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This is a southern cigar box guitar music CD called Cigar Box Americana. 

 The music and songs are all sounds that are vintage and southern in flavor. To record this music, I've used both 3 and 4 string guitars.  To add grit and tube tone I've recorded with old and vintage 1960's and 70's guitar amplifiers. Some were naturally overdriven to achieve a real primitive Southern gritty sound. 
 
 Here's a video of an old-time "Cigar Box Jukes" played on a 4 string guitar with a glass slide,  this video will open in another window

 

Cigar Box Americana & Old Time Jukes - YouTube

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   I have also used some old retro radios that were hacked into guitar amps. They were once antique radios from the 1940's and 50's that have been converted and turned into guitar amplifiers. These neat little amps record with a really unique and captivating tone.

 

Muddy Waters - Resonator Old School Box Guitar Blues

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  There is no signing and no modern guitars on this album. These songs are perfect for study if you are trying to learn early blues guitar, or just enjoy it as a relaxing way to step back in time. Thanks for taking the time to read this and listening to the videos. I also have many others on Youtube, check them out when you have time. Thanks again, John 



 Some might ask, what exactly is a cigar box guitar?

    Since the mid 1860's, it's been common for poor people to make their own guitar or stringed instrument out of old and used cigar boxes and scavenged or found wood. If you wanted to play guitar and didn't have any money, you'd have to build a guitar yourself.  

  In small towns in the southern United States, you can still hear stories about those old school Bluesmen of the past such as Lightnin' Hopkins, Scrapper Blackwell, Little Freddie King and many others who got their start in music by building their own homemade guitar.  
 One reason early American Blues music has such a distinctive sound, is because it has an origin based on these simple homemade instruments. From Muddy Waters to Elmore James, many great blues guitarist were influenced by them in their slide guitar playing. This long forgotten part of history is an important chapter in the story of early "Delta Blues" and its roots of slide guitar from the Southern Delta. 

 Even though this tradition has faded into the past, it's not completely gone. The art of making and playing homemade guitars still continues today and many musicians record with them. These guitars have a naturally vintage and authentic tone. Their unique and raspy voice can spark to life a new creativity that many musicians desire for in their playing. Blues guitarist in particular, really enjoy playing cigar box guitars in the search of hearing Delta Blues in its purest form.

 Here is another video that has a vintage style recording. Anyone can learn to play one of these guitars with just a little practice.

1930's Slide Blues Box Guitar

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If you are interested in learning more about the hobby of cigar box guitars, 

I have 5 different disc for sale on eBay. I also have a book on the subject.


1. Understanding 3 string guitar - How to Play lessons DVD

2. How To Build - 3 & 4 String Cigar Box Guitars DVD

3. Dust Bowl Blues  - music CD

4. Cigar Box Americana - CD

5. Cigar Box Blues - CD

and a book titled "Box Guitar Blues" The story of the cigar box guitar and history of the Blues.

 The 3 string Lessons DVD - Understanding 3 string guitar - covers all the playing styles heard in Blues guitar playing, both slide and finger fretting styles. Slide guitar is basically just one finger guitar. If you've never played guitar before, it's never to late to learn... even if you're 70! 

 The How to Build DVD covers in-depth how to build 3 & 4 string cigar box guitars and Homemade Resonator guitars. These guitars are just as much fun to build as they are to play. Anyone can build a great guitar, even if it's your first time. You only need a few common hand tools that most people already have.

- the best way to learn how to play guitar, is to listen to guitar music. All of the music and videos I have recorded is only played on homemade guitars.

   To view the DVDs and Cigar Box Music CDs - Click Here

  Email me if you have any questions