D.I.Y. guitars!

          So I have always thought it would be really cool to build my own guitar! But then I realize that I know nothing about building anything, unless you count those salt and pepper shakers from 7th grade woodshop.  And if you ever researched building guitars you will find that it is a lot of detailed work and fine craftsmanship. However I stumbled across a website that shows you how to build a cigar box guitar (or banjo or uke etc...).  Popular especially in the depression these were simplified instruments that were made out of items found around the household, most often cigar boxes, but other items as well. Most of these were simple  due to the fact that they were built most often because the person was unable to afford an actual guitar.

Both pics from the gallery of cigarboxguitar.com

  Today of course they can be as fancy as you are able or maybe take it up a notch and electrify it!     

Isn't this beautiful? And its electric!

  What I was most amazed to discover is how many great guitarists got their start on a cigar box guitar! Everyone from Jimi Hendrix, Albert King, Albert Colins, Hound Dog Taylor and Buddy Guy all started playing with a cigar box guitar before moving up to a regular guitar.  I don't know about you, but I think I found my winter project! 

          Check out cigarboxguitar.com for your own project plans, to see more photos from the gallery or to learn more about the history of the cigar box guitar!
Happy Strumming!

www.blueravenmusic.com