Pappy's CBGs

09/09/2025

I know this week's episode is a day late however, if you are interested - Check Out the latest issue of the Suitcase Sessions Podcast where I interview Jack Bensema of Scrapgrinder Guitars. If you like what you hear, why not hit the subscribe button and follow us for each episode.

In this episode, I had the privelage of interviewing Jack Bensema from Manhattan, Illinois while at the US 10 Cigar Box Guitar Festival.  Jack is an excellent builder and his cigar box guitar vending booths is one of the best setups around th...

08/21/2024

For those of you following my Cigar Box Guitar Podcast "The Suitcase Sessions", you won't want to miss this episode! I put Chris behind the mic and camera to get her insights and thoughts from her unique perspective as a wife to a builder. We had a lot of fun, laughed a lot and enjoyed talking about her thoughts on Antiquing & Dumpster Diving, Visits To My Shop, The CBG Community, Her Favorite Builds, Why I'm Not Allowed to Make Post Surgery Purchases (while still under the influence of the anesthesia). Ha!

If you like it, let me know what you think and don't forget to "Subscribe"!

In this episode I invited my wife to give us her unique perspective on a variety of topics to include: Antiquing, Dumpster Diving, Visits To My Shop, The Peo...

08/14/2024

The Cigar Box Guitar Community is Fascinating and the individuals who build them are some of the most interesting people I have ever met.

Anthony Walker is a Giant in the community and his story is one you won't want to miss! He spent his career in Local, State and Federal Law Enforcement and no doubt was as imposing behind the badge as he is among his peers.

In this episode of the Suitcase Sessions, we catch up with Anthony at the end of a long day in his shop where he had been working to get MGB truss rods in a run of hand crafted CBG necks.

If you are enjoying the Podcast, Don't Forget to hit the "Subscribe" button!

https://youtu.be/2ImoHNQ40r0?si=nFKJlSKg5dLfkVBv

Let me know what you think in the Comments section!

In this episode I was able to sit down with Anthony Walker of Southpaw Cigarbox Guitars. Anthony lives in Blythewood, South Carolina and has a long history ...

07/31/2024

Today, the Suitcase Sessions Podcast focuses on Tom Banks, the Executive Director of the Mary G. Hardin Center For Cultural Arts. Tom is a true advocate of both Cultural and "Approachable" Arts and is proud to house and curate a permanent Cigar Box Guitar exhibit. Hearing his perspective and feeling his passion for the exhibit and his facility was contagious.

If you are watching for the 1st time, take some time to check it out along with the preceding interviews. Don't Forget to Subscribe!

In this edition, I had the privelage of interviewing Tom Banks, Executive Director of the Gadsden Cultural Arts Foundation, and the Mary G. Hardin Center for...

07/17/2024

Check out the latest interview for my Suitcase Sessions Podcast!

In this episode, I had a chance to sit down with Mark "The Harp" LeClaire. Mark LeClaire is a Cigar Box Guitar builder and performer. He is known for playing his cigar box guitars with his harmonicas and has an ability to tell stories with musical accompaniment on the fly. Here, you will learn how Boys Life Magazine and his natural curiousity led him to building his first cigar box guitar and then how his time in the U.S. Army found him carrying a harmonica into the field to pass the time. Mark is a lot of fun to watch perform and it was equally as fun to learn as much as I did from our conversation.

https://youtu.be/48Y69j04ydE?si=-29R-yJCn3ZL1ygK

Don't Forget to hit that [Subscribe] button and let me know what you think!

In this episode, I had a chance to sit down with Mark "The Harp" LeClair. Mark is a Cigar Box Guitar builder and performer. He is known for playing his cig...

09/05/2023

I recently completed #93. A 3-String Cigar Box Guitar from a Punch Gran Puro box for a customer in Florida. This particular "customer" happens to be one of my longest held Shipmates and Friends from my Navy time aboard the USS Mount Whitney (LCC-20). In fact, he accompanied me home on a 1,000 mile drive one New Years Eve, 42 years ago when I was set on being engaged to my now wife of 41+ years.

This was a Custom Acoustic build with sound holes that matched his Navy Rating Insignia for Photographer's Mate (Divergent Light Rays passing through a Lens).

On the rear of the box, I laser engraved our ships Logo and Motto (Vox Maris - Voice of the Sea). I used a Gold 3-string Bridge, Black Corner Protectors and Black, Half-moon Mechanical Tuners and an Easy Neck (all MGB high quality components).

For the headstock, I placed a matching Cigar Band just behind the nut and embedded a brass .45 cartridge representing the sidearm we carried on our Security/Watch Duty. Since it is Acoustic and will be played on long haul OTR trips, I placed 2 springs inside to ensure the sound is loud and sustained.

Dan is very happy and was kind enough to share a picture of himself with it next to his rig.

If you want a custom designed Cigar Box Guitar, drop me a message here and let's get started!

02/24/2023

I recently completed this 4 String, Jack Daniel’s Tin electric guitar with a humbucker pickup, chrome mechanical tuners with black half-moon pegs, a fretted neck with rosewood fretboard and pearl inlay markers, a black pickup cover, chrome roller bridge and knurled chrome volume and tone k***s. If you want a custom build like this, message me here or email me at [email protected] . Let’s get you fitted for a One of Kind instrument that will have your friends singing the Blues…while you smile and provide the tune. 😉

01/08/2023

Recently, I made and shipped matching Cigar Box Ukuleles to two men I met over 41 years ago aboard the USS Mount Whitney (LCC20) in Norfolk, Virginia. Vince Manno and Don Rich. We are still friends to this day! Vince Smokes Padrons and sent me the boxes some time ago. Each of the Ukuleles ( #87 & 89) have a Piezo pickup in them under the bridge and sport hardware, necks and strings from MGB Guitars in Odessa, Florida.

With any luck, we will all meet poolside in Miami this Spring where we will all catch up in person. Palm Trees, Sunsets and some Ukulele!

12/22/2021

Recently finished and delivered twin License Plate Guitars to a Vietnam Veteran who owned a local Concrete Business. These are now in the hands of his grandsons. They each have a ghosted humbucker flat pickup under the plate and a Challenge Coin for the UH-1 Helicopters inlayed into the headstock. #'s 82 and 83. If you have a specialty plate you don't want to retire but enjoy - let me know!

06/07/2021

Now that things are opening up and we are traveling more, make sure you check out the baggage claim area at Lambert International Airport in St. Louis. The National Blues Museum has transitioned a portion of their exhibit to the Airport for travelers to enjoy. One of the Cigar Box Guitars on display is a Pappy's 2-string Americana CBG named "Betsy". Make sure to check it out!

06/05/2021

This weekend 2 of Pappy's Cigar Box Guitars made their debut at the Elkhorn Valley Museum in Norfolk, Nebraska at the Strings & Things Handcrafted Musical Experience Exhibit. One is a 3 string electric historical piece depicting the 4 April 1933 Robbery of the 1st National Bank in Fairbury, Nebraska by Ma Barker's Gang. The other is a My Father's Cigar Box Ukulele I called "The Harvest". If you are up that way be sure to check them out!

01/15/2021

Help Pappy's decide on a new background for our Cigar Box Guitar Photos. Which one would You Prefer to see?

1) All White
2) All Black
3) Brick
4) Rustic Wood Planks
5) American Flag