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Making Poor Man's Guitars: Cigar Box Guitars, the Frying Pan Banjo, and Other DIY Instruments
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.
180 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 9, 2018
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 30, 2018
I have planned a journey to Gettysburg for years, and when I finally do make it to that historical location, I have added one additional stop – Speal’s Tavern, in New Alexandria, Pennsylvania.
Speal’s Tavern is owned by author Shane Speal’s father, and along with a serving of beer, one can also visit the museum display of cigar box guitars, with builders from all around the world contributing. After reading Mr. Speal’s book, it would be fun to see the handiwork of other creators.
I had envisioned a book of a down-and-dirty collection of hand-made guitars, a combination of Appalachian style instruments made from whatever materials were at hand. The author’s book was far more interesting than anything I could have imagined. Although Mr. Speal entertains us with quirky stories from his personal history, the meat and potatoes are the pictures and descriptions of the guitars and other items.
The descriptions don’t stop with the physical details of the instruments. This is a how-to, get-your-hands-involved book, and includes lists of materials and tools needed along with step-by-step instructions on crafting a guitar of your very own. Be ready to be instructed, amused, and wowed, as the author moves from cigar boxes to wine containers to using the old metal ham containers! Readers are encouraged to get involved, and let your imagination take you to new ideas. There are plenty of color pictures, and most people will have the necessary tools already at hand.
The book moves on to other creations, teaching us how to build a washtub bass, foot stompers, lap steel guitars, and other interesting variations (gotta mention the beer can microphone). If your buddies are playing their instruments too loud, never fear, as there are instructions how to build homemade pre-amps as well as adding pick-ups to all your new instruments.
Whether or not this book turns you into a fan or a DIY cigar box guitar-building fanatic, it’s a fun and entertaining read written by someone who enjoys what he is doing. Five stars.
My thanks to NetGalley and Fox Chapel Publishing for an advance complimentary ebook of this title.
Speal’s Tavern is owned by author Shane Speal’s father, and along with a serving of beer, one can also visit the museum display of cigar box guitars, with builders from all around the world contributing. After reading Mr. Speal’s book, it would be fun to see the handiwork of other creators.
I had envisioned a book of a down-and-dirty collection of hand-made guitars, a combination of Appalachian style instruments made from whatever materials were at hand. The author’s book was far more interesting than anything I could have imagined. Although Mr. Speal entertains us with quirky stories from his personal history, the meat and potatoes are the pictures and descriptions of the guitars and other items.
The descriptions don’t stop with the physical details of the instruments. This is a how-to, get-your-hands-involved book, and includes lists of materials and tools needed along with step-by-step instructions on crafting a guitar of your very own. Be ready to be instructed, amused, and wowed, as the author moves from cigar boxes to wine containers to using the old metal ham containers! Readers are encouraged to get involved, and let your imagination take you to new ideas. There are plenty of color pictures, and most people will have the necessary tools already at hand.
The book moves on to other creations, teaching us how to build a washtub bass, foot stompers, lap steel guitars, and other interesting variations (gotta mention the beer can microphone). If your buddies are playing their instruments too loud, never fear, as there are instructions how to build homemade pre-amps as well as adding pick-ups to all your new instruments.
Whether or not this book turns you into a fan or a DIY cigar box guitar-building fanatic, it’s a fun and entertaining read written by someone who enjoys what he is doing. Five stars.
My thanks to NetGalley and Fox Chapel Publishing for an advance complimentary ebook of this title.
August 18, 2018
Picked this book up because my husband has made a cigar box guitar. Putting one of these together is only limited by ones imagination. Great hunting for items to make the instrument unique and yours alone. Speal gives ideas to make not only the guitar but also a beer can microphone, a stomp box, and an up right wash tub bass. History of this crafts roots was interesting and instilled the philosophy that not everything has to be high priced to make your own music. Would have liked some scales included but did explain tuning and strings. Fun to explore for an avid music adventure. "A Copy of this book was provided by Fox Chapel Publishing via Netgalley with no requirement for a review. Comments here are my honest opinion."
