddles must be 12.75" from the twelth fret. In other words, the twelth fret must be exactly in the middle between the nut and saddles. Otherwise, only the open strings will be in tune.

 

[RoccoFunnyMan]

Re: Building a cigar box guitar

Sorry if I'm telling you something that you already know, but you can't just place the bridge anywhere you want. The saddles must be 12.75" from the twelth fret. In other words, the twelth fret must be exactly in the middle between the nut and saddles. Otherwise, only the open strings will be in tune.

Thanks, I did not know this. I am learning quite a bit here ! I will have to make a measurement.

 

[RoccoFunnyMan]

Re: Building a cigar box guitar

Yes, I am going to have to come out a bit further than I expected. Now I have to decide if I will make that amount up with the bridge or split the difference with the bridge and the neck.

 

[Artie]

Re: Building a cigar box guitar

You're welcome. Technically, a Tele has a 25.5" scale length, so the saddles need to be 25.5" from the nut.
Once you resolve this problem, it'll be a cool project. I'm doing a cigar-box axe myself, but I'm using a Stratocaster neck. (From a Squier Bullet.)

 

[mojosman]

Re: Building a cigar box guitar

My brother builds them too. He built me this one. It's awesome.

Here is some of his work:

 

[Top-L]

Re: Building a cigar box guitar

I've seen this trend.

Why cigar boxes? Do they sound good?

 

[RoccoFunnyMan]

Re: Building a cigar box guitar

I've seen this trend.

Why cigar boxes? Do they sound good?

Had a box, thought it would be cool to have, and fun to build.