by Shane Speal
I'm an electronics idiot. There, I said it! I suck when it comes to soldering and breadboards and all that crap. I couldn't wire my way out of a paper bag, if the truth be told.
...But then C. B. Gitty came out with a pre-wired cig
Read more…THE OLD 2015 HALLOWEEN BUILD-OFF!
The contest is over, but we're keeping the page alive simply because there are so many inspiring builds. Click through and get inspired.
[Skeleton Arm guitar by Skeleton Key Guitars: https://www.facebook.com/S
Read more…Classrooms to be filled with music as C. B. Gitty introduces new Cigar Box Guitars in Schools program.
Aug 18, 2015 [Rochester NH]
C. B. Gitty Crafter Supply has just launched a new Cigar Box Guitars in School program and named Shane Speal as Direc
Read more…This video has amassed more than 10 Million hits. You've probably seen it. Now hear Shane Speal's interesting backstory to the entire project.
Shane Speal says:
In early 2012, I received a panicked call from a advertising company in England. The
Read more…The Best Damn Concerts In Memphis Are From a One Man Band:
Richard Johnston, Rockin' the Lowebow
He studied under R. L. Burnside and Jesse Mae Hemphill. He was a regular at Junior Kimbrough's juke joint for two years before it burned down. Since
Read more…
Carmichael Workshop built this acoustic version of a Fender Telecaster using a single 8-foot 2x4 for a woodworking 2x4 Competition. See his additional building notes on his website.
One of the biggest discoveries to me was his use of 3-inch cotte
Read more…Seasick Steve is a force of nature... a blues superstar who has been dominating stages in Europe.
He burst forth with a performance that went viral. In it, he flogged a 3-string beat-up guitar. Since then, he has been adding homemade instruments
Read more…Sponsored by the C. B. Gitty Tupelo Tenor 4-string Box Guitar Kit
We cover a lot of 3-string lessons on Cigar Box Nation, but with so many people are creating 4-string instruments, we thought we'd compile some of the best of Shane's 4-string lessons
Read more…Cigar Box Nation founder, Shane Speal interviews George Benson at NAMM 2015. Speal incorrectly thought Benson started out on a cigar box guitar. When asked about it, the guitar legend gave an even more compelling story.
Read more…
If you've ever wanted more info on the guitars Seasick Steve is playing, including some of the homemade instruments he uses, check out this video.
Read more…
It's Autumn Building Season... and what better time than now to cut into a dried gourd to make a musical instrument!
The gourd banjo dates back to Africa and was one of the first instruments brought to America by slaves. The construction has a lot
Read more…
Hollowbelly is a one-man tsunami. We were just bowled-over when we discovered this video. Learn more about his music, shows and buy his albums at http://www.hollowbelly.co.uk/
Fish Heads unite! We recently discovered this Premier Guitar rig rundown on Samantha Fish's guitars.
Note: her spotlight on her Stogie Box cigar box guitar starts at 6:45. She also details her slides after the CBG.
This 2013 article also featur
Read more…At Cigar Box Nation, we tend to profile the blues players who are wielding cigar box guitars in concert such as Seasick Steve and Samantha Fish. However, one of the most prolific cigar box guitarists in the world today isn't blues, but a soulful alt
Video - Ken Butler's "Bicycle Wheel."
Ken Butler is an artist and musician, as well as an experimental musical instrument builder. His Hybrid musical instruments and other artworks explore the interaction and transformation of common and uncommon o
Over the past year with the Flint Zeigler project, creativesoundlabs explored a few unique recording methods for recording junkyard percussion. Each of these techniques are from real recording sessions and they each have a story to go along with th
Read more…
Check out this video demo on engraving wooden instruments using a Dremel. From the guys at Make Magazine.
See the full instructions here.
Article compiled by Shane Speal
A sketch of Eddie "One String" Jones instrument. A 2x4, broom wire, medicine bottle for a bridge (covered by a paint can, which Jones called his "broadcaster"). Played with a bottle slide and a stick.
Song #1: Eddi
Read more…
