<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?><rss xmlns:dc="http://purl.org/dc/elements/1.1/" xmlns:content="http://purl.org/rss/1.0/modules/content/" xmlns:atom="http://www.w3.org/2005/Atom" version="2.0"><channel><title><![CDATA[Cigarboxguitars]]></title><description><![CDATA[Cigarboxguitars]]></description><link>https://www.cigarboxguitars.com/blog</link><generator>RSS for Node</generator><lastBuildDate>Mon, 16 Mar 2026 21:04:28 GMT</lastBuildDate><atom:link href="https://www.cigarboxguitars.com/blog-feed.xml" rel="self" type="application/rss+xml"/><item><title><![CDATA[Building More Than Guitars: How to Start a Local Instrument Makers Meetup]]></title><description><![CDATA[The builder’s experience is the most overlooked parts of a cigar box guitar festival.   wanted a quieter space where builders could actually talk, share ideas, and learn from one another. We meet once a month in a classroom at my church, and anywhere from ten to two dozen people usually show up. It’s open to anyone building instruments—not just cigar box guitars.]]></description><link>https://www.cigarboxguitars.com/post/building-more-than-guitars-how-to-start-a-local-instrument-makers-meetup</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6997385d506845fe36d8a6c8</guid><category><![CDATA[How to Build]]></category><category><![CDATA[Building Secrets]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 19 Feb 2026 17:29:13 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8f7eec_d23c73642cae4217a0c7b0c4e55f876c~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Shane Speal</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Vulcan Lyre Meets Bagpipes: Jean-Louis Jugeau Stuns Sound Searchers]]></title><description><![CDATA[If you think you’ve seen it all at the Sound Searchers , think again. At our most recent musical-instrument meet-up at the York Town Craft Guild , regular member and resident mad-scientist luthier Jean-Louis Jugeau  walked in carrying something that made everyone freeze mid-conversation:  a full recreation of Mr. Spock’s Vulcan Lyre  — the iconic multi-stringed instrument from Star Trek . But Jean-Louis didn’t stop at an already jaw-dropping build. He went… further. Hidden inside the sleek,...]]></description><link>https://www.cigarboxguitars.com/post/vulcan-lyre-meets-bagpipes-jean-louis-juneau-stuns-sound-searchers</link><guid isPermaLink="false">69161c8b7a7d1ff02a1193e1</guid><pubDate>Thu, 13 Nov 2025 18:21:49 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8f7eec_e310cf32858a4458ba3461ba331c241b~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Shane Speal</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Build This Rake Cello from 1931 - Free Plans]]></title><description><![CDATA[A rake handle and wine box create a playable slide bass.  These plans, originally in Modern Mechanics and Inventions, 1931]]></description><link>https://www.cigarboxguitars.com/post/build-this-rake-cello-from-1931-free-plans</link><guid isPermaLink="false">67a7bee04f63927bc756e06f</guid><pubDate>Sat, 08 Feb 2025 21:04:57 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8f7eec_73780c71a25745a6af2a2ff5e02b02ec~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_628,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Shane Speal</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How to Build a Cigar Box Violin - Original Plans from 1940]]></title><description><![CDATA[Build a great playing cigar box fiddle with plans straight from 1940.]]></description><link>https://www.cigarboxguitars.com/post/how-to-build-a-cigar-box-violin-original-plans-from-1940</link><guid isPermaLink="false">679cb5b48f4af8f9ed125233</guid><pubDate>Fri, 31 Jan 2025 11:57:37 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8f7eec_35dc69006fca4c0b9a803725eabe8946~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_774,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Shane Speal</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[1919 Luther Oliver Six String Banjo-Guitar]]></title><description><![CDATA[This homemade banjo-guitar was handmade by Luther Oliver (1904-1987) of Western Watauga County, North Carolina in 1919.  He was only 15.]]></description><link>https://www.cigarboxguitars.com/post/1919-luther-oliver-six-string-banjo-guitar</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6405260a37c5cbbc179d4797</guid><category><![CDATA[Museum]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 06 Mar 2023 00:43:43 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8f7eec_1e3e0736fea0413f898a4cac64205ae3~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Shane Speal</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[1800’s Tin Can Banjo from Saxapahaw, North Carolina]]></title><description><![CDATA[This primitive homemade banjo was found in a barn in North Carolina. The strings and bridge are long gone and the tin can body is rusted all]]></description><link>https://www.cigarboxguitars.com/post/1800-s-tin-can-banjo-from-saxapahaw-north-carolina</link><guid isPermaLink="false">63dc53fc08d220b3859538f7</guid><category><![CDATA[Museum]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 03 Feb 2023 00:32:02 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8f7eec_e61519c7c13c476ca37526dab8c14f88~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Shane Speal</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[1976 Hee Haw Plank Dulcimer (Video, Photos, Dimensions)]]></title><description><![CDATA[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...]]