After months of development, we proudly present the 2x4 Lap Steel Kit - featuring all the parts and instructional poster suitable for framing. Just add your own scrap 2x4!
Just a spare 2x4 and this parts kit will get you playing in no time. The parts contained and the instructions will have you making a lap steel guitar good enough for stage and studio.
Anyone with a basic knowledge of woodworking can create the 2x4 lap steel. A circular or band saw, drill and soldering iron are the basic tools needed.
Have you added your latest project to our website? You can now include multiple photos and even video demos. Here's just three that have been added recently:
For a while now, I have been working on finding ways to help my homeless friend Connan down in New Orleans. A couple of weeks ago, I decided to auction this guitar off and donate the proceeds his apartment fund. During that period, we also started a GoFundMe fundraiser to help our friend Dan Sleep, who is fighting pancreatic cancer. Dan helped run Cigar Box Nation for years and has been a huge part of the cigar box guitar movement over the year, giving generously of his time and expertise.
T
he auction for this guitar wrapped up on Monday, April 10 at a very respectable $340.00. Unfortunately the winning bidder had an emergency come up and wasn't able to follow through on payment, so I did a "second chance" offer to the #2 bidder... who happened to be a good friend of mine (who has asked to remain anonymous). This morning I received notice that he had paid for the guitar. In the e-mail, he asked that I give the money he paid for the guitar to Connan...
But then he asked something I did not expect: he asked me to keep the guitar, and start a new auction for it... but this time, to donate the proceeds to Dan's fundraiser. >>Read more...
Mike Mayer re-creates One String Sam's diddley bow, electrifies it with our Lipstick Tube pickup
One String Sam was a Detroit street performer who recorded one 45 record in the late 1950's, I Need $100 / My Baby Ooh. Sam played an unusual one-string diddley bow crafted from scrap wood and junk guitar parts. (Search Youtube to hear his music.)
Diddley bow musician, Mike Mayer created a faithful tribute to Sam's axe...right down to the broomwire used for a string. Mayer chose to electrify it with our Lipstick Tube pickup, mounted vertically along the broomwire's path. He used a tuna can to house the volume knob and output jack, giving the instrument a true DIY aesthetic.
The diddley bow is pictured beside an actual One String Sam concert poster from 1973. The instrument was graciously given to Shane Speal. Speal plans on displaying it as part of his Cigar Box Guitar Museum at Speal's Tavern in New Alexandria, PA.
