Absolute genius man. Those are some of the best sounding handmade blues guitars I've ever heard. That is REAL soul brother. Well done, from a 71 year old banjo picker.

I tune my 4 strings to ADGB so it's like the middle 4 strings of standard 6 string tuning, you can play normal chords by rewiring your brain to ignore the two E strings - plus it's really simple to tune the A down to G to get open G. The fun of these things is you can do whatever you want!

You're enthusiasm is infectious Mike--I now have 6 CBG's.

The smile you get when you play the 3 string.. awesome :D!

I love instruments that are different from the norm. Not long ago, I saw a three string electric cigar guitar kit in a catalog that I received in the mail and I ordered one. I figured it was some kind of toy more than anything and once I got it, I put it up. Never put it together. I had no idea of it's history. I am retired and I love music and I wanted to learn a new instrument to just have fun with, one that wasn't so dang complicated. Well, now I believe that I've found it! I had no idea the history of this fabulous blues instrument and I certainly didn't know it could sound like you play it! Wow! Now I am super motivated to get started putting it together and making some blues come to life! Awesome!! Thanks for the great video.

DGBD tuning also works on baritone ukulele. Just drop the high E down a whole step. String spacing is a little wider than a 4 string cigarbox but still narrower than a 3 string, so not a bad compromise. Sadly I've not found a good source for ukulele necks. And making anything more than a stick neck is a little bit beyond my abilities right now.

I'm working on a 3 string random parts build using a tin body and the neck is a new shovel handle cut to size the bridge is an old metal antenna clamp and bracket. Strings are spare strings for my guitar. Thinking of painting the body now making the sound hole look like it's an old water well. Sounds fun

This is great, what comes to mind. People that are losing the ability to play a traditional 6 string acoustic (arthritis) can still have a lot of fun. I spent 40 years as an auto mechanic (now 65) I took up the 6 string acoustic a year ago. Yes I still "suck" but it is a lot of fun. 40 years wrenching took a toll on my hands (the left for some reason) Of course I have the skills to build these instruments (my field was light line,AC and electrical, minor in computer science) Perhaps I concentrate a bit more on "builds".

My Grandpa could play a 3 string like the devil on a sunday morning, he picked them with his tooth, but he lost that last one in a bar fight with Jethro over a price chicken. 😭

I'm really glad that I discoveredy your Channel... like a lot of people I have always been jealous of musicians singers and the like anybody that can make music ... Because it seems to be such a satisfying thing a joyful thing to be able to play an instrument that's why I'm jealous...! well now things are different I discovered 3 string cigar boxes 4 string shovel guitars one string Diddley bows !!! OMG I am so motivated that 48 years old I'm going to make blues music with a slide on a cigar box...! Thank you for inspiring me... Truly

I have a OLIVA box on a 3 string a friend made me and it has 23 frets and a 25 1/2 inch scale. I have it tuned E B E now. I'm 62 and I normally play 6 string guitar. I love your video and I will keep watching for all the stuff I can learn from ya. Keep on havin fun !

Thanks for this. I’ve played for 45 years and have been seriously thinking about buying or building a 3 string. You just made up my mind for me.

Thanks Mike. I'm about to leap into the cigar box universe and this helped me decide between the 3 or 4.

Dude, this is by far the best cigar box guitar video i,ve seen so far, they sound awsome.Great playing,great demo.Thanks for showing us those👍

My dad is working on building one of these. Can't wait to play it!

Absolutely love the way you play. I’m sold, I want one of these.

Thanks a million for this. I've gone back and forth trying to decide what to build. Now I'm going to build both!

You are definitely the best cigar box guitar player I have ever heard. Your picking is extremely clean, your slide is amazing, your sound is fantastic. Thanks for sharing

You taught me well, now is the time to restring my regular guitar. Thanks!

Mike, you are an amazing slide guitar player. As a new comer in CBG I have listened and learned a lot from your style of playing. Thank you so much.

Excellent! I like them very much. By the way, have you ever heard that kind of tunings are quite similar to Japanese Shamisen or some other eastern or central Asian instruments? I, Japanese, also play a newly invented instrument named ‘Ichigo-Ichie’ - meaning ‘an encounter in one life’ or ‘fifth degree’ - that has the tuning just same as your 4 strings guitar! I’ll learn from you so much.

