Cigar box guitars are a little known American tradition. This "lost art" and long forgotten
form of guitar construction spans back well over 150 years in our country's history. Since
the mid 1860's up to the early 1950's and before musical instrument mass production
brought the cost down, it was quite common for poor people to make their own guitar,
banjo, Dobro, Acoustic and even Electric guitars out of different types of cigar boxes and
refuse wood.
My Name is John McNair, I have been building homemade guitars as a hobby since my
teenage years in the mid 90's. I am fascinated by early American history and Folk music,
all types; Blues, Country, Bluegrass, Rock and just about any form of self taught music.
I also enjoy working with recycled materials in a pursuit of the most authentic Blues and
Country sounds and tone possible. I find it challenging to find and use old furniture and
reclaimed old growth American hardwoods for necks and braces, not only are they much
more stable woods, but they are usually much better looking and I believe it adds a
charm and character that you can't get from the "run of the mill" at the local lumber yard.
OK, I will admit up front, I love digging in old thrown out garbage, NOT food garbage,
but household left over stuff people put on the curb. To me it's hypnotic...it beckons for
me..."come hither n' dig around!" ...I really love the excitement when I see someone move
out and there is a pile of happiness calling my name, a little subtle whisper in my ear
..."come...come...I am here, just below this thing, right under this mysterious stack o'
goodness..."I could be yours, turn me into something, give me life!"
So, yeah, that's how it starts, that is where I get most of my wood and just about all of my
guitars were at some point long ago someone's abused and unwanted chair, bed or
table...just image the stories they could tell if they could talk?...or wait they can, better
yet...they can now SING!
form of guitar construction spans back well over 150 years in our country's history. Since
the mid 1860's up to the early 1950's and before musical instrument mass production
brought the cost down, it was quite common for poor people to make their own guitar,
banjo, Dobro, Acoustic and even Electric guitars out of different types of cigar boxes and
refuse wood.
My Name is John McNair, I have been building homemade guitars as a hobby since my
teenage years in the mid 90's. I am fascinated by early American history and Folk music,
all types; Blues, Country, Bluegrass, Rock and just about any form of self taught music.
I also enjoy working with recycled materials in a pursuit of the most authentic Blues and
Country sounds and tone possible. I find it challenging to find and use old furniture and
reclaimed old growth American hardwoods for necks and braces, not only are they much
more stable woods, but they are usually much better looking and I believe it adds a
charm and character that you can't get from the "run of the mill" at the local lumber yard.
OK, I will admit up front, I love digging in old thrown out garbage, NOT food garbage,
but household left over stuff people put on the curb. To me it's hypnotic...it beckons for
me..."come hither n' dig around!" ...I really love the excitement when I see someone move
out and there is a pile of happiness calling my name, a little subtle whisper in my ear
..."come...come...I am here, just below this thing, right under this mysterious stack o'
goodness..."I could be yours, turn me into something, give me life!"
So, yeah, that's how it starts, that is where I get most of my wood and just about all of my
guitars were at some point long ago someone's abused and unwanted chair, bed or
table...just image the stories they could tell if they could talk?...or wait they can, better
yet...they can now SING!
Music and Photos within Research archives on this site Courtesy of Library Of Congress ©Public Domain. Used for research under Fair Law, unless otherwise stated, i.e Goggle search; copyright holder unknown. Red Dog Guitars are proudly MADE IN AMERICA. All rights AVAILABLE, feel free to cut, copy and paste any guitars you see on this site... be sure to tell 'em it's a Red Dog!!!! Do NOT use any photos or logos from this site to sell any products, they are only for educational purposes only |
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After building countless guitars for friends and strangers alike, I have never changed
my outlook and I am still just one guy stuck in the past, but because the power of the
Internet I am with disbelief at how popular this website has become, if this was still the
90's and without the world wide web, being able to share this part of American history
would be all but IMPOSSIBLE! I remember trying to meet people in Guitar clubs and
organizations in small classified adds in a Louisiana newspapers or running adds
myself and waiting for a call!!!!... man that was strange before the internet came
along....and to now see how information is now exchanging between person and person
is mind boggeling......pictures of a house, car or even cigar box guitar from the other
side of the planet at the click of the mouse!
Well, since you're here, feel free to browse the gallery of guitars for sale and viewing.
I've been making them far longer than I have been using the internet, and while it
wasn't possible for me to show you all of the guitars I've built, I've tried to select some
interesting and colorful designs to give you an idea of what I enjoy making.
my outlook and I am still just one guy stuck in the past, but because the power of the
Internet I am with disbelief at how popular this website has become, if this was still the
90's and without the world wide web, being able to share this part of American history
would be all but IMPOSSIBLE! I remember trying to meet people in Guitar clubs and
organizations in small classified adds in a Louisiana newspapers or running adds
myself and waiting for a call!!!!... man that was strange before the internet came
along....and to now see how information is now exchanging between person and person
is mind boggeling......pictures of a house, car or even cigar box guitar from the other
side of the planet at the click of the mouse!
