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2017 "Kick The Can" Build-Off contest - Canjos, Tin Can Guitars

"Come on, brothers and sisters, KICK OUT THE CANS!"

For our final build-off contest of 2017, we're looking for your best canjos, cookie tin banjos and any other playable stringed instrument made from discarded metal containers. It can have one string wired to a tin can or it could be a full size harp made from an outdoor propane tank! The more creative, the better.

Here's the details:

Contest runs Nov. 16 - Dec. 20, 2017

Prizes: $100 C. B. Gitty Gift Certificate for 1st place, $50 Gitty gift certificate for second and $25 gift certificate for third.

Judges: Shane Speal, Ben "Gitty," Glenn Watt and Farley Andresen

How to Enter:

1. In the comments section below, post up to three (3) photos and one (1) video of your entry.

2. Add a one (1) paragraph description with your photo entry.

3. Shake, stir, repeat. (Yes, you can submit more than one entry!)

4. Submissions that won previous Cigar Box Nation contests are ineligible.

Need inspiration? Here's Wesseh to show you how it's done...

Note: This is the official contest entry page. Do not use this page to post comments about other submissions.

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Permalink Reply by Br Harold F Stubbs III on December 1, 2017 at 2:05pm

My entry ( likely first of a few... ) - Calling it a CanShin cuz it sounds more shamesen / sanshin than anything else.. etched the necks so you can play notes all the way up to the bridge if you want. Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtle hinged tin, found at second hand store. 3' dowel cut in half for the necks, a bit of scrap wood and screws, eyelets for tuners and a chain. Woodburning on coffee-based stain, finished with Teak Oil. Strings are 40# fishing line. Turtle Power!

Permalink Reply by Tracy Holley on December 4, 2017 at 3:49am

I wanted to build a guitar for my friend, so I set out to the antique store to see what I could find. He is a collector of Miller Beer signage and I happened to score this awesome 100 year anniversary serving tray from 1955. Then, headed over to the thrift shop and stumbled across this old 12” Pampered Chef aluminum frying pan...PERFECT! I wanted the tray to remain untouched, so I designed the neck and body pan to hold the tray with no holes being added to the tray (held in place only by the tension of the strings). In fact, the Miller tin could be lifted off and replaced with any other 12” tin, only by loosening the strings (CB Gitty low G, low D, high G set). Piezo pickup mounted on the wooden through neck gives it a beautifully balanced tone; very warm and full with a rich bass response.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p6-HACjjS0U&feature=youtu.be

Permalink Reply by Steve Holladay on December 4, 2017 at 4:20am

"Can in the Headlight"-5 string canjo.

#10 bean can cut off and crimped over. Headlight ring (60s Simca) on the popular resonator. Hand carved cedar and walnut neck with scarf joint headstock, .22 cartridge markers, and light gauge fretwire. Home-made piezo (buzzer) pickup. Right now it is in "double D" tuning. (EDADa).

Thanks!

Steve

Permalink Reply by Kirk on December 5, 2017 at 4:59am

Sounds great! I like that upright bass back there, too.

Permalink Reply by Steve Holladay on December 12, 2017 at 2:53pm

Thanks!

Permalink Reply by 3qt17g550yh6r on December 12, 2017 at 10:36am

Hey Steve that's awesome! What scale is that and what is the test on those strings?

Permalink Reply by Steve Holladay on December 12, 2017 at 10:43am

Thanks!

26 1/2 scale,

1&5 are 20lb. test

2&3 40lb.

4 50lb.

Permalink Reply by 3qt17g550yh6r on December 12, 2017 at 12:56pm

So......how did you figure that out? I have the test information for ukulele strings ( I found this information on a forum online)

do you know what the test would be for a tenor guitar with a 24 or 25 inch scale. Is there a formula for figuring this out ???

Sorry so many questions (I might be a nerd) LOL maybe

Permalink Reply by Steve Holladay on December 12, 2017 at 2:51pm

Whoops I lied. 2&3 are actually 30lb test. I dont know of a formula. Here is what I use:

I had read somewhere that Pete Seeger used fishing line on his banjo sometimes. Did a few searches on the internet then found this at Walmart. I was looking for 40lb for the 3rd I think but they were out of the big spool. I think most people would say use bigger, I have tried twisting multiple strands together but wasn't impressed.

Someday I'll try something else when I run out of this, just turns out there are a lot of canjo's worth in 1500 yards. (kidding)

Anyway, for what its worth, They are kind of a pain for the first few days. Takes a while to stop stretching, but once they settle in they stay in tune forever. If you back the tension all the way off, you have to fight with them again, even if they are pretty old. Also, not to great for volume compared to a set of Nylguts.

Good luck!

Steve

Permalink Reply by 3qt17g550yh6r on December 16, 2017 at 5:10am

Thanks Steve, love your build

Permalink Reply by Michael F. Copado on December 4, 2017 at 5:46am

Here is my 3 string Diatonically Tuned Elvis Candy Tin Dulci-Strummer. It is fretted with finishing nails. Pictures of the King are modge poged on the fretboard. It has a piezo pickup under the hood.

Permalink Reply by heatmisergeorge on December 4, 2017 at 8:08am

The "Hoe Down" 3 string slider. I took an old garden hoe [insert your own colorful phrase] .An old chicken feeder ,mahogany an brass bridge, some Gitty strings,piezo, and tuners,and here ya have it.Play for your plants and watch them grow !

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