Stig Landstrom, the inventor and patent holder of the sharkfin guitar pick passed away on September 2 - 2007, 85 years old. He worked at the Levin Guitar Factory in Gothenburg from the late 40:s, where he also helped to develop the solidbody Levin electric guitar. He had his own workshop called Ateljé Guitar. His first picks was called Gits (his initial name backwords).
Levins Goya guitars was sold in the US by Hershman Music in NY.

Stig Landstrom trying out a Levin Kentucky guitar.

Labels: Levin guitars

Things are moving forward with the building of my cigar box guitar.
Since the last time, I have been filing the slot for the nut. A have also made a test to see how the tunes fit.


Next in line was the drilling of holes for the string bushings at the back and at the top.


Finally it was time for the shellac finish on the neck, and I really like the amber finish of shellac.

Labels: cigar box guitar

I found this guitar artwork site when I was checking Friend requests on MySpace. The artwork is amazing, and has been done by Pamelina. She has painted more then 2000 guitars, and has made artwork on guitars for Fender Custom Shop, Ibanez and a lot of other guitar makers.
To check out more of her awesome artwork and skill (and maybe have a guitar custom painted), click here to go to her site.

Labels: Fender Stratocaster, Pamelina

The next step in my cigar box guitar build is to cut out the ends of the cigar box for the neck to pass through. I was careful so I got a very tight fit.



The next step was to rout out the top of the neck for the lid, so you got a flat top when you close the lid over the neck.



Neck and box test fitted together. Before I glue them together I will reinforce the inside of the box to add support and strength to the construction, and also cut out the lid for soundholes and for a pickup.



Comments and input on this build is welcome.

Labels: cigar box guitar

Here are some more images and info on my cigar box guitar build.

First I thinned down the head for the tuners to fit, and to get a good angle on the strings over the top nut.


The next step was to take down the width of the neck and shape the head, to make it slimmer and better looking. Then I followed up with glueing a Wenge fretboard in 1,5 mm veener to the whole top (part of it will be routed away to make place for the cigar box lid).


I finished the neck off with holes for the tuners and rounding off the back of the neck.


Comments and views on the building is appreciated.

Labels: cigar box guitar