Although the box is not a real cigar box, merely a "look alike", but the little thing plays very well and with reasonable care will last for years. A fun beginner's instrument that sounds good. It's accompanying book and DVD are worth more than merely a cursory glance. I like the short 21 inch scale because it makes fingering the chords easier--thus making lessons easier to get down pat if you have shorter fingers/small hands. If you want to play some Delta Blues, be sure to pick up a slide. With a slide, this guitar just sings and will really belt out the Blues for you. This unit is fun and easy to play if you pay close attention to the lessons and start off slowly. My 9 year old Great Granddaughter been on hers a month. Really picking the CBG up at a steady pace---says she's going to become "B.B. Queen" someday! Remember, this instrument is far from being high quality, but it can get you started off on the right foot, and with it, you can definitely "make a joyous noise to the Lord".

The cigar box blues guitar arrived today, and I'm so excited. I bought it for my adult son as a surprise. He plays the guitar and has several different kinds, but not one like this. I don't play the guitar or any musical instrument, but I just knew that Van would get a lot of fun out of this little cigar box guitar. I took pictures of it and texted them to Van. He was so happy and excited I had gotten it for him. Due to some really brutal winter weather, he won't be able to come over for a couple of days to see it and try it out, but I'll send an update as soon as he does. I can tell you that it seems to be sturdy "” not flimsy like what one might expect given the inexpensive price. It has instructions and a cd with it along with the necessary wire, screws and everything else needed to make it work. I can't wait for my son to try it out.
UPDATE: My son came over this evening, and he loves this cigar box guitar! Tuning it was a little tricky, but he watched a video on YouTube, and it told him exactly what to do. He can't wait to hook it up to his amp so that he gets the full sound. I'm so glad I ordered it, and based on my son's enthusiastic response to it, I recommend it to anyone who either wants to play it himself or wants to give it as a fun musical instrument gift to a friend or family member.

I picked this up because my wife wanted to learn how to play the 3-string guitar. I was hesitant at first because it looked cheap in the pictures. The guitar arrived and we unboxed it. It is a cheaply made guitar.
The body is thick cardboard, the neck is a solid hardwood, the strings are good and real, it has a cheap $1 piezo pickup. With all that being said, this guitar is actually great! The sound is really good! The tuning is easy, the slide is actually glass. We are very impressed!
At worse if the body gets damaged in any way do not throw this item out. The way they designed this guitar makes it a perfect parts guitar. Just go to a cigar shop and buy a cigar box for $3. Use a basic small wood saw and a couple other tools, Watch a YouTube and easily make a solid wood cigar box guitar. I assure you that with very little experience you can use this guitars neck and strings to make a new CBG. You'll just need to buy a new Piezo pickup, which is sold here on amazon for CHEAP. You can even use a metal cookie tin, lunchbox, etc to convert this into a new guitar.

Out of all honesty this is a very good guitar. I give it 5-Stars because of the following. 1) The price is low, which makes it perfect for people on a budget. 2) The quality is low, but again of the body breaks you can easily rebuild it better. 3) The sound is good. 4) Perfect for any beginners that are wanting to learn the 3-String Guitar. 5) Has a great look that sets the owner apart from other cheap made guitars.

I did not expect much, but pretty cool for 30 bucks if you were curious about playing a 3-string cigar box slide guitar. Its pretty much slide-only, unless you have Chuck Norris fingers. That being said, you can plug it in, tune to GDG, and play some swampy blues. Using the right slide fit for your finger is key. Assembles super easy and cracks me up that the bridge and the nut are 2 loose bolts held on by string tension. Precious! Much fun for the price, and a pretty cool gift.

Minor assembly was fun and easy, great product, excellent gift idea for any music lover