Choosing a Cigar Box Guitar

There are hundreds of folk building cigar box guitars, but not all are equal. It can be confusing to the newcomer, so hopefully this short clip will explain a little bit of what you need to know.

[@xdavefazx]

This is brilliant. Covers all the basics about cigar box guitars, and explains a lot of the technical stuff in a really simple and straight forward way. I especially liked the way you included some finger-picking and simple chords. A lot of cbg videos focus purely on bottleneck style - which can be great - but it's nice to see how versatile 3 strings can be in the right hands.

[@monkeyshark100]

What a nice bloke. So enthusiastic and knowledgable. Thanks. K

[@PuckettCigarBoxGuitar]

wow just WOW !!!! i'd LOVE for you to play one of my CBG's - you would do it JUSTICE !!!!!!!! Awesome

[@flying2bill]

Use mag pickups plug into a Marshall and turn it up to a million love it

[@rodcunha9926]

lovely man with a lovely CBG.. music knowledge and joy.

[@skyfly]

Fantastic! You just spill the information so fast and cover a lot of interesting things.

[@Chugosh]

I'm feeling all kinds of inspired. Thanks for showing your guitars and giving us the great informative advice.

[@Real_Kyrinn_S_Eis]

Thank you! I had no idea, and I found this very pleasant. Really lamenting not knowing how to play.

[@Chugosh]

Cool thing is you can start any time with the basics. May take a while to get the the level of these guys, but the basic strum is not too bad.

[@Real_Kyrinn_S_Eis]

Thanks, *****. I hope to find the time one day, sooner than later. It is like I'm yearning to speak a language only an instrument can utter.

[@benm00r]

Kyrinn S. Eis Its easier than you may think! With only 3 strings, and them being open tuned, its hard to play a wrong note!

[@Real_Kyrinn_S_Eis]

Neat. Thanks Roosterman. :D Building it would be such fun.

[@CoinOfFaith]

Enjoyed the vid. Great sound and you're not too shabby at playing those things either.

[@KountryCuz1]

I love Building them Cigar Box guitars Great Demo

[@triplesevensix291]

Turn everything up to a million..& 11! One louder baby! Lol. I love those ashtray bridges too. Exclusive as well. Nice...

[@junkyardvillain]

Roosterman, Well done. Very informative...Thank you

[@webwillie1]

Thank's for posting. Lots of good info.

[@dtshifter]

So much great information! Thanks for the lesson!!!

[@bboehm17]

Loved the video. Sad to see I didnt stumble upon it soon enough, as you're not currently in business. Enjoy the time off and hopefully I'm able to catch you on your return. Again, awesome video.

[@DNAblues]

Great unbiased job explaining what type if CBG to get. Plus you sound great. I'm looking for some of your work here on You Tube as well as randy roosters guitars

[@americancigarboxguitarsass855]

Great Job!!

[@cassvirgillo3395]

Hey Roosterman, good video. It's all in how they are built. Fun project. I built one for a friend, an Alec Bradley, red lid, 'American" classic blend with a P-90, etc.. I just built a Padron 3000 (box) CBG for Justin 'the Wizard' Johnson, as an engagement/wedding gift. It also features a p-90 single coil pick-up, etc.. I am a subscriber and enjoy your videos and tutorials on the CBG. Take care, C.

[@PaulTheSkeptic]

Strictly speaking you can still finger a fretless CBG. Also, the under the bridge type piezos don't give off too much extra sound. Some people like the more acoustic sound of a piezo. Or you could have them on a toggle switch so you can go back and forth.

[@benm00r]

You can.... but its a much duller sound, even with a hardwood fretboard, and playing chords without frets requires some very precise finger placement. I find a lot of folk buying cbgs are new to guitars completely, so the easier it is for them to improve, the more they'll get out of it. I also think fretless is very restrictive in the longer term. The misconception is that when you play slide, its ALL slide, but slide is predominantly about the subtle fills - frets are handy for the bulk of the playing, and allow more experimentation. I have fitted both mags and piezos through a 3 way switch many times, but its not something I do unless the customer specifies it. Most folk quickly find that such a setup ends up being left on the mag setting! I guess it depends what you want to do with your guitar, but the benefits of a magnetic pickup over a piezo are many, especially if playing live, or if you are enthusiastic with your fx or recording. That been said, piezos are very easy to fit, so lots of people use them, especially when they are just starting out building guitars. Perosnally though, I cant stand them - too tinny for my liking!

