Pricing and availability

We compare 600+ stores and found this item at 4 stores. Prices updated .

Average Price: $139

Budget/Beginner

$400

$1001+

Price Tier

Budget

Standard

High-end

Price History

Based on price data from 4 merchants for "Cigar Box Guitar". Prices shown reflect NEW condition. Tracking began Apr 2, 2026.

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Description

Unleash your creativity with the Cigar Box Guitar, a nod to musical innovation and rustic charm. Originating from the inventive spirit of early blues musicians, this electric solid body guitar offers a unique blend of traditional craftsmanship and modern playability. The Cigar Box Guitar is perfect for those who appreciate the raw authenticity of blues and folk music, or for anyone looking to add a distinctive sound to their repertoire.

Crafted with a robust sapele top, it resonates with a rich, warm tone that belies its unconventional appearance. The guitar's solid body design ensures durability and a consistent, powerful sound, making it an excellent choice for both stage performances and intimate jam sessions. This four-string marvel features a double sound hole with an intricate wood cover, enhancing its visual appeal while contributing to a superior acoustic experience.

Whether you're a seasoned guitarist or a beginner exploring new sonic landscapes, the Cigar Box Guitar is your ticket to a world of musical exploration. Its compact size makes it an ideal travel companion, allowing you to take your music wherever inspiration strikes. Dive into the world of unique soundscapes and let your creativity flow with this captivating instrument.

Key Features:

  • Sapele top for rich, warm tones
  • Solid body design for durability and consistent sound
  • Four strings for a unique playing experience
  • Double sound hole with wood cover for enhanced acoustics
  • Compact size ideal for travel and portability

Reviews

Owner Insights

We analyzed real musician discussions from forums and Reddit to find what players love, question, and tweak about Cigar Box Guitar.

Build quality

  • Cigar boxes should resonate like an acoustic guitar when tapped; avoid those that sound like cardboard for better tonal quality.

    Source
  • Independent Etsy sellers offer kits with customizable options like choice of woods and branded cigar boxes for a premium feel.

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Setup and maintenance

  • A real fret saw is necessary; hardware store saws often lack the narrow kerf required for proper fret installation.

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Mods and upgrades

  • Brass threaded rod is recommended for both the nut and bridge, offering an affordable and effective modification.

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  • CB Gitty's Tupelo Tenor allows for extensive customization, supported by detailed online tutorials and videos.

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  • A fretless design with a slide is advised for versatile playing, enhancing the unique sound of cigar box guitars.

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Value and pricing

  • Cigar boxes can typically be sourced from cigar stores for under $3, making them a cost-effective option for budget builds.

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User experience

  • Constructing with a 1x2 oak neck, sourced from Home Depot, is a favored approach due to its affordability and availability.

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  • MGB Guitars provides excellent customer support, offering phone assistance to guide through potential build issues.

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  • Del Puckett is a recommended builder for purchasing quality cigar box guitars, praised for craftsmanship and sound.

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Features and functionality

  • MGB Guitars kits offer user-friendly assembly with comprehensive support, ideal for builders who need assistance with electronics.

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  • Four-string guitars are favored for fingerpicking, aligning better with four notes per measure compared to three-string setups.

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Use cases and applications

  • Cigar Box Guitars are forgiving for beginners, allowing experimentation before transitioning to more complex guitar builds.

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  • Building a single-string diddly bow is suggested as a beginner project, providing a simple introduction to cigar box guitar construction.

    Source

5.0 out of 5

Based on 1 Review and 8 Ratings

5 star
4 star
3 star
2 star
1 star
B

I make and sell CBG's: http://www.jagshouse.com/cigarboxguitars.html

I make and sell CBG's: http://www.jagshouse.com/cigarboxguitars.html

Artist usage

Add artist
See how Tom Morello uses Cigar Box Guitar

Tom Morello

Guitarist

Mark Knopfler’s Guitar Heroes

...
Verified via Photo

Tom Morello showcases his cigar box guitar in an Instagram post, captioned "Cigar box rock. #3StringsAgainstTheEmpire #TheNewShitIsComing."

