Absolute genius man. Those are some of the best sounding handmade blues guitars I've ever heard. That is REAL soul brother. Well done, from a 71 year old banjo picker.
roberto! Banjo takes a lot of different skills so in a sense, guitar is useless compared to it if played well. Considering they are 71 and most likely played for at least 40 years they would out pick any guitarist. :)
I tune my 4 strings to ADGB so it's like the middle 4 strings of standard 6 string tuning, you can play normal chords by rewiring your brain to ignore the two E strings - plus it's really simple to tune the A down to G to get open G. The fun of these things is you can do whatever you want!
I love instruments that are different from the norm. Not long ago, I saw a three string electric cigar guitar kit in a catalog that I received in the mail and I ordered one. I figured it was some kind of toy more than anything and once I got it, I put it up. Never put it together. I had no idea of it's history. I am retired and I love music and I wanted to learn a new instrument to just have fun with, one that wasn't so dang complicated. Well, now I believe that I've found it! I had no idea the history of this fabulous blues instrument and I certainly didn't know it could sound like you play it! Wow! Now I am super motivated to get started putting it together and making some blues come to life! Awesome!! Thanks for the great video.
I'm really glad that I discoveredy your Channel... like a lot of people I have always been jealous of musicians singers and the like anybody that can make music ... Because it seems to be such a satisfying thing a joyful thing to be able to play an instrument that's why I'm jealous...! well now things are different I discovered 3 string cigar boxes 4 string shovel guitars one string Diddley bows !!! OMG I am so motivated that 48 years old I'm going to make blues music with a slide on a cigar box...! Thank you for inspiring me... Truly
I have a OLIVA box on a 3 string a friend made me and it has 23 frets and a 25 1/2 inch scale. I have it tuned E B E now. I'm 62 and I normally play 6 string guitar. I love your video and I will keep watching for all the stuff I can learn from ya. Keep on havin fun !
My Grandpa could play a 3 string like the devil on a sunday morning, he picked them with his tooth, but he lost that last one in a bar fight with Jethro over a price chicken. 😭
Excellent! I like them very much. By the way, have you ever heard that kind of tunings are quite similar to Japanese Shamisen or some other eastern or central Asian instruments? I, Japanese, also play a newly invented instrument named ‘Ichigo-Ichie’ - meaning ‘an encounter in one life’ or ‘fifth degree’ - that has the tuning just same as your 4 strings guitar! I’ll learn from you so much.
Rika Jump to 2:50 in this video th-cam.com/video/F1uOV_mbkE4/w-d-xo.html Nylon strings and D G D tuning, and sounds Asian.. Of course watch the whole video after that bit, it's all good. And this video had info on making one: th-cam.com/video/pmzvfyOizV8/w-d-xo.html
You are definitely the best cigar box guitar player I have ever heard. Your picking is extremely clean, your slide is amazing, your sound is fantastic. Thanks for sharing
I'm working on a 3 string random parts build using a tin body and the neck is a new shovel handle cut to size the bridge is an old metal antenna clamp and bracket. Strings are spare strings for my guitar. Thinking of painting the body now making the sound hole look like it's an old water well. Sounds fun
This is great, what comes to mind. People that are losing the ability to play a traditional 6 string acoustic (arthritis) can still have a lot of fun. I spent 40 years as an auto mechanic (now 65) I took up the 6 string acoustic a year ago. Yes I still "suck" but it is a lot of fun. 40 years wrenching took a toll on my hands (the left for some reason) Of course I have the skills to build these instruments (my field was light line,AC and electrical, minor in computer science) Perhaps I concentrate a bit more on "builds".
This video is one of my all time favorites on your channel. If I could give this video ten thumbs up, I would do it! Love it so much. I wish you happy Holidays! 🤩
As always Mike, your videos are very helpful. Love your style & presentations you offer to beginners, like myself to the Cigar box guitars. Thanks again for all of the very helpful video"s. Dan.
That's a nice video. As a newbie, there is a lot to figure out and understand. I live in Denmark and we don't quite have the Cigar Box Music culture, but I think - it's coming :) I don't have a workshop, so I'm getting a 3-sting, made by a guy, not so far from here. Thanks again Mike!