Well, since you're here, feel free to browse the gallery of guitars for sale and viewing.
I've been making them far longer than I have been using the internet, and while it
wasn't possible for me to show you all of the guitars I've built, I've tried to select some
interesting and colorful designs to give you an idea of what I enjoy making.
As for the guitar Aficionado, check out the History archives on this site of American
Folk music and the Blues. I have spent many years scouring Libraries, the Internet
and basically any and everywhere for the history of the cigar box guitar. It is vast and
I have amassed an array of historical photos not found anywhere else in the world. I
have seen many online art galleries and libraries and I have noticed they all were
hard to navigate because you needed to open many pages just to view one photo
after another, click n' load, click n' wait, click n' get bored.....I found it to be too much
clicking and waiting....but....this I set up much different and it allows you to view
many historic photos easily and enjoyably. I encourage you to visit, especially if you
have a child or family member interested in the history of music. Some of the photos
are so memorable and impressionable you'll never forget them... some will take your
breath away....But no matter what, If you enjoy history, you are sure to enjoy them,
have a peek at the link further below.
email me anytime at john@reddogguitars.com
Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy the site!
Folk music and the Blues. I have spent many years scouring Libraries, the Internet
and basically any and everywhere for the history of the cigar box guitar. It is vast and
I have amassed an array of historical photos not found anywhere else in the world. I
have seen many online art galleries and libraries and I have noticed they all were
hard to navigate because you needed to open many pages just to view one photo
after another, click n' load, click n' wait, click n' get bored.....I found it to be too much
clicking and waiting....but....this I set up much different and it allows you to view
many historic photos easily and enjoyably. I encourage you to visit, especially if you
have a child or family member interested in the history of music. Some of the photos
are so memorable and impressionable you'll never forget them... some will take your
breath away....But no matter what, If you enjoy history, you are sure to enjoy them,
have a peek at the link further below.
email me anytime at john@reddogguitars.com
Thanks for stopping by, and enjoy the site!
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click here
| Look for my Trademark and super fun 3 string guitars I like to build. They are my passion to build and play! |
 |
| I also have many cool 4 string Bottleneck Slide guitars, Lot's of fun to play! |
| This is where the "Blues" all started at, the American Southern Delta, a cigar box, a stick and homemade music! This photo is dated 1868 "George D Flynn Jr. Fall River MA" by, L.Rupert |
Cigar box guitars traditionally had only 3 or
4 strings due to the simple nature of being
homemade.
Check out the Cigar Box Guitar Museum
online to see the many 4 string examples in
history.
In this guitar below I wanted to recreate what
I've seen in early photos and give the
closest possible sound to what it might have
sounded like in 1868.
4 strings due to the simple nature of being
homemade.
Check out the Cigar Box Guitar Museum
online to see the many 4 string examples in
history.
In this guitar below I wanted to recreate what
I've seen in early photos and give the
closest possible sound to what it might have
sounded like in 1868.
Truthfully, I've never considered myself much a "guitar builder", just a ordinary guy
with a passion for music, history and art, putting them together for an original formula
for creating guitars. A craftsman so to speak?
I love to make them, it's my passion and they would pile up to the celling if I didn't do
something with them. So, here I am sharing them. This is a life long hobby I have had
and will continue, however, I don't want to just crank them out over and over as I have
no desire nor want to be a stay at home factory worker as it would take away my
passion for building them, but occasionally I sell or trade them.
The fact that you are here on my site, I greatly appreciate your interest. You can contact
me and If you want I can send you a guitar, I build both Left and Right handed guitars
and whether you are a Blues, Country, Bluegrass, or Rock guitarist, I'm sure to have the
perfect guitar for your style. email me at john@reddogguitars.com anytime, or if you
want to talk on the phone send me your phone number.
If you have any questions on something you've seen on this site, contact me ..Don't be
shy!!!!...my wife says I can be a real chatter box sometimes, look how far you had to read
to get to this spot on this page!!!!!...sheeez.. I'm tired of typing now!....so no worries, if
you have a question, we can email or talk on the phone, I will blabber your ear off about
how fun and creative cigar box guitars are to play!
with a passion for music, history and art, putting them together for an original formula
for creating guitars. A craftsman so to speak?
I love to make them, it's my passion and they would pile up to the celling if I didn't do
something with them. So, here I am sharing them. This is a life long hobby I have had
and will continue, however, I don't want to just crank them out over and over as I have
no desire nor want to be a stay at home factory worker as it would take away my
passion for building them, but occasionally I sell or trade them.
