Birdwood Guitars
Built to last , , , built to blast !
The Birdwood Guitars Story
I first discovered cigar box guitars in 2011, at a market in Noosa. I couldn’t believe the sound that the little guitars could make. As I’d been building six string electric guitars for a couple of years, I thought I’d make one for myself and call it quits. Well, its been over fourteen years and I’ve built over 2,500 CBGs and created a successful home business.
Every guitar that I build is a unique creation. I don’t use pre-fabricated necks or kits, I build each instrument using a variety of reclaimed and ethically sourced plantation timbers as well as a variety of empty cigar boxes or hand made bodies depending on what I feel like building. Every CBG will have a pickup installed so you can play it through an amplifier.
Thank you for visiting us and looking at our range of cigar box guitars. We are also the Australian representative for KILLER STRINGS Australia.
All cigar box guitars come with a limited, lifetime, Fair-wear guarantee so you know that you are buying a quality instrument.
Adam Harrison.
Get that signature "Steve Arvey Sound" with these Made In The USA Cigar Box Guitar Strings. “People always ask how I get that massive sound?" The trick is the gauge size and quality of the strings. After months of experimentation and fine tuning, I've finally created what I believe are the perfect strings for the Cigar Box Guitar. These nickel wound strings are designed to give you that monster tone and stay in tune. 
Say Hello to our Meanest Set of Strings Ever.If you've been looking for a set of strings that deliver extra grunge, you've come to the right place. These strings are extra heavy and all nickel wound. These strings are designed to give you that monster tone and stay in tune no matter how hard you push them. 
New Products
Our LIGHTNING BOY SERIES cigar box guitars are built using genuine cigar boxes and a range of reclaimed and repurposed Timbers. We have chosen a beautiful, hand made, 3 pole ‘Fear No Beard’ guitar pickup which perfectly compliments the cigar box and neck timber. Add jumbo frets and you’ve got a great blues and rock n roll machine.
Your guitar
Genuine cigar box
Oak neck
Huon pine fretboard.
Jumbo frets
Handmade ‘Fear No Beard’ P90 pickup (USA)
Volume
Traditional bridge
Closed machine heads
Top box corners.
Strap button at rear.
Handmade by Adam Harrison in Hazelbrook NSW.
Our LIGHTNING BOY SERIES utilise electric guitar pickups and are finely fretted to give you an exciting and effortless playing experience.
This CBg has been hand stained using water based inks and sealed in a water based lacquer to I create a unique and beautiful finish.
We have chosen to use an American made flat pickup in the bridge position and teamed it with a volume control. It’s got a punchy output and your amplifier is going to love it.
YOUR GUITAR
handmade box with purple/blue stain
Thin line build for a super comfy playing experience
Flat humbucker pickup (USA)
3 string steel fixed bridge offering full intonation
Eucalyptus neck
Walnut fretboard with maple dot markers
Volume control
Closed guitar heads
Quality hardware
Box corners on top side
Limited lifetime fair-wear guarantee to first owner.
Say Hello to our Newest 4-String Set of Killer Strings!Steve Arvey's Killer Strings - 42/34/24/16p are the perfect choice for a cigar box guitar player who wants to add some serious edge to their sound. With a heavy gauge and nickel wound construction, these strings are built to deliver powerful, grungy tones. The 42/34/24/16p gauge ensures that you'll get plenty of low-end punch and sustain. Plus, these strings are designed to stay in tune no matter how hard you play, so you can focus on your music instead of worrying about your tuning. Say hello to your new go-to set of cigar box guitar strings and get ready to unleash some killer tones.Friends of Birdwood Guitars
Our ever-popular STORMRIDER Electro/acoustic SERIES gets another beautiful addition, with this gorgeous Cuesta Rey, 3 string, fretted offering.
This is a thin line model which many of our clients are enjoying due to its less cumbersome feel against the body while playing.
The sound is punchy and perfect for rock and blues tones where heavy distortion isn’t needed. It’ll push a slightly dirty amp really nicely so classic rock sounds great as well as delta blues licks
The action is on the medium side so playing slide and finger style is very comfortable and responsive to your finger/pick attack.
YOUR GUITAR
Genuine Cuesta Rey cigar box
Repurposed Radiata pine neck timber with tension strip on the underside
24.5 inch scale length
Reclaimed meranti fretboard
Jumbo frets
Kluson style tuners
Hardwood nut and floating bridge
Acoustic transducer pickup in bridge position
Direct to Jack wiring
2 sound holes
Strap buttons
We use KILLER STRINGS exclusively
Tuned GDg with 40, 30, 20 gauge strings
Every Birdwood product is covered by our limited lifetime fair-wear guarantee.
Rick and roll all night!!! This short scale beast will rock your world. It’s loaded with an American made Gittybucker pickup and volume control for awesome versatility. This is the guitar your mum warned you about:) perfect for practicing your slide techniques for any musical styling thanks to the awesome pickup. You can play anything from Robert Johnson to Slayer and all in between.
YOUR GUITAR
GENUINE ‘Black Pearl’ cigar box
Reclaimed timber neck and fingerboard
Fine dot markers at 3,5,7,9,12,15,17,19 positions
Gittybucker pickup (USA)
Volume control
Open tuners
Hardwood nut and floating bridge
Rear string retainer made from a vegetable steamer flap.
Strap button on rear bout
This is a slide guitar so you will need a slide to be able to play it.
READY TO SHIP
Cigar Box Guitar Styles
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STAGE SERIES - Premium Electric
Our STAGE SERIES instruments are designed to perform night after night, year after year on tour or at home. We build these guitars to be rugged, sound awesome and feel amazing. We offer a fantastic range of options. Order yours today.
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LIGHTNING BOY SERIES - Fretted Electric
Our Lightning Boy Series of cigar box guitars are professionally fretted instruments that also utilise an electric guitar pickup. This will provide a fantastic range of tones from classic blues to crushing metal riffs. Play on stage or play at home, you will love the versatility that our LIGHTNING BOY CBGS will provide.
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ROLLING THUNDER SERIES - Fretless Electric
Just like the name implies, you will have a tone like thunder thanks to the powerful electric guitar pickup that is installed in every ROLLING THUNDER CBG. If you want to play slide guitar, this is the axe for you! No frets to get in the way means smooth playability, and remember that its a great way to work on your slide chops!
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STORMRIDER SERIES - Fretted Electro/acoustic
A piezo, acoustic pickup amplifies the acoustic qualities of this series of guitars. This allows you to use the guitar as a percussion instrument, perfect for accompanying yourself while you play. If you want to play acoustic blues or rock, or kick in a little overdrive for that early ACDC tone. You will love playing a STORMRIDER CBG.
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HURRICANE SERIES - Fretless Electro/acoustic
It’s time to get totally PRIMAL. This is as close as you will get to the roots of rock n roll without having to travel to the Delta! No frets to get in the way and an electro/acoustic pickup to provide all the primal groove that you’ll ever need! Grab a slide and create your own blues HURRICANE!
Get in Touch
Whether you have a question, an idea, or just want to say hello, feel free to reach out—we’re here to help.
