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Howdy, I'm John Bolton from SW Iowa

Hi folks. I have been building CBGs for about 4 years and recently found Cigar Box Nation. I like Delta and Piedmont Blues and play intermediate level guitar, mandolin and straight harp. Although I like the Piedmont style, I am not much good at finger picking.

My early CBGs were fretless and later I started adding frets. I have built 3, 4, 6 and 6 strings. I currently get the biggest bang out of my fretted 3 string CBGs and 4 string mandolin. I kind of try to stop making cigar box instruments, but it is hard to quit. I have a mando started and a 3 string that needs a rebuild and beefed up neck.

I recently ordered Keni Lee's instructional on 3 strings. I hope to expand my horizons. I have learned quite a bit this last year on youtube. My songs are vocal influenced and I am having fun doing shuffle beat blues on mandolin like Sweet Home Chigago, Built For Comfort, Rock Me Momma, etc. I do some guitar blues classics like It Hurts Me Too, Key To The Highway, Please See My Grave Is Kept Clean.

I do not (on a face to face basis) know anyone else who makes or plays CBGs. For that matter, I don't really know any other blues players. I had a good blues friend, but he had a stroke and can not longer play guitar. I feel like the lonely ranger here. It is good to know there are blues and CBG folks out there.

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Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by Richard D. DeRoin on March 26, 2010 at 9:19am

Would you happen to be one of the Bolton brothers who had a band years ago and who lived in St.Joe, Missouri?

Permalink Reply by Uncle John on March 26, 2010 at 9:44am

Hi Richard. I don't know those Bolton brothers, but if they play blues and are good guys, I will claim to be distant relatives whether they be black, white, pink or green. :)

Richard D. DeRoin said:

Would you happen to be one of the Bolton brothers who had a band years ago and who lived in St.Joe, Missouri?

Permalink Reply by Richard D. DeRoin on March 27, 2010 at 6:14am

I like that brother, keep playing dem blues.

Permalink Reply by Robert Hynden on April 21, 2010 at 10:38am

John,
Welcome to the Nation. I'm glad to know that I'm not the only crazy blues fan from Iowa on here. I just recently signed up myself. I don't really play guitar but my son does. I just like building things and when I found out about Cigar Box Guitars, I had to try my hand at building one. Beware, this gets very addictive as you have already found out, and it is hard to stop.
I had a vist from my daughter and her three kids the other day and I made the mistake of showing them my first finished guitar. Now I have orders from the grandkids for three more guitars. I have eight grandkids already and one more on the way! I may not live long enough to finish up that many! Bob H.

Permalink Reply by Uncle John on April 22, 2010 at 1:38am

Hi Bob,
Where in Iowa are you from? I am better at building than playing the CBGs too. There is a lot of instruction on the Nation and youtube to help us learn to play better. Welcome to you? John

Robert Hynden said:

John,
Welcome to the Nation. I'm glad to know that I'm not the only crazy blues fan from Iowa on here. I just recently signed up myself. I don't really play guitar but my son does. I just like building things and when I found out about Cigar Box Guitars, I had to try my hand at building one. Beware, this gets very addictive as you have already found out, and it is hard to stop.
I had a vist from my daughter and her three kids the other day and I made the mistake of showing them my first finished guitar. Now I have orders from the grandkids for three more guitars. I have eight grandkids already and one more on the way! I may not live long enough to finish up that many! Bob H.

Permalink Reply by Robert Hynden on April 23, 2010 at 2:33pm

John,
I live in south central Iowa.

John Bolton said:

Hi Bob,
Where in Iowa are you from? I am better at building than playing the CBGs too. There is a lot of instruction on the Nation and youtube to help us learn to play better. Welcome to you? John

Robert Hynden said:
John,
Welcome to the Nation. I'm glad to know that I'm not the only crazy blues fan from Iowa on here. I just recently signed up myself. I don't really play guitar but my son does. I just like building things and when I found out about Cigar Box Guitars, I had to try my hand at building one. Beware, this gets very addictive as you have already found out, and it is hard to stop.
I had a vist from my daughter and her three kids the other day and I made the mistake of showing them my first finished guitar. Now I have orders from the grandkids for three more guitars. I have eight grandkids already and one more on the way! I may not live long enough to finish up that many! Bob H.

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