[@Leatheryed1]

Ey up lad, not heard that great dialect for years. I lived most of my life in Manchester and then for my last 6 years in England I lived in West Yorkshire. I am guessing you are from somewhere around Manchester though? I left England in 1982 and I now live near Chicago, Illinois, (still got the English accent though :) ). Man do I miss hearing good dialect! I came on here because I just bought a 3 string cigar box guitar and wanted to get some idea as to playing and tuning it. I normally play 6 and 12 string guitars, but I have to say that I was blown away by the sound from these things. I agree with the adjustable bridge. The one I just bought did not have one and already I can hear the intonation errors. Also it had a peizo pick-up which I'm not keen on. I'll probably go ahead and modify it as per your recommendations. By gum I liked your video, keep up the good work lad. All the best, Chris.

[@edwardskinner651]

Buy one from the guy on the t-shirt you're wearing. Mike Snowden of Snowden guitars in Marrietta, GA. Not only does he make them, but is an outstanding player as well.

[@jan-penny]

Gotta have one, I’ll be in touch 😎.

[@boogieboxmusic4331]

Thank for answering my main question, which was do I need frets.. I’ll get one soon, good lad

[@1339LARS]

Churchill sounds to the tee !

[@brianrose8661]

A great informative video .loved the way you put all your feelings in to what you are making , i would like to purchase a neck for a 3 string if that is possible . I Have a paint box I'd like to convert . Would appreciate any help I could get best wishes BJ Rose

[@terrysilverback8604]

You are awesome 😎

[@jeromegrzelak8236]

a .01 cap at the jack of the pizo cuts down on the feedback

[@johngleason5748]

Outstanding!!!

[@boby6328]

Thanks for showing all about the different kinds. Where would I see one I could buy. Thanks

[@billwilliams8783]

Was that groove is in the heart? ...awesome

[@paulshepherd8990]

Very inspiring .... quick question do you as part of the build use a truss rod I think that's what it's called...

[@axiomist1076]

Thaat iiiss beuuutifull ! I'd like to see Keith Richards play some slide on one of these. I have GOT to get one, Gotta get one, NOW . . !

[@lukeponsonby7926]

I’ve been trying to get on your website to buy one to no prevail though any help

[@peterscrase7196]

Do you make left handed 3 string cigar box guitars and can you play rock and roll and blues

[@noramurphy473]

Great info really enjoyed tried your website doesn't appear to be active? Interested in guitar

[@triplesevensix291]

Where do you get those dice knobs from Rooster? Also, do you do builds by order? If so what price are you talking for a custom build? I'm new to building myself but am totally hooked. What a boss hobby it is eh? Nice one Rooster.

[@zippyde]

great vid.bro.are you still building ? im looking to have one built,i have the box to start.

[@albertattwood8746]

Love what your doing, I like the punch style guitar.what price are we looking at for your guitars..Albert. Australia

[@voxsteven]

Thank you mucho!

[@robertodell8900]

Love your vid, Mate. The link below keeps giving me a 404 error. Do you have a Facebook page, or another link to your website?

[@gtbwi]

Great video! by the way I couldn't stop staring at your T-shirt I noticed it said snowden but my eyes are bad that's all I could read and couldn't help but thinking I wonder if you know there's a guy named Snowden that builds cigar box guitars here in the states Snowden cigar box guitars? I had to laugh because I wasn't sure who I was looking at I was pretty sure Snowden was American but you sound definitely English ... I liked your video now I have to choose between 4 guitar makers ... Nigel Mctrusty Australia ,YOU Great Britain , Snowden guitars I believe usa and Justin johnsen cigar box guitars usa I don't know what to do now hahaha!

[@nickpagakis5433]

Youre the shit dude! Good Job. Little longer playing demo's could be cool!

[@benm00r]

Cheers Nick - I'll get round to doing some longer demos sometime soon!

[@stephaniesimms7899]

Just discovered this great video but unfortunately the Webb site is no longer available. Are these instruments still available if so can anyone tell me where I can purchase one

[@mikha007]

he may be dead

[@yomeroyomero]

quick question: how long does it takes for the cardboard covering to start to peel off?

[@PuckettCigarBoxGuitar]

Only good tasting tuna gets to be Statkist 😎

[@gtbwi]

I'm just curious and would like to know your opinion on Nigel mctrusty and his guitars? I know I know it's a competitor but just wanted to get your opinion anyway your stuff looks good very nice thanks for the video

[@theothertonydutch]

Would be cool to have a six string cigarbox guitar but in the same way as you would have a 12 string, so double strings for each note.

[@squirlmy]

that's closer to a mandolin. In American tradition, a "Mountain Mandolin" (8 strings). For builders, once you start getting that sophisticated, you might as well build traditional folk instrument and throw out the "cigar box."

