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Cigar Box Fiddles have been known since the Civil War.
Wooden cigar boxes had entered commerce by the middle of the 19th century,
and provided ready material for the musician who did not have access to a store
bought instrument.
Most cigar box instruments have been a handy substitute for the real thing,
made by musicians, not luthiers. Consequently, most historic examples are of poor,
homespun quality. Usually, they have been discarded as soon as a
"real" instrument was available.
Cigar boxes became available on the mid 19th century as the railroads
expanded, and tobacco growers and cigar makers in the Southeast were able to
ship their goods around the country. The large wholesale case of cigars was
replaced with the retail size and counter top display boxes.
These cigar boxes were usually made of wood, and most often made of Cedar.
Cedar is an aromatic wood that preserved the cigars and added a pleasant odor.
As it happens, Cedar is also an excellent wood for stringed instrument
instrument tops.
Many Talented Musicians Started with Cigar Box Instruments.
Many still play them.
For Example:
Blind Willie Johnson, Lightnin' Hopkins, Charlie Christian, Carl Perkins, Jimi
Hendrix, George Benson, Roy Clark, Buddy Guy, Big Bill Broonzy, Eddie Lang, Josh
White, Sleepy John Estes.
Currently, there is a lot of interest
in antique and new Cigar Box Instruments.  You
might want to visit the following resources:
Scotty's Cigar Box
Guitars web site. More information on cigar box music than you'll
find in any one place on the web. Join the Revolution! His web site is www.CigarBoxGuitars.com
(plural).
Louisiana's
Living Traditions, a Creole Exhibit Artifact. Here is a photo of a
vintage creole box fiddle presented by the Louisiana Division of the arts, a
state agency. Can you imagine the fine music this one made?
This is a field with growing interest. Join in!
My inspiration is to create modern cigar box fiddles
as
the highest quality playable musical instruments that I am able.
The essential dimensions of a full sized, classical violin are observed. Bass
bar and sound post are installed in the body. Good quality boxes are selected.
High quality materials made to modern design are incorporated. These instruments
are gently humorous and unpretentious. They are also rock solid, well made and
good players.
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