Ukulele News – Page 10

Guest Post: Cigar Box Ukuleles with Jon Spencer

Editor's Note: So, on Twitter I was contacted by a friend who's husband makes Cigar Box Ukuleles and, let me tell you, he takes it pretty seriously. After seeing some of his Cigar Box Ukuleles (or CBUs, as he often calls them), I asked him to write a guest post and he happily obliged me. You should also know that he makes custom cigar box ukuleles (and mandolins, dulcimers, guitars, etc) and he's currently taking orders. I'm also trying to convince him to sell some on ebay. But, for the time being, if you want one, you should contact him at "cornfed-groove at hotmail.com". (Just replace the " at " with the @ symbol. I didn't want his e-mail to get harvested by spammer robots or something). NOTE: Jon is working on a website as well at www.cornfedgrooves.com.

I think we can all agree that it just doesn't get much better than the ukulele. Not only is it a beautiful and versatile instrument, but when you buy an ukulele, you get more than just an instrument. When you purchase a ukulele, you not only become part of a rich culture, but you become part of a family. That's my official, well-written intro...

Cigar Box Ukuleles built by Jonathan Spencer — Cigar Box Ukuleles built by Jon Spencer

Now, I wanna take a few minutes to talk to you about cbu's...that is cigar box ukuleles. Cbu's are the bomb! Not only can you have a great sounding instrument, but you can have a really cool, off-the-beaten-path piece of rustic American culture. Take all the glory of Hawaii in one hand, the historic wonderment of American music in the other, then put your hands together...you'll find that what is born is the raw, screaming beauty of brand new cigar box ukulele.

I own a lot of nice instruments... acoustic guitar, electric guitar, mandolin, banjo, ukulele, mountain dulcimer, strumstick, congas, bongos, djembe, harmonicas, and Irish whistle. The point is that despite all these great instruments, and except for my guitar (which I get paid for), I never play them. Anyway, there is something really tasty about the old-skool flavor of a quality homemade instrument. Although they aren't professionally manufactured, if made well, they can be comparable to a good manufactured ukulele in both volume and tone.

I've made a lot of cigar box instruments: ukuleles, mandolins, stick dulcimers, 3 and 4 string guitars (some with magnetic pickups), even a one string cigar box diddly bow...but the ukulele is my favorite. Everyone has a different style or twist, from the hack hobbyist to the aspiring luthier, and although some are better than others, you have to appreciate people's love of music. A lot of people buy old ukes, using the tuners, bridge and various parts while bolting the neck onto the box...this is a great way to start. Yet with basic tools, a little money, and some extra effort, you can make everything except the box. Myself for instance, I craft the entire neck, headstock, make my own fretted fingerboard, electronics, etc. There are a lot of variables in building, and because of that, like traditional ukes, cbu's range in price and quality.

It is my opinion that everyone should own a cigar box instrument whether they make it or purchase it from a craftsman. Cbu's can be great instruments with unique style. They make amazing conversation pieces and if you got the guts, I imagine they'll always love you at the local Cracker Barrel!

If anyone is interested, I am always taking orders on ukuleles and other instruments. I also teach classes on how to do make them, and I am even willing to travel! Being laid off for 9 months has afforded me the opportunity to travel to scratch a few dimes together. I offer this class for free to whomever can host and provide a few paying students. You can contact me for further details.

Ukulele Jugband Motown?

Whenever I have one of these moments, I'm reminded of that Simpsons episode where Mo turns the bar into Moe's Family Feedbag restaurant. It's decorated like an Applebees or something (you know, with all the junk on the walls) and Marge says, "An Alligator wearing sunglasses? Now I've seen everything!"

Well Marge, you haven't seen Ukulele Dick and his Jugband doing Motown covers. Yup, you sure haven't.

Ok. Now you have, but imagine what they sound like! Personally, I'd love to hear the bass line to "My Girl" played out of a jug!

From "Stop In The Name of Jug" over at metrosantacruz.com.

What kind of Ukulele Player are you?

So, I have some pretty strong opinions on this subject, so please forgive me if I offend. I'm definitely getting grouchier as I age. Anyway, for those who don't know I'm a fairly recent ukulele convert (last 5-6 years or so). I've been playing bass and guitar since I was in the 7th grade, but I'm self-taught. So, my style is weird and I wouldn't say that I'm technically great, by any means.

