How to Make a Simple Guitar

Make a simple guitar from the wooden box that holds cigars like these.

Building a simple cigar-box guitar is an excellent way to save money while making an instrument whose appearance is as unique as its sound. A cigar-box guitar is a simple chordophone, a centuries-old instrument. Cigar-box guitars themselves originated in the early 17th century, according to the website Cigar Box Guitars, and are enjoying a modern renaissance as more people adopt a do-it-yourself ethic. With some patience and craftsmanship, you can create your own simple three-string guitar and demonstrate your DIY prowess.

Things You'll Need

• Wooden cigar box
• 3-foot-long 1×2 (poplar)
• 1-inch finishing nails (12)
• 1½-inch bolts (8)
• ¼-inch X 2½-inch eye bolt
• Wood glue
• 8 oz. stain/sealant
• Sponge brush (1/2 to 1 inch is fine)
• Sandpaper multipack (for wood)
• Tuning pegs (3)
• Drill with multiple sized bits
• Hacksaw
• Pocketknife
• Woodworking file
• Scroll saw
• Sanding block
• Guitar strings (3)

Instructions

1. Attach the guitar neck to the cigar-box guitar body by cutting notches into the lid side of the cigar box. Open the cigar-box lid before you start cutting. Line up and sand the notches so the neck sits smoothly inside them, even with the edges of the guitar box to improve stability.

2. Drill holes into the lid of the guitar box through which the sound will resonate. Do not drill holes where the neck of the guitar will fit into the body, as it will cover them up and eliminate their effectiveness. Do not drill too many holes in the guitar body, as it will compromise the box's structural integrity.

3. Mark an area 4 inches down from one end of the neck. This area will be the headstock of your guitar. Drill 3 holes into the headstock area of the guitar's neck. Drill the first hole 1/2 inch from the left side of the neck and 1 inch from the line that marks the beginning of the headstock. Drill the second hole 1 inch from the left side of the neck and 2 inches from the line that marks the beginning of the headstock. Drill the third hole 3/4 inch from the left side of the neck and 3 inches from the line that marks the beginning of the headstock.

4. Insert the tuning pegs into the holes in the headstock of the guitar. Do not install them fully until you are ready to string your guitar.

5. Shape the headstock and neck with a wood file or knife. File away 1/2 inch from the front face of the headstock. Round the edges of the neck to make manipulating the frets on the neck more comfortable.

6. Drill three small equidistant holes into the bottom of the guitar’s neck. These holes should be 1/2 inch from the bottom of the neck and will be used to mount the strings.

7. Cut a small round groove into the neck approximately 1/2 inch from where the headstock begins on the neck. Secure the bolt to be used for the bridge in this groove with glue. When threading the string from the string holes at the bottom of the neck into the tuning peg, the string will rest on the bolt so that its resonance is not overly dulled by the wood.

8. Sand and seal the neck to meet your aesthetic preferences. Attach the neck to the body using wood glue and finishing nails. Take care to not crack the lid or the neck with the nails.

9. String the guitar with standard guitar strings. Upon threading and tying the strings into the three small holes at the bottom of the neck, run them up the neck and have them rest tightly against the bridge before attaching each to its individual tuning peg.

10. Close the lid of your cigar-box guitar body. Secure the lid with wood glue and finishing nails. After you've let it dry overnight, you can tune your new guitar and start strumming.

Tips & Warnings

• Drill additional holes for additional tuning pegs if you want your guitar to have more than three strings. Space these holes in 1/4-inch increments from the side of the neck and 1/2-inch increments from the bottom of the headstock.

References

• Cigar Box Guitars: How to Build a Cigar Box Guitar