I came here from Samantha Fish kicking ass on her 4 cbg on "Bulletproof". thanks for the info & playing Mike! i'll want to try a 3 or 4 cbg..i been playing those nasty Fender 6's for 50 yrs, time fer a change
DGBD tuning also works on baritone ukulele. Just drop the high E down a whole step. String spacing is a little wider than a 4 string cigarbox but still narrower than a 3 string, so not a bad compromise. Sadly I've not found a good source for ukulele necks. And making anything more than a stick neck is a little bit beyond my abilities right now.
Thanks very much for this. I was flirting with 4-string but am now convinced I want a 3-string, so thanks for saving me from making the wrong decision. I have lots of 6-strings and am looking for the rawness and simplicity of a 3-string, mostly for slide, in combination with a P90 or something. This will be fun! :-)
Great video and guitars, they both sound so much better that the two fretless, three and four strings I have just made, I will have a look at your lessons also, always keen to learn more
awesome vid! def love the sound and simplicty of the 3 string! def gonna look into making one with one of my cigar boxes. or more like attempt to make one. lol
Thanks, Mike! I have a fretless 3-string CBG that I love to play with a slide. I'd eventually like a CBG with frets, but after watching this, I'm leaning towards 3 rather than 4 strings. I love the simplicity of it! If I want complexity, I can go with 6 strings. :)
I checked your website, a lil pricey for me but you a good product and talent for building plus you present your product well and it sounds awesome. Excellent job.
Thanks Man. I think you settle the question for me as to whether 3 or 4. I'm going with 3, now I just need to find the right axe to buy! Any suggestions welcome
Thanks for the vid man. I liked it and subbed. I'm going to stick with building 3 strings (5 total now plus 2 four string mountain banjos I built for the nieces). I think my first 4 string is going to be a cigar box base! I know, lots of pressure on a 4 string bass, but I have African blood wood. $hit's so hard you need a pilot hole to even drive a nail. I've read about 110 lbs of neck pressure. Opinions? Oh, and although I'm "relativity" new to CBG (about 6 years now), I've been a wood worker most of my life. Furniture, fancy clocks, a few boats (from scratch) so I'm no "slouch". Thanks again!
They now make 5, 6 & more string versions of these which are becoming popular for song covers and next up a 5 String CBG in Open G cause now you're playing just like Keith Richards on a 5 String CBG.
The 4 String gives you more versatility, but once you upgrade it into a 5 or more string Guitar it'll increase in versatility even more. Adding a truss rod helps alot
Love to get a couple of 3 strings for my 3 lids to have around and hopefully start playing. Looks easy than 6 string and the lids could make something happen pretty quickly. Which seems to be trend in this day. Cheers.
CBG, a dirty battery powered amp, and a cold beer. Life is good! You build nice guitars Mike and play well. Looking at gettin' one of your 3 strings for my arsenal.
You make it look so effortless and the slide sound is the best. I bet you still have years of playing experience behind you. Do you teach playing technique as well as building them?
Absolute genius man. Those are some of the best sounding handmade blues guitars I've ever heard. That is REAL soul brother. Well done, from a 71 year old banjo picker.
just play guitar, banjo is useless
roberto! Banjo takes a lot of different skills so in a sense, guitar is useless compared to it if played well. Considering they are 71 and most likely played for at least 40 years they would out pick any guitarist. :)
@@divinity8900
What?
That’s even more ridiculous 3 years later!
You're enthusiasm is infectious Mike--I now have 6 CBG's.
I tune my 4 strings to ADGB so it's like the middle 4 strings of standard 6 string tuning, you can play normal chords by rewiring your brain to ignore the two E strings - plus it's really simple to tune the A down to G to get open G. The fun of these things is you can do whatever you want!
Tune that to 5ths tuning like a tenor banjo........
The smile you get when you play the 3 string.. awesome :D!