However, I am a pretty decent bass player and I enjoy playing bass. I also play my bass with my fingers and I have pretty strong opinions on that subject. For example, I don't think slapping is ever okay and if you play with a pick then your tone better be super tough. Well, I guess Flea gets a pass, but that's about it. And, by tough, on the picking style, I mean like Kim Gordon, Brian Ritchie or Kim Deal tough. Not Nu Metal tough.

So, being a bass player first, I actually play guitar like a bass. That is to say, I don't use a pick. I strum with my fingers and I play single notes by plucking with my fingers. It's weird, but I've been doing it for too long to go back. Anyway, I'm just giving you some information so you can put the rest of my crazy rant into context.

BEGIN CRAZY RANTS:

1) I distrust attractive musicians. To me, music is what you get into if you are sort of weird and goofy looking, yet you still want to meet girls (or boys, or whathaveya). Attractive people don't need the extra help. This is our thing! Go back to writing bad poetry and modeling. For example, when I first heard The Apples in Stereo, I envisioned them as a bunch of really pretty boys and I hated them. Then I saw a picture of the band (cause they are pretty goofy looking) and I fell head-over-heels in love.

2) I value honesty and enthusiasm over competency and technique any day. So, while I appreciate someone who is incredibly skilled, like Jake Shimabukuro. I would much rather see an awkward teenage kid play an original song on Youtube. Two examples: The Robot Song by The Scribbles and Kazookeylele Version 2. I'm not saying I want music to be played poorly, I'm just saying I appreciate original thought more. Also, it's probably a sour grapes deal because, while I can write some goofy fun songs, I'll never be able to play like Jake Shimabukuro.

I thought I had another rant here, but I got distracted by a squirrel and lost my train of thought. I guess what I'm saying is that I sort of believe that music should be fun. Both for the listener and the performer. Especially, if you are playing a ukulele. I sort of frown on ukulele "shredding". That's what guitars are for. Again.. sour grapes, I guess. What do y'all think?

Cigar Box Ukuleles (WTF?)

So, I got a tweet from PedroFFerrai asking, "Cigar box uke? Wtf?" WTF, indeed, my friend. I hadn't heard about cigar box guitars or ukuleles until I read it in this issue of Make Magazine (which is an incredible magazine, by the way).

Make, Volume 4: Technology on Your Time (Make: Technology on Your Time) (Paperback)

Then, just a few weeks later I see a guy selling them at the local farmer's market. I bought my first one for $99 and it's a real beauty. Here's some pictures of her:

The details are my favorite thing about this guitar. For example, both the bridge and the nut are made from elk bone. The fret markers are 22 shell casings. Oh shoot! I didn't take a picture of the input jack. Yup, that's right. There is a piezo in there so you can plug it into your amp. It's not an awesome sound, but you can still make it pretty fun. I'll upload a video of it soon.

So, some weeks later I'm at a show and I see a guy playing a cigar box guitar that's similar to mine by the amplified sound is really great! I talk to him and it turns out that the fella that made my first cigar box guitar has taken it up a notch. He's getting pickups hand wound for him now. So, of course, I had to get another one commissioned. I think it was like $250 and here's some pictures of it:

This one isn't technically a cigar box guitar because it's made of old barn wood. The tuners are recycled from some old broken guitar I think. All in all, it's a real beauty, but I'm still working on the tuning for it. It has a floating bridge that I can never seem to get where I want it. Also, the guy that makes these guitars is more of an outdoorsman type and not so much of a luthier. So, they are pretty rugged and rustic. But, I like the challenge of playing them. It makes you feel like you should be in the Mississippi Delta and also blind (possibly considering selling your soul at the crossroads and whatnot).

So, you want one of these buy you don't want to buy the Make Magazine. Well, for heaven's sake, don't just buy the magazine to learn how to make the guitar (although, if you like fun projects and general nerdiness, then you really should subscribe, it's my favorite magazine!).

Check out some of these links:

Get building!

Youngsters and their Big ukulele band!

So, a few weeks back I read an article about kids making their own ukuleles from an old margarine tub and a piece of wood. I believe one of my British twitter friends turned me on to it. When I remember their name, I'll mention it here. Anyway, it sounds like the six month project is finally complete and the kids had their performance! Huzzah!

From the Evening Telegraph's article, Big ukulele band is utterly brilliant, comes this picture and quote:

The performance in Willow Place, Corby, was the result of six months of work under the Corby Ukulele project across the Corby area, getting youngsters to create their own instruments from a piece of wood and an old margarine tub.

I LOVE IT!