></description><link>https://www.cigarboxguitars.com/post/1976-hee-haw-plank-dulcimer-video-photos-dimensions</link><guid isPermaLink="false">62a8a476831864aad576aa4b</guid><pubDate>Tue, 14 Jun 2022 18:17:54 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8f7eec_2c24d9744e1749ea92ef4489faec03ad~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_720,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Shane Speal</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Rebel Weapons 3-String Solidbody Guitar: Cigar Box Inspired!]]></title><description><![CDATA[Cook was inspired by three string cigar box guitars with neck-through-body design, but he wanted to make a solidbody version.]]></description><link>https://www.cigarboxguitars.com/post/rebel-weapons-3-string-solidbody-guitar-cigar-box-inspired</link><guid isPermaLink="false">629a238d0fe806964323998c</guid><category><![CDATA[Museum]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 03 Jun 2022 20:16:00 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8f7eec_66dbe2c24b034dbfadcf274fb38a200d~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Shane Speal</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Boat Oar Two-String Guitar by Shane Speal]]></title><description><![CDATA[A two-string slide guitar made from a canoe paddle.  Built by Shane Speal.  How to build link included]]></description><link>https://www.cigarboxguitars.com/post/the-boat-oar-two-string-guitar-by-shane-speal</link><guid isPermaLink="false">628f9bae49a783d4e4fe9aae</guid><category><![CDATA[Museum]]></category><category><![CDATA[How to Build]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 26 May 2022 15:31:16 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8f7eec_4e6ec9effd4b4830aab93132ae2390b4~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Shane Speal</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Tampa Nugget Antique Cigar Box Guitar (date unknown)]]></title><description><![CDATA[Four-string cigar box guitar that was found in an old car abandoned in a field in Danville VA.  ]]></description><link>https://www.cigarboxguitars.com/post/tampa-nugget-antique-cigar-box-guitar-date-unknown</link><guid isPermaLink="false">628ced4a4558733a1c05f0e3</guid><category><![CDATA[Museum]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 24 May 2022 16:29:50 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8f7eec_4975be07a9214321a37af34d0dea813d~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Shane Speal</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[What Is This Mystery One-String Guitar (and is it even a guitar)?]]></title><description><![CDATA[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]]></description><link>https://www.cigarboxguitars.com/post/what-is-this-mystery-one-string-guitar-and-is-it-even-a-guitar</link><guid isPermaLink="false">628bd14890880fb03b25b1e9</guid><category><![CDATA[Museum]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 23 May 2022 18:51:01 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8f7eec_d946cfa9e59d4cf0bf7dc59dc91996db~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Shane Speal</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Freak One-String Instrument from Vaudeville - 1920]]></title><description><![CDATA[A scarcely recognizable, but truly lineal descendant of the humble cigar-box fiddle has made its maiden appearance on the American vaudevill]]></description><link>https://www.cigarboxguitars.com/post/freak-one-string-instrument-from-vaudeville-1920</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6282a37928aa397267e24a92</guid><category><![CDATA[Historical Articles]]></category><pubDate>Mon, 16 May 2022 19:30:25 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8f7eec_c072a65bb405487fa590d420f1183188~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_642,h_772,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Shane Speal</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[1924 Cigar Box Contest - Guitars, Pin Hole Camera, more...]]></title><description><![CDATA[The publication challenged its readers to create new things from empty boxes.  