[@theothertonydutch]

@@squirlmy One should never might as well, if only for the sake of doing things differently.

[@1339LARS]

I didn´t think that the "box" made this change to the sound, I thought it was all electric ?

[@squirlmy]

No.These are from an African American tradition, you might even say specifically "Delta Blues tradition," of acoustic guitar. Heavy cardboard makes for surprisingly good acoustics, it's a good "tonewood". Of course it you want to make it last for regular playing, you want wood. Once you start using electromagnetic pickups, you can just as well use a 2X4, or scrapwood. I've seen many "barncasters" made from aged wood. So if one makes a crap cigar box that doesn't sound good, they can stick a pickup and electronics in it and "rescue" a bad build. To play loud enough with other instruments, though, you do need electronic amplification of some sort.

[@lesliecumberland2512]

How Much

[@SH-xq4dq]

Just saw your 2013 vid on choosing a cigar box guitar, are u still making them ? As I can't find your site or how to email you , this is a shout out to anyone that knows , many thanks

[@adriancodrea2684]

great video; do you have a website through which you sell your guitars?

[@nseight]

:-) Thank you for sharing*

[@pedromartinezdealbornozari9798]

hello, i wanted to buy the cheapest electric cgb guitar, what would you recommend me?

[@momoney2720]

So GDG?, Is that What You were saying

[@pedromartinezdealbornozari9798]

hello, roosterman, i wanted to buy the cheapest electic cigar box guitar online, what would you recommend me??

[@MrNuts1985]

Mate I love this video any chance you could private msg me iv been looking to build a 3 string cigar box guitar for my dad as he's not been well for quite some time but is now on the mend and I'd love to make one for him as its so much nicer than a get well soon card I'd also like to make my own pick ups and stuff to so it would be really nice if I could talk to someone who knows what there doing and can steer me in the right direction thanks again mate really like the videos

[@metalgeek420]

Where do you get your bridges? Couldn't hear the website name.

[@davidrhodes7573]

How do I contact you to maybe order a cbg

[@robertowatsiano]

hi m8 how do I get in touch with you your link below doesn't work

[@armoredscout63]

Freakin great stuff. Got one question, can a base guitar be made from cigar box? Would like to see one.

[@benm00r]

Yep - Iv done a few, but you need a bigger box for the extra scale length. Make sure you brace it up good too to account for the extra tension of the heavier strings!

[@armoredscout63]

Thank you sir. Might be a while before I try my hand at building one but Ill keep that in mind. Have a great night.

[@benm00r]

armoredscout63 Found this old vid of the first bass I made! handmademusicclubhouse.com/video/semi-acoustic-bass?xg_source=activity

[@user-wt8uf6fz2k]

you still making guitars to sell?

[@RockyMtnRCAdventure]

I have a Merlin which is tuned to DAD. What is the tuning on this? I didn't quite catch it in the video.

[@flying2bill]

+Scotty REwing G D g very common 3 string tuning

[@RockyMtnRCAdventure]

Thanks.

[@peterscrase7196]

How much are they

[@mikehelvie3122]

What brand of pickup do you use on the first guitar on this video?

[@benm00r]

Hi Mike - its nothing more than a generic P bass pup

[@DNAblues]

Oops it's randyroosterscigarboxguitars

[@waden404]

Do u HAVE to earth ground your strings?

[@squirlmy]

It's possible, but the risk of getting unwanted feedback goes way, way up. If you're really stuck, you can install .022uf or .0447uf capacitors, but it's almost always easier to ground the strings.

[@billnicholson9095]

you still making these?

[@garyhackett933]

I have been trying to get one from him myself

[@RonnGarris]

I want one! Where do I send my money?!!!!!

[@benm00r]

Ronn Garris Hi Ronn - you can contact me here www.randyroosterscigarboxguitars.com/page8.htm to discuss your requirements!

[@popshosoi3843]

+Roosterman would like to buy one. Pops Hosoi here in California (I like the yellow cigar box) I enjoy slide style

[@paulrippon9966]

How do I make contact. Could,nt get through on your link.thanks

[@PuckettCigarBoxGuitar]

here is a link to my FIRST successful Cigar Box Build !!!!! check it ?? kzbin.info/www/bejne/eGaykn2CnNqjn9U

[@goodboyringo9716]

I can't understand a word he is saying

[@StarsWithScars]

ther eis a sticker in german language " Rauchen kann Ihnen und Menschen in Ihrer Umgebung Schaden zufügen.." Haha why? xD

[@thomaskot9088]

MwNH

[@geebee864]

Could you redo a video in English ! ???