Altoids Tin Guitar

Step 9 Almost done!

Now we just have to string it up. Insert strings into the holes on the end. Once they have all been inserted, close the lid. Loop each string over the BIC pen and then thread them into the eye bolts. I looped the string 3 or 4 times in the eye, then allowed the slack to twist around the body of the bolt.

To tune, just turn the eye bolts to add tension to the string. Then tighten the nuts to keep the bolt in place.

Then plug in and play!

Comments

[jschnoor]

could I make it a bass? the strings would be hard on the whole thing, but would it still work?

[funyman1234potato]

Yess it would but you would need to put 2 pieces of felt over the piezo to keep the staticition fibre vibrations to ruin the amp. i did it and i made a violyn electric guitar DRUMS lol that was hard and steel drums

[TheJoshinator]

Old comment, I know, but if you want a bass consider using nylon weed-eater string. It'll be lower tension, thus less wear and tear, and the piezo will still pick it up because it senses mechanical vibration rather than magnetic field fluctuation like a normal pickup.

[junkevin]

so how does the piezo work exactly? do the strings attach to it or what?

[bryandhispup]

it acts like a microphone. a piezo is a sort of speaker for alarm sounds, when wired this way it will work ( just as a speaker will when wired this way) like a mic.

[Jodex]

You could attach it to the tin or to the neck. It pretty much doesn't matter. Simply with trying is the easiest way to find out where's the best.

[Caboose98]

is wondering, is it ok if i somehow hooked up a small speaker, would that work too?

[bryandhispup]

yes it will act as a mic, the sound will be different from the piezo but you may like the tin-y sound it creates. kind of a steel guitar meets cigar box banjo sound...

[fatchumba667]

this is briliant! i got 2 piezos from a window alarm and made one of these, but with proper tuning pegs not hooks, and its fantastic! well done! and thank you!

[heyitscorty7]

Is it ok to put hot glue on the piezo?

[psphaxzor]

have you read the instructable?

[supamunki]

shouldnt the strings be higher?

[OatsnHoney]

Awesomeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!!!!!!!!!!!!

[gnargnar]

oh man! adding the nuts to keep the tuners in place is genius. i built a slide guitar, but couldn't get the strings to stay in tune for the life of me! i'll be stealing this soon hopefully. much thanks.