Buzz
Whether you're fashioning this enjoyable toy for yourself or your child, constructing a homemade guitar provides a simple and imaginative method to create musical sounds using common household items. This guide will illustrate various approaches to crafting a basic guitar using materials you may already possess at home.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Constructing a Guitar from a Shoe Box
Gather your materials. Although this guitar requires a bit more effort to assemble, the end result is truly rewarding. Here's a rundown of what you'll need:
- Shoebox
- Box cutter and scissors
- Cardboard
- 4 – 6 rubber bands
- School glue
- Cardboard tube, paper towel tube, or PVC pipe
- Tape or hot glue
- Decorative items such as paint, paper, stickers, etc.
Create a sizable opening in the middle of a shoe box lid. Utilize a cup or mug to trace a circular outline onto the lid of a shoe box. Proceed to carefully cut out the circle using a box cutter. This opening will serve as the sound hole.
- If you're a child, seek assistance from an adult for this step.
- If a shoe box isn't available, consider purchasing one from the scrapbooking section of an arts and crafts store. While typically used for storing photographs, they come in various colors and patterns and are the appropriate size for this project.
Make four to six holes in a straight line approximately 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) above, ensuring you use a pencil beneath the sound hole. These holes will function as the string holes. Ensure the top and bottom holes are aligned so that each string runs directly across the sound hole. The row of holes should not extend beyond the widest point of the sound hole.
Add color or embellishments to the shoe box. Acrylic or tempera paints can be used to paint the box portion. Alternatively, you can cover the lid and box separately with paper. Consider these additional methods for decorating your guitar:
- Create designs on the guitar using markers, crayons, or glitter glue.
- Apply stickers or foam shapes to enhance the guitar's appearance with vibrant colors.
- Ornament the rim of the sound hole.
- Paint the interior of the box for a visually appealing effect when viewed through the sound hole.
Prepare four strips of cardboard, each measuring 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) in width. Measure the distance between the far-left and far-right string holes, then cut the cardboard strips accordingly. Ensure each strip is of equal length.
- If you've painted the guitar body, consider painting the cardboard strips as well. Opt for a contrasting color to create a more striking appearance.
Secure two cardboard strips above and below the sound hole to create the bridge. Position the strips between the string holes and the top-to-bottom edge of the sound hole. These strips will elevate the strings off the guitar body, resulting in improved sound quality.
Create four to six holes in the remaining two cardboard strips. Ensure that the spacing between these holes matches that of the string holes on your box lid.
Split open four to six rubber bands. These rubber bands will be threaded through the string holes. Consider using a combination of thick and thin rubber bands for varied sounds.
Thread the rubber bands through one of the cardboard strips and tie them securely with knots. Start by knotting the end of each rubber band. Then, pass the loose end through the holes in one of the cardboard strips. Use one rubber band for each hole, securing them with knots to prevent them from slipping out.
- Ensure the knots aren't too close to the ends of the bands to prevent them from slipping through and untying.
Position the cardboard strip beneath the lid and thread the rubber bands up through the string holes. The cardboard strip will hold the rubber bands firmly in place. Optionally, tape the edges of the cardboard strip to the underside of the lid for added security.
Extend each string across the sound hole and into the corresponding string hole on the opposite side of the sound hole. Once you've threaded the rubber band strings through the string holes, you can temporarily secure them in place using a binder clip.
Position the second cardboard strip beneath the lid and thread the rubber bands through the holes. Secure each rubber band by tying a knot at the end. Optionally, adjust the tension of each string to achieve varied notes, akin to a real guitar. You can also affix the cardboard strip to the underside of the lid using tape.
Consider affixing a ½ inch (1.27 centimeters) wide cardboard strip across the upper and lower string holes. This will help conceal the holes and enhance the appearance of your guitar. Ensure each cardboard piece is long enough to cover all string holes on both sides. Apply glue along the top and bottom holes, then press the cardboard strip firmly onto it.
- Enhance the appearance by painting the cardboard strip in a contrasting color to make it stand out from the rest of the guitar.
Source a tube longer than your shoe box to craft the neck. Options include a cardboard mailing tube, a paper towel tube, or even a plastic or PVC tube.
Embellish the tube. Paint it, wrap it with paper, or add colorful tape for visual appeal. Attach paper 'keys' to the top for knobs and draw 4 to 6 lines down the front to simulate strings.
- Be mindful that if the neck material differs from the body, the painted finish may not match, even with the same paint.
Carve a hole in the top of the shoe box to insert the neck tube through.
Use the tube's base to trace a circle onto the guitar's top, then carefully cut out the circle using a box cutter.
- If you're a child, seek adult assistance for this step.
Attach the neck to the guitar body. Insert the tube about 2 inches (5.08 centimeters) into the hole. For heavier tubes, insert further. Secure the joint between the tube and the box using hot glue or tape. Apply tape and glue on the inner side of the box to hide them when assembling the guitar.
Secure the shoe box lid in place. Apply a line of glue along the inner edges of the box lid. Then, place the lid onto the box and allow the glue to dry.
