Cigar Box Guitar

Name/Title

Cigar Box Guitar

Entry/Object ID

1998.1.2

Description

In 1800's America, musical instruments were expensive to the average person, but creative folks taught themselves to build their own. Because of the popularity of cigars, these small wooden boxes were plentiful in many households and creative folks started using them for instruments. Because cigar box and fiddles were inexpensive to make, they were essential in the rise of blues. This four-string handmade cigar box guitar was crafted by Blues musician Michael Avery from Alamo, Tennessee. This cigar box seen here would have been similar to the one mad by Sleepy John when he was 12 years old.

Made/Created

Artist

Michael Avery

Time Period

20th Century

Location

Building

Last Home of Sleepy John Estes