Smoky Blues Guitars are all hand made Cigar box style guitars and are suited to anyone from the experienced players right down to beginners. We make them in varied configurations from a 1 string Diddly Bow style to the popular 3 and 4 string open tuned guitars. Each guitar is unique to itself and no two guitars are made the same, they are all one offs.
Smoky Blues Guitars are made in several different styles in both electric and acoustic, some using plywood sound boxes, some from recycled timbers and motor spirit crates, others with repurposed tins etc.
We use as many recycled timber and parts as we can locate, from old crates, hardwood jetty timbers, demolished farm sheds and second hand timber yards. These timbers are well seasoned so are very stable and add to the unique look and sound each guitar produces. Our necks are generally made from a Jarrah centre with laminated Tasmanian oak for inherent strength using timber such as Jarrah, Redgum or other hardwood for the fretboards.
HISTORY
CIGAR BOX GUITARS FIRST EMERGED DURING THE AMERICAN CIVIL WAR.
THEY WERE USUALLY BUILT FROM ANYTHING THAT COULD BE SCAVENGED.
CIGAR BOXES, BROOMSTICKS AND FENCING WIRE WERE POPULARLY USED.
DURING THE GREAT DEPRESSION, THE USAGE OF THE “CIGAR BOX GUITAR” TOOK OFF BECAUSE OF THE FACTS THAT THE PARTS WERE CHEAP AND EASILY FOUND.
SEE SMOKY BLUES GUITARS