Making Poor Man's Guitars: Cigar Box Guitars, the Frying Pan Banjo, and Other DIY Instruments [Paperback]

Many books have been written about how to build cigar box guitars and other unique hand-made instruments& but few have touched on why. This book presents the authentic stories of American DIY music with step-by-step projects, photo studies of antique instruments, interviews with music legends, and historical accounts. Shane Speal, the King of the Cigar Box Guitar, brings the making of music and musical instruments back to its roots. From a simple two-string tin can guitar to an electrified washtub bass, Shane shows how anyone can build amazing musical instruments from found items. Sidebars present the fascinating backstory of the music, capturing struggle, poverty and the blues within the artistic side of cigar box guitar building. Featuring an introduction from the New Orleans Museum of Jazz, this DIY musical instrument book is as inspirational to read in the living room as it is in the workshop.

This book presents the authentic stories of American DIY music with step-by-step projects, photo studies of antique instruments, interviews with music legends, and historical accounts. Shane Speal, the King of the Cigar Box Guitar, shows how anyone can build amazing musical instruments from found items.

With the stunning imagery, great stories, and Speals accompanying YouTube videos, falling in love with cigar box guitars isnt hard to do.

With each story, readers will discover the magic of the DIY music movement.

Musician Speal shares his decades of experience in building, playing, and customizing classic DIY instruments in this delightful guide. It was hearing Jimi Hendrixs Red House that caused him to abandon his beloved thrash metal and punk, and go down a bluesy rabbit hole, eventually leading to cigar box guitars. Readers will learn not only how to assemble and play the basic three-string model, but how to customize it, whether by making sound holes using flé