I love instruments that are different from the norm. Not long ago, I saw a three string electric cigar guitar kit in a catalog that I received in the mail and I ordered one. I figured it was some kind of toy more than anything and once I got it, I put it up. Never put it together. I had no idea of it's history. I am retired and I love music and I wanted to learn a new instrument to just have fun with, one that wasn't so dang complicated. Well, now I believe that I've found it! I had no idea the history of this fabulous blues instrument and I certainly didn't know it could sound like you play it! Wow! Now I am super motivated to get started putting it together and making some blues come to life! Awesome!! Thanks for the great video.
Put that instrument together and play it. It’s not a toy, I assure you.
I'm really glad that I discoveredy your Channel... like a lot of people I have always been jealous of musicians singers and the like anybody that can make music ... Because it seems to be such a satisfying thing a joyful thing to be able to play an instrument that's why I'm jealous...! well now things are different I discovered 3 string cigar boxes 4 string shovel guitars one string Diddley bows !!! OMG I am so motivated that 48 years old I'm going to make blues music with a slide on a cigar box...! Thank you for inspiring me... Truly
Thanks for this. I’ve played for 45 years and have been seriously thinking about buying or building a 3 string. You just made up my mind for me.
I have a OLIVA box on a 3 string a friend made me and it has 23 frets and a 25 1/2 inch scale. I have it tuned E B E now. I'm 62 and I normally play 6 string guitar. I love your video and I will keep watching for all the stuff I can learn from ya. Keep on havin fun !
JN Guitars makes great 4 String Cigar Box Tenor Guitars
You taught me well, now is the time to restring my regular guitar. Thanks!
Thanks Mike. I'm about to leap into the cigar box universe and this helped me decide between the 3 or 4.
Absolutely love the way you play. I’m sold, I want one of these.
My Grandpa could play a 3 string like the devil on a sunday morning,
he picked them with his tooth, but he lost that last one
in a bar fight with Jethro over a price chicken. 😭
Excellent! I like them very much.
By the way, have you ever heard that kind of tunings are quite similar to Japanese Shamisen or some other eastern or central Asian instruments?
I, Japanese, also play a newly invented instrument named ‘Ichigo-Ichie’ - meaning ‘an encounter in one life’ or ‘fifth degree’ - that has the tuning just same as your 4 strings guitar!
I’ll learn from you so much.
Rika Jump to 2:50 in this video th-cam.com/video/F1uOV_mbkE4/w-d-xo.html Nylon strings and D G D tuning, and sounds Asian.. Of course watch the whole video after that bit, it's all good. And this video had info on making one: th-cam.com/video/pmzvfyOizV8/w-d-xo.html
Dude, this is by far the best cigar box guitar video i,ve seen so far, they sound awsome.Great playing,great demo.Thanks for showing us those👍
Thanks a million for this. I've gone back and forth trying to decide what to build. Now I'm going to build both!
Yep...
You are definitely the best cigar box guitar player I have ever heard. Your picking is extremely clean, your slide is amazing, your sound is fantastic. Thanks for sharing
Bro what about justin johnson
Bandito Yea, I would have to second that. Justin is in a world of his own.
What is the difference? 1 string!
Thanks for the video! I haven't tried the slide yet, but man, those 3-strings are insanely fun!
Mike, you are an amazing slide guitar player. As a new comer in CBG I have listened and learned a lot from your style of playing. Thank you so much.
I'm working on a 3 string random parts build using a tin body and the neck is a new shovel handle cut to size the bridge is an old metal antenna clamp and bracket. Strings are spare strings for my guitar. Thinking of painting the body now making the sound hole look like it's an old water well. Sounds fun
You seem like a relaxed dude to talk about music and building. Thanks for sharing!
This is great, what comes to mind. People that are losing the ability to play a traditional 6 string acoustic (arthritis) can still have a lot of fun. I spent 40 years as an auto mechanic (now 65) I took up the 6 string acoustic a year ago. Yes I still "suck" but it is a lot of fun. 40 years wrenching took a toll on my hands (the left for some reason) Of course I have the skills to build these instruments (my field was light line,AC and electrical, minor in computer science) Perhaps I concentrate a bit more on "builds".