What is only slightly less amazing than how cool this is, is that 17 people didn't like it. That, I will never understand.

The 4 String gives you more versatility, but once you upgrade it into a 5 or more string Guitar it'll increase in versatility even more. Adding a truss rod helps alot

This video is one of my all time favorites on your channel. If I could give this video ten thumbs up, I would do it! Love it so much. I wish you happy Holidays! 🤩

What is the difference? 1 string! Thanks for the video! I haven't tried the slide yet, but man, those 3-strings are insanely fun!

You seem like a relaxed dude to talk about music and building. Thanks for sharing!

I would guess that it’s the number of strings. I made a 3 string guitar (made a small coffin instead of a cigar box). It’s turned to a G power chord (G, D, G). Great for 12 bar blues and other simple stuff. Rock and roll. I have also made 4 string instruments. Chicago tuning. Easy to play if you play guitar or ukulele. Much more versatile.

Bo Diddley loved those boxes too.

Man I love your energy and your genuine love for making music. You rock Mike.

This _almost_ looks like an instrument I could learn how to play! Really gets me thinking :) Awesome video, had a lot of fun watching!

GBDG tuning sounds best with a dog bowl or a paint an lid Resonator. With springs in the cigar box. That's what makes it sound more like a Banjo.

JN Guitars makes great 4 String Cigar Box Tenor Guitars

Really dig your personality man! Great playing, its inspiring to me to finish my build to jam like you.

That's a nice video. As a newbie, there is a lot to figure out and understand. I live in Denmark and we don't quite have the Cigar Box Music culture, but I think - it's coming :) I don't have a workshop, so I'm getting a 3-sting, made by a guy, not so far from here. Thanks again Mike!

As always Mike, your videos are very helpful. Love your style & presentations you offer to beginners, like myself to the Cigar box guitars. Thanks again for all of the very helpful video"s. Dan.

I came here from Samantha Fish kicking ass on her 4 cbg on "Bulletproof". thanks for the info & playing Mike! i'll want to try a 3 or 4 cbg..i been playing those nasty Fender 6's for 50 yrs, time fer a change

Thanks very much for this. I was flirting with 4-string but am now convinced I want a 3-string, so thanks for saving me from making the wrong decision. I have lots of 6-strings and am looking for the rawness and simplicity of a 3-string, mostly for slide, in combination with a P90 or something. This will be fun! :-)

I just madea three string guitar. I used a tin Christmas chocolates container for the tinny sound.

Gonna build the 3 string first.. this a free country we can have both...

Thanks, Mike! I have a fretless 3-string CBG that I love to play with a slide. I'd eventually like a CBG with frets, but after watching this, I'm leaning towards 3 rather than 4 strings. I love the simplicity of it! If I want complexity, I can go with 6 strings. :)

Both of mine are Arturo fuente boxes, like the 3 string you are playing in this video. One is a King Bee box and the other a Queen Bee box

Thank you, I have been considering which would work best for me. (3string won)

your guitar playing is awesome.

Fantastic music clip, always great to see and hear you play. Keep up the great work Mike.

Hi Mike, you could use a second sound hole as the slide holder if it were the right size. Just a thought.

They now make 5, 6 & more string versions of these which are becoming popular for song covers and next up a 5 String CBG in Open G cause now you're playing just like Keith Richards on a 5 String CBG.

Excellent. You have inspired me to try and play. You make it look simple but I know better.

I also agree ... 3 strings are easier and just fun to play 😎🎼👍

you rock bro !everytime I start building again always start watching some more of your videos .truly inspirational

I've been fooling around with balalaika tunings, EEA and AAD. Yes, two strings tuned alike but played separately.

Nice, but when a cigar box guitar starts to hit that $400, $500 price point, doesn't that defeat the purpose of making a cigar box guitar? At least in the traditional sense? It'd be like building a $10,000 skateboard.

I would love to have one of your cigar box guitars

Very cooooowl! Now I'm going to buy electric guitar box and slide! 🎸

Well done Mike.

Thank you for this...very helpful to have the two compared back to back

What strikes me is the CRISP tone on both guitars is it the pick up or the amp??? ?. Plus wonderful playing skill of course

Great video and guitars, they both sound so much better that the two fretless, three and four strings I have just made, I will have a look at your lessons also, always keen to learn more

I checked your website, a lil pricey for me but you a good product and talent for building plus you present your product well and it sounds awesome. Excellent job.

