Homemade rubber band guitars are fun, creative, easy to make and can liven up the atmosphere. This article will show you some ways to make a simple guitar using items you probably already have in your home.
Step
Method 1 of 3: Making a Shoebox Guitar
Step 1. Gather equipment
This guitar is a bit tricky, but the results will be worth it. Here are the materials needed:
- shoe box
- Cutter and scissors
- Cardboard box
- 4-6 rubber bands
- Paper glue
- Cardboard tubes, toilet paper cartons, or PVC pipes
- Hot glue or tape
- Paint, color paper, sticker (for decoration)
Step 2. Make a large hole in the center of the shoebox lid
Use a cup or glass to draw a circle on the shoebox lid. After that, use the cutter to cut the circle. This circle will be the earpiece.
- If you are a child, ask an adult for help.
- If you don't have a shoebox, you can buy a similar box at a craft store, in the scrapbook section. These boxes are usually used to store photos, but they are a suitable size and are available in a variety of colors and patterns.
Step 3. Insert 4-6 holes in a straight line 2.54 cm above the earpiece and make sure to use a pencil under the earpiece
These small holes will become the string holes. Make sure the top and bottom holes are aligned so the strings will run straight across the sound holes. The line of holes must not extend past the widest point of the earpiece.
Step 4. Paint and decorate your shoebox
You can color the squares with acrylic or tempera paints. You can also wrap the lid and shoebox separately in paper. Here are some ways to decorate your shoebox:
- Draw designs on the guitar using markers, crayons, or glue containing glitter
- Attach some stickers or foam sticks to the guitar to make it more lively.
- Decorate the edge of the guitar sound hole.
- Color the inside of the shoebox. In this way, the color will show through the earpiece and beautify your guitar.
Step 5. Cut four strips of cardboard 2.54 cm wide
Measure the distance from the left string hole to the right string hole. Then cut the cardboard according to the length. Each cardboard strip should be the same length.
If you're painting your guitar body, it's a good idea to color your cardboard strips as well. To make it stand out, give it a contrasting color
Step 6. Glue two strips of cardboard above and below the earpiece to make a bridge
This strip should be exactly between the holes of the strings and at the top and bottom edges of the sound holes. The strips will help raise the strings away from the body of the guitar for a better sound.
Step 7. Make 4-6 holes through the remaining two cardboard strips
The distance between the required holes should be the same as the string holes made in the shoebox lid.
Step 8. Cut 4-6 rubber bands open
You will thread these rubber bands through the string holes. Try combining thin and thick rubber bands. Each rubber band will make a different sound.
Step 9. Thread the rubber band through one of the cardboard strips and secure it with a knot
Start by tying a knot at one end of each rubber band. Insert the unknotted end through the hole of one of the cardboard strips. Each hole is inserted one rubber band. The knot at the end of the rubber will prevent it from slipping out of the hole.
Do not make the knot too close to the end of the rubber so that the knot does not easily open and slip out of the string hole
Step 10. Place a cardboard strip under the box lid and thread the rubber band through the string hole
The cardboard strip will hold the rubber in place. If you want, you can tape the edges of the cardboard strips to the inside of the shoebox lid using masking tape.
Step 11. Stretch each string across the sound hole and into the line hole opposite it
You can use binder clips to temporarily hold the rubber strings together once they are threaded through the string holes.
Step 12. Place another strip of cardboard under the lid of the box and thread a rubber band through each hole
Secure each rubber band by tying the ends of the rubber bands together. If you want, make the next string tighter or looser than the previous one. This allows you to play different notes just like a real guitar. If you can glue the cardboard strips to the inside of the box lid with masking tape
Step 13. Consider gluing 1.27cm wide strips of cardboard with glue above and below the earpiece
This will help cover the holes and make the guitar look tidier. Each cardboard should be long enough to cover all the string holes on each side. Apply a line of glue along the top and bottom holes, then attach a cardboard strip to the line.
Consider painting the cardboard strips a contrasting color so they stand out
Step 14. Find a tube that is longer than the shoebox to make the neck of the guitar
You can use mailing cardboard tubes, rolled tissue paper, or PVC or plastic tubing.
Step 15. Decorate your guitar neck
You can paint it, cover it with paper, or even apply plaster to make it more colorful. You can also glue “keys” to the end of the tube to make knobs. You can also draw 4-6 lines across the front of the tube so they resemble strings.
Note that the material of the guitar neck is different from the body so that the paint results may be uneven (even if the paint used is the same)
Step 16. Make a hole in the top of the shoebox so the neck of the guitar can be tucked in
Use the base of your tube to draw a circle to the top of the guitar. Then, use the cutter to cut out this circle.
If you are a child, ask an adult for help
Step 17. Attach the neck to the guitar body
Slide the tube until it is about 5 cm into the hole. If the tube is made of a heavier material, slide it a little further in. Secure the edges where the tube and shoebox meet using tape and glue. Make sure that glue or tape is applied to the inside of the box so that it is not visible from the outside.
Step 18. Put the lid on your shoebox
Apply a line of glue inside the edges of your shoebox lid. Put the lid on the box and wait for the glue to dry.
