Maker Ideas: Create a Matchbox Guitar

A perfect rainy day maker project, this one comes from Science Fair Adventure and teaches you how to make a little guitar too; 1. Demonstrate how string instruments work and; 2. Rock out like a demon!

You’ll need;

• Empty matchbox

• 4 small rubber bands

• Balsa wood or cardboard

• Craft knife

To start off, take your balsa wood/cardboard and carving knife to make the body of the guitar. Slice the wood into a flat triangle so that the length of its longest side is a few units longer than the width of the matchbox. Empty the matchbox and then place the wooden bridge across the width of the matchbox, allowing the corner to protrude on one side. Trim the side that protrudes from the box. Now, put the remaining wood onto the matchbox and then slide the box open, leaving a quarter of it closed.

Now, fit the rubber bands around the matchbox on the long side. Make sure you arrange the rubber bands evenly, as these will serve as the strings of your miniature guitar. To keep the strings tight and snug, pull the matchbox open just a little bit more.

Pinching the strings on one end while plucking them at the same time allows you to change the pitch of the sound. Try it out yourself!

After this, you’ll start building all kinds of things with matchboxes, although it might start getting out of hand…

What else could you have used in this experiment to create a more varied sound on your matchbox guitar? Have you got any cool mini maker projects you’d like to share? Go to our Facebook page or take a peek at our workshops for more.