Tuning A 3 String Cigar Box Guitar

Strummin' and Hummin': Tuning a 3-String Cigar Box Guitar

Alright, gather 'round, gather 'round! You know how sometimes you're just sitting there, puffing on a fine cigar (or a not-so-fine one, no judgment here), and you think to yourself, "Self, this here cigar box is just crying out to be turned into a guitar." Well, my friend, you're in luck! Today, we're gonna dive into the wild, wonderful world of tuning a 3-string cigar box guitar. It's like a party in your mouth, and everyone's invited!

First Things First: What's a Cigar Box Guitar?

Well, imagine you're a poor, starving musician back in the day. You've got a dream, but no cash for a fancy guitar. So, what do you do? You grab a cigar box, stick three strings on it, and voilà! You've got yourself a cigar box guitar. It's simple, it's rustic, and it's got more character than your grandma's attic.

Now, you might be thinking, "Three strings? That's it? I could play that!" Well, hold your horses, partner. It's not as easy as it looks. But don't worry, we'll get you strummin' like a pro in no time.

Gather Your Gear

Alright, before we start, you're gonna need a few things. First, you've got your cigar box. If it's not empty, well, that's your problem. Next, you'll need three guitar strings. Now, don't go spending your life savings here. We're talking about a cigar box guitar, not a yacht guitar.

You'll also need a drill, some screws, and a bit of sandpaper. Oh, and a ruler. Because, you know, precision.

Drill, Baby, Drill

First things first, we need to make some holes in your cigar box. Don't worry, it's not as painful as it sounds. Grab your drill and make three holes on one end of the box. These are gonna be your bridge. Then, make three more on the other end. These are your nut. See, you're already sounding like a pro!

How to Tune a 3 String Cigar Box Guitar - YouTube

Now, here's where it gets tricky. You need to space these holes just right. If they're too close, your strings are gonna buzz like a swarm of bees. Too far, and you'll sound like you're playing underwater. So, grab that ruler and make sure your holes are about an inch and a half apart.

Stringing Along

Alright, now it's time to string up your baby. Grab your three strings and start threading them through the holes. You want the thickest string on the bottom, the thinnest on top. It's like a musical layer cake!

Once your strings are through, you'll want to secure them with some screws. Tighten 'em up, but not too tight. We don't want to snap our strings before we even start playing.

Tuning Time

Alright, now comes the fun part. Tuning! But wait, how do you tune a guitar with only three strings? Well, my friend, you're in luck. Tuning a cigar box guitar is about as easy as tuning a... well, a cigar box guitar.

Grunge Riffs | Cigar Box Guitar | Video Lesson

First, you'll want to tune your low E string to an E. That's the thickest string, and it's the same as the low E on a regular guitar. Then, tune your A string to an A. And finally, tune your high E string to an E. See, I told you it was easy!

Now, here's where things get a little... interesting. You see, a cigar box guitar doesn't have a standard tuning like a regular guitar. Some people tune it to an open G chord, some to an open D. It's all up to you. The important thing is that it sounds good to you. After all, this is your guitar, your masterpiece. You're the artist, and the world is your canvas. Or something like that.

Play, Dammit!

Alright, you've done it! You've tuned your very own 3-string cigar box guitar. Now, it's time to play. Strum those strings, make some music. And if it sounds terrible, well, that's okay. It's not about being perfect. It's about having fun, about creating something from nothing.

So, grab your cigar box guitar, find your nearest open mic night, and let 'er rip. Who knows, you might just start a new musical revolution. Or, at the very least, get some free drinks. Either way, you win.