Start playing your guitar. Optionally, cut a triangle from colored cardboard to use as a guitar pick.
Crafting a Basic Tissue Box Guitar
Collect your materials. This guitar is perfect for young children and is simple to construct. It's the classic tissue box guitar. Here's what you'll need:
- Tissue box
- 4 rubber bands
- Scissors
- Paper towel tube
- Tape
- Glue
- Popsicle sticks, straws, or unsharpened pencil
- Decorative items like paint, paper, stickers, etc.
Locate an empty tissue box and remove the transparent plastic piece inside the hole. It should come out easily; if not, use scissors to cut it out.
Secure the paper towel roll to one of the narrow ends of the box using tape or hot glue. Ensure the tube aligns with the vertical hole in the box.
Personalize your guitar. Cover it with paper or paint it using tempera or acrylic paints. Consider these additional decorating suggestions:
- Add small designs using markers, crayons, or glitter glue.
- Apply stickers or foam shapes to introduce vibrant colors.
- Attach large beads near the top of the tube to serve as knobs, using two to three beads on each side.
Construct the bridge by affixing a popsicle stick above and below the hole. Apply glue horizontally above and below the tissue hole, then press a popsicle stick onto each line of glue. Allow the glue to dry. These sticks will elevate the rubber bands slightly, enhancing the guitar's sound.
- Consider decorating or painting the sticks after the glue dries.
- You can also utilize crayons, pencils, or straws to create the bridge.
Ensure the paint and glue are completely dry before proceeding. Rushing to the next steps prematurely may cause your guitar to fall apart.
Wrap four large rubber bands around the box lengthwise. Position two rubber bands on each side of the tube, directly over the tissue hole.
- Utilize a combination of thick and thin rubber bands for varied sounds.
Begin playing your guitar. Explore different sounds and consider using a triangle cut from colored cardboard as a guitar pick.
Crafting a Basic Paper Plate Guitar
Collect your materials. This guitar is straightforward and perfect for young children. It can even function as a banjo. Here's what you'll need:
- Two paper plates
- Glue
- Wooden ruler or paint stir stick
- 4 rubber bands
- Decorative items such as paint, stickers, glitter, etc.
Adhere two paper plates together to create a thick, durable plate. Apply glue around the rim of one paper plate, then place the second plate directly on top to stack them together.
- Ensure the paper plates are sturdy with a rim or ridge.
Attach a wooden ruler or paint stir stick to the back of the plate to form the neck. Apply glue to the bottom third of the stick and press it against the plate's back. Ensure the stick extends appropriately from the guitar's rear, avoiding a comically short neck. Aim to center the stick as much as possible.
Personalize your guitar. Paint it with acrylic paint, draw designs using markers or glitter glue, or enhance it with colorful stickers.
- Consider adding two wooden clothespins to the top of the stick, spaced about 1 inch (2.54 centimeters) apart. To prevent them from falling off, apply glue to the stick before attaching them.
Allow the guitar to dry completely. Prematurely moving on to the next step may result in the guitar falling apart. The drying time depends on the amount of paint and glue used.
Secure four rubber bands around the plate. Position two rubber bands on each side of the stick. Utilize a combination of thick and thin rubber bands to achieve varied sounds.
Begin playing your guitar. Experiment with different sounds, but be cautious not to stretch the strings too tightly to avoid breakage.
Useful Tips
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You can fashion a guitar pick from cardboard or simply utilize the plastic tab found on a bread bag.
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Get creative with materials for the knobs at the top of the guitar arm; options include beads, popsicle sticks, clothespins, or even brads.
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Explore making other homemade instruments like drums from hollow cans or a bass guitar with a lower pitch. Gather friends and start your own homemade instrument band!
The advice provided here is drawn from the real-life experiences of Mytour readers like yourself. If you have a helpful tip to share, please submit it below.
- For better adhesion, opt for hot glue over Elmer's glue or a glue stick. However, a glue stick can also serve as a great alternative.
Warnings
- If you're a child and the instructions mention using a box cutter, seek assistance from an adult.
- Exercise caution with hot glue guns as they can cause burns and blisters. Adults should handle them. If concerned, opt for a low-temperature glue gun instead.
- Supervise young children during steps involving scissors and around loose rubber bands.
Essentials
Crafting a Shoe Box Guitar
- Shoe box
- Box cutter and scissors
- Cardboard
- 4 – 6 rubber bands
- School glue
- Cardboard tube, paper towel tube, or PVC pipe
- Tape or hot glue
- Paint, paper, stickers, etc. (for decoration)
Creating a Simple Tissue Box Guitar
- Tissue box
- 4 rubber bands
- Scissors
- Paper towel tube
- Tape
- Glue
- Popsicle sticks, straws, or unsharpened pencil
- Paint, paper, stickers, etc. (for decoration)
Creating a Basic Paper Plate Guitar
- Two paper plates
- Glue
- Wooden ruler or paint stir stick
- 4 rubber bands
- Paint, stickers, glitter, etc. (for decorating)
