What does Jimi Hendrix, Bo Diddley, Blind Willie Johnson, Lightnin Hopkins, Charlie Christian, Carl Perkins, George Benson, Albert King, Hound Dog Taylor, Buddy Guy, Albert Collins, Big Bill Broonzy and Fenton Robinson and a host of other bluesmen have in common?

Well, they all started out with cigar box guitars, and today we are seing a revival for these primitive instruments (the cigar box revolution). Not only does the cigar box guitar have a great history, but they are also great fun to play. One factor for the current revival can be attributed to many musicians desire for a more primal sound. Blues guitarists, in particular, have picked up the cigar box guitar in an attempt to play Delta Blues in its purest form. They are usually played with a slide and have a great whining blues sound that you just can not get from another guitars. They're also small, portable, almost indestructable, weird looking, and they really attract a lot of attention and interest.

One of the persons behind the cigar box revolution are Shane Speal, who has taken up the title "King of the Cigar Box Guitar" for himself. He is also the man behind the The National Cigar Box Guitar Museum, that contains over 70 instruments plus historical documents, photos, ephemera and plans from the Mid-1800's to today.
Other important factors in the CBG revolution are the Cigar Box Forum (with over 2000 members - and rising), and the The Annual Cigar Box Guitar Extravaganza.

A cigar box guitar can be built for less then $10-20, and a great place for getting cigar boxes is eBay.
If you don't want to build your own guitar, there are also cigar box guitars up for sale on eBay.

Instructions on how to build a CBG (cigar box guitar) - here >>
Guitar plans, bands and resources - here >>
Cigar Box Guitar Tunings - here >>

Finally two videos:

Lenny Purnell playing a Harley Davidson Cigar Box Guitar


Seasick Steve on a One String Diddley Bow

Labels: cigar box guitar, delta blues, diddley bow