The fact that you are here on my site, I greatly appreciate your interest. You can contact
me and If you want I can send you a guitar, I build both Left and Right handed guitars
and whether you are a Blues, Country, Bluegrass, or Rock guitarist, I'm sure to have the
perfect guitar for your style. email me at john@reddogguitars.com anytime, or if you
want to talk on the phone send me your phone number.
If you have any questions on something you've seen on this site, contact me ..Don't be
shy!!!!...my wife says I can be a real chatter box sometimes, look how far you had to read
to get to this spot on this page!!!!!...sheeez.. I'm tired of typing now!....so no worries, if
you have a question, we can email or talk on the phone, I will blabber your ear off about
how fun and creative cigar box guitars are to play!
I guess most people are happy with the "industry standard" electric and acoustic body styles.
But, Long before the Gretch Guitar Company machine made and mass produced Bo Diddley's
legendary square guitar...
Bo made his guitars himself! He did it with his bare hands and with some simple hand tools. He
made them in the true spirit of "Americana." He never kept count but it is said that he had made
well between 25 and 30 homemade square wooden guitars.
But, Long before the Gretch Guitar Company machine made and mass produced Bo Diddley's
legendary square guitar...
Bo made his guitars himself! He did it with his bare hands and with some simple hand tools. He
made them in the true spirit of "Americana." He never kept count but it is said that he had made
well between 25 and 30 homemade square wooden guitars.
His guitars were made using recycled wood, whatever he could find, and he made them most often
simple and crude, they were after all "homemade." The nicer ones he doodled and finger painted art
on them for the individual owners whom he often "gifted" them to. The most famous one of all is
the wooden one he gave to Dick Clark after being invited to "American Bandstand" which helped
launch his career to the next level.
simple and crude, they were after all "homemade." The nicer ones he doodled and finger painted art
on them for the individual owners whom he often "gifted" them to. The most famous one of all is
the wooden one he gave to Dick Clark after being invited to "American Bandstand" which helped
launch his career to the next level.
The First Bo Diddley guitar circa
1945 now owned by Hard Rock Café
1945 now owned by Hard Rock Café
Bo with his 50's Gretch guitar, notice
that even though it was factory
made, he still added his own art and
chrome embellishments.
Bo was a true Folk artist and
Do-it-Yourself Rocker!!!
that even though it was factory
made, he still added his own art and
chrome embellishments.
Bo was a true Folk artist and
Do-it-Yourself Rocker!!!
Bo's "Red Dog" 6 string Tube Amp Assassin
click here
click here
| But as cool as Bo was, I know you would love the refreshing change of playing a 4 string Bottleneck Dobro. You should try, it's a blast! |
This is the Ultimate How to Build a Cigar Box
Guitar DVD.
From beginner to advanced, everything is completely
covered.
I have spent well over several hundred hours filming
and editing the most complete How to Build a cigar
box guitar DVD available. If you would to make
your won, or would like to take your guitar making
not only to the next level but far beyond to get the
sound you have always wanted in a cigar box guitar,
I will show you how and what to do, everything is
covered from start to finish, If you would like me to
send you a copy in the mail click below.
This DVD is from A to Z, the complete start to finish
of building of cigar box guitars. Full of many secrets
that can only be found on a Red Dog Guitar...listen
to the guitars on this site and you will hear why they
have a sound that is so iconic and original. The best
part is you too can build a guitar just like the ones on
this website with this DVD.
Guitar DVD.
From beginner to advanced, everything is completely
covered.
I have spent well over several hundred hours filming
and editing the most complete How to Build a cigar
box guitar DVD available. If you would to make
your won, or would like to take your guitar making
not only to the next level but far beyond to get the
sound you have always wanted in a cigar box guitar,
I will show you how and what to do, everything is
covered from start to finish, If you would like me to
send you a copy in the mail click below.
This DVD is from A to Z, the complete start to finish
of building of cigar box guitars. Full of many secrets
that can only be found on a Red Dog Guitar...listen
to the guitars on this site and you will hear why they
have a sound that is so iconic and original. The best
part is you too can build a guitar just like the ones on
this website with this DVD.
| If you would like me to send a copy of this DVD to you in the mail, I will mail it worldwide anywhere click here |
| Flash ahead almost a 100 years...early rock pioneers were still doin' it! Homemade is cool! |
well, there is 3 nagavation choices below, be
sure to check them all out..and wait for the
pages to load...there's alot of photos on them
all!
sure to check them all out..and wait for the
pages to load...there's alot of photos on them
all!
| The truth is they are just as much fun to build as to play! If you want to try to make your own cigar box guitar, I will post this DVD link here |