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The Story of Roadkill Slim

Just a little background on what got me into Cigar Box Guitars, and becoming a member of the Nation. A few months back I was flying home from vacation through Houston when I saw a guy walking in the airport carrying a cigar box guitar. I walked over to ask him where he picked it up, and we started talking about how he had made it for a friend in Baltimore and was headed up there to give it to him. We talked for about 15 minutes, said our goodbyes, and boarded the plane. After arriving in Baltimaore, I ran into him again in the terminal, and he asked me if I wanted the CBG because his friend wasn't there and he was going to have to fly back home. So I asked him how much he wanted for it, and was told "no charge, just enjoy it". I asked him his name and he said "Roadkill Slim", so Iasked him his real name and he looked me strait in the eye and without flinching replied "Roadkil Slim". I shook his hand, thanked him for the gift and we parted ways. Once I got home, I took a picture of the guitar and sent it to my brother who about lost his mind at how cool it was and how awesome it would look hanging on the wall of his man cave. So after much Googling, researching and reading, I've built a few (9 so far) and have a hundred ideas for future builds rolling around in my head. Glad to be a member of the nation and connected with so many like-minded folk.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Dave Lynas on April 15, 2014 at 11:41am

Hey Rat, that's your real name too eh? Just kidding. Nice story. Nice fellow who gave you the gift of music. Good place you discovered here. CBN sure has been a fertile ground for ideas and questions answered. Glad to meet you. Dave (my real name).

Permalink Reply by Rat Nasty on April 15, 2014 at 12:27pm

Real names Kevin, Rat Nasty is what I called my old Rat Terrier. Thanks and glad you enjoyed the story. 100% true.

Permalink Reply by SlowHound on April 15, 2014 at 12:44pm

Again, greetings from across the river! Looking forward to meeting you some day.

Any chance of posting a picture of Roadkill's build?

Permalink Reply by Rat Nasty on April 15, 2014 at 1:46pm

This is the "Roadkill Slim" Original. Still has better tone than any of the ones I've built. Simple is best I guess.

Permalink Reply by SlowHound on April 15, 2014 at 2:02pm

I was hoping it had a carcass of some kind stretched across it or something.

Permalink Reply by Joe Caruso on April 16, 2014 at 5:58am

That would've been cooool!

Permalink Reply by Stephan Ziemba on April 19, 2014 at 6:16pm

Is it sealed or does it open that we could all see and steal his intellectual property? 8 )....Is that a jack? Piezo, I take it... Do you know what wood he used?

Permalink Reply by J Lee on April 15, 2014 at 1:58pm

Wow - what a great story! You're a lucky man. I wouldn't mind bumping into "Mr Slim" myself ;-)

Permalink Reply by Rat Nasty on April 16, 2014 at 7:03am

Thankfully Joe, there was nothing in the box that did not belong there.

Permalink Reply by Stephan Ziemba on April 19, 2014 at 6:10pm

Define, "belong there".

Permalink Reply by Rat Nasty on April 21, 2014 at 12:31am

"belong there" only refers to the contents of the box. I am not a luthier or professional builder, but I am sure that a carcass or any kind of road kill would negatively effect the playablilty of even the most simple guitar. The neck is poplar, and its just a plain punch box, no sound holes just a piezo glued to the lid and a jack, eye bolt bridge, and bolt nut, Gitty tunners and bronze wound strings. He said he coated the neck with modge-podge and thats about it. Anyway Stephan, I hope that answers your question, and my name is Kevin, "Rat Nasty" is after my Rat Terrier that I had for about 14 years.

Permalink Reply by SlowHound on April 21, 2014 at 5:05am

nah, it would just have more mojo about it. Really is a cool intro the CBG though.