Do all cigar box guitars come with a flannel shirt?

Great video resulted in a self build and helped us move forward. Thank you from N England York

Man you got me interested in cigar boxes years ago with chicken coop blues. I now own two cigar boxes, a non fretted 3 string, and a fretted 4 string.

Making a four stringer with the same box as your 3 stringer. Somehow I don't think mine will sound as good as yours, but that won't stop me. LOL

Excellent. Thanks for taking the time to make the video. Nice playing and nice looking guitars.

Hi Mike wery nice video, and informative too, I just bought a cigar box guitar and started to play, I love it..

You make it look so effortless and the slide sound is the best. I bet you still have years of playing experience behind you. Do you teach playing technique as well as building them?

cool, Danny Carey also plays cigar boxes!

Getting one soon! Love the look's. We all make em. Cheers!

Nice playing dude!

You are simply amazing! You got a new follower

I play ukulele (its four strings) i didnt know that there were 4 string cigar box guitars so this is cool cause my dad LOVES the sound of these guitars so I want to get the four string sense I already know the chords for the ukulele!

Thanks Man. I think you settle the question for me as to whether 3 or 4. I'm going with 3, now I just need to find the right axe to buy! Any suggestions welcome

The 4 string version is awsome but why not convert it into a 6 String? I'm doing that one cause after playing on 4 strings for a long time, I thought it's time to upgrade it into a 6 string where I can play everything I know.

great video thanks for taking the time to put this out there for us newbies.

You remind me of a 50 year old Wayne from Wayne’s world

Good work Mike

Wow you Shure know how to make those boxes sing

Absolutely wonderful,great for either lead or Rythm alone, really groovy sound Thank you.

That was unfing real. It'll inspire me to learn to play. What do you thing lo f the Aldi ukelele...called the electric. Can you change a 4 string into a 3 string Uke. ...your a master of the simple...I just feel too simple to be the master of my domain...being able to weld implant instruments using a microscope. Please tell me where your Uke can be purchased.. A cigar box...unique

awesome vid! def love the sound and simplicty of the 3 string! def gonna look into making one with one of my cigar boxes. or more like attempt to make one. lol

CBG, a dirty battery powered amp, and a cold beer. Life is good! You build nice guitars Mike and play well. Looking at gettin' one of your 3 strings for my arsenal.

Hey Mike! Great video! I continue to learn from your music and your guitars...... thanks!

Awesome, you really can play, you make it look so easy.

Nice slide lick at 2:45

Cool. Wish I could play the Guitar. This cigar box guitar looks and sounds cool.

I sure would love to have one of those

I got to say, three string is my favorite too.

Love to get a couple of 3 strings for my 3 lids to have around and hopefully start playing. Looks easy than 6 string and the lids could make something happen pretty quickly. Which seems to be trend in this day. Cheers.

Thanks for the vid man. I liked it and subbed. I'm going to stick with building 3 strings (5 total now plus 2 four string mountain banjos I built for the nieces). I think my first 4 string is going to be a cigar box base! I know, lots of pressure on a 4 string bass, but I have African blood wood. $hit's so hard you need a pilot hole to even drive a nail. I've read about 110 lbs of neck pressure. Opinions? Oh, and although I'm "relativity" new to CBG (about 6 years now), I've been a wood worker most of my life. Furniture, fancy clocks, a few boats (from scratch) so I'm no "slouch". Thanks again!

Hi there Mike Snowden. That 3 string guitar is awesom and it produce great sound. Wow. Thumbs up : )

🎶 "I've got four guitar boxes, six shot glasses. My momma still don't like my friends. And my Dad's still, cool with them. 🎶

I'm modifying a Setar to be a 3 course 4 string.. Likely selecting from a 7-38 string set.. I want the top strings octaves but I haven't decided the rest.. Thinking aA d g

That was awesome ,thank you for your video. That gives me more motivation to keep trying to practice thank you 😊

So helpful.... Thank you very much!

Absolutely beautiful sounds.

Wow that was great playing... Your good at slide playing... Great blues rift

wow that is fantastic dude

YEEEEZZZZ!!!!! I could listen all night...that is AWESOME!!

Real groovy bro. I like a 3 string too. That old traditional sound is always cool!!

Thank you

Great ups man, enjoyable and informative.. love your playing