July 2006 I split a box of cigars with a couple of buddies. There were supposed to be four of us splitting the box. One guy backed out so I ended up with twice as many cigars as the other two guys and I ended up with the box!

I had knowledge of the existence of diddley bows and cigar box guitars through my love of the blues and how some of the greats got started. However, I didn't know anything about CBG construction, tuning, or playing. I googled cigar box guitars and hit on cigarboxguitars.com. Perfect. "How to Build a CBG" right on the front page. I followed the directions pretty close including the Radio Shack piezo transducer (part no. 273-073).

Astounded probably best describes my feelings when I strummed it for the first time. Floored by the sound created when I plugged it in. Addicted immediately!!!

The following weekend I took it on a camping trip with a large group of friends that included two bands. Everyone thought it was cool. However, no one played slide including myself. I decided then to learn how to play before building another one. I was already thinking about the next one and things I'd do differently.

I've gotten to the point of being able to thouroghly amuse myself (and sometimes annoy my wife) musically. I never touch my "real" guitars anymore. I reach for my CBG.

A friend said he had a broken axe handle that he was going to throw away and asked if I could do anything with it. I told him I would build a diddley bow with it. It had a 12" split on the end. Two wood screws, Elmers glue, and an Altoids tin later, I had completed my first diddley bow.

I played in public for the first time this fall at a blues festival. My hands were shaking so much I didn't think I would be able play. I suppose I had extra vibrato that day! I thought it was terrible. I played part of Dust My Broom and stopped. I jammed along with a couple of other guys before hanging it up. I thought maybe I had played in front of anyone other than my wife and our pets too soon. Maybe I should have spent more time in the proverbial woodshed. As I was packing my stuff up trying to slink away, a group of people came up asking where I got it, saying how awesome it was and how great it sounded. One woman ran back to her campsite as I was playing to get her video camera. Because I played such a short time, I don't think any of it was captured.

When I told them I made them, they were amazed. I was asked if I could build one with an axe handle through a cigar box. No problem! I sold my first one. I am currently finishing it up for him. I'll post pictures when I'm done.

Truly addicted to CBGs,
Billy Spoons