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How to Make a Stringed Guitar

Playing the guitar is a great way to sing and make music at the same time. It's also a good beginning musical instrument since it requires no blowing of air from the lungs. The acoustic guitar is basic and requires no electricity, and with the right tools and materials, you can make one at home and be ready to play the same day. The basic instructions can be modified any way the builder sees fit to customize the guitar.

Things You'll Need

Wooden cigar box
3-foot wood stick
Drill with bits
Finishing nails
Bolts
Wood glue
Stain
Sponge brush
Sandpaper
Drill
Hacksaw
Wood file

Instructions

Cut box
- 1
  Mark the cigar box with the shape of the wood stick, which will become the neck of the guitar, lining the stick to the center of the box and leaving a protrusion of 1 inch at the bottom of the box. Cut grooves into the box with the hacksaw and then sand the grooves until they are smooth. Cut the tabs that are formed so that the stick will sit in the notch and the cover of the cigar box can close over the stick.
- 2
  Drill four holes in the cover of the cigar box away from which the neck will rest, to allow the sound to come out of the guitar. Two holes should be on either side of the neck. Drill slowly and cautiously so that the cover of the cigar box doesn't get damaged.
- 3
  Working on the top four inches of the wooden stick, create a headstock, which is the portion of the guitar that holds the tuning pegs. Drill three holes in the headstock, since this cigar box guitar will have three strings. Distribute two of the holes to one side and one to the other side, making a triangle, but making sure that the two holes to the one side aren't lined up with each other, which could cause the strings to interfere with each other.
- 4
  Sand and shape the headstock to your liking, making certain that the headstock is divergent from the remainder of the wooden stick (guitar neck), which will become the fretboard. Sand and file the back of the neck to a degree of roundness so the person holding the guitar will find holding it to be comfortable.
- 5
  Drill three holes at the bottom of the neck of equal distance from each other and from the edge of the neck to facilitate the strings. Cut a round groove into the neck just under the headstock, using the file.
- 6
  Smooth out any rough edges on the neck with sandpaper and stain the wood.
- 7
  Glue the neck to the cigar box lid and close the lid. If it doesn't seem secure, fix the neck to the lid with the finishing nails, which should also be used to shut the lid. Affix the hardware, including the bolts and tuning pegs, and then string the guitar with acoustic guitar strings.

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