Frequently Asked Questions
Free Lessons
Visiting Us
About Instruments Sold at The Cigar Box Guitar Store
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How many cigar box guitars do you normally have in stock? What other items do you carry?
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Are your cigar box guitars good for advanced players or even professionals?
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Do you cigar box guitars have high action? Do I have to play them with a slide or can I fret?
About Custom Cigar Box Guitar Collaborations
Buying a Cigar Box Guitar
Playing a Cigar Box Guitar
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How are cigar box guitars different than a typical six-string guitar?
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Are cigar box guitars good for people who play a six-string guitar?
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Are cigar box guitars good for advanced or professional guitar players?
Building a Cigar Box Guitar
History of the Cigar Box Guitar
Lessons at The Cigar Box Guitar Store:
We offer free lessons on 3-string cigar box guitars every Saturday from Noon-2:00, with the exception of the Saturday during the World’s Longest-Running Cigar Box Guitar Festival (which for 2026 will be May 29-31). There’s no sign-up required, just drop in anytime during Noon and 2:00 pm. You can stay for a few minutes or for the whole two hours. No experience is required. You just need 1 finger and to be able to count to 4—yes, it’s really that easy. We will even show you the proper way to hold the guitar and a pick. We always offer free loaner guitars and there's never any obligation to buy. Recommended for ages 11 and up.
Visiting The Cigar Box Guitar Store:
We are located at Lowe Mill Arts & Entertainment, a historic textile mill built in 1901. Lowe Mill A&E houses over 150 studios and is the largest privately-owned artists' community in the United States with 190,000 square feet of space. The Cigar Box Guitar Store can be tricky to find once you are at the Lowe Mill complex. Click here for a map and directions to our studio on the property from the main parking area. Click here for specific directions if you need handicap access.
Cigar Box Guitars & Other Instruments at The Cigar Box Guitar Store:
How many cigar box guitars do you normally have in stock? What other items do you carry?
We offer a selection of about 40 cigar box guitars at any given time, as well as other cigar box instruments. We make three and four string cigar box guitars, cigar box bass guitars, cigar box violins as well as cigar box amplifiers and tambourines. We also make instruments out of other found objects, such as shovels, baseball bats, cookie tins, lunch boxes and more. Guitars start at $175. All guitars can be played acoustic or electric and feature unique designs making them playable art. We also carry a selection of accessories, including straps, tuners, guitar picks, padded carry bags and songbooks.
Are your cigar box guitars good for beginners?
Yes! There are two reasons that any cigar box guitar is good for a beginner, but there are additional reasons that cigar box guitars from The Cigar Box Guitar Store are especially great for beginning guitar players. All CBGs are good for learning to play because just three strings (sometimes 4), are much easier to press down three strings instead of six. In addition, most CBGs are opened tuned, meaning you can make a chord simply by strumming all the strings, and you can play “power” chords by simply playing a bar chord—placing one finger over all the strings. Cigar box guitars from The Cigar Box Guitar Store are especially great for beginners because we carry an array of guitars that are shorter scale (23") than typical six-string guitars and feature numbers for the fret side markers (instead of dots) so you can simply look down and easily navigate to the fret you want to play. In addition, while there are many home builders that build CBGs as a hobby, luthier Jeff has built over 1,200 cigar box guitars so his guitars consistently have great intonation and low action height, increasing their playability.
Are your cigar box guitars good for advanced players or even professionals?
Yes! A CBG is a nice addition to their collection, just like they might own a Les Paul and a Taylor. It’s a different type of guitar, not a lesser instrument. They often spark creativity and simplify songwriting. Musicians often find adding a CBG to their performances catches the audience’s attention. Our custom guitars feature exotic woods, handcrafted inlays on the fret board, fret wire with stopped cuts so that sharp ends will not be exposed at the edges with seasonal wood contraction, grounded strings and shielded wiring to minimize 60Hz hum and soldering performed to industrial IPC workmanship standards. Bodies can be weight balanced to hang comfortably on a strap without being neck-heavy (as CBGs often are) while necks can feature an adjustable truss rod. They can be designed with high-end electronics, including to mimic a Gibson Les Paul, as well as features such as multiple pickups with the ability to select pickups individually or blend.
