Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Roosterman on January 23, 2010 at 12:35am

Sounds like its going to be an intense few weeks!!

Count me in, use what you can of mine, and if you need anything else, just ask :o)

So.... you want the info writing out here, or emailing to you or....?

Permalink Reply by LeSaMilano on January 23, 2010 at 4:00am

LOL - You are so right about 'intense'! Thank you for you generosity.

As far as anyone contributing to this thread, I thought is anyone has any suggestions, something they'd like me to look into, something they'd like to mention that I may not know about this world of Cigar Box DIY guitars, they can either mention it here. I anyone would like to send me a private email, please feel free -
I can be reached at lesleyross@runbox.com.

Remember I plan to make a longer documentary about this as the year progresses towards the next festival date: this short film is sort of an entrée to that, so some contributions might be carried over to the longer film.

I would love to know how people got started making CBGs , if the building or the playing or both is the reason for doing it. Is it finding the parts, the craftsmanship, making something today you can pay tonight? Is anyone yet making a living at building these instruments?

it seems that the instruments are conducive to the blues sound, but the Brits usually have a way of taking an American form of music, improving upon it and making it their own. Can anyone tell me where they think the future of cigar box music is going?

anyway - look forward to hearing from the group :) Like I said, please feel free to contact me privately at the email I mentioned above.
Lesley




Roosterman said:

Sounds like its going to be an intense few weeks!!

Count me in, use what you can of mine, and if you need anything else, just ask :o)

So.... you want the info writing out here, or emailing to you or....?

Permalink Reply by Mark on January 25, 2010 at 11:35pm

This all sounds very interesting. If I can be of help then I'll happily see what I can do but I suspect you'll find plenty of people here who are much more experienced players than I am.

BTW. Who or what are you making the documentary for? Is it a college project or are you are professional film maker? Are you doing something for broadcast or are you maybe doing it as an entry for a film festival or something like that?

Permalink Reply by LeSaMilano on January 26, 2010 at 9:28am

Hi Mark

I have been making short films for some time and this year I decided to become more serious about it by getting some credentials under my belt. I am currently attending University in Exeter in Devon, studying film and television production. One of my projects this term is to make a short documentary. There will be two versions initially which may be submitted to broadcast television (channel 4) and/ or possibly film festivals. Later in the year I hope to make a more in depth film which may include live performances/cbg festival, etc.

I would love to hear from players as well as builders. Please feel free to contact me if you are interested in contributing - look forward to hearing from you.

Lesley Ross
lesleyross@runbox,com

Mark aka. Junk Box Instruments said:

This all sounds very interesting. If I can be of help then I'll happily see what I can do but I suspect you'll find plenty of people here who are much more experienced players than I am.

BTW. Who or what are you making the documentary for? Is it a college project or are you are professional film maker? Are you doing something for broadcast or are you maybe doing it as an entry for a film festival or something like that?

Permalink Reply by Fergus Morris on January 26, 2010 at 11:10am

I think most people, in the UK at least, got into CBGs through the internet, that is definitely true of me, I can't remember exactly but about 14 months ago I either watched a youtube video of a CBG or stumbled across Smojo's Blog, and knew I had to make one, then having finished that, I knew I had to make more...... I think most people have a similar story. I had never even seen a CBG in real life apart from my own until the UK CBG fest last October, seeing one in real life that I hadn't made myself was actually very exciting! It's a very rewarding hobby because it is very accessible- I haven't had to invest in any tools or anything and I have made many instruments literally on my kitchen table that are functioning and cheap. This internet community is also highly conducive to producing and spreading new innovations - lots of hugely creative people share ideas and consequently the whole CBG movement has evolved into something really new and exciting, while maintaining its traditional primitive allure.

Permalink Reply by Little Soul Eric on January 26, 2010 at 9:18pm

Seasick Steve ! Seasick Steve !Seasick Steve ! Seasick Steve !Seasick Steve ! Seasick Steve !
Thats how i got into CBG`s That man just Rocks the Blues !!!!!!
Now Thanks to Him,and finding the Nation, i build and play my own....
I love the fact the you end up seeing everyday objects in a new light ,, your brain goes
"mmmmm i could use that on my next build"

Permalink Reply by LeSaMilano on January 26, 2010 at 9:23pm

thanks for your input Fergus - great stuff. My partner also was collecting various stringed instruments and stumbled onto someone making stick dulcimers so he though 'I can do that' - and one thing led to another and he wound up here on CBN- which is what led me here. I like the fact people seem to really share ideas here, about building as well as playing. Thanks again - terrific insight.

