The "Bunch Box" Acoustic Cigar Box Guitar

 

I have a friend who showed interest in my work, and who'd been pondering the idea of getting back into playing guitar (specifically wanting an acoustic-electric), so I thought I would build him one as a birthday gift for his birthday in early 2024. 


What I built is definitely is not a traditional acoustic in any sense, but it will be a fun, kind of mellow sounding guitar he can comfortably fool around with while watching TV, and maybe more. 


I found this box on eBay, which was one of those keepsake/arts-n-crafts type boxes, but it was good quality, thick wood, with heavy-duty hinges and clasp. I got it for a good price, so I didn't mind cutting into it and turning it into a playable work of art. I went with multiple meshed soundhole covers to give it a little flair.


Since this was a deeper box, I made reinforcement blocks to go in all four corners which I could use finishing screws/washers to hold everything together tight. Everything about this build was unique, using methods that were singular to this instrument, so I wanted to make sure it was solid.


It has a hidden piezo disc (no controls, just straight-wired to the sleek endpin jack), and while it can get loud enough if you really strum it, it's dynamic enough to where you can play it without waking the baby. Perfect for the new dad! He loved it, and I was glad to have made it for him.


I topped it off just before I gave it to him with a custom engraved truss rod cover, to further personalize this one.
Location: W4WVK Studios

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