Cigar Box Guitar Parts and Their Functions

Cigar Box Guitar Parts and Their Functions

Below is a list of the typical parts of a cigar box guitar. It’s important to know what each part is called so you can use the right words when discussing cigar box guitars with others and so if you are doing research you are looking up the right terms.

Notice the list below follows the order of the labels in the picture, showing where each part is located on the cigar box guitar.

Keep in mind people build cigar box guitars in different ways, so the list should not be considered complete or absolute.

Head stock

• Located at top of guitar neck used to hold and position tuning machines
• Need room for desired number of tuners
• Need room to place tuners so strings can get to nut without interference
• Or can use string tree(s) to redirect string to nut
• Need a way to get a string back angle from nut so strings stay in place at nut
  • Use string retainer(s)
  • Angle neck back using scarf joint
• Need room/place to install nut if using a nut
• Typical recommended thickness for head stock is 5/8” for standard tuners

Tuning Machines

• Decide quality you want/need. Cheap open gear tuners not recommended
• Think through placement so strings have clear path to nut
• The post of the tuner the strings are wrapped around is called the capstan
• Decide on how many lefts vs rights you will use (as viewed from the back of the headstock)
• For proper operation install/orient with gear/capstan post closest to nut
• Different tuners can require different sized holes drilled in head stock
• Distance from edge of headstock to center of capstan is typically about ½”, but can be specific to tuner
• Predrill holes for attachment screws to prevent stripping of screw heads or breakage of screws

Nut

• Typically used to space strings at top of neck/fret board
• Also used to establish “string action” (string height above fret board)
• Can be used in combination with a zero fret
• Must be securely fastened so doesn’t move under string tension
• Made of different materials including plastic, bone, solid surface materials (Corian), antler…

Zero Fret

• Used as alternative to a nut or in combination with nut
• Typically made with a “jumbo fret” tall enough to create desired string action (height) above fret board and frets
• If used without nut must be slotted/grooved to hold strings in place (this will drop the action)
• If used without a nut may require string tree(s) to align string angle side to side with string slots on zero fret so strings stay in place when playing

Neck and Fret Board

• The type of wood used for the guitar neck influences the strength, aesthetics, playability, and tone of your instrument.
• Some woods give your guitar a mellow sound while others make it brighter.
• Neck is typically ¾” thick, 1 ½” wide
  • Recommend using hardwood to avoid warping under string tension
  • Must be perfectly straight in both directions (edge and face)
  • Recommend using straight grained wood (“vertical grain”)
• Fret board is typically ¼” thick, 1 ½” wide
  • Typically made of contrasting wood color from neck
  • Can be fretted or left unfretted if intended for slide guitar
• Neck is “carved” to desired shape for comfort and playability

Frets

• 'Frets' make it easier for performers to know where to place their fingers when they want to produce certain notes or chords.
• Used to divide the neck into fixed segments, directly related to the instrument’s scale length, at intervals to alter the guitar’s sound as its played
• Typically 20-24 frets are used, but “no rules with CBGs”
• Number of frets may be limited by your box and or your guitar design
• Frets must be accurately spaced and installed for proper playability of instrument
• Fret marks can be placed on the fret board of a slide guitar to help with visual location of fret positions
• Most common fret colors are gold and silver
• Most common materials used for frets are brass and nickel silver

Heel

• Also known as a “neck joint” the heel gives support to the guitar and extra strength to the neck.
• On standard guitar the heel assists with joining the neck to the guitar body.
• On “neck through” CBGs the heal is glued along the bottom of the neck the full length where passes through the box and provides extra thickness (and therefore strength) to the neck.
• This double thickness helps facilitate the ability to cut into the thickness of the neck for the box top, pickups, and or a recess cut out under the box top so the top can resonate.
• Heel length out from box must be enough to keep neck from deflecting under string tension due to any cuts made in the neck inside the box

Box

• Cigar boxes come in different sizes and configurations all affecting the guitar design and construction, ease of construction, as well as its sound and play-ability characteristics
• For acoustic guitars cigar boxes made of all wood with thin wood tops (sound board) will help maximize these characteristics
• Box size can affect how loud an acoustic guitar will be when played without amplification: typically larger leads to louder.
• Each different cigar box can have its own unique sound and tone
• Cigar boxes are made of different quality levels and are typically intended for one time use. Consider the durability of your box as well as its exterior finishes/appointments before committing to its use.
  • Consider additional bracing inside the box depending on your box as well as design requirements
• Some builders prefer to leave labels/stickers on their boxes, other remove them, no rules!
  • To help with removal of labels use a heat gun, or iron with cloth between the label and the iron, to help heat and soften the adhesive
• Some builders apply a finish to the exterior of the box to protect it.
  • Test your finishing product first to avoid potential disappointments)

Sound Holes

• Sound-hole(s) are an essential component of acoustic stringed musical instruments
• The efficiency of sound radiation in musical instruments is improved by the use of a sound hole.
• The sound hole enhances the radiation of sound by vibrating the volume of air inside the box as well as near its opening.
• Simply put a sound hole’s purpose is to amplify the sound.
• Consider with a sound hole you will see inside your box.
  • Paint/stains, covers and screens can be used to help address this.
• Sound holes can be of different designs and shapes

Bridge and Saddle

• The bridge and saddle work together to support and position the strings, as well as transfer string vibration to the box top (sound board)
• The bridge saddle combination helps establish the desired “action” or string height of the strings above the frets and guitar top
• The saddle sits on top of the bridge and is used as the resting place as well as the spacing mechanism for the strings
• String vibrations travel from the saddle through the bridge to the sound board
• The saddle is placed depending on the established scale length of your instrument
• The saddle is usually slightly angled on the bridge to improve/achieve proper intonation
• On some guitars the bridge is used to hold/anchor the ball end of the strings, eliminating the need for a tail

Tail

• The tail or tail piece is one way of anchoring one end of the strings, the ball end or end opposite of the tuners, to the guitar
• On a CBG the neck through design can be used to create a tail by having the neck extend out past the end of the box to create the tail
• Other items can be used to create the tail, including hinges, door strike plates and pre-manufactured tails
• There needs to be somewhat of an angle back on the strings from the saddle to the tail area, but not too much, to hold the bridge in place and to achieve good tone for your strings

Other Considerations:

String Ferrules

• Used to line the string holes as the strings pass through the tail or the body of the guitar

Piezo pickup

• Used for acoustic instruments to pick up and transfer the sound from the guitar to an amplifier

Output Jack

• Used at the guitar to connect the pickup of the guitar to the guitar cable used to connect the guitar to an amplifier

Volume/Tone Pots

• Installed between the pickup and the output jack to modify the sound of the guitar before it goes to the amplifier

Strap

• Used to help hold the guitar in position for playing while standing

Head Stock Hook

• Used to hang the guitar before and after construction
• Can also be used to hold one end of a guitar strap

Strap pin or Eye Hook for Strap

• Used to attach end(s) of guitar strap to the body of the guitar

Screening for Sound Hole

• Used as a decoration and or to limit ability to see inside guitar body at sound hole(s)