WORLD'S LONGEST-RUNNING
CIGAR BOX GUITAR
MUSIC FESTIVAL
LIMITED EDITION CBG
This is a unique opportunity to own a piece of history! We are commemorating the World’s Longest-Running Cigar Box Guitar Festival with a limited edition, 22nd Anniversary, three-string cigar box guitar. Only 10 of these guitars were built by artist, Jeff Mello cbg luthier and owner of The Cigar Box Guitar Store.
Guitar #1 will be given away in a drawing at the Benefit Concert on Sunday, May 31, 2026. The remaining guitars are $390 each with the proceeds going to the Microwave Dave Music Education Foundation. You can make one your own by reserving here, visiting The Cigar Box Guitar Store at Studio 106 in Lowe Mill A&E in person or contacting us. Guitars can be shipped anywhere in the U.S.
To celebrate 22 years of cigar box guitar festivities in Huntsville, Alabama, luthier Jeff Mello has designed this three-string CBG as a subtle tribute to local Blues legend Microwave Dave, who passed away earlier this year. Dave was a mainstay at the World's Longest-Running Cigar Box Guitar Festival and the charity this event raises money for was named in his honor. The body of the CBG features an acrylic pickguard of the iconic overalls that Dave wore with a humbucker pickup accented by chrome. The 25" scale neck is made from hard ambrosia maple and features Dave's iconic aviator-style sunglasses as fret markers. Chrome corners as well as volume and tone control knobs complete the look.
Other notes on construction and finishing details:
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The fretboard features medium height fret wire. Wood surfaces are sealed with 3 coats of acrylic lacquer, smoothed with #0000 steel wool, waxed and polished for a silky feel.
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A Delrin string guide and jumbo size zero fret wire establish the nut position.
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Strings are at .5” spacing and tuned to open G (GDg).
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To protect internal wiring from breakage from transit and usage shock and vibration, all soldering is performed to industrial IPC workmanship standards. All interconnections are made with shielded cable. Solder joints are covered with silicone to provide strain relief.