Step 19. Play your guitar
If you want, you can cut the colored cardboard into triangles and use it as a guitar pick.
Method 2 of 3: Making a Simple Rubber Band Guitar from a Tissue Box
Step 1. Gather your gear
This guitar is easy to make, and great for young children. The tissue box guitar is a classic children's toy. Here is a list of the ingredients needed.
- Tissue box
- 4 rubber bands
- Scissors
- Tissue rolls
- duct tape
- Glue
- Unsharpened ice cream sticks, straws or pencils
- Paint, paper, sticker, etc. (for decoration)
Step 2. Find an empty tissue box and pull the plastic sheet out of the hole
This plastic should come off easily. If not, cut it with scissors.
Step 3. Glue the paper towel rolls to one of the widths of the tissue box
You can also attach cardboard tubes with hot glue. The tube should be aligned with the vertical hole in the tissue box.
Step 4. Decorate your guitar
You can coat the guitar with colored paper. You can also paint it with acrylic or tempera paint. Here are some decorating ideas for your guitar:
- Draw small designs on the guitar with glitter marker, crayon or glue
- Attach some stickers or foam sticks to the guitar to make it more lively.
- Glue some large beads over the tube to make the knobs. You will need three beads for each side.
Step 5. Glue ice cream sticks over and under the holes to make a bridge
Apply horizontal glue lines above and below the tissue box holes. Glue an ice cream stick to each glue line and let the glue dry. The ice cream stick will lift the rubber band slightly and make the guitar sound better.
- Try decorating and painting the ice cream sticks after the glue has dried.
- You can also use crayons, pencils, or even straws to make bridges.
Step 6. Let the glue and paint dry before moving on to the next step
If you move on to the next step too soon, the guitar will come off easily.
Step 7. Attach four large rubber bands lengthwise around the tissue box
Thus, the two rubber bands will be on the right of the tube, and the two rubber bands will be on the left of the tube. Position the rubber band so that it fits over the hole in the tissue box.
Try using thick and thin rubber bands. Each rubber will produce a different sound
Step 8. Play your guitar
Experiment with the resulting guitar sounds. You can even cut colored cardboard into triangles to make guitar picks.
Method 3 of 3: Making a Simple Guitar from Paper Plates
Step 1. Gather your gear
This guitar is simple and easy to make and is suitable for small children. This guitar can also be a banjo. Here are the materials needed:
- Two paper plates
- Glue
- Wooden ruler or paint stick
- 4 rubber bands
- Paints, stickers, glitter, etc. (for decoration)
Step 2. Glue the two paper plates together into one thick, sturdy plate using glue
Apply glue around the top edge of one paper plate. Glue the second paper plate right on top of it. These plates should stack on top of each other so that you get a thick plate.
Make sure your paper plate is sturdy and has a ridge or lip
Step 3. Glue a wooden ruler or paint stick to the back of the plate to make a guitar neck
Some of the sticks should be sticking out of the back of the guitar. The guitar neck should not be too short so it doesn't look silly. Center the neck of your guitar as much as possible.
Step 4. Decorate your guitar
You can paint the guitar using acrylic paint. You can also draw designs using a marker or glitter glue. You can even make it more lively by sticking stickers on it.
Consider two wooden clothespins on a stick. Leave a distance of about 2.54 cm. So that the clothespins do not come off, apply glue to the sticks before attaching the clothespins
Step 5. Let your guitar dry
If you proceed to the next step too soon, the guitar will come off easily. How long it takes to dry depends on the amount of glue and paint used.
Step 6. Place four rubber bands around the plate
Attach two rubbers to the right of the stick, and two rubbers to the left of the stick. Try using thick and thin rubber bands to make a different sound.
Step 7. Play your guitar
Experiment with making different sounds. However, don't pull the strings too tight so they don't break.
Tips
- Take some empty cans or drums and make another shoebox guitar guitar with a much lower pitch (for bass) and get your friends to join a band with a home instrument.
- To make the paper rolls more sturdy, use several tubes. Cut the cardboard tubes so they are halved in width and leaving one tube uncut. Insert these tubes inside each other, and tuck them all into the last uncut tube.
- Use six strings and tune like a real guitar to make the guitar more realistic.
- Try using a larger rubber band. Rubber bands that are too small or too tight will weaken other materials, such as paper plates and tissue boxes, causing them to crumble.
- If the rubber band is long enough, try stretching it until it reaches the neck of the guitar.
- You can make bridges from almost any material, such as chopsticks, pencils, crayons, straws, ice cream sticks, folded cards, and pieces of cardboard. The goal is to lift the strings so they sound better.
- When punching guitar holes, try using a hole punch, a sharp pencil, or a pen.
- Make some guitars. Each of your guitars will sound different. Choose the one with the best melody and play.
- You can make a guitar pick out of cardboard scraps. You can also use hard plastic from a bread bag.
- You can use anything to make the knob on the end of the neck of the guitar, including beads, ice cream sticks, clothespins, or even screws.
Warning
- If you are a child, ask an adult for help using sharp objects.
- Hot glue guns can cause burns and blisters if you don't use them carefully. If you're concerned, use a low-temperature glue gun.
- Young children should be supervised when using scissors.
