This is not so much of a reintroduction as a rebirth so to speak. I joined Cigar Box Nation many, many years ago when I initially developed an interest in more "primitive" instruments, CBGs, mountain dulcimers, diddly bows, canjos and "strumstick" type instruments. I am primarily a bass player but stringed instruments of all types hold a fascination for me.

And then the injury happened. I sustained nerve damage in my left arm that would no longer allow me to fret anything. my had was useless. I had surgery but it has taken 10 years to get back where I am now playing simple walking bass lines on a short scale bass. Until recently, I had pretty much given up playing again. The short scale has proven to be a positive experience for me though, even if I am a bit rusty.

And then somehow..... It must have been Shane sensing a disturbance in the force or something....... I stumbled across I don't know how many hundreds of YouTube videos about CBGs. Building, playing, more building, tips on pickup selections and placement. Diddly Bows, Canjos, Dulcimers...... I was overwhelmed with all of the videos and the variety of characters playing and making these instruments. I watch nothing but CBG videos for 2 straight days.

And I thought..... I could play one of those!

So me being totally worthless in a workshop, I ordered one from CBG Workshop on Etsy. (See pic below) It is a wonderful little instrument. Tuned in G-D-G. Very well put together and has a nice tone. But in MY hands, it is apparently a potato. I figured my hands were just not dexterous enough to work with the smaller string and fret spacing yet. OK..... I'll take up slide playing. Unfortunately, 99% of the videos that I have found still involve some finger work even when playing with a slide.

So does anyone know of really good videos that are 100% slide playing with no finger work? I plan to work on that as well but it would be nice to hear something coming out of this wonderful little box besides the screeches and squawks I'm making with it.

In the meantime.... I'm still blaming you guys and your YouTube channels for sucking me back in.