I'm just back from a quick holiday. We went to Africa..not the "Dark Heart" of Africa, but to Marrakech in Morrocco. Here in the souk is a Berber craftsman making a gimbri (or guembri) which is a stick in a box 3 string instrument. It's a remarkable and very direct link to the history of the modern cigar box guitar. We saw them being played on the street by solo buskers and also in the main square Jemaa El Fna (The Assembly Of The Dead")by Gnawa musicians, playing hypnotic Islamic music on guembri, percussion and accompanied by an amazing and seemingly ad-hoc choir. Definitely back to the roots!!

Views: 157

Comment

You need to be a member of Cigar Box Nation to add comments!

Join Cigar Box Nation

Comment by Preston J. Laisure on November 30, 2015 at 4:24am

After a little brainstorming, I thought you might substitute some other type of hide for camel. Here state side we would have buffalo, elk or an other animal hide that may have similarities to camel and yes, it still will not be the same as the original, but it will be a "Chicken Bone John" creation.

Comment by Preston J. Laisure on November 30, 2015 at 2:29am

Judging by the creativity you've shown over the years I've been watching your video's.  I have no doubt that you could easily create your own version of a gimbri. Is it legal to purchase camel skin in England?  I can just see that smiling mug of yours playing a demo of one with a piezo & pre-amp. LOL.

Comment by ChickenboneJohn on November 29, 2015 at 10:19pm

I wanted to bring one back, but they are just too big for me to have got one on the plane as cabin luggage, and I wouldn't want to have risked it as hold luggage, so unfortunately I didn't buy one. I've studied them pretty closely and played one, so I've got a fair idea of how to put one together...however getting the camel skin for the top may be tricky here in the UK!

Comment by Preston J. Laisure on November 29, 2015 at 12:19pm

Wow. What a throw back in time, but yet so pertinent to what we do today. Did you bring one home with you?

The Essential Pages

New to Cigar Box Nation? How to Play Cigar Box GuitarsFree Plans & How to Build Cigar Box GuitarsCigar Box Guitar Building Basics

Site Sponsor

Recommended Links & Resources


Forum

crossover guitar.

Started by Timothy Hunter in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Apr 10. 14 Replies

Tune up songs

Started by Ghostbuttons in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 9. 5 Replies

Duel output jacks

Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 8. 6 Replies

Latest Activity

J. D. Woods commented on J. D. Woods's photo
Thumbnail

Current Instrument Line-Up

"Hi Uncle John, Ha, ha!! So glad you asked, I wondered when somebody was gonna notice! I'll try…"
19 minutes ago
A.D.EKER commented on AGP #'s photo
Thumbnail

AGP #530 - ''Pink Floyd''

"Colorfull Build  AGP # the last colorfull song they will  ever build ,the feud is going…"
6 hours ago
A.D.EKER commented on Poorness Studios's video
Thumbnail

Jose Cuervo | Shelly West cover on 4-string CBG

"its good to hear you are part of the "Old Content" did not get any of this ,but you…"
6 hours ago
A.D.EKER commented on A.D.EKER's video
Thumbnail

There i was Standing at the ..... BCB - A. D. Eker 2024

"Good morning UJ ,How are you ? hope you are fine! i did say "CrossRoads",Blues Rock its a…"
6 hours ago
Uncle John commented on J. D. Woods's photo
11 hours ago
Uncle John commented on J. D. Woods's photo
Thumbnail

Current Instrument Line-Up

"Nice line up.  Unusual pick guard on the big git that looks like a Martin.  What is that…"
11 hours ago
Uncle John commented on Ghostbuttons's photo
Thumbnail

Four projects

"Nice, nice trio."
11 hours ago
Uncle John commented on Crazed Fandango's photo
Thumbnail

Frethound 4 String

"Looks great.  That looks like one I could really like playing.  Four strings too. …"
11 hours ago
Uncle John commented on David Hopkins's photo
Thumbnail

Anti-Body Guitars 18,19 and 20

"Great theme, workmanship and guitars!"
11 hours ago
Uncle John commented on David Hopkins's photo
Thumbnail

Angel 2x Anti-Body #17

"Very, very nice.  I hope it got to a good home and that it will be enjoyed.."
11 hours ago
Uncle John commented on Darryl Tuttle's photo
Thumbnail

Old portable heater

"Yup.  Good eye deer.  Maybe find a use for that fan too.  If not on this amp,…"
11 hours ago
Uncle John commented on Doug Thorsvik's video
11 hours ago

Music

© 2024   Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

\uastyle>\ud/** Scrollup **/\ud.scrollup {\ud background: url("https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/963882636?profile=original") no-repeat scroll 0 0 transparent;\ud bottom: 25px;\ud display: inline !important;\ud height: 40px;\ud opacity: 0.3 !important;\ud position: fixed;\ud right: 30px;\ud text-indent: -9999px;\ud width: 40px;\ud z-index: 999;\ud}\ud.scrollup:hover {\ud opacity:0.99!important;\ud}\ud \uascript type="text/javascript">\ud x$(document).ready(function(){\ud x$(window).scroll(function(){\ud if (x$(this).scrollTop() > 100) {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeIn();\ud } else {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeOut();\ud }\ud });\ud x$('.scrollup').click(function(){\ud x$("html, body").animate({ scrollTop: 0 }, 600);\ud return false;\ud });\ud });\ud \ua!-- End Scroll Up -->