These brass string clamps are a creative and versatile way to mount strings on a cigar box guitar or any other stringed instrument. You could use a hinge, a fork, a strike plate or anything else, but these clamps allow you to mount your strings anywhere.

The Zn66 Brass String Clamps offer a classy and sophisticated look, while allowing you the opportunity to easily set the distance and location of the clamps.
For instance, in picture #5 I located the clamps on the headstock, because I wanted the tuners to be hidden in the body. The clamps are small enough to be installed on the headstock without appearing obtrusive.

In contrast, picture #4 shows the tuners on the headstock and the clamps down on the body. Similar to the headstock, the clamps appear understated and the option to place the clamps most anywhere allows the switch to be located behind the string mount, while still appearing cohesive within the design.

These clamps are most compatible with a nominal thickness of one inch—the guitars pictured have necks made from 2x1 nominal-sized boards with an actual size of 1-1/2x3/4. I have also used these in thicker boards and simply drilled a small hole to sink the head of the stainless hex bolt, thus reducing the space to 3/4”. I would not suggest using these clamps on a cigar box top without the support of a neck-through design.

The set of three clamps each come with a brass nut, a brass washer and a stainless steel hex head bolt. Once the hole is drilled, the bolt is screwed through until tight. The washer is then slipped over the bolt, the nut is screwed on and then the nut is gently tightened with a pair of pliers. It is very important that the string be clamped between the washer and the nut. Otherwise, if the string is clamped against the wood, it will slip and damage the wood.

The Zn66 String Clamps offer many options and can up your game. I have built two contest winning guitars that included these brass clamps. The clamps alone did not determine the wins, but the versatility that they offer allowed me to design guitars that were new and exciting, while offering a new take on an old concept—building guitars.

Each set of clamps is assembled and packaged in Fenton, Missouri.