Do your guitars stay in tune?
Yes—as well as any other guitar! Like any stringed instrument, it depends on the environment you store it in. The necks are sealed with several coats of acrylic lacquer to help minimize moisture exchanges with the environment. If the humidity and temperature fluctuates dramatically where your guitar resides, it will need to be tuned regularly—just like any other stringed instrument.
Are your guitars well intonated?
Yes, they are exceptionally well intonated, as the fret lines are cut with laser accuracy, with a plus or minus 0.003 inch tolerance—that’s 3/1000ths of an inch, less than the thickness of a typical sheet of paper. Jeff’s guitars typically use a Zero Fret to maintain good intonation at the upper frets, as taller nuts create challenges in maintaining intonation at low numbered frets. Care is taken during setup to position the bridge so that the two G strings are placed as accurately as possible with fixed bridged. Jeff also sometimes builds guitars with hardtail bridges that allow for micro adjustments on each string for further improved intonation.
Do your guitars need to be played with a slide or do they have frets?
Our cigar box guitars are fretted instruments, but can be played with either a slide or finger fretting, as the action is set to be approximately 0.1 inches at the 12th fret. Some players prefer the action higher for slide play. Low action guitars can be played with a slide with proper technique with just a gentle touch of the slide used on the strings. Jeff’s custom guitars can be built with whatever action height the player prefers, but avoids using tall nuts so that accurate intonation can be maintained at low numbered frets.
Do you build six-string cigar box guitars?
No. Luthier Jeff explains: "I don’t make six-string cigar box guitars for a few reasons. First, a cigar box guitar, dating back to the 1850s, was traditionally a 3- or 4-string instrument. A six-string cigar box guitar is no different than any other modern six string guitar. It just happens to have a different shaped body, so it isn’t really something that interests me. In addition, 3- or 4-string instruments are much easier to play than six strings, helping people who might feel intimidated by a standard guitar discover the joy of making music. That reason is also part of our passion at The Cigar Box Guitar Store. Finally, I believe in handcrafting my instruments from scratch, including building the necks from rough-cut lumber. There is an abundance of inexpensive, six-string guitar necks that can be purchased far more cheaply than the time that it would take for me to handcraft one, due to the extensive tension on the neck with six strings and the need for a truss rod."
Do you make your own magnetic pickups?
No. Luthier Jeff explains: "While I have the electronics knowledge to make them myself, I choose to source them from a variety of suppliers. My passion is the artistic design and the woodworking aspects of building cigar box guitars and I enjoy taking rough cut lumber and transforming it into necks; crafting unique designs for my fret boards and sound holes as well as the process of building the guitars as a whole."
Do you buy cigar boxes?
We do not buy cigar boxes from private sellers, but we do accept donations. You are welcome to drop them by our studio at your convenience if you'd like to donate them. Lowe Mill is open to the public Weds.-Sat. 11-7. Our hours vary—check our home page, Facebook, or Instagram for our current store hours. You are welcome to leave them outside our door if you happen to visit when we are not open.
About Custom Cigar Box Guitars and Custom Collaborations:
Can you make me an instrument from my grandfather’s old cigar box or another sentimental object?
Yes! Jeff loves to take objects with family significance and transform them into cigar box guitars! He can use a cigar box, lunch box, tin or other object that is rectangular or square as the body (and even occasionally can use something round). There’s no limit to the other objects he can incorporate on or inside the box, or within the fretboard or headstock. Some items he has incorporated in other custom guitars have included license plates, coins, photos, maps, a small flag that flew in space and dental tools!
To start, we need to see the box (or other sentimental object) and get approximate dimensions. We also need any info/ideas you have for what you'd like the guitar to look like and the type of electronics you prefer. (If you aren't sure, Jeff can walk you through some key questions, explain options and provide advice depending on your answers.) If you are local, you are welcome to meet in person with the item to discuss with Jeff. It's best to reach out in advance via e-mail to set an appointment to ensure Jeff will be available. If you are not local, don’t worry! We work with folks all over the world. Just start with an e-mail with some photos of the box and the approximate dimensions.
