Build a Cigar Box Diddley Bow!
Instructions below on how to build an incredible, primitive homemade one-string cigar box guitar!
(Scroll to the bottom for original cigar box guitar music by Kevin!)
TOOLS! You’ll need ‘em.
Drill (electric or manual)
¼-inch drill bit
1/32-inch drill bit
A small hack saw
Screwdrivers
Files
I suggest wood glue be on the ready as well, just in case.
Hardware! Bolts, screws, any piece of metal the proper size can become a bridge and/or nut. For this example we’ll use:
One (1) 2x¼-inch eye bolt with a wing nut and washer to fit it for your tuner.
Two (2) 2x¼-inch eye bolts (or substitute two allen head hex socket of the same approximate size for a nut and a bridge
For sound hole embellishments, I’m using two grommets, but it’s all a matter of choice what you use—if you use anything at all.
1 guitar string of any gauge
One empty cigar box and a three-foot dowel
Tip: Do not get a cigar box from a convenience store as they are thin and made of cardboard. Get one from a true tobacco/cigar store. Do not spend more than $3 for a paper-covered box and no more than $5 for an all-wood box unless it is a specific box. Some places give them away, but most will charge something. A box in the range of 9" wide, 7" deep and 1 1/2" thick is fine. Anything much smaller and you will not be able to get a lot of sounds. Too big is not a problem but you will have to adjust the measurements of wood. Every box is and sounds unique. If you don’t know what it’ll sound like, go for size and appearance.
A three-foot dowel or broom/mop handle.
Many people use a 3/4" x 1 1/2 piece of poplar or pine. We’re using a broom handle or dowel this time.
Also pictured is the rest of the hardware we’ll use.
Measure the circumference of your dowel (or the dimensions of your alternative choice) and transfer them to your box as seen in the pic above and cut out a notch in the box center at both ends to accommodate your neck. Don’t cut it too big or too deep.
Sound holes can be any size, any number. I’m boring 1/4-inch holes to accommodate grommets of that size for my sound holes—two, decidedly.
Drill a 1/4-inch hole near the top of your dowel for your eye bolt tuner.
Drill a 1/32-inch hole near the bottom of the dowel form your string.
The cigar box and the dowel neck or prepared!
Let’s finish turning your box and neck into a guitar!
The dowel should fit snugly into the box, as seen! in the picture.
You can see the hole at the bottom of the dowel where the string will eventually be inserted.
Close it up.
Some boxes have a clasp that keeps the box closed, some do not.
Make it stand out.
Insert one of your eye bolts as picture at the top of your dowel.
You can use instead a regular guitar tuner as well, which can be purchased in guitars store or online through C.B. Gitty Crafter Supply, my favorite source.
But, since we’re making a very primitive but impressive sounding guitar, we’ll use an eye bolt.
Make it stand out.
Attach the wing but and washer as shown, but leave it loose for now. If you like, you can add the bolt or Allen head for your nut. But it might be best to wait to add that and the bridge when you wind the string up, which comes next.
Insert the strong into the hole at the bottom of your dowel.
Tie the end of the string to the eye bolt like so.
Make it stand out.
Turn the eye bolt to wrap the string around it, until the string is tight enough to insert the bridge and nut, as you see. You will hear the string take on tone, which rises the tighter you wind it. Don’t get carried away and tighten the string too tight, or it will break.
The little brass hold at the bottom left of the guitar is a 1/4-inch jack, so this little baby can be plugged in to an amplifier. It’s wired for sound!
And VOILA! La Bow Diddley…er, the DIDDLEY BOW! You did it! You’re done!
Or, rather…the fun is just beginning!
Slide
You’ll need a guitar slide to play this one-stringer. You can make them from an old wine bottle or purchase them at a guitar store or online at C. B. GITTY. They come in a variety of materials and sizes and thickness. Choose which works for you. Or, if you’re like avid guitar players, collect them for all musical occasions.
Special thanks to photographer, Tyler E. Kraft for providing some great images! All rights reserved
You can watch me play my song, “Escape” on a diddley bow in the video below!
And now, the fully orchestrated version from my upcoming EP, Songs from the Bottlenecker, featuring songs inspired by Doboro the Bottlenecker!.
Enjoy “Kinder Eyes” an original song written, arranged and performed by Kevin as the theme song for Doboro the Bottlenecker!