November 21, 2018
In a nutshell this book is awesome. If you are in any way interested in: the blues, cigar box guitars, building guitars, or music history, go out and buy this book. It touches on all the above (and so much more)!
Specifically, this book lays out plans to build a number of cigar box guitars, and home made instruments, while providing an overview of the history behind such instruments.
Cigar Box guitars were quite common during the great depression, and many decades ago when guitars were expensive, handmade instruments, reserved for the well to do and professional musicians.
At that time, i you wanted to make music, you had to be creative. You could buy a broom, undo the wire around the straw, and create a diddly bow, or you could create an instrument that plays much like a guitar, bass, or drum.
These instruments are cool, and they rock! (Just look up some cigar box music like Matt Isbell's Once There Was A Cigar Box, or google Samantha Fish playing her cigar box guitar).
Shane takes you through their history, various designs, and all kinds of cool stuff.
This is a great book, buy it!
Specifically, this book lays out plans to build a number of cigar box guitars, and home made instruments, while providing an overview of the history behind such instruments.
Cigar Box guitars were quite common during the great depression, and many decades ago when guitars were expensive, handmade instruments, reserved for the well to do and professional musicians.
At that time, i you wanted to make music, you had to be creative. You could buy a broom, undo the wire around the straw, and create a diddly bow, or you could create an instrument that plays much like a guitar, bass, or drum.
These instruments are cool, and they rock! (Just look up some cigar box music like Matt Isbell's Once There Was A Cigar Box, or google Samantha Fish playing her cigar box guitar).
Shane takes you through their history, various designs, and all kinds of cool stuff.
This is a great book, buy it!
August 20, 2018
I first heard about cigar box guitars as a kid, but never saw one until just about 3 years ago when I was on a trip to West Virginia and happened on a store selling odd musical instruments. I bought one- a single string canjo! I's amazing what one can play on one string! Kept me entertained for weeks! Made all my friends and their kids laugh, too! And now there's a book on building them from scratch. Well, it's a keeper! I want to make one of my own. Anyone interested in folk music and old time music should pick up this book! It's crazy fun!
I received a Kindle Arc from Netgalley i exchange for a fair review.
I received a Kindle Arc from Netgalley i exchange for a fair review.
November 19, 2019
I really liked the pictures and examples in this book. There was a lot of quality historical information --like newspaper clippings. I do wish that the author had delved a bit more into the Native American homemade guitar/banjo scene of the deep south (check out some instruments at the Poarch Creek Museum if you're interested in that), but I think that it wasn't in the book due to reasonable knowledge holes.
I feel like I know enough from practical examples to be able to finish my current build and that's really why I picked the book up.
I feel like I know enough from practical examples to be able to finish my current build and that's really why I picked the book up.
December 31, 2018
I really enjoyed the read. It has inspired me to finish my cigar box guitar. Love the extra history bits and online resource links in addition to the practical instructions. I might get a copy of this one.
June 1, 2021
Wonderful history, practical tips and how-to, and terrific images; all served up with the author’s self-deprecating humor. I have followed Shane online for several years so I enjoyed devouring his book.
January 17, 2025
good read
For anyone interested in CBG this is a decent book. It goes over building a basic slide CBG and the rest is just about other instruments Shane Speal has collected. I wish I had of got the hard copy instead of the kindle version.
For anyone interested in CBG this is a decent book. It goes over building a basic slide CBG and the rest is just about other instruments Shane Speal has collected. I wish I had of got the hard copy instead of the kindle version.
February 18, 2019
I really liked it. I won’t build a cigar box guitar any time soon, but it was interesting to know how other people approached building their own instruments.
September 1, 2018
This delightful book by Blues musician Shane Speal not only contains detailed instructions for how to make your own cigar box guitar, but wonderful stories about the Blues musicians that Speal has played with during his career and their handmade instruments. Speal carefully explains the why and how these instruments work, in spite of being made of inexpensive, common materials. Want to make an electric instrument? Speal also includes a section on electric guitars. The book has many crisp, clear photographs to guide interested crafters. A must-buy for public libraries that host MakerSpaces.
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews