Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Susan Hunt on December 6, 2009 at 10:40am

I guess I should probably add something here about who, what and where. I am originally from Illinois, but I have lived in California for 27 years. I am currently in the Central Valley, but my California home is Sonoma County -- God's country, as they call it. I spent twenty years working in the theater, and I am now making the transition from playwright to television writer. I was researching vintage guitars for the project I'm writing, when I stumbled upon cigar box guitars, and found a whole new world. I've collected instruments for years, but I immediately had a heart connection with CBG's. I have five now and I'm learning to play -- which is good, as CBG's have interrupted my workaholic tendencies.

I also write lyrics, and am a member of the ever-changing spoken word band, 'Spumoni's.' I'm hoping to incorporate cigar box guitar music into spoken word performance, as soon as I play well enough to do so. I'm hoping this happens before I am too old to remember what I'm doing, and why I'm doing it. I am currently collaborating with Eric Tweed on his second CD: I am happy to do this, as Eric built my first CBG, a 4-string Ashton named Sistah Muddy. I name all my CBG's, and if I had any sense at all, I'd learn to make them, but I figure somebody has to support the builders. I am constantly dazzled by the beautiful and innovative work on CBN. Every cigar box guitar has a beauty of its' own.

I have been a rocker all of my life, however, these days I listen to more Blues and Americana music, having recently discovered R.L. Burnside and Ben Prestage. I am a diehard fan of The Band, and all New Orleans music. Cigar Box Nation has been an invaluable find, and I appreciate its' members. The Women's Group is a real bonus, and hopefully, we can build our own little nation within a nation.

Permalink Reply by Laurie Lee Campbell on December 11, 2009 at 6:04am

Hi Ladies,......it is neat to see this option!,.grab yer cuppa, or wineglass, if you are halfway round the globe,..it's a true read,.a long winded introduction...now I suppose if the count be accurate, we be sweet sixteen:-)?......I have been playing cig box since I bought mine on ebay, after just happen to spot one, --a daddy mojo, and i sent for one, I think it was about 2006, or 7...I would love to start making them, and just might do that!!!...I'm a 52 year old kid, and one day I found an antique banjo under a tree, at a swap meet,--intended to buy it for resale--brought it home, stood it in a corner, and most everyday sat down to have a little fun plunking it, 2 months of that went by,and i thought....hmmmm,....I LIKE this, what about lessons, which led to one thing, then the other...lotsa little steps that led me here--!LOL. ****back in 1942 My mom age 18 , on a real whim and with a girlfriend of hers , decided to go to a dance hall they'd never been to , and my dad 21, hearing there were lots of pretty girls at this particular dancehall, went that night with a bunch of his buddies.****classic "their eyes met across the room",...only recently did I learn of this beginning, their beginning, MY beginning, in the world! these "sweethearts" are in their 80s now. ....I had musical "influences" in my life, always, Mom and Grandma both wonderful Keyboardists; DAD, the booming baritone, and really why I sing, inherited the ability from him, no doubt. been singing since birth, maybe, LOL...was in a small group about 3 years starting when I was 17. We played swing music, big band stuff--upright bass, guitar, sax, I sang and played a small marimba.... Married the guitar player in 75,..we soon learned another profession would be a better income, and began to sell vintage goods, and clothing. Have done that since about 1975. Still do, on ebay and a site called bonanzle, altho I'm trying to replace that biz with "reliable" employ. Separated since '03, and having married young, I am finding my way, in the world--music blossomed, and flourished because of the finding process. Sandwiched between elderly parents, and two teen boys, my life is complex and often challenging ..I also play music for the THERAPY aspect, and you should see the cobwebs, in my house..... I don't spend $ on myself, unless it is new undies,..(kmart) and that's a thrill, the other exception is music lessons which is my splurge on me. I've taken them since 2006, a year of banjo, and then jumping to lap steel guitar, acoustic. My wonderful instructor is known to trade shirts for lessons, when my finances are taxed-- I had a light bulb moment when I saw David Lindley sing and play live for the first time, two januarys ago, and realised I could strum, and play AND sing. More complex arrangements don't allow singing, truthfully....it was a classic moment, and from that time, I began to sing and write and compile "ditties/follies/orig songs". I was encouraged by a friend who asked "why are'nt you on you tube?" I said I don't know how to..boring story shortened..you tube became my way to share what I do, and via that medium, I have met some wonderful friends, and associates. I'm found there as cinderellalifestyle, and alternately as singer/lyricist for the group called "Francifornia", a cyber collaboration with a very dearmusical friend in Paris, Chris Gardette. A friend of his joined us for the last song we launched, a young Parisian by the name of Flo. (song is called "tarnished silver" , in case you'd like to look for it) A CD is hoped for, in that direction also, eventually, self engineered. Last January I began the long process of making a pro studio cd on a shoestring, and that was very interesting and rewarding. Mostly lap steel slide guitar, two outa twelve are cig box ditties. My NEXT hoped for venture is to make a cig box cd in tandem with my previous studio engineer and producer Jimmi Accardi, who was really smitten with the sound of the cig box, had NEVER seen one before and is going to add minimal percussion, to compliment the music. I think he will be bitten by the cigbox bug too......I also love the banjo, had to sell mine (boohoo), as well as a marimba which I played, in order to fund life..I play piano in my own peculiar way, as well. Things come, things go, it's all stuff, after all, knowing a cigbox banjo could be reality sometime is like a little light of hope, shining, for me...nice to meet you ladies.......I hope to get a song to the player, and a NEW vid posted here, soon. Very recently a you tube friend wrote a little note to say he would like to build a guitar, just for me, and of course, not everyday someone is so generous. My second Cig box was custom made by RailRoad Don, out of Canada, and it was given, a gift....and golden ! .... in my current state, such a purchase is out of the question.....life is good:-)many people are very wonderful, and I, am truly blessed;-)
thanks for letting me bend your ears, ladies;-)
Sincerely,
Laurie

Permalink Reply by Mama Mojo on December 13, 2009 at 6:32pm

Awesome, Susan! It's always nice to read more about the gals in the group! And heck, I don't have an issue with you just buyin' CBGs! You'd understand why if you saw my garage - the place where I "park" all of my guitars! Maybe I'll get brave enough to post a pic of the entire room one of these days....

Permalink Reply by Mama Mojo on December 13, 2009 at 6:34pm

Welcome to the group, Laurie! Wow! What a history! Good to have you here!

Permalink Reply by Laurie Lee Campbell on December 13, 2009 at 11:50pm

thanks Lana!:-)I promise my posts won't all be that long!;-) LOL...
Laurie

Lana Rae said:

Welcome to the group, Laurie! Wow! What a history! Good to have you here!

Permalink Reply by Zandi Z on December 17, 2009 at 9:44am

Hello...
i've been reading and viewing photos and cbg building advice on the Nation for several months.
Y'all have been a constant source of delight.
i love this site.
i am now addicted to cigar boxes....
and building
...and seeing all your lovely creations everyday.
It is a BIG thing for me to join a social network, being the hermit i am...
thought i'd start out here with you ladies as i am a silver-haired femenina, myself,....zan.

Permalink Reply by Laurie Lee Campbell on December 17, 2009 at 10:08am

Hi Zan!....Just a quick note to say hello, I'm a newbie too,..a late arrival,..I did not know there was a party goin' on here;-) glad you are here too..!!party hats, all around !!..I will check your page, and see you there..I myself have yet to build, it is on my endevor "wish list"
Cheers! Laurie

Zandi Zimmermann said:

Hello...
i've been reading and viewing photos and cbg building advice on the Nation for several months.
Y'all have been a constant source of delight.
i love this site.
i am now addicted to cigar boxes....
and building
...and seeing all your lovely creations everyday.
It is a BIG thing for me to join a social network, being the hermit i am...
thought i'd start out here with you ladies as i am a silver-haired femenina, myself,....zan.

Permalink Reply by Zandi Z on December 17, 2009 at 1:10pm

Thanks, Laurie Lee.
I was hesitant to join the Nation because i have not finished a cbg yet.. will soon, tho.

however, my first one-string-thingy ---which i made around Halloween--- was an old 1x1.5 pine stick.
now it is 30 inches long, 24" scale, toothpick frets...bolt bridge, eye-bolt tuner..low E classic guitar string...
makes wonderful sweet music, very softly, but has a looong sustain which soothes my hands.
when i place it on a tin, a cigar box, or on any tabletop it is very resonant and loud enough to be heard by others.

of course, after that, i had to get some cigar boxes (i already have some candy and cookie tins).
now i'm addicted to the look, and the wonderful smell of them... and i now have at least a dozen-dozen cigar boxes.
six are in various stages, with necks and hardware on hand to complete...
one small 5x7 tea tin is now a deep voiced one-string.
My friends are tickled to see me so tickled...
these little stick 'n string beings put a smile on my face and in my heart.

now, tho, have got to learn to navigate this site... don't know anything about 'invite a friend' stuff, in particular...
i'm still at yahoo-groups speed... haven't graduated yet to youtube, etc, etc

So many of you are such talented builders and players that i bask in your creativity and knowledge every chance i get.
i appreciate, Lana, that there is this smaller group of talented ladies where i can get 'acclimatized' to being part of the larger group.

btw, Susan Hunt... i lived in Sebastopol for 5 years...back when Sonoma County was mostly still farms.
there was ALWAYS great music every where.
i think it is what makes CA wines sooo goood i. ..zan

Laurie Lee Campbell said:

Hi Zan!....Just a quick note to say hello, I'm a newbie too,..a late arrival,..I did not know there was a party goin' on here;-) glad you are here too..!!party hats, all around !!..I will check your page, and see you there..I myself have yet to build, it is on my endevor "wish list"
Cheers! Laurie

Zandi Zimmermann said:

Hello...
i've been reading and viewing photos and cbg building advice on the Nation for several months.
Y'all have been a constant source of delight.
i love this site.
i am now addicted to cigar boxes....
and building
...and seeing all your lovely creations everyday.
It is a BIG thing for me to join a social network, being the hermit i am...
thought i'd start out here with you ladies as i am a silver-haired femenina, myself,....zan.

Permalink Reply by Mama Mojo on December 17, 2009 at 3:33pm

Hi Zandi! So good to read your fabulous story here! These little instruments sure are addictive, aren't they? It sounds to me as though you are well on your way to being a builder and I am glad that you sought us gals on the Nation out! The fellas on this site are also great and will jump right in to help or give feedback whenever you have a question. Not everyone here builds - some people play, sing and/or collect and have no interest in ever touching a power tool.... We've got a lot of talented people here and I hope that you'll kick back and make yourself at home! Again, welcome and please jump in any time and ask questions or discuss whatever you'd like! Best regards, Lana

Zandi Zimmermann said:

Thanks, Laurie Lee.
I was hesitant to join the Nation because i have not finished a cbg yet.. will soon, tho.

snip

Permalink Reply by Susan Hunt on December 17, 2009 at 4:19pm

Welcome Zan! Sebastopol rocks! It's still farm country, but in an upscale kind of way. Very Bohemian chic -- when I get back there, I intend to introduce them to CBG's. It's still a hotbed of music, but the private groups seem to be mostly drumming circles. Glad you found us, and as Lana said, not everyone here builds. I shop.

Zandi Zimmermann said:

Thanks, Laurie Lee.
I was hesitant to join the Nation because i have not finished a cbg yet.. will soon, tho.

however, my first one-string-thingy ---which i made around Halloween--- was an old 1x1.5 pine stick.
now it is 30 inches long, 24" scale, toothpick frets...bolt bridge, eye-bolt tuner..low E classic guitar string...
makes wonderful sweet music, very softly, but has a looong sustain which soothes my hands.
when i place it on a tin, a cigar box, or on any tabletop it is very resonant and loud enough to be heard by others.

of course, after that, i had to get some cigar boxes (i already have some candy and cookie tins).
now i'm addicted to the look, and the wonderful smell of them... and i now have at least a dozen-dozen cigar boxes.
six are in various stages, with necks and hardware on hand to complete...
one small 5x7 tea tin is now a deep voiced one-string.
My friends are tickled to see me so tickled...
these little stick 'n string beings put a smile on my face and in my heart.

now, tho, have got to learn to navigate this site... don't know anything about 'invite a friend' stuff, in particular...
i'm still at yahoo-groups speed... haven't graduated yet to youtube, etc, etc

So many of you are such talented builders and players that i bask in your creativity and knowledge every chance i get.
i appreciate, Lana, that there is this smaller group of talented ladies where i can get 'acclimatized' to being part of the larger group.

btw, Susan Hunt... i lived in Sebastopol for 5 years...back when Sonoma County was mostly still farms.
there was ALWAYS great music every where.
i think it is what makes CA wines sooo goood i. ..zan

Laurie Lee Campbell said:

Hi Zan!....Just a quick note to say hello, I'm a newbie too,..a late arrival,..I did not know there was a party goin' on here;-) glad you are here too..!!party hats, all around !!..I will check your page, and see you there..I myself have yet to build, it is on my endevor "wish list"
Cheers! Laurie

Zandi Zimmermann said:

Hello...
i've been reading and viewing photos and cbg building advice on the Nation for several months.
Y'all have been a constant source of delight.
i love this site.
i am now addicted to cigar boxes....
and building
...and seeing all your lovely creations everyday.
It is a BIG thing for me to join a social network, being the hermit i am...
thought i'd start out here with you ladies as i am a silver-haired femenina, myself,....zan.

Permalink Reply by Jonna Campbell on December 27, 2009 at 1:48pm

Hey There!

My name's Jonna and I'm a 38 year old wife and mother of 2. CBG's fascinate me and are becoming an addiction, I'm looking to purchase my first one and the wait is killing me...lol. I'm glad to have found a women's groupand I look forward to getting to know you all.

Jonna

Permalink Reply by Susan Hunt on December 27, 2009 at 2:30pm

Welcome Jonna! If you think it's bad now, just wait until you hold your own cigar box guitar. You'll need another immediately. Glad you found us!

Jonna Campbell said:

Hey There!

My name's Jonna and I'm a 38 year old wife and mother of 2. CBG's fascinate me and are becoming an addiction, I'm looking to purchase my first one and the wait is killing me...lol. I'm glad to have found a women's groupand I look forward to getting to know you all.

Jonna

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