61 Nickel Guitars

The Cigar Box Guitar is not a new concept. They have been around since the mid 1800’s as an alternative to poor people who were unable to afford commercially available instruments. The simplicity of these early guitars was what set me on my path to create a modern version of this classic handmade instrument. They are created using actual cigar boxes sourced from all over the world. Each guitar features mostly locally sourced hardwoods from right here on Vancouver Island. Modern electrics have been installed to create an updated version which adds to the versatility. Each guitar has three strings and is open tuned (G is most common).

There are fully fretted of fretless (slide) versions available and they are all 25-1/2” scale length. The use of up-cycled materials pays homage to those original instruments made only with simple items like a cigar box, a broom stick, and a wire from an old screen door. The quirkiness and uniqueness of these funky little pieces of “functional art” is what makes them so appealing to musicians. A buzz here and a rattle there is part of the fun and also part of the overall charm. Arguably one of the easiest stringed instruments to learn to play, Cigar Box Guitars are as much an expression of art as they are of musicianship. I have created over 250 of these guitars reaching four continents worldwide and each one has a 1961 Canadian Nickel mounted proudly on the headstock (or in some other clever location).