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Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on January 28, 2014 at 10:29am

At least 20 years ago, if you believe Shane Speal. Or even longer ago, say 60 years, with Bo Diddley's Gretsch build. Or even farther back, to the late teens and 20's. Or further still to just before the Civil War. If you mean the modern era, then Shane probably has it right. But it really took off in the last 5-6 years with Seasick Steve...

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Permalink Reply by Piht Bull (Delta Dawg Guitars) on January 28, 2014 at 2:33pm

Im gonna blame it on Shane . Everyone just thought Bo had a square guitar . And all the greats like Lighting Hopkins played them because the couldnt afford guitars . Shane took this to a whole new level .  I honestly dont think Seasick Steve would have made it so big if it wasnt for Cigar Box Nation . 

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Permalink Reply by robert jones on January 29, 2014 at 3:39am

The start would by necessity be defined as having occurred after the introduction of the cigar box into common usage. Minimal pseudo research has indicated that this event likely happened in the 19th century.The price point at major chain stores for multi-stringed instruments of dubious manufacture also factors into the movement.

The current upswing in popularity is most likely engendered by the revulsion felt by any and all thinking people when exposed to the popular "music" as foisted upon the public by the music/entertainment industry. Ya know that feeling of, "This shit sucks...I could better myself.", one gets when tuning to anything other than classic and alternative stations.

Upon exposure to individuals oft mentioned by others, realization that one can in fact both build and play one's own instrument encourages people in the attempt. Successful conclusion of the attempt creates a feeling of accomplishment that causes the affected individual to publicly expose themselves and their handiwork. Such behavior has instigated a near viral spread of the condition to other disenchanted individuals.

Short version, ridiculous instrument pricing and crappy pop music are the driving forces behind the movement by creative individuals desiring a change.

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Permalink Reply by Ron "Oily" Sprague on January 29, 2014 at 7:39am

Indubitably.

Word.

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Permalink Reply by Gumbo Blues Guitars on January 29, 2014 at 12:49pm

My Grandfather died in 1970 at age of 93 and he always told me, his first fiddle he made from a cigar box.  I couldn't hardly believe that beings the guitar boxes I knew of were cardboard.  Then I heard about Cigar Box Nation and WOW, Gramps was telling me the truth.

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Permalink Reply by Clock The Wolf on January 29, 2014 at 12:59pm

A cardboard stogie box, some rubberbands, and you're in business!

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Permalink Reply by BUGGY (C) on January 29, 2014 at 12:57pm

Cheap entertainment...and very rewarding fun?

My grandad smoked Woodbines and not cigars... but if only...

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Permalink Reply by eK on January 30, 2014 at 5:41am

I think one reason it's becoming bigger is that it provides an opportunity to get in on the ground floor of something name-wise.

Standard guitar and bass are pretty tapped out. They already have their legends and gods. But the CBG is relatively new enough that you can still more easily carve out a name for yourself.

Of course this all depends on whether the CBG can become more mainstream than it is right now. It's still enough of a novelty that showing up with one excites curiosity in many places. That's both a good and bad thing. Good because it gets some extra attention. Bad because it can easily lead to CBG falling into the "novelty instrument" category and stay there. (Anybody remember Zamfir and his panpipes? Anybody under 30 even know who that is?)

I think it's also essential that people keep pushing the envelope so the CBG doesn't get wedded to one musical genre.

Now I love roots, blues and bluegrass as dearly as the next guy. But I think versatility is also important. Otherwise the instrument becomes another set of bagpipes - considered great for one or two particular styles of music - but also pretty much restricted to them - except as a novelty. The harmonica managed to secure its rightful place in many styles of music yet still remain true to its "blues harp" roots. And I strongly believe CBGs can - and need - to do the same.

Another thing I think has a lot to do with the growth of the CBG world is that it hasn't (as an instrument) been completely worked out yet. There aren't thousands of books or videos that will teach you how to play it. You can't major in it at a music conservatory school. There's no final established form for it's construction. No Gibson or Fender or Martin to tell you that THIS is what a CBG should look, sound, and play like. Heck, there isn't even a standard number of strings or tuning for these things. And that's incredibly liberating because there's no right or wrong way to build or play one. All that matters is what YOU like - and what sounds good. To you. Period.

And in this age of patents, and commercialization, and regulation, that bit of real freedom you'll find while building and playing one of these little jangle boxes becomes increasingly important. Because it's not just about building or playing an instrument - it's about the mindset that led you to do so.

I'm the first to admit I may be getting a little older. My roots go back to the 60s counter-culture days. So it's especially gratifying for me to see that a lot of what goes on in the CB world is very similar to what went down back when rock was first getting on its feet and people like Joplin and Hendrix and Gracie Slick were in their heyday. It wasn't just about guitars and music back then. The music and guitars were part of something much larger. With luck, the whole cigarbox/homemade music thing will become the totem of a whole new era of social awareness and responsibility.

But only time will tell.

Either way, hope springs eternal. Not too shabby a hope to have for a little box with strings on, huh? :-))

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