Cigar Box Guitar Articles

  • All Posts
  • History of the Cigar Box Guitar
  • Historical Articles
  • How to Build
  • Building Secrets
  • How to Play
  • Tunings
  • Museum
  • Hall of Fame
  • How to Build - Main Article
Search
Shane Podcast Pt. 2 - Hardcore Social Media Tips
Shane Speal
  • 19 hours ago
  • 1 min

Shane Podcast Pt. 2 - Hardcore Social Media Tips

Here's the part 2 of Jack Lehr's interview with me. Unlike part 1 that had a lot of background info, this one is mostly just techniques...
81 views0 comments
JUST RELEASED: Shane Speal Podcasts - Cigar Box Guitars, Social Media & God
Shane Speal
  • Aug 2
  • 1 min

JUST RELEASED: Shane Speal Podcasts - Cigar Box Guitars, Social Media & God

What are the secrets to getting millions of views on social media? What's the story of cigar box guitars? Our own Shane Speal has just...
275 views0 comments
1976 Hee Haw Plank Dulcimer (Video, Photos, Dimensions)
Shane Speal
  • Jun 14
  • 2 min

1976 Hee Haw Plank Dulcimer (Video, Photos, Dimensions)

The Hee Haw Plank is a solidbody dulcimer designed by musician, Tut Taylor and marketed on the Hee Haw TV show in 1976. The instrument's...
342 views3 comments
Rebel Weapons 3-String Solidbody Guitar: Cigar Box Inspired!
Shane Speal
  • Jun 3
  • 1 min

Rebel Weapons 3-String Solidbody Guitar: Cigar Box Inspired!

Cook was inspired by three string cigar box guitars with neck-through-body design, but he wanted to make a solidbody version.
344 views1 comment
The Boat Oar Two-String Guitar by Shane Speal
Shane Speal
  • May 26
  • 1 min

The Boat Oar Two-String Guitar by Shane Speal

A two-string slide guitar made from a canoe paddle. Built by Shane Speal. How to build link included
711 views0 comments
Tampa Nugget Antique Cigar Box Guitar (date unknown)
Shane Speal
  • May 24
  • 2 min

Tampa Nugget Antique Cigar Box Guitar (date unknown)

Four-string cigar box guitar that was found in an old car abandoned in a field in Danville VA.
447 views6 comments
What Is This Mystery One-String Guitar (and is it even a guitar)?
Shane Speal
  • May 23
  • 2 min

What Is This Mystery One-String Guitar (and is it even a guitar)?

The neck and body are all one piece of wood. Leaf patterns are carved into the sides of the body and the inside was hollowed out. The butt
192 views2 comments
Freak One-String Instrument from Vaudeville - 1920
Shane Speal
  • May 16
  • 1 min

Freak One-String Instrument from Vaudeville - 1920

A scarcely recognizable, but truly lineal descendant of the humble cigar-box fiddle has made its maiden appearance on the American vaudevill
187 views2 comments
1924 Cigar Box Contest - Guitars, Pin Hole Camera, more...
Shane Speal
  • May 11
  • 1 min

1924 Cigar Box Contest - Guitars, Pin Hole Camera, more...

The publication challenged its readers to create new things from empty boxes. Of course, a one-string cigar box violin is mentioned
212 views1 comment
The Great Cigar Box Guitar Swap: Builders Trade Guitars, Sight Unseen!
Shane Speal
  • May 4
  • 1 min

The Great Cigar Box Guitar Swap: Builders Trade Guitars, Sight Unseen!

Two times a year, the group moderators declare a swap off and give instrument builders 6 weeks to make a fantastic cigar box guitars
528 views1 comment
Build This Baritone Electric Guitar - 1968
Shane Speal
  • Apr 10
  • 3 min

Build This Baritone Electric Guitar - 1968

Although this website is mainly concerned with DIY cigar box guitars, I can't help but pass along cool articles like these 54 year old...
535 views1 comment
Make a Tin Pan Banjo - 1923
Shane Speal
  • Apr 8
  • 2 min

Make a Tin Pan Banjo - 1923

Vintage plans from 1923 showing a simple banjo made from a tin pie pan.
963 views2 comments
The Exit Sign Guitar
Shane Speal
  • Apr 7
  • 1 min

The Exit Sign Guitar

This three-string cigar box guitar was crafted from a discarded exit sign by Gary Desrosiers.
290 views1 comment
Freak of the Week:  THE TREMOLOA
Shane Speal
  • Apr 6
  • 2 min

Freak of the Week: THE TREMOLOA

The Tremoloa was created & patented in 1932 by H.G. Finney to cash in on the Hawaiian music craze and features a warbling slide contraption
326 views1 comment
Video: Jim Morris Re-Creates Historic Cigar Box Violin
Shane Speal
  • Apr 5
  • 1 min

Video: Jim Morris Re-Creates Historic Cigar Box Violin

Musician and historian, Jim Morris restores 100 year old cigar box fiddle & creates an authentic copy.
322 views1 comment
Build a Cigar Box Greek Lyre - 1927
Shane Speal
  • Mar 25
  • 6 min

Build a Cigar Box Greek Lyre - 1927

Build an eight-string lyre with cigar box resonator. The plans call for zither pin style pegs and a wooden frame.
286 views2 comments
How to Play “Jack & Diane” on Cigar Box Guitar
Shane Speal
  • Mar 23
  • 1 min

How to Play “Jack & Diane” on Cigar Box Guitar

John Cougar’s “Jack & Diane” is a great song to get acquainted with four-string cigar box guitar chording. I’ve broken down this 80’s
180 views0 comments
How to Make a Cigar Box Lute - 1927
Shane Speal
  • Mar 17
  • 6 min

How to Make a Cigar Box Lute - 1927

How to build a fretless, four string cigar box instrument. Full parts list & step-by-step diagrams. From 1927
464 views2 comments
How to Play “Midnight Rambler” by the Rolling Stones on Cigar Box Guitar
Shane Speal
  • Mar 16
  • 1 min

How to Play “Midnight Rambler” by the Rolling Stones on Cigar Box Guitar

My latest lesson is a blues burner, the classic “Midnight Rambler” by The Rolling Stones. You’ll need a fretted, four-string cigar box guit
291 views0 comments
Build Your Own Hamdolin
Shane Speal
  • Mar 15
  • 12 min

Build Your Own Hamdolin

Build an 8 string mandolin from the tin of a canned ham. Common hardware store parts used. Full instructions.
713 views6 comments
1
234

CigarBoxGuitars.com

The Encyclopedia of Cigar Box Guitars

by Shane Speal

Your small donation to CigarBoxGuitars.com immediately turns into more lessons, blogs and fascinating content. You are changing the face of music.  Thank you.
  • White Facebook Icon
  • White Twitter Icon
  • White Instagram Icon

© 2020-2022 by Shane Speal Music & Mktg.

Thanks for submitting!