Lesley

Fergus Morris said:

I think most people, in the UK at least, got into CBGs through the internet, that is definitely true of me, I can't remember exactly but about 14 months ago I either watched a youtube video of a CBG or stumbled across Smojo's Blog, and knew I had to make one, then having finished that, I knew I had to make more...... I think most people have a similar story. I had never even seen a CBG in real life apart from my own until the UK CBG fest last October, seeing one in real life that I hadn't made myself was actually very exciting! It's a very rewarding hobby because it is very accessible- I haven't had to invest in any tools or anything and I have made many instruments literally on my kitchen table that are functioning and cheap. This internet community is also highly conducive to producing and spreading new innovations - lots of hugely creative people share ideas and consequently the whole CBG movement has evolved into something really new and exciting, while maintaining its traditional primitive allure.

Permalink Reply by Roosterman on January 26, 2010 at 11:18pm

Yep, same for me. I was building 'regular' solid body 6 strings, just for fun like, and I stumbled upon a CBG while Ebaying for parts. Bought one (which turned out to be the very 1st one Chickenbone John built many moons ago!), dismantled it, and set about building my own. That was a year and nearly 50 builds ago!!
I have to agree with Fergus - its all about accesibility - if I can do it then..... :o)
Seasick Steve is definately a huge player in most folks introduction to all this tomfoolery, but as you so rightly state, its not all about the blues. Its about reinvention and expression.
Most of all though, for me, its about being different, and about sticking a big finger up to the big name manufactureres who would have us all believe that you need a Strat or a LP to play properly. Nothing beats the look on peoples faces when you drag a battered old CBG out of the bag and proceed to blow their minds.
As for the future, lets see how long it is before the major producers figure there is money to be made and release a 'Seasick Steve Signature' Series CBG this year....

Permalink Reply by LeSaMilano on January 26, 2010 at 11:43pm

Good post Ben. I saw Seasick Steve on Top Gear the other night - morris mini hub cap guitar!

Roosterman said:

Yep, same for me. I was building 'regular' solid body 6 strings, just for fun like, and I stumbled upon a CBG while Ebaying for parts. Bought one (which turned out to be the very 1st one Chickenbone John built many moons ago!), dismantled it, and set about building my own. That was a year and nearly 50 builds ago!!
I have to agree with Fergus - its all about accesibility - if I can do it then..... :o)
Seasick Steve is definately a huge player in most folks introduction to all this tomfoolery, but as you so rightly state, its not all about the blues. Its about reinvention and expression.
Most of all though, for me, its about being different, and about sticking a big finger up to the big name manufactureres who would have us all believe that you need a Strat or a LP to play properly. Nothing beats the look on peoples faces when you drag a battered old CBG out of the bag and proceed to blow their minds.
As for the future, lets see how long it is before the major producers figure there is money to be made and release a 'Seasick Steve Signature' Series CBG this year....

Permalink Reply by LeSaMilano on January 26, 2010 at 11:47pm

He's really been influential - I'm sure he never would have imagined. I'm not a builder or a player but indeed after delving into the cigar box world, I will never be able to get through a boot sale without spying objects that 'just might make a good instrument'!

Soulcatcher & His DooFa Diddley said:

Seasick Steve ! Seasick Steve !Seasick Steve ! Seasick Steve !Seasick Steve ! Seasick Steve !
Thats how i got into CBG`s That man just Rocks the Blues !!!!!!
Now Thanks to Him,and finding the Nation, i build and play my own....
I love the fact the you end up seeing everyday objects in a new light ,, your brain goes
"mmmmm i could use that on my next build"

Permalink Reply by HOGS GRUNT on January 27, 2010 at 10:47pm

Hi,
Sounds like a good project and an interesting one.
You can count me in for anything you need.
I am not much of a player, I'm a builder, but I have built several that my son, a talented guitarist, does sound bites for me. If you want anything from him or me we will be more than willing to contribute.
Let me know.

Hogs.

Permalink Reply by oogimacorly on January 27, 2010 at 10:57pm

hi lesley, i have a few vids/songs posted use what you want of them. cheers oogi

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