The inspiration for this instrumental artwork came about from a fondness I have of old Western movies.
In Westerns, there was always a stage coach leaving town in a hurry, riding headlong through the dusty trails of the America’s into great peril.
The main safeguard on the stagecoach was usually a crusty old man riding “Shotgun” next to the petrified driver, replete with two barrels of “Buckshot” the only thing stopping the occupants from certain death.
The catalyst for bringing to life this Four string, Electric Cigarbox Guitar, was a supercool vintage 1973 Rico Havana blend wooden cigarbox I literally stumbled on while at a school Fair. On the sides of the box was written “Rough Rider” and I knew then that I had my own crusty “Buckshot ” toting Cigar box Guitar to make.
I inserted a four pole electric pick up made by master luthier Ted Crocker. The limited edition pickup was made using wood recycled from the demolition of the historic Hopsons Gin Mill in Clarksdale Mississippi, and contains the vibrations of a hundred years of blues music running in through its fibres.
To complement the strength of the Rough Rider cigar box I inserted in the neck a rare 1831 1/2 penny token, that details The Coat of arms of the Isle of Man. Inscribed in the Token, is a motto used by The isle of Man “Quocunque Jeceris Stabit” (Wherever you throw it, it will stand), a reference to the triskelion on the shield.
I am happy to say that when I finished this instrumental artwork, the sound, strength and quality of the complementing items inserted into the guitar, gives it an incredible look, sound and feel.
It stands out as a unique piece that along with Western’s, only get better with age.
SCALE LENGTH: GIBSON 24 ¾ 629mm
ELECTRIC, RIGHT HANDED, 19 FRET, FOUR STRING, CIGARBOX GUITAR.