My First Cigar Box Guitar

So I decided to make a 3 string fret less cigar box guitar. This is a rough prototype and not a finished piece! I used a piezo transducer for the pickup, a standard 1/4 inch jack, volume control and on/off switch. I chose plug hole covers for the sound holes and screwed rod for the nut and bridge. The neck is high quality American Poplar and is a through neck.  The screws you see as the saddle are only temporary for testing purposes.

  

I am pretty happy with it so far, I have learnt a lot about building cigar box guitars from this project and hope to make many more. It sounds fantastic plugged in to my amp! I may add a video soon of how it sounds.

Let me know if anyone wants to see how it was made or if you want me to make you one.

How to make a Diddley Bow

Its been a long day but I have finally finished my first Diddley Bow.

So I set off this morning in search of some electronic components and timber, I eventually found a fantastic hardwood specialist in Old Trafford where I pick up a load of American Poplar. Next stop Maplins electronics...

Here is a list of parts used:

• 2" screws
• American Poplar 1"x5" (plank)
• An old mint tin
• Piezo transducer
• 1/4" Mono Jack input
• Wire (3 amp)
• Insulation tape
• Guitar string
• Solder (lead free)
• Old ukulele bridge and saddle

The main tools I used:

• Power drill
• Needle files
• Soldering iron
• Pliers

Acoustic Diddley Bow

First I attached two screws to either end of the guitar string. Next I fastened each screw to opposite ends of the plank of wood.  The mint tin was placed underneath the string along with the old ukulele bridge and saddle. Finally I tighten the screws until I liked the sound and pitch of the open string.
There you have it an acoustic Diddley Bow! Very simple and easy to make, made just like they did back in the old days.

Electric Diddley Bow

I then removed the mint tin and bridge, drilled a hole in the side for the jack input.











I got everything ready for soldering. The piezo transducer was then soldered to the jack input using 3 amp wire.






 

Black insulation tape was used inside the mint tin to avoid the circuit shorting out.

I attached the piezo transducer to the lid using some more insulation tape. The jack input was fastend to the side where the hole was made earlier.

Close the lid, put the tin and bridge back in place under the string.



And there you have it one electric Diddley Bow!
















Right, its time to plug it in and have some fun...

Look out for my next post where I shall be making a 3 string fretless cigar box guitar.

Diddley Bow

While I am waiting for my cigar box to arrive I have decided to build my first "Diddley Bow".





The Diddley Bow is of African origin which was popular in America during the 1920s (Delta Blues). It has been used recently by such artists as Seasick Steve and Jack White.

I will be picking up the parts in the morning and then start making it.

I shall document each stage for you all to see how to build one and then hopefully put a video on to show how it plays and looks.


Shopping list

• A Guitar String
• A nice length of hard wood
• Screws
• An old mint tin
• A few other scraps of metal
• Wire
• Piezo transducer
• Jack socket 1/4"
• A tuning peg
• 2 x screw eyes
• Sand paper

See you tomorrow!

If you can't wait until then here is a video of Seasick Steve playing his song "Diddley Bo" on Later with Jools Holland.

Cigar Box Ukulele

I am currenty looking for a nice cigar box or two for my new project. I am thinking of something with great old american advertising on it like this.

Lets hope I am the winning bidder on ebay, only a few hours to go....

Restoration Projects And More

Hello everyone and welcome to my blog!

My background

I spent 2 years completing a National  Diploma in 3D Design at a local college. This was a great course for experimenting with all different types of materials. We had all types of classes ranging from Fine art, pottery, graphic design, metal work, wood work and computer aided design.  I have always loved music and instruments so for my final major project I designed and made an electric solid body guitar. This was the start of my passion for building musical instruments.

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I then did a diploma in music performance at another local college for a year before packing my bags and heading for "The Big Smoke". I spent 3 years at Guild Hall (now London Met) studying towards a Degree in Musical Instrument Technology. It was here I learnt the skills needed to make many instruments from the string family, mainly acoustic guitars and ukuleles.

I then joined a well established band playing all over the UK. In places like The Cavern, Liverpool and The 100 Club, London. So as you can imagine the musical instrument making took a back seat as we recorded albums and toured England.

  

 After recording 2 albums, a few singles, TV appearences and movie soundtracks I decided to call it a day and settle down with a family.












I now have a lovely fiancee and daughter and run my own electrical testing business in the North West of England.

I now have the time and passion to pursue my love for musical instrument making.  I plan to finish off some old projects such as a travel guitar, an acoustic guitar and a ukulele.
Also to do some restoration work on banjo ukuleles and guitars. I hope you can follow me over the next few months and years in my musical journey. You may learn some tips and techniques and maybe help me with what I am doing.

What do you think of cigar box instruments? I am about to buy some old wooden cigar boxes that have fabulous advertising on them from America. I will be turning these in to Ukuleles and guitars.

Watch this space!