Category: Cigar Box Guitars

Everything related to cigar box guitars, the flagship instruments of the Home-made music revolution.

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Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas 3-string Cigar Box Guitar Tablature

Easily play the tune from the classic holiday song Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas on your 3-string cigar box guitar using this free tablature.

Open G GDG Listing ImageThe tablature in the PDF link below will show you exactly how to play the melody for the classic Christmas song Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, first performed by Judy Garland in the 1944 MGM musical “Meet Me in St. Louis.”

This tablature is arranged for 3-string cigar box guitars tuned to Open G “GDG”. Continue reading “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas 3-string Cigar Box Guitar Tablature”

Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas 4-string GDGB Cigar Box Guitar Tablature

The tablature in the PDF link below will show you exactly how to play the melody for the classic Christmas song Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, first performed by Judy Garland in the 1944 MGM musical “Meet Me in St. Louis.” This tablature is arranged for 4-string cigar box guitars tuned to Open G “GDGB”.

Open G GDG Listing ImageThe tablature in the PDF link below will show you exactly how to play the melody for the classic Christmas song Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas, first performed by Judy Garland in the 1944 MGM musical “Meet Me in St. Louis.”

This tablature is arranged for 4-string cigar box guitars tuned to Open G “GDGB”.

Continue reading “Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas 4-string GDGB Cigar Box Guitar Tablature”

Here Comes Santa Claus 3-string Open G GDG Cigar Box Guitar Tablature

“Here Comes Santa Claus” tablature for 3-string Open G GDG Cigar Box Guitars.

Open G GDG Listing ImageThe tablature in the PDF link below will show you exactly how to play the melody and chords for the classic Christmas song Here Comes Santa Claus, written by country music and film star Gene Autry.

This tablature is arranged for 3-string Open G “GDG” tuning. Continue reading “Here Comes Santa Claus 3-string Open G GDG Cigar Box Guitar Tablature”

Here Comes Santa Claus 4-string Open G GDGB Cigar Box Guitar Tablature

The tablature in the PDF link below will show you exactly how to play the melody for the classic Christmas song Here Comes Santa Claus, written by cowboy country star Gene Autry.

Open G GDG Listing ImageThe tablature in the PDF link below will show you exactly how to play the melody for the classic Christmas song Here Comes Santa Claus, written by cowboy country star Gene Autry.

This tablature is arranged for 4-string cigar box guitars tuned to Open G “GDGB”.

Continue reading “Here Comes Santa Claus 4-string Open G GDGB Cigar Box Guitar Tablature”

Honky Tonk Women by The Rolling Stones – 3-string Open G GDG – Tablature for Cigar Box Guitars

Open G GDG Listing ImageThe tablature in the PDF link below will show you exactly how to play the melody and chords for the song Honky Tonk Women, written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards and recorded by The Rolling Stones. This is a classic rock and roll anthem through and through – from the starting cowbell solo to the unforgettable lyrics to every one of the instantly recognizable guitar licks throughout. Continue reading “Honky Tonk Women by The Rolling Stones – 3-string Open G GDG – Tablature for Cigar Box Guitars”

How a Cigar Box Guitar Tuner Works

Improve your cigar box guitars by getting to know the anatomy and orientation of open gear tuners

By Glenn Watt

Ever wonder which way is up on a cigar box guitar tuner?

Would you like to learn how a cigar box guitar tuner works, how you should orient them, and why it matters?

Well, you’re in luck, my friend.

In this article you’ll learn:

  • the anatomy of a tuner
  • how you identify which direction a tuner is oriented
  • and why the orientation of a tuner is important

Plus, you’re going to get a bonus tip on how to flip an open gear tuner for a mistakenly drilled hole.

Let’s start with… Continue reading “How a Cigar Box Guitar Tuner Works”

How to Build a 3-string Cigar Box Guitar – Free Plans

This free 8-page guide will show you all of the steps needed to build your first 3-string slide Cigar Box Guitar. The guide makes it easy, outlining all of the parts and tools you will need (along with helpful hints on where to get them), and with clear, photo-illustrated instructions on how to assemble your instrument.

This free 8-page guide will show you all of the steps needed to build your first 3-string slide Cigar Box Guitar. The guide makes it easy, outlining all of the parts and tools you will need (along with helpful hints on where to get them), and with clear, photo-illustrated instructions on how to assemble your instrument. Continue reading “How to Build a 3-string Cigar Box Guitar – Free Plans”

How to Cut a Rod Piezo

Rod piezos can give you great improvements in overall tone and sound on your instrument builds, compared to a standard disc piezo. However, the standard rod piezo is made for a 6-string guitar, and at 2 ¾” in length, is often longer than a cigar box guitar builder needs or wants for embedding in a bridge. Fortunately, it is a fairly simple process to cut the rod piezos to a shorter length, for 3 or 4-string setups. However, it is important to cut it them in a certain way so you don’t ruin them, which is what this article will show you.

You can get Rod & Disk Piezos and all sorts of other great guitar and cigar box guitar gear over at our C. B. Gitty Crafter Supply Web Store. Browse on over and check it out!

Continue reading “How to Cut a Rod Piezo”

How to Eliminate Hum and Buzz on your electric Cigar Box Guitar

Electrifying your cigar box guitar or other homemade instrument build can be a very rewarding experience. Being able to plug into an amp not only gives you more volume, but it opens the door to a huge range of effects that would not otherwise be available. And it is a proven fact that having a pickup in a guitar makes it easier to sell – being able to plug in and rock out evokes images of Eddie Van Halen and Slash and is sure to get any would-be rocker’s blood pumping.

Our Disc-o-Tone pre-wired harness is a great way to add a pickup to your build.

Our Disc-o-Tone pre-wired piezo pickup harness is a great way to add a low-hum pickup to your cigar box guitar. No soldering required!

In an ideal situation, electrifying your build is as simple as gluing in a piezo (or mounting in a magnetic pickup), wiring it to a jack, and bingo. Continue reading “How to Eliminate Hum and Buzz on your electric Cigar Box Guitar”