October 2014 – The How-To Repository for the Cigar Box Guitar Movement!

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

We’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

If 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!

AEA Tuning Article (with sound clips) Just Posted!

We’ve just added the next part of our running series of articles on 3-string CBG tunings to our knowledgebase. This one covers the “Open A” AEA, a very nice tuning option that tends to be underutilized. Check out the article here:

https://www.cigarboxguitar.com/knowledge-base/open-a-aea-tuning-on-your-cigar-box-guitar-4-methods-with-string-sizes-sound-clips/

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!

C. 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!