Shane Speal, King of the Cigar Box Guitar

Photos

The leader of the carnival. Shane Speal fronting the World Famous Snake Oil Jug Band.

Ladies and gentlemen, we present Farmer Jon and his ELECTRIC Soul Bucket bass. You'll only find crazy things like this when you see Shane Speal's World Famous Snake Oil Jug Band.

Aaron Lewis, harmonic ace in Shane Speal's World Famous Snake Oil Jug Band

Ronn Benway, washboard wizard in Shane Speal's World Famous Snake Oil Jug Band.

"The Shane Speals" (father and son) as they're about to hit the road to Cleveland for a blues fest in 2012.

Shane Speal Jr. provides powerful bucket drumming beside his dad.

Shane's cigar box guitar tattoo. It features three of his favorