Cigar Box Nation's "Cigar Box Ukulele Contest" winner announced!

Top prize is awarded to Delta Groove Guitars from Irvington, IL for his gorgeous double-neck tenor uke.

About the guitar:  Both Necks are Tenors one a 4 string one an 8 string. a La Flora cigar box with a Bookmatched Queensland walnut veneer laminate on the top. maple necks, Koa wood head stocks and fingerboards.

Delta Groove wins  a $50 C. B. Gitty prize pack + $50 C. B. Gitty gift certificate

Runner up is awarded to Thom Chadwick of Vancouver, BC for his elegantly crafted "Fairy Dust" cigar box uke.

Chadwick describes the instrument:  "This Fairy Dust Uke was built for my Grand-daughter. I removed the back and replaced it with book match maple that was thinned using a hand plane. The neck was cut on a bandsaw and shaped with hand plane, files and sandpaper. The fret board and hardware was from C.B.Gitty. The Faries supplied their own dust. My 9 year old Grand-daughter has been writing her own music which she keeps inside the Uke."

Chadwick is awarded a $25 C. B. Gitty prize pack + $25 C. B. Gitty gift certificate.

A note from the judge of the contest, Cigar Box Nation founder Shane Speal:  This was an extremely difficult contest to judge.  The level of artistry is off the charts and we are definitely in the greatest Renaissance period the cigar box guitar has ever experienced.  I was looking for originality, top craftsmanship and that extra "something" that makes the instruments pop out.  If you want to see the top ukes that I chose for final judging, check out the Imgur photo album I created for easy comparison.  Hmm...I think I may have to buy one of these and use it in an upcoming Shane Speal's Snake Oil Band concert!

From Justin Johnson:  After months of undercover work, it's finally time to announce the big news!  I've gotten so much positive feedback from my online lessons, that I've decided to take things one step further... well, actually, three steps further!  Justin Johnson and C.B. Gitty are proud to announce a brand new 3-PART INSTRUCTIONAL ROOTS MUSIC DVD SERIES  focused specifically on 3-String Cigar Box Guitar, 1-String Diddley Bow, and Slide Guitar Technique!

These in-depth, full-length instructional DVDs will cover everything from basic techniques to complete song walkthroughs, slide guitar techniques, chord/melody arrangements, and tips, tricks, and secrets that will save you years of practice.  

In order to finish filming, editing, printing, & duplicating these DVDs, we need your help to raise the final funds, and we are offering a ton of great rewards for your support, from pre-orders of the DVDs, to the actual instruments used in the video lessons, and even packages designed specifically to boost sales for CBG builders.  So please watch the video, and then CLICK HERE to make this project a reality, and keep this music alive!

-The Wizard

Olds Sleeper releases "Darren Brown Tribute Album" to benefit CBG builder's liver transplant

Darren Brown is a Cigar Box luthier from Nova Scotia and is currently awaiting a complete liver transplant. In effort to help defer some of Darren's expenses, we have assembled this collection of songs as a tribute to the man and his artistry. All proceed go directly to Darren.

All songs feature DB Customs guitars. We hope you will enjoy the songs and we appreciate your generosity.

D. B. CUSTOMS TRIBUTE ALBUM - PAY WHAT YOU WANT AND DOWNLOAD NOW

Pennsylvania Cigar Box Guitar Festival announces legendary classic rock headliner, seeks vendors

The Pennsylvania Cigar Box Guitar Festival returns this year on August 23 on the grounds of the York Emporium Bookstore in York PA from 10am-6pm.  This year's headliner will be classic rock legends, BADFINGER, the Beatles-discovered band who had the 1970's hits "Come and Get it," "No Matter What" and the Breaking Bad finale song, "Baby Blue." 

Event organizer, Jim Lewin is still taking applications for instrument/arts/crafts vendors at the show and promises to expand the area of the event into the street this year.  To get rates and reserve your space, call Lewin at 717-846-2866

This year's fest will be an amazing show with performers:

Shane Speal's Snake Oil Band

Justin Johnson

April Mae & the June Bugs

...and many more

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Shane Speal's Snake Oil Band - on C. B. Gitty Records

Get the new album, Holler! and a limited edition shirt for just $20