1919 Luther Oliver Six String Banjo-Guitar
This homemade banjo-guitar was handmade by Luther Oliver (1904-1987) of Western Watauga County, North Carolina in 1919. He was only 15.
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Shane Speal
Feb 2, 20231 min read
1800’s Tin Can Banjo from Saxapahaw, North Carolina
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
627 views0 comments
Shane Speal
Jun 3, 20221 min read
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.
2,063 views1 comment
Shane Speal
May 26, 20221 min read
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
2,248 views0 comments
Shane Speal
May 24, 20222 min read
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.
1,058 views6 comments
Shane Speal
May 23, 20222 min read
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
367 views2 comments
Shane Speal
Apr 7, 20221 min read
The Exit Sign Guitar
This three-string cigar box guitar was crafted from a discarded exit sign by Gary Desrosiers.
684 views1 comment
Shane Speal
Apr 5, 20221 min read
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.
594 views1 comment
Shane Speal
Mar 14, 20222 min read
The Cigar Box Guitar In the Smithsonian Institution
The cigar box guitar in their collection was made by an unknown maker in North Carolina around 1875-1899. It is a four course (4x1) guitar
526 views7 comments
Shane Speal
Feb 2, 20221 min read
Cigar Box Guitar Museum Gift Shop is Open!
The photos of the Cigar Box Guitar Museum instruments have been artfully turned into shirts, cell phone covers and more. You can find the la
422 views4 comments
Shane Speal
Feb 1, 20223 min read
Wooden Dough Bowl Banjo, Greensboro NC
This curious antique banjo was made from a wooden dough bowl for a body, a carved hunk of wood for the neck and clothespin tuners
529 views20 comments
Shane Speal
Jan 25, 20222 min read
1921 Marxolin One-String Slide Guitar
“If you can hum, whistle or carry a tune in your head, you can play the Marxolin with only a few hours practice!”
1,090 views12 comments
Shane Speal
Jan 24, 20222 min read
Antique One-String Cigar Box Guitar (Diddley Bow)
Cigar box guitarists frequently talk about one-string diddley bows as the foundation of many slide blues players. This is the real deal
963 views7 comments
Shane Speal
Jan 20, 20223 min read
Freak of the Week: The Concertone Button Harmonica
The Concertone is one part harmonica, one part accordion, made in Germany in the early 1900’s. It was also known as a Pipoleon or a Hohneret
608 views6 comments
Shane Speal
Jan 10, 20223 min read
1940's Electric Diddley Bow from Quincy, Illinios
The Electric Diddley Bow is a homemade one-string slide guitar that uses an old radio headphone earpiece as a pickup.
945 views34 comments
Shane Speal
Jan 7, 20223 min read
Freak of the Week: 1903 "Little Joe" Novelty Banjo
The Little Joe is a bizarre novelty instrument by the Harp-O-Chord Company of Columbus, OH and enables players to be a one man band!
1,486 views12 comments
Shane Speal
Jan 5, 20222 min read
Antique "Old Peach" Cigar Box Violin - Toledo OH (feat. new demo video!)
This cigar box violin is probably over 100 years old, and it's still playable! It was discovered in Toledo, OH.
461 views18 comments
Shane Speal
Jan 4, 20223 min read
Antique Six String Cigar Box Guitar from Illinois
Much time was spent carving and building this instrument and it truly looks like an instrument that could launch a bluesman's career.
388 views2 comments
Shane Speal
Jan 3, 20222 min read
The Yellow Cigar Box Guitar from Ohio
This unassuming yellow painted cigar box guitar is literally the grandfather of modern cigar box guitar design!
558 views6 comments
Shane Speal
Dec 31, 20212 min read
1930's Cigar Box Guitar with Half Moon Sound Hole
This small and very primitive cigar box guitar was found in East Troy, Wisconsin and features a cigar box dating back to the 1930's.
380 views2 comments
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