Perry County
Handcrafted
Cigar Box Guitars
Discussing where his idea to make cigar box
guitars began, Robert said “I originally saw similar instruments in Gatlinburg,
Tennessee and on the Blue Ridge Parkway…and… bought a how-to book”. He was
inspired when he saw two musicians expertly play handcrafted instruments similar
to his.
Robert’s guitars are crafted in his
workshop, mostly in the summer, with hand tools. He visualizes a finished piece
in his mind. His materials include: used
cigar boxes; hardwoods; found items; new tuners and strings, and electronic
components. Each of the necks and frets are hand carved and hand sewn.
Normally, each instrument is completed in twenty to thirty hours
Many of Robert’s family members are
creative. His father-in-law and his mother both paint; he also writes mystery
novels; and his two oldest daughters are also creative writers, painters, and
make homemade books. He said when working on a project he enjoys “getting lost
in it. With writing, it is almost as if the story is being told to me.”
When asked how living in the Black Belt has
influenced him, he said, “There is an almost tangible sense of culture and
heritage here. I have difficulty showing my work to others, but here it is more
comfortable to share.”