CigarBoxGuitars.com  -  How to Build a Cigar Box Guitar

The builder’s experience is the most overlooked parts of a cigar box guitar festival. wanted a quieter space where builders could actually talk, share ideas, and learn from one another. We meet once a month in a classroom at my church, and anywhere from ten to two dozen people usually show up. It’s open to anyone building instruments—not just cigar box guitars.

A two-string slide guitar made from a canoe paddle. Built by Shane Speal. How to build link included

Vintage plans from 1923 showing a simple banjo made from a tin pie pan.

Build an eight-string lyre with cigar box resonator. The plans call for zither pin style pegs and a wooden frame.

How to build a fretless, four string cigar box instrument. Full parts list & step-by-step diagrams. From 1927

Build an 8 string mandolin from the tin of a canned ham. Common hardware store parts used. Full instructions.

Here's an easy project that will give you a goofy electric echo microphone that you can use for cool effects in a recording or on stage.

Several people asked about measurements of the Little Joe banjo, so I traced it and made a PDF. Download it here

A look inside the Mailbox Guitar reveals an extremely simple bracing system made from poplar scraps. The wood was leftover from some cigar