Shane Speal shows how he performs many of his leads on a single string. This technique has been used by Blind Willie Johnson, Dick Dale, sitar players and many others. It’s also a great way to get sounds out of a cigar box guitar!
Category: How-to Info
Partial Slide Techniques for Cigar Box Guitars – HOT LICKS PT 4
Shane Speal shows his partial slide technique which allows certain strings to ring open while others played with a slide.
New How-to Knowledgebase Entry: 4-string Cigar Box Guitar Tunings
We just added a new video entry to the knowledgebase here on CigarBoxGuitar.com – a video excerpt from a Cigar Box Nation TV episode in which A. J. Gaither and Ben “Gitty” Baker discuss two great tenor guitar tunings for 4-string cigar box guitars: “Arkansas Tenor” (low E, A, D, G) and “Chicago Tenor” (D, G, B, E).
Both tunings allow you to use partial 6-string guitar chords – Ben even shows you how to use 6-string chord forms with them.
New How-To Plans: Build a Cigar Box Tambourine!
Ever wondered what to do with those wide, flat and thin cigar boxes? Well wonder no more! In this article, Ben “Gitty” Baker shows you how he turned just such a box into a playable cigar box tambourine!
It only took him about 30 minutes to whip this tambourine together, and there is a lot of room for experimentation and improvement, and even possibility of using all reclaimed items! Check it out and post pictures of your creations over at CigarBoxNation.com!
Make Your Cigar Box Guitar Quack Like a Duck – HOT LICKS PT 3
Because the world is demanding a new duck-inspired cigar box guitar song, right?
New How-to from Glenn Watt: Installing a Mini Humbucker in a Cigar Box Guitar
In this new knowledgebase entry, Glenn walks you through installing a C. B. Gitty Snake Oil Mini Humbucker in a cigar box guitar. As his example guitar he uses one of the popular “Mi Amor” 3-string CBGs that he designed. Color photos illustrate each step of the process with explanatory text.
If you have been wondering about how to dive into using mini humbuckers on your special builds, this is for you!
How to Play Cigar Box Guitar – HOT LICKS PT. 2
We continue the Hot Licks Cigar Box Guitar Series with this second installment. Grab your 3-string cigar box guitar, a slide and a VERY LOUD AMP!
How to Play Cigar Box Guitar: HOT LICKS PT 1
Grab your 3-string cigar box guitar and plug it into a loud amp. Shane’s gonna show you how to shred.
Dissonant Blues – A 6-string cigar box guitar tuning: Bb Bb Bb F G# Bb
Let’s get weird! Shane Speal shows off a freakishly dissonant tuning for 6-string cigar box guitar: Bb Bb Bb F G# Bb (low to high)
How to Electrify a Washtub Bass Without Excessive Feedback
Shane Speal shows how his band electrified their washtub bass using a C. B. Gitty piezo rod pickup.
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How to Build a Simple Cigar Box Guitar, Start to Finish – by Glenn Watt
Glenn has been working hard creating great content and posting it on his blog over at GlennWatt.com, and this latest contribution definitely raises the bar. In this post, Glenn walks you through building a simple 3-string cigar box guitar from start to finish, with clear instructions and photos for every step of the way.
Topics covered in this walk-through include:
- The tools and parts you’ll need (with suggestions on where to get them)
- Marking and cutting the cigar box
- Forming and fitting the neck
- Installing hardware
- Stringing and tuning
Glenn has a very low-key, approachable teaching style and way of explaining things that may seem complex at first. So if you have been thinking about building your first cigar box guitar, check these plans out and you’ll be well on your way. While you’re there, be sure to look at some of the other how-to resources Glenn has, including other how-to-build articles and videos, and also a growing library of how-to-play resources as well.
Screening the Sound Holes Gives Your Cigar Box Guitar a Clean Look
There are many different designs and ideas for sound holes in cigar box guitars, but the simple process of adding window screen mesh can greatly clean up the look and give the instrument a Dobro attitude. Shane Speal shows you the simple process in the video below.
Tools needed:
- Scroll Saw or coping saw
- Hot glue gun and glue sticks
- Optional: Linseed oil and Q-Tips (see extra tip below video)
EXTRA TIP: Using Q-tips, apply linseed oil to the cut edges of the hole. It darkens and seals the wood. It gets rid of the “cut out” look.
