Guitar Tuning Box

If you play guitar but don't have a tuner then this is the perfect fun project to make your very own custom guitar tuning box!

Supplies

-Simple circuit, external battery, chords

-Conductive thread

-box/container 

-tape

-hot glue gun

-Scissors 

Step 1: Code

1. Coding. To code the notes for your simple circuit guitar tuning box, go to microsoft makecode, and set up the code so it matches the following image. Make sure to test your code in the website to see if everything works when clicked. Each of these blocks of notes will correspond to a guitar string. 

Link to code- https://makecode.adafruit.com/

Step 2: Downloading Code

Follow the instructions when clicking download on the website to download the code to your simple circuit.

Step 3: Testing Code

Once your code has been downloaded, test it out by clicking each of the A1-A6 buttons and seeing if they play the correct notes.

Step 4: Begin Construction

Once you verify the buttons are correct you can begin to cut 6 pieces of conductive thread, about 4-5 inches long. Once you have 6 pieces of thread cut out, wrap and tie one piece to each of the buttons on the simple circuit, making sure to wrap pretty tightly so there’s a clear connection and conductivity. Cut off any excess string at the bass of the buttons. Once all the strings are tied on, test that they work by turning on the simple circuit and tapping each string. They should play the same notes that played when you tapped each button.

Step 5: Interior Construction

Now you’re ready to begin construction of the tuning box. You’ll want to have your box ready and cut along one edge so it can unfold. With the box laid out flat, tape the simple circuits back side to wherever you want the “front” of the tuner to be. You’ll then want to flip over the box and measure out where you want each button to be placed on the box and poke a small hole for each button. Now you can thread the thread through those holes so they poke out on the outside of the box. If you want, you can tape down the thread on the inside of the box so it stays in place. Test one more time that the thread works when it is tapped to play the notes.

Step 6: Add Battery

Before you tape the box back together, you’ll want to attach the external battery to the simple circuit, and have it come out of one corner of the box when you fold it back into a box shape. This way you’ll be able to turn it on and off from the outside. You can now fold and tape the box back into its original shape.

Step 7: Decorate

With the box back in its original structure, you can draw, paint, or add anything you’d like to decorate it before adding the buttons. I recommend adding the notes too so that you’ll know which buttons work for each note. Once you’ve decorated the box how you’d like, cut the conductive thread so only about one inch is sticking out of the box.

Step 8: Adding Buttons

To add your “buttons” you can use coins, tin foil, or anything you want that is small and conductive. To attach your buttons (we’ll use dimes for this example) hold the thread tightly and firmly against the dime so there’s a physical connection. With the hot glue gun, put a small amount of glue over each side of the thread and press it down. You can now put some more glue where you intend for the button to be, and press the same side as the thread on the box, holding firmly for a few seconds, allowing it to dry. You can test your button and tap it, seeing if the note plays when tapped. If it does, continue on for the rest of the buttons

Step 9: Tape Battery

After all the buttons are connected to the thread and box, the last step is to attach the external battery pack. Place some tape on the back of the battery pack and put it on one of the sides of the box.

Step 10: Use!

Congrats! You’ve just made your own guitar tuning box!