My dad is working on building one of these. Can't wait to play it!
Maybe you should help him.
Man I love your energy and your genuine love for making music. You rock Mike.
This video is one of my all time favorites on your channel. If I could give this video ten thumbs up, I would do it! Love it so much.
I wish you happy Holidays! 🤩
As always Mike, your videos are very helpful. Love your style & presentations you offer to beginners, like myself to the Cigar box guitars. Thanks again for all of the very helpful video"s. Dan.
That's a nice video. As a newbie, there is a lot to figure out and understand. I live in Denmark and we don't quite have the Cigar Box Music culture, but I think - it's coming :)
I don't have a workshop, so I'm getting a 3-sting, made by a guy, not so far from here. Thanks again Mike!
your guitar playing is awesome.
This _almost_ looks like an instrument I could learn how to play! Really gets me thinking :)
Awesome video, had a lot of fun watching!
Do it! I did an now I mostly play 6, but still love my 3 stringer! Just opened up a whole world to my brain.
If 3 is still too much try a 1 string diddley bow
Thank you, I have been considering which would work best for me. (3string won)
Really dig your personality man! Great playing, its inspiring to me to finish my build to jam like you.
Excellent. You have inspired me to try and play. You make it look simple but I know better.
Fantastic music clip, always great to see and hear you play.
Keep up the great work Mike.
I came here from Samantha Fish kicking ass on her 4 cbg on "Bulletproof". thanks for the info & playing Mike! i'll want to try a 3 or 4 cbg..i been playing those nasty Fender 6's for 50 yrs, time fer a change
DGBD tuning also works on baritone ukulele. Just drop the high E down a whole step. String spacing is a little wider than a 4 string cigarbox but still narrower than a 3 string, so not a bad compromise.
Sadly I've not found a good source for ukulele necks. And making anything more than a stick neck is a little bit beyond my abilities right now.
you rock bro !everytime I start building again always start watching some more of your videos .truly inspirational
Hi Mike wery nice video, and informative too, I just bought a cigar box guitar and started to play, I love it..
Thanks very much for this. I was flirting with 4-string but am now convinced I want a 3-string, so thanks for saving me from making the wrong decision. I have lots of 6-strings and am looking for the rawness and simplicity of a 3-string, mostly for slide, in combination with a P90 or something. This will be fun! :-)
Thank you for this...very helpful to have the two compared back to back
Gonna build the 3 string first.. this a free country we can have both...
Great video and guitars, they both sound so much better that the two fretless, three and four strings I have just made, I will have a look at your lessons also, always keen to learn more
Getting one soon! Love the look's. We all make em. Cheers!
What is only slightly less amazing than how cool this is, is that 17 people didn't like it. That, I will never understand.
Both of mine are Arturo fuente boxes, like the 3 string you are playing in this video. One is a King Bee box and the other a Queen Bee box
Well done Mike.
Nice playing dude!
Do all cigar box guitars come with a flannel shirt?
Johannes Andersson, no, some come with a smoking jacket. 🧐
Loin cloth and war paint, here.
And some moon shine with it.
Mine come with a shotgun and a bottle of whiskey 🥃.
ok AL ........ tool time :-))))))))))
Hi Mike, you could use a second sound hole as the slide holder if it were the right size. Just a thought.
Hi there Mike Snowden. That 3 string guitar is awesom and it produce great sound. Wow. Thumbs up : )
Great video resulted in a self build and helped us move forward. Thank you from N England York
Excellent. Thanks for taking the time to make the video. Nice playing and nice looking guitars.
great video thanks for taking the time to put this out there for us newbies.
I just madea three string guitar. I used a tin Christmas chocolates container for the tinny sound.
awesome vid! def love the sound and simplicty of the 3 string! def gonna look into making one with one of my cigar boxes. or more like attempt to make one. lol
Thanks, Mike! I have a fretless 3-string CBG that I love to play with a slide. I'd eventually like a CBG with frets, but after watching this, I'm leaning towards 3 rather than 4 strings. I love the simplicity of it! If I want complexity, I can go with 6 strings. :)
Very cooooowl! Now I'm going to buy electric guitar box and slide! 🎸
Absolutely wonderful,great for either
lead or Rythm alone, really groovy sound Thank you.
