The Design
No two Waterside Guitars look alike.
We create custom instruments developed from your ideas and – beginner to advanced – how you play. We’ve used cigar boxes and oil cans, we’ve made resonators from dog bowls, and created ukuleles and “diddly bows”.
It nearly always starts with the box. Here are a few we currently have available.
The Construction
We’re very fussy.
Cigar box instruments may look simple, but to play and sound right, we use the correct materials and precise measurements in putting them together.
To get it right, we measure box-to-neck precisely. We properly reinforce elements for string tension. For electronic instruments we play each through different amps and settings. We test every instrument for sound, volume, sustain and tone.
All our instruments are “set up” before shipping. When you get your guitar, tighten up the strings, get it in tune, and off you go!
The Features
The right parts matter. So, we continually research and use the best available.
At Waterside Guitars, we use only maple necks with carefully made fretboards of rosewood, maple or composite woods for maximum strength and durability. Each neck is made with scarf joints and “zero frets” – that ensures that the instrument can withstand the tension of the strings without any “give” or bending. Forever.
Our ukulele’s feature modern strings that “give” during tune-up and last longer than traditional gut. We tie them properly so that they’ll stay in tune and sound great.
From humbuckers to single coils to hand-turned, the right pickups give our instruments the right sound for each one we build. These are mounted and wired under strings, inside boxes with “ghost” applications, and often with 3-way switches to give you either a choice of each pickup or a combination of both.
Your instrument. Your own sound.
The Sound
From a rustic twang to a rich, mellow purr, a well-made cigar box instrument can do it all. Because of their size, they’ll never be confused with high-priced acoustic or electric guitars. But, at Waterside, we produce instruments with premium sound in mind.
Each of our guitars, ukuleles and mandolins goes through proper set-up. That takes time. We eliminate buzz and dead spots, making sure strings sound fresh and clear. Since each instrument has its own shape, size, and number of strings, we fuss over the proper sound of each.
Not everyone does.
Our mission. Your benefit.