Steve's Cigar Box Banjo!

[Steve Harrison]

One of my many projects (or wastes of time if you're my wife!) is making cigar box guitars, a couple of weeks ago I had a rush of blood and decided to experiment with one but strung as a banjo. This is a picture of my prototype first attempt, I intend to build another but with a few alterations and refinements. It works just fine and although it sounds nothing like a banjo, it's fun to play. So far I've tried Whistling Rufus and Life in Louisiana and they both sound very presentable.  Apart from the pickup and tuners, it's made from scrap that I had in my workshop and wasn't too costly to make.

[Trapdoor2]

I have one, built by my oldest best friend's brother...and using a cigar box brand I smoked back when I smoked cigars. It sounds terrible (piezo pickup of some sort), has an uncomfortable squarish neck but otherwise is a cool thing to have on the shelf.

I also found an electric banjo in my boxes of stuff I got from the luthier's estate. Didn't know it was there. All it needs is some minor electronics repair. 

[Steve Harrison]

Hi marc, I've never been too keen on piezo pickups, I've used them in the past with variable results. The pickup I've used on this and the other CBGs that I've built is a twin coil humbucker....Steve.

I have one, built by my oldest best friend's brother...and using a cigar box brand I smoked back when I smoked cigars. It sounds terrible (piezo pickup of some sort), has an uncomfortable squarish neck but otherwise is a cool thing to have on the shelf.

I also found an electric banjo in my boxes of stuff I got from the luthier's estate. Didn't know it was there. All it needs is some minor electronics repair.