Can you make me an instrument out of something other than a cigar box? Something really unusual that isn’t box-shaped?
It’s hard to know for sure, but Jeff loves a challenge. Some unusual items he has turned into guitars include shovels, baseball bats, a metal bedpan (it was new!), a rubber chicken and a jerrycan (a large can used to hold fuel for military vehicles). If you are local, bring the item into our store to discuss with Jeff. If you are not local, just send an e-mail with some photos of the box and the approximate dimensions.
What is the process for you to build me a custom guitar?
Collaborate with juried artist Jeff Mello, owner of The Cigar Box Guitar Store and luthier at Mad Sci Innovations to build a one-of-a-kind cigar box guitar. With a collaboration, the possibilities are limitless, but include choices of 3 or 4 string cigar box guitars or 2 string cigar box bass; box, including custom-made box, license plate, tin or other found object; sound hole design; selection of pickups; woods used; fret marker inlays; and headstock style. Length of time from initial design meeting to protection completion is typically 12-16 weeks. If you need something sooner, we offer beautiful gift certificates and your choice of cigar box to use for a tangible gift for any special occasion. Get more information on the custom collaboration process here or e-mail to set an in-person appointment to discuss your custom build or order a gift certificate to purchase a custom build for that special someone.
Buying a Cigar Box Guitar:
Can I shop online?
Because our instruments are all one-of-a-kind, we cannot maintain an online store and a brick-and-mortar store simultaneously. If you can't visit us, there are a couple of options to make a purchase:
• See our current inventory and we'll work with you individually to purchase a guitar from our stock or custom design a guitar just for you.
• Purchase a custom collaboration to build the exact cigar box guitar you desire.
Our completed cigar box guitars and custom-order guitars ship worldwide. In-stock guitars generally ship within two business days of purchase. We can also hold shipment to the specific date of your choosing if you are purchasing for a special occasion. Because of the awkward shape, we cannot wrap our cigar box guitars. However, we can include a pretty bow around the headstock of guitars that we ship as gifts as well as print any gift message you desire and include it in the box. Just ask!
Where do you ship?
Our completed cigar box guitars and custom-order guitars ship worldwide. We only ship E-Z Build Kits in sets of two or more.
How long does it take to receive a cigar box guitar I order?
In-stock guitars will ship within two business days of purchase. We can also hold shipment to the specific date of your choosing if you are purchasing for a special occasion. Custom-order guitars take a minimum of 6 weeks to build, but often there is a waitlist of 12-15 weeks, so if you need a guitar completed by a specific date, please inquire via e-mail about our current lead time.
Do you offer gift wrapping?
Because of the awkward shape, we cannot wrap our cigar box guitars. However, we can include a pretty bow around the headstock of guitars that we ship as gifts as well as print any gift message you desire and include it in the box. Just ask!
Can I buy a gift certificate?
Yes! We offer gift certificates for custom collaborations that can be sent electronically, by snail mail or picked up in our store. Complete this form to learn more about this process so you can decide on an amount.
Playing a Cigar Box Guitar:
Are cigar box guitars good for learning to play guitar?
Yes! There are two reasons in particular that make them good for learning to play guitar. First, because they are opened tuned, in our case Open G. That means you can make a chord simply by strumming all the strings, and you can play “power” chords by simply playing a bar chord—placing one finger over all the strings. While any guitar can be opened tuned, the second reason that cigar box guitars good for learning to play guitar is that with just three strings (sometimes 4), it is much easier to press down three strings instead of six.
How are cigar box guitars different than a typical six-string guitar?
Cigar box guitars are different than six-string guitars because they utilize a box-shaped body, typically from a cigar box, but our guitars sometimes utilize other found objects for the body, such as cookie tins, lunch boxes, other types of rectangular-shaped wooden. In addition, the traditional cigar box guitar has three or four strings and is open tuned. Open tuning means you can make a chord simply by strumming all the strings, and you can play “power” chords by simply playing a bar chord—placing one finger over all the strings. Any type of guitar—regardless of the number of strings—can be open tuned. Sometimes professional musicians will re-tune their guitars to an open tuning for a specific song, and other musicians, such as Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones, prefer open tuning as their default. Well-known guitarists that have played cigar box guitars include Bo Diddley, Paul McCartney, Jimmy Hendrix, The Rolling Stones’ Keith Richards, Lynyrd Skynrd’s Ed King and ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons. In Huntsville, local musicians Microwave Dave, Tim Cannon and John Nickel play cigar box guitars.
