"The Broomstick"

27" scale, baritone cigar box guitar.  Built and played by Cigar Box Nation founder, Shane Speal.  We're featuring this one in celebration of Shane Speal's Snake Oil Band's brand new album, "Holler" on C. B. Gitty Records. 

Today's featured instrument is one of the most simple cigar box guitars possible: just a broomstick shoved thru a box with three strings attached.  Speal cut a hole in the box to insert an old Super 8 film tin as a poor-man's resonator and he wired it up with a $7 pickup from C. B. Gitty.

For as simple as this guitar design is, the instrument screams and rumbles and has become a fan-favorite at Shane Speal's Snake Oil Band concerts.  (Hear it in action on the streaming track, "49 Years" at http://shanespeal.com.)  Speal plugs this into a 30 watt tube amp and uses a Craftsman 3/4" socket for a slide.

Cigar Box Nation is here to revive and promote the cigar box guitar and we've seen some of the most amazing instruments being built by you all.  We are experiencing a Renaissance in some ways.  But at the same time, let's also remember the primitive nature of these instruments and the power that can be created with just a stick through a box.

Shane Speal's Snake Oil Band cd "Holler" goes on sale Monday and it's chock-full of cigar box guitar and homemade instrument goodness.  You can pre-order a copy now at CBGitty.com.  Download versions will be on sale at ShaneSpeal.com, iTunes, Rhapsody and elsewhere on Monday, too.

SHANE SPEAL'S SNAKE OIL BAND ALBUM-RELEASE CONCERTS NEXT WEEK:

Mon., June 30 @ 8pm.  Sign of the Wagon art house, 154 E. Phila. St, York PA.  INFO

Sat., July 5 @ 9pm.  Speal's Tavern (home of the Cigar Box Guitar Museum!)  1850 Lion's Club Rd., New Alexandria PA.  INFO

The Cigar Box Ukulele Contest ends Monday

...And also ending on Monday:

1. Show Off Your Workshop!  Cigar Box Nation member, Wayfinder has just introduced a new subject to the discussions and invites you to share pictures and setup secrets of your workshop. 
2. License Plate Guitars - One of the busiest posts in the last couple weeks is about building cigar box guitars with license plate tops.  Go thru the threads and get some new ideas for your next build.
3. Dulcimer-style "Diatonic" fretting - Making cigar box guitars that anybody can play without any musical training.  A great article by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker.
4. Speaking of Dulcimers, we have an entire group dedicated to cigar box dulcimers and other strummers.  Make sure to check out the DulciWorld group on the 'Nation.

How to Play AC/DC's "Back In Black" on a 3-string slide cigar box guitar!

Cigar Box Nation member, Nigel McTrusty expands our horizons with this metal classic on CBG.

VIEW VIDEO ON CIGAR BOX NATION

Guitar World Magazine resumes their Cigar Box Guitar blog

Brian Saner of Saner Guitars is blogging on CBGs for Guitar World again.  The latest article is on the choice of guitar slides.  There's a lot of good stuff. Saner tells us that he'll be will be addressing cigar box guitars in the recording studio in the upcoming series.  Here's some links to their past blogs.

• Slides: It's all about the tone
• How to Build a Smokin' Cigar Box Guitar for $25
• Make a Guitar Pickup in 5 minutes for under $2
• How to Build a Beer Can Mic