Of course, a one-string cigar box violin is mentioned]]></description><link>https://www.cigarboxguitars.com/post/1924-cigar-box-contest-guitars-pin-hole-camera-more</link><guid isPermaLink="false">627bc55361c137b25f708652</guid><category><![CDATA[Historical Articles]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 11 May 2022 14:35:35 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8f7eec_42411879b1b64ce4ac0f3b07de7f7b91~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Shane Speal</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Build This Baritone Electric Guitar - 1968]]></title><description><![CDATA[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...]]></description><link>https://www.cigarboxguitars.com/post/build-this-baritone-electric-guitar-1968</link><guid isPermaLink="false">624f3b723d100d36cfad4225</guid><pubDate>Sun, 10 Apr 2022 12:58:40 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8f7eec_fb3e8ba72d3d4a9e8471c5a7bd8e9ab9~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_916,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Shane Speal</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Free Plans: Make a Tin Pan Banjo - 1923 (plus the Sound Searchers 2 Banjo)]]></title><description><![CDATA[Vintage plans from 1923 showing a simple banjo made from a tin pie pan.   ]]></description><link>https://www.cigarboxguitars.com/post/make-a-tin-pan-banjo-1923</link><guid isPermaLink="false">624de3d7326e0282316cb7e7</guid><category><![CDATA[How to Build]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 08 Apr 2022 14:00:32 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8f7eec_61b8c475ee954fdd9447341433db2032~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Shane Speal</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Exit Sign Guitar]]></title><description><![CDATA[This three-string cigar box guitar was crafted from a discarded exit sign by Gary Desrosiers.  ]]></description><link>https://www.cigarboxguitars.com/post/the-exit-sign-guitar</link><guid isPermaLink="false">61c23ea0af958d00165f0f7e</guid><category><![CDATA[Museum]]></category><pubDate>Thu, 07 Apr 2022 16:00:02 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8f7eec_747484f2856143f58551aff00aaed860~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Shane Speal</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[The Tremoloa, History's Weirdest Slide Guitar]]></title><description><![CDATA[The Tremoloa was created &#38; patented in 1932 by H.G. Finney to cash in on the Hawaiian music craze and features a warbling slide contraption]]></description><link>https://www.cigarboxguitars.com/post/freak-of-the-week-the-tremoloa</link><guid isPermaLink="false">6240ce48e097eceee8b7b18f</guid><pubDate>Wed, 06 Apr 2022 16:00:40 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8f7eec_f110c6a882024df48f8333b212f5e8cb~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Shane Speal</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Video: Jim Morris Re-Creates Historic Cigar Box Violin]]></title><description><![CDATA[Musician and historian, Jim Morris restores 100 year old cigar box fiddle &#38; creates an authentic copy.  ]]></description><link>https://www.cigarboxguitars.com/post/video-jim-morris-re-creates-historic-cigar-box-violin</link><guid isPermaLink="false">624c4a74e648b12167352631</guid><category><![CDATA[Museum]]></category><pubDate>Tue, 05 Apr 2022 14:21:56 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8f7eec_87407b48d36f411682fefac93cf10e8c~mv2.png/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Shane Speal</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[Build a Cigar Box Greek Lyre - 1927]]></title><description><![CDATA[Build an eight-string lyre with cigar box resonator.  The plans call for zither pin style pegs and a wooden frame.]]></description><link>https://www.cigarboxguitars.com/post/build-a-cigar-box-greek-lyre-1927</link><guid isPermaLink="false">623df2da6b32d57057dfd5e4</guid><category><![CDATA[How to Build]]></category><pubDate>Fri, 25 Mar 2022 19:07:20 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8f7eec_43e507921987478f8b47a1e70031271a~mv2.jpg/v1/fit/w_1000,h_1000,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Shane Speal</dc:creator></item><item><title><![CDATA[How to Play “Jack &#38; Diane” on Cigar Box Guitar]]></title><description><![CDATA[John Cougar’s “Jack &#38; Diane” is a great song to get acquainted with four-string cigar box guitar chording.  I’ve broken down this 80’s]]></description><link>https://www.cigarboxguitars.com/post/how-to-play-jack-diane-on-cigar-box-guitar</link><guid isPermaLink="false">623ba7a79ce526180caaa044</guid><category><![CDATA[How to Play]]></category><pubDate>Wed, 23 Mar 2022 23:10:32 GMT</pubDate><enclosure url="https://static.wixstatic.com/media/8f7eec_b4a573823e0946f88ae7e69ad77b0df2~mv2.jpeg/v1/fit/w_647,h_368,al_c,q_80/file.png" length="0" type="image/png"/><dc:creator>Shane Speal</dc:creator></item></channel></rss>