Chris Kelble
07-16-2010, 8:50 AM
So, a buddy of mine comes up to me a few weeks ago and says "I might need your help with a little project I have in mind." Seems he's been talking to his Dad, who likes to tinker with things (as Dad's tend to do), and had recently become enamored of building a cigar box guitar. I'd not heard of such a thing, but my buddy gives me some of the background: Usually poor folk, looking to make music but not having much for materials. Simple construction. Usually 3-4 strings. His Dad makes a simple 3 string, no frets, very plain guitar. My buddy gets all fired up and wants to build one of his own so he can learn to play. So he acquires the stuff, including fret wire, tuners, piezo pickup, pin jack, strings, etc and the knowledge of how it goes together. Being that I have the shop, I provide the equipment and the woodworking expertise in order to move things along quickly and safely.
Last night, we pretty much finished it up. I'd say we have maybe 8 hours of fiddling around with it. The box is made out of who-knows-what cheap/soft wood that Honduran Cigars use. The neck is a nice piece of maple that he bought. The fret-board is another piece of maple that he picked up somewhere.
I borrowed a small amp from a friend and we goofed around with it last night making lots of noise (not much music). My buddy can pick out a couple of simple tunes, but I know zip about playing. But, it was still a hoot!
Anyway, here are a couple of pictures. Enjoy!
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn88/ckelble/IMG_4628.jpg
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn88/ckelble/IMG_4629.jpg
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn88/ckelble/IMG_4631.jpg
Last night, we pretty much finished it up. I'd say we have maybe 8 hours of fiddling around with it. The box is made out of who-knows-what cheap/soft wood that Honduran Cigars use. The neck is a nice piece of maple that he bought. The fret-board is another piece of maple that he picked up somewhere.
I borrowed a small amp from a friend and we goofed around with it last night making lots of noise (not much music). My buddy can pick out a couple of simple tunes, but I know zip about playing. But, it was still a hoot!
Anyway, here are a couple of pictures. Enjoy!
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn88/ckelble/IMG_4628.jpg
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn88/ckelble/IMG_4629.jpg
http://i302.photobucket.com/albums/nn88/ckelble/IMG_4631.jpg