Black and white photo of a group of musicians with rudimentary musical instruments.

The Roots of American Music: Crafting Sound from Everyday Objects

The cigar box guitar holds a unique place in the history of American music, emerging as a symbol of ingenuity and self-expression. Its origins trace back to the mid-19th century, when economic hardship and limited access to factory-made instruments led musicians, particularly in rural and impoverished communities, to create their own. Using empty cigar boxes for the body, broom handles or sticks for the neck, and wire or screen for strings, these homemade instruments became a creative outlet for many.


These rudimentary guitars found their way into the heart of Americana music, especially the blues, which developed in the Deep South during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Blues musicians, often sharecroppers or laborers, used cigar box guitars and similar handmade instruments to craft their raw, emotional sound. This DIY approach to music-making reflected their resilience and resourcefulness, turning everyday objects into tools for storytelling and cultural expression.

Black and white photo of a jug band. There is a guitar player, someone playing a jug and a man dancing.

Other inexpensive or homemade instruments also played significant roles in American folk, country, and blues music. The diddley bow, a one-stringed instrument often nailed to a plank of wood, served as a precursor to slide guitar techniques in blues. Similarly, jugs, washboards, and washtub basses became staples in jug bands, blending rhythm and melody in inventive ways. Even simple items like spoons or bones were repurposed as percussion instruments, creating lively, syncopated rhythms.


These creations not only democratized music but also influenced the sounds that shaped America’s musical identity. From the blues to early country and jug band music, these humble instruments carried the voices of the marginalized and underscored the creativity born out of necessity. Today, cigar box guitars and their kin are celebrated for their historical significance and the authentic, gritty tones they bring to roots music, keeping the spirit of innovation and tradition alive.


Here at BoxAmps, we honor this legacy by crafting unique, handcrafted amplifiers and audio equipment that celebrate the ingenuity and creativity of these musical pioneers.

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