Making Poor Man’s Guitars: Cigar Box Guitars, the Frying Pan Banjo and Other DIY Instruments (Fox Chapel Publishing) Step-by-Step CBG Projects, Interviews, and Authentic Stories of American DIY Music

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(as of Dec 03, 2025 05:28:22 UTC – Details)

In Making Poor Man’s Guitars, Shane Speal, the “King of the Cigar Box Guitar,” shows you how to build amazing musical instruments from found items!

Learn how to build cigar box guitars and other musical instruments from found itemsStep-by-step instructions and over 300 photosThe history of cigar box guitars and the golden age of blues and jazzIntroduction from the New Orleans Museum of JazzAuthor Shane Speal, an active roots music performer, is recognized as the creator of the modern cigar box guitar movement and known as the “King of the Cigar Box Guitar”

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!

From the brand

Who is Fox Chapel Publishing?

Fox Chapel Publishing makes illustrated non-fiction books, magazines, patterns, and videos for craft, hobby, and do-it-yourself enthusiasts.

We inspire and inform readers who enjoy woodworking, needlework, pyrography, home and garden, cooking, crafting, and more!

What makes our books unique?

Fox Chapel Publishing books are distinguished by gorgeous color photography, detailed step-by-step instructions, and superb production values.

Our authors include Brian Baumgartner, Lora Irish, Bob Flexner, and many others who are celebrated in their fields!

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Publisher ‏ : ‎ Fox Chapel Publishing
Publication date ‏ : ‎ October 8, 2018
Edition ‏ : ‎ First Edition
Language ‏ : ‎ English
Print length ‏ : ‎ 176 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1565239466
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1565239463
Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 2.31 pounds
Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 8.1 x 0.4 x 10 inches
Best Sellers Rank: #154,769 in Books (See Top 100 in Books) #15 in Banjos (Books) #27 in Electric Bass & Guitar Songbooks #256 in Guitars (Books)
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