Are cigar box guitars good for people who play a six-string guitar?
Yes! A CBG is a nice addition to their collection, just like they might own a Les Paul and a Taylor. It’s a different type of guitar, not a lesser instrument. Learn about our custom guitars here.
Are cigar box guitars good for advanced or professional guitar players?
Yes! They often spark creativity and simplify songwriting. Musicians often find adding a CBG to their performances catches the audience’s attention. Our custom guitars can be designed with high-end electronics. Learn more here.
Building a Cigar Box Guitar:
Do you sell parts to build my own cigar box guitar?
We sell a small selection of parts to build your own cigar box guitar as well as instruction books. We sell a “bag of parts” that contain all the small items you need to build your own cigar box guitar (you just add the box and neck). Among the individual parts we sell are 25” scale fully-fretted necks, a variety of pickups and other small parts, such as tuners, strings, fret wire, corners, volume knobs and the like. For those that don’t have the proper tools at home, we also sell an E-Z Build Kit, which contains everything you need in one package, including the screwdriver needed for assembly.
Can you tell me how to build my own CBG?
You can build your own CBG at home using our E-Z Build Kit. The kit contains everything you need in one package, including the screwdriver needed for assembly. No cutting or drilling required! Read this article about one person's experience building a cigar box guitar using our E-Z Build Kit. Stop by the store to see the selection of boxes currently available for our E-Z Build Kits.
The instructions to build your own cigar box guitar using our E-Z Build Kit are comprehensive, but If you’d like to be guided through the process, we do offer group build classes. These are great for church groups, clubs, corporate team building, birthday parties and more. Click here for details. Occasionally, we offer group classes to the public. Click here to be notified of our next group build class that's open to the public.
There are lots of online resources for building your own CBG from scratch. Here are a few...
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Check out plans to build a simple CBG from CB Gitty here
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Here is a builder's knowledge base
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We carry these 2 books in our store, but if you don't want to wait, you can also purchase them online:
History of the Cigar Box Guitar & The Cigar Box Guitar Store:
What is the history of cigar box guitars?
Beginning in 1865 the U.S. Government required that cigars be sold in small boxes to aid in tax collection. The discarded boxes would be joined to a broom handle or other wooded stick. A wire, often from a window screen, was stretched across it to create a simple fiddle played with a bow or plucked. The cigar box guitar (CBG) was originally the poor man’s guitar, created by people who wanted to play an instrument but couldn’t afford to buy one. Built out of a box and a stick, the CBG was often part of a “jug band,” a band made up of washboard bass, a jug and a harmonica, and sometimes things like spoons and a comb or stovepipe. Some of the earliest Blues music was created in jug bands. Lightnin’ Hopkins, a Blues guitarist that Rolling Stone placed in its Top 100 Guitarists of All Time, frequently played a CBG. Other well-known guitarists that have played CBGs include Bo Diddley, Paul McCartney, John Lennon, Jimmy Hendrix, Keith Richards of the Rolling Stones, Ed King of Lynyrd Skynrd, Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top and actor Johnny Depp.
What is the history of The Cigar Box Guitar Store, located in Huntsville Alabama?
While there are many home-based cigar box guitar builders who sell their guitars online or in person as vendors at music festivals and outdoor markets, The Cigar Box Guitar Store is the only brick-and-mortar cigar box guitar store in the world, specializing in cigar box guitars and other cigar box instruments. It opened at Lowe Mill Arts & Entertainment in 2010. Inspired after attending the cigar box festival, John Nickel started building and playing cigar box guitars and convinced his father Pat to open a store with him. The store was owned by the Nickel family until February 2021, when Jeff and Tara Mello took over ownership. While Jeff works as the store's chief luthier, Tara manages the day-to-day operations, marketing and the organization of the world's longest-running cigar box guitar festival.