The CBG Builder Podcast

This week we were meant to be joined by Cindy Morris. However a scheduling problem arose so we will reschedule for next week. Thank you for your patience this month as a few issues arrose that prevented me from uploading an episode. But, we are back!  On this scintillating and extravagant episode, Darren and I talk about building CBGs (SHOCK HORROR!!), building a work shed, Shane Speal's new Youtu...

This week Darren and I had the pleasure of speaking with Steve Arvey. Steve has been a tireless advocate and ambassador for the cigar box guitar community. He is a player, occasional builder and organisor of cigar box guitar festivals in the States and has travelled to Europe and Australia playing and promoting all things cigar box guitar. Darren and I were blown away by Steve's positivity and gre...

Darren and I were blown away by the awesome videos that the group put up on the CBG Cover Band Challenge. This week was AC/DC and the winner was George Huston. Well done mate! This week is CCR. I would like to compile all the videos into an archive for reference for group members so get those videos in! Please consider joining THE CIGAR BOX GUITAR BUILDER group https://www.facebook.com/groups/1293...

I have been a big fan of Michael Pinkerton and his Facebook group, 'Fretless Cigar Box Guitars'. He is what I would refer to as an inspiring and humble master builder. He uses hand tools to craft the most wonderful menagerie of incredible exotic and blues 'n' roots instruments. Darren and I were both gob smacked by his builds, some of which I have uploaded to the group.  Please consider joining TH...

What do you do when you hit the doldrums? When inspiration dies? When everything just sucks??? That is what has afflicted both Darren and myself over the last few months. There are things you can do. Most importantly, we are here to listen to you. Post your worries in the group. There are literally thousands of wonderful people here who are more than willing to help you up.  Another question I pos...

Today, Darren and I discuss the ins and outs of building a cigar box guitar business. Of course, our points of view are just that. Please feel free to comment in the group or here. Darren and I love building CBGs and we thank you for listening to the podcast.  You can see what I have been up to on the Facebook group and at www.birdwoodguitars.com Thank you for supporting the show and an enormous T...

Today, I got the opportunity to interview another one of my CBG heroes! William 'Bill' Jehle is an author and CBG enthusiast who is also a physicist! He is the author of, 'One Man's Trash',2010 and 'Cigar box Ukulele' 2016. If you are interested in cigar box guitars you NEED to buy 'One Man's Trash' A history of the cigar box guitar.  He has just released a new book 'The Cigar Box Guitar Amplifier...

Oh wow this episode was fun!! Jim and I have been trying to catch up for an episode for a couple of years now and he certainly didn't disapoint! Jim builds amazing 3, 4 and 6 string solid body guitars as well as his own style of cigar box guitars. He is an incredible builder who has a great sense of humour and you can tell he loves what he does.  If you'd like to contact Jim for a build enquiry, y...

Del Puckett has been an inspiration to so many cigar box guitar builders, including Darren and myself. He is bristling with energy and positivity and I truly feel that he is one of the greatest promoters of these incredible instruments. Darren and I had a fantastic time chatting with Del and asked him the questions you wanted answered in our group.  Del took the time to let us know about how he be...

Well I'm alone today. Our interview fell through this week due to unforeseen circumstances and Darren is out of action due to the dreaded man-flu. I thought I'd take the opportunity to answer some of the questions that had been posed during this last week by you, our group members.  I have been building CBGs and guitars for the last 12 years and playing and setting up guitars since 1987.....Oh cra...

Welcome back to another episode of the world's numkber one, most favorite CBG podcast!!  Darren and I are joining you today to chat about all the interesting things that are happening in the group. New builds, new members and some incredible group contributions.  Adam gets super excited about the proper place to put piezo pickups and proves his point with a really cruddy demonstration with a beate...

I've known Pete for about ten years now. He is an incredibly kind and generous person who always gave excellent feedback on my builds and helped me to develop my craft in my early days. He also gave me a car load of old timber to help me get started. Some of which I am still using today! He is a master builder who builds CBGs, electric and acoustic 6 strings and even makes his own pickups. He has...

