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.
top of page
CigarBoxGuitars.com - Museum
The Cigar Box Guitar Museum
From the Shane Speal Collection
Dig into the history of cigar box guitars by studying the actual instruments from the past. Each of these instruments have been been collected and documented by Shane Speal. Many are currently on display at the Cigar Box Guitar Museum inside Speal's Tavern in New Alexandria, PA. (Directions, hours and info at www.SpealsTavern.com.)
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
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.
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
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.
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
The Exit Sign Guitar
This three-string cigar box guitar was crafted from a discarded exit sign by Gary Desrosiers.
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.
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
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
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
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!”
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
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
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.
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!
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.
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.
The Yellow Cigar Box Guitar from Ohio
This unassuming yellow painted cigar box guitar is literally the grandfather of modern cigar box guitar design!
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.
1961 Arturo Langelli Cigar Box Ukulele
Its very rare to find a fully documented, signed & dated cigar box guitar, but this cigar box ukulele is the exception.
2009 Six Banger Electric Guitar by Ted Crocker
Shane Speal commissioned this instrument to incorporate elements of Ted Crocker's Honeydripper movie guitar...
Triple Neck Cigar Box Guitar by Rusty Taylor
The guitar is a triple neck consisting of a 4-String,1-String, and 3-String. The body of the guitar is built to the measurements of a trian
Handmade Copper Pipe Guitars and Scrap Iron Guitars
Two of the most freakish guitars in the Cigar Box Guitar Museum are by Tone-A-Cane Copper Pipe Guitars and Pete Regan’s Metal Guitars.
Flamin’ Folk Art Electric Lap Steel - Circa 1950-1960
When someone mentions folk art instruments, a screaming electric lap steel guitar made with old guitar parts on a six pound slab of mahogany
Virginia's Cigar Box Fiddle, May 3, 1946
Several weeks ago, I received a message from fellow cigar box guitarist, Clint Herriman stating that he had discovered another historic...
bottom of page