See how Steve Hackett uses Cigar Box Guitar

Steve Hackett

Guitarist

Genesis

...
Verified via Photo

From http://www.hackettsongs.com/instrument.html: My interest in instruments from around the world continues to grow. During 2014 and 2015 I've collected some more, including a Peruvian charango, oud from Iraq, cigar box guitar and electric dulcimer from the States. I'm also pleased with my new Anolog.Man pedals.

See how Alain Johannes uses Cigar Box Guitar

Alain Johannes

Singer, Guitarist

Queens of the Stone Age

...
Verified via Photo

In this photo Alain is seen with his cigar box guitar

See how Seasick Steve uses Cigar Box Guitar

Seasick Steve

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

It's not only what Seasick Steve is playing, it's also what he is playing on. No fancy luxery dream-guitar for Steve on stage, Seasick does his act mostly on a cheap or self-constructed guitar. One of these guitars he became famous with, is the "cigar box" guitar, a well beloved object for photographers. This guitar sounds amazing, and only has four strings.

http://guitarleaks.blogspot.mx/2012/10/seasick-steve-cheap-guitar-rocks.html

See how Samantha Fish uses Cigar Box Guitar

Samantha Fish

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via reverb.com

During her recent tour stop in Chicago, we were able to catch up with Samantha to check out her pedalboard and take a look at her favorite guitars.

See how James Marriott uses Cigar Box Guitar

James Marriott

Singer, Guitarist

...
Verified via Photo

In an Instagram post, James Marriott is seen with a six-string Oil Can Guitar, a type of Cigar Box Guitar, featuring two PAF pickups.

See how Gabriel Orozco uses Cigar Box Guitar

Gabriel Orozco

Singer, Guitarist

Usted Señalemelo

...
Verified via Twitter

Gabriel Orozco is shown with a Cigar Box Guitar in a Twitter post by ShortstopAF, highlighting his use of this unique instrument.

See how Joey Morrow uses Cigar Box Guitar

Joey Morrow

Guitarist

Badflower

...
Verified via Photo

Morrow posted a picture of a cigar box guitar and a Vox Pathfinder amp.

See how Daniel Powter uses Cigar Box Guitar

Daniel Powter

Singer

...
Verified via Twitter

Daniel Powter is seen using a Cigar Box Guitar in a Twitter post where he mentions recording with it during his last day in Nashville.

See how Cris Jacobs uses Cigar Box Guitar

Cris Jacobs

Guitarist

The Bridge

...
Verified via YouTube

Cris Jacobs is often seen using 3-string and 4-string Cigar Box Guitars, as evidenced in a performance video by Live For Live Music titled "Neville-Jacobs 'Wasted' 4.25.16 NOLA Crawfish Festival." According to Jacobs, these guitars are custom-made by a friend of his from out west.

See how Jason Krause uses Cigar Box Guitar

Jason Krause

Guitarist

The Twisted Brown Trucker

...
Verified via Photo

In this photo you can see Jason playing a Cigar Box Guitar.

Used With

Based on how musicians on Equipboard use Cigar Box Guitar, it is most commonly used with the following gear.

JHS Mini Foot
JHS Mini Foot Fuzz Effects Pedals
1
Analog Man King of Tone Overdrive
Analog Man King of Tone Overdrive Overdrive Effects Pedals
1
ZVEX Fuzz Factory
ZVEX Fuzz Factory Fuzz Effects Pedals
1
Vox Pathfinder 10
Vox Pathfinder 10 Combo Guitar Amplifiers
1
MXR M169 Carbon Copy
MXR M169 Carbon Copy Delay Effects Pedals
1

1 alternative for Cigar Box Guitar, curated by the Equipboard community.

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