Join me, Adam Harrison and Darren McDonald as we talk about recent activity in the cigar box guitar world. The conversation ranges from appreciating supportive community members, acknowledging the negative aspect of group dynamics, to the importance of maintaining a positive and respectful atmosphere in every community, especially in artistic domains such as cigar box guitar building. We not only...

Welcome to a fascinating episode of the Cigarbox Guitar Builder podcast. In this episode, we jump back into the world of Cigar Box Guitar Building by resuming our usual insanity. I’m here with Darren McDonald, co-admin of the passionate Cigar box Guitar Builder and Facebook group admin. We are discussing build tips, share insights and experiences about some of the group’s recent builds. Whether it...

It feels so good to be back in the interviers seat. Talk about rusty!! A huge thank you to Jason Heskins from JLee Guitars for agreeing to be interviewed. He has such a wonderful approach to building guitars and I hope you enjoy the show. Please consider supporting the show. The easiest way is to simply tell a friend or you could support us over at patreon. You can also give us 5 stars and leave a...

Ok, in all honesty, I have to admit that I am a HUGE Del Puckett fan! I always wait eagerly for his Youtube channel uploads and I have learnt heaps from him. His enthusiasm is totally infectious and his guitars always sound great. So, it only makes sense that I would eventually choose to build a few guitars using his techniques. I did videos of these builds at the beginning of this year and record...

It's been a while but Darren and I are back with another fun filled episode of cbg building. There are many more episodes in the pipeline so thank you for checking in and please don't forget to subscribe. Also, please check out ' The Cigar Box Guitar Podcast'  instagram profile.  Big thanks from Adam and Darren

Ok, the resonating vibrator is a guitar that Darren made using a spring and a milo tin lid on the inside as a natural reverb. I'm just being cheeky. It's actually a Jack Daniels styled guitar which looks amazing.  In this episode we chat about the rediculous price of cigar boxes here in Australia and in other (non USA) countries. We discuss alternatives.  Also please check out two incredibly talle...

OK, this is a contentious statement. However, I've been lucky to have had the chance to build CBGs as a full time job. I certainly haven't done everything correct. In fact, I'm still dealing with certain issues as I run my business down to a hobby again. I'm not stopping but I have decided to get back to building guitars from the heart. I'm over doing made to order instruments as they became 'work...

Ok, doing this podcast was more important to me than I realised. It's back. This first episode is with John Nickel. John taught me more in one episode that I knew in 2 years of building. A great musician and a very giving person.  We have a Facebook group called 'The Cigar Box Guitar Builder', please consider joining us for all the fun.  If you'd like to view my range of CBGs please pop over to ww...

In this episode Darren and I discuss whether handmade pickups are a financially viable alternative to ready made pups, the passing of Ted Crocker and some cool builds and builders we noticed this week.

I've known Darren McDonald for a couple of years. He builds roots instruments from reclaimed timbers and recycled boxes with an integrity that totally inspires me. He is a builder who isn't afraid of a challenge and always has time to say, "Hi" and give a helping hand. So when he agreed to co-host the show with me I was thrilled. I hope you enjoy the new format of the show and we would appreciate...

Jesse is a guitar and cigar box guitar builder from Randolph Nebraska. He builds a variety of awesome instruments ranging from ukuleles to 6 string heavy metal inspired solid body guitars. Jesse is happy to use whatever materials come his way and relies on his main trade as a carpenter to craft these cool instruments. You can find Jesse Thomas on Facebook and via our group. Please consider becomin...

Today I got to interview Mella Miante from Barreldawg Band. These guys have been ripping it up on the central coast of NSW and really pushing the cigar box guitar as their go to instrument. Mella and I chatted about what her band is up to, building her first CBG and a plethora of other cool topics. Sit back, relax and enjoy. You can check out Barreldog Band's music on Youtube, iTunes and Bandcamp....

I've known Mick ever since I started building CBGs back in 2012. He has always been a positive voice urging people to build and enjoy cigar box guitars and handmade instruments. This was a fun episode and once again, I found myself heading to the workshop to find an old box to work into a guitar. Thanks Mick.  Please follow us on your chosen podcast provider and leave a review. If you have a cbg s...