Cigar Box Guitar Chord Forms – 3-string Open G “GDG”

G Chord Forms for Cigar Box Guitar PDFWe have added a new category to the knowledgebase here on CigarBoxGuitar.com – 3-string CBG chord forms! So far we have added G, C and D chord forms. The rest of the common chord forms (A, Eb, E, B, Bb, F) will be coming in the next few days!

Here’s what C. B. Gitty says about these chord forms:

“We do not claim that this list is exhaustive or definitive, or that there aren’t other chord forms out there that some might find preferable. Some of the chords here may not even be technically what we have them labeled as… but the key thing is that they work, and they are the ones we use when playing. If one chord form doesn’t sound quite right in the song you are playing, then try a different one! We present them freely in the hope that you can make good use of them too.”

 

 

 

A Great Primer & Intruduction to wiring Jacks in Cigar Box Guitars

The differences between mono and stereo phone jacks.If you have ever been a bit uncertain of how to wire a jack onto the pickup in your cigar box guitar, check out this article just added to our knowledgebase.

In this article, C. B. Gitty walks you through the differences between mono and stereo jacks, how to identify the positive and negative lugs, and how to wire a stereo jack for mono use (if you accidentally buy stereo jacks). Confusion over these points comes up frequently among cigar box guitar builders, and now this article makes it all clear!

 

 

Cigar Box Guitar Tablature Library added

We have just created a new section of the knowledgebase here on CigarBoxGuitar.com which will host a growing library of tablature for cigar box guitars, with a focus on the popular Open G “GDG” tuning style.

We have added a few initial pieces of tablature and more will be coming soon. Click the image below to check out what has been added so far!

WagonWheel PDF Image

Final Two Parts of Canjo Video Series Posted

IMG_8350_2Parts 3 and 4 of the video series “The Essential Canjo” by C. B. Gitty have just been posted here on CigarBoxGuitar.com.

These videos dig into the nitty gritty of how to play the canjo: Part 3 shows you tuning and tablature reading, and then moves into playing a couple of songs (Camptown Races and When the Saints Go Marching In) from tablature available on this site. Part 4 then moves into some more advanced playing techniques that you can use to spice up your canjo playing: hammer-ons, pull-offs, vibrato, tremolo and the like.

By the time you’ve finished watching all four of these videos, you should be well on your way to mastery of the canjo!

The Essential Canjo – Part 3 – How to Play, Tune & Read Tablature

The Essential Canjo – Part 4 – Advanced Playing Techniques

Second Part of Canjo Video Series Added

The second part of C. B. Gitty’s video series “The Essential Canjo” has just been added to the Canjos & Diddleybows section of the knowledgebase here on CigarBoxGuitar.com. In this installment, Gitty walks you through the anatomy of a canjo – the various parts and how they are put together, the fretting style, discussion of the “blue note” and more. A number of diagrams and explanatory notes help illustrate the points Gitty is making in the video.

Stay tuned for parts 3 and 4 to be posted in the near future, which will cover tuning, reading tablature, playing simple songs, and making use of more advanced playing techniques.

Check out the Knowledgebase Post for more info and to view the video!

New Video: The Essential Canjo – Part 1

61-013-29 Image 1We’ve just added a new post to the Canjos & Diddleybows section of the knowledgebase here on CigarBoxGuitar.com. The subject is Part One of a 4-part video series by C. B. Gitty on the instrument known as the Canjo. If you have ever wanted to know about these fun little instruments, this video series is for you!

Check out the Knowledgebase Post for more info and to view the video!

Product Feature: Screened Sound Hole Inserts for Cigar Box Guitars

 

ScreenedSHCsIf you have been looking for something new to use in the sound hole of your next cigar box guitar, have a look at these cool screened resonator guitar-style sound hole inserts.

These parts have always been a bit harder to find than many other more common guitar parts, and when you do they are pricy. For example, parts (and price!) giant Stewmac has the chrome version for $12.22 per pair, plus shipping.

C. B. Gitty Crafter Supply has been selling these in Chrome, Gold and Black for several years, and at just $7.29 for a set of two (chrome style), the savings should be apparent.

Gitty uses these extensively in his own in-house CBG building operation. The most common method of installing them is to cut your circular sound hole and then use hot glue from the back of the panel to seat them in place.

These are just screaming to be used on your next great CBG build, so browse on over and check them out today! Here are the direct links:

Happy building!

Have you ever wanted to build a cigar box amplifier? New video shows you how

C. B. Gitty has just posted an in-depth video showing you how to build a cigar box amp using their “Oliva G” amplifier kit (product# 52-003-02). From drilling and cutting the cigar box, to wiring the components and finishing assembly, this video has it all. While the video is specific to Gitty’s pre-packaged amplifier kit, you can use this same information for your own amplifier projects as well.

This video is a detailed, step-by-step walkthrough that shows you every step of the process. If you have been thinking about trying to build a cigar box amplifier, but haven’t been sure you could, this video is for you!

New Cigar Box Guitar How-to Video: Installing Fret Position Markers in Your CBG Fretboard

Be sure to check out the latest how-to video from Glenn Watt, in which he shows you how to install fret position markers in your cigar box guitar fretboard using wooden dowels and simple tools. Here is the link to the knowledgebase entry:

https://www.cigarboxguitar.com/knowledge-base/video-how-to-install-fret-markers-on-your-cigar-box-guitar-fretboard/

Just Posted: The Cigar Box Guitar Tuning Cheat Sheet!

34-018-01 Image 3C. B. Gitty just posted his top secret cheat sheet in the knowledgebase here on CigarBoxGuitar.com! This article shows you the exact string gauges to use for pretty much any tuning you could want on a 25″ scale cigar box guitar. This simple chart demystifies choosing the right size strings to hit any note from double low B all the way up to high A.

There is no longer any reason to be afraid of trying custom funky tunings on your cigar box guitars! No more guesswork, broken strings or frustration. Just decide on a tuning you want to try, refer to the chart, and grab your strings. If only everything were this easy!

New Cigar Box Guitar Tuning Article: Open E “EBE” with sound clips!

C. B. Gitty has just published the third installment in his series of 3-string cigar box guitar tuning how-to articles. This one covers the Open E “EBE” tuning, which is great for the blues! This tuning was used by Shane Speal on his recently released album Holler!, on the tracks Big Leg Woman/Swing the Hammer, specifically because this tuning gives you that raw, growly blues sound.

Click Here to View the Open E EBE Tuning Article

The article gives you the exact pitches and string sizes to achieve this tuning on a cigar box guitar in the range of 24-25″ scale length, and also includes sound clips of Gitty playing each tuning on a cigar box guitar, so you can get a feel for what the sound like.