BOX (63)

My "Southern Classic" cigar box guitars resulted from a trip I made to the heart of the Delta Blues country - New Orleans. Throughout the French Quarter of New Orleans and all along the gulf coast, the trials, tribulations, and community bonds are woven deeply into the resonating sound of their music. From stories of the Depression, to long lost loves, mystery, and all the emotions that ebb and flow from a lifetime of Southern living, I'd found a style of music that fed into my passion for art and music.I wasn't raised in the deep south, but the feelings I experienced during my time there, are no less real. I immediately felt at home and quickly developed an appreciation for the cultural diversity and wonderful music I experienced there. It was with a great deal of remorse, that I had to finally leave the Mississippi delta and return to my home. At the end of this long and winding road, I created my first classic cigar box guitars and named them aptly, "Delta Blues."The name of my company is meant to be a tribute to all those who inspired me so much in my travels. I will always do my best to honor the wonderful people of the Mississippi delta region without whom, I may never have discovered my passion for the blues. I'm sure I will continue to make trips to the gulf coast in the years ahead and will no doubt return from each of them, far better for the experience.Sincerely,Jeff Stoltz
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Beginning Tuning for Cigar Box (3 string)

Back from a month of field geology work. I took my CBG and Steel Resinator with me. More people got a kick out of the CBG then anything else.I use two tunings to play around with.First (from the top string down) D A DSecond (from the top string down) E E BDAD tuning you have the following chords (if you are using a slide)Starting at the tuning pegs:Open D (no slide on the neck)2nd E3rd F4th Gb5th G7th A9th B10th C12th DDead Flowers by the Rolling Stones is in this tuning along with a host of other songsThe strum pattern (well the one I use) for Dead Flowers is down, down, up,downThe main body of the song is DAGD, four counts on each. The chorus mixes it up a little just give the song a listen.The DAD tuning will sound real pretty on CBGEEB tuning (again with a slide)Open E2nd F#3rd G5th A7th B8th C10th D12th EI am just starting to play around with this tuning if you have an electric CBG try running this tuning through a Little Smokie amp. I have one of the old ones still in a cig pack. It'll sound real crunchy.A simplified version of Dark Was the Night, Cold Was the Ground by Blind Willie Johnson in DAD (no it's not quite right but close enough and it still sounds pretty)D----------------------------------------------0-7--4--0---0/s-4A---------------------------------------------0------------0D---- 0/s 4~5~4 pull off 0/s 4~5~7~7~0------------0*Note this tab was done by my guitar teacher (Stan Hirsch) so I can't take credit for it. I asked for a version of this song I could work on.You need to listen to the song to get the timing right.Questions or corrections please post here.ara
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