I checked your website, a lil pricey for me but you a good product and talent for building plus you present your product well and it sounds awesome. Excellent job.
You remind me of a 50 year old Wayne from Wayne’s world
I would love to have one of your cigar box guitars
Thanks Man. I think you settle the question for me as to whether 3 or 4. I'm going with 3, now I just need to find the right axe to buy! Any suggestions welcome
Hey Mike! Great video! I continue to learn from your music and your guitars...... thanks!
Thanks for the vid man. I liked it and subbed. I'm going to stick with building 3 strings (5 total now plus 2 four string mountain banjos I built for the nieces). I think my first 4 string is going to be a cigar box base! I know, lots of pressure on a 4 string bass, but I have African blood wood. $hit's so hard you need a pilot hole to even drive a nail. I've read about 110 lbs of neck pressure. Opinions? Oh, and although I'm "relativity" new to CBG (about 6 years now), I've been a wood worker most of my life. Furniture, fancy clocks, a few boats (from scratch) so I'm no "slouch". Thanks again!
Sounds great. I definitely want to get one or maybe I will build one
You are simply amazing! You got a new follower
That was awesome ,thank you for your video. That gives me more motivation to keep trying to practice thank you 😊
They now make 5, 6 & more string versions of these which are becoming popular for song covers and next up a 5 String CBG in Open G cause now you're playing just like Keith Richards on a 5 String CBG.
I've been fooling around with balalaika tunings, EEA and AAD. Yes, two strings tuned alike but played separately.
The 4 String gives you more versatility, but once you upgrade it into a 5 or more string Guitar it'll increase in versatility even more. Adding a truss rod helps alot
I sure would love to have one of those
Very nice demo... Thanks for the video...
Good work Mike
Love to get a couple of 3 strings for my 3 lids to have around and hopefully start playing. Looks easy than 6 string and the lids could make something happen pretty quickly. Which seems to be trend in this day. Cheers.
Awesome, you really can play, you make it look so easy.
Bo Diddley loved those boxes too.
What strikes me is the CRISP tone on both guitars is it the pick up or the amp??? ?. Plus wonderful playing skill of course
Man you got me interested in cigar boxes years ago with chicken coop blues. I now own two cigar boxes, a non fretted 3 string, and a fretted 4 string.
So helpful.... Thank you very much!
Great ups man, enjoyable and informative.. love your playing
Real groovy bro. I like a 3 string too. That old traditional sound is always cool!!
I also agree ... 3 strings are easier and just fun to play 😎🎼👍
Thank you thank you so so much for this ,you are a gentleman ! and yo made my day x
nice video bro.thank you for your time.
Man, this is so fuckin`awesome. Love this video and your work. So brilliant !!!!!!
Wow that was great playing... Your good at slide playing... Great blues rift
One string.... sorry came across the headline and it made me laugh.
beers and buds on me lets jam brother great vid thank you
cool, Danny Carey also plays cigar boxes!
wow thanks mike I have to buy one I have big set of drums but something new is good to
GBDG tuning sounds best with a dog bowl or a paint an lid Resonator. With springs in the cigar box. That's what makes it sound more like a Banjo.
Great playing sir! Cool sound!
What string did you use in this guitar? Good video thanks!
CBG, a dirty battery powered amp, and a cold beer. Life is good!
You build nice guitars Mike and play well. Looking at gettin' one of your 3 strings for my arsenal.
Awesome video buddy, I love hearing you play. My three sting guitar looks like your four stinger,,,same cigar box I mean :) Thumbs UP!~John
Thanks. Good instructions.
Nice video, great instruments!
Wow you Shure know how to make those boxes sing
4s sounds almost,,, hawaiian... 3s got character for da blooos
I noticed that as well.
You make it look so effortless and the slide sound is the best. I bet you still have years of playing experience behind you.
Do you teach playing technique as well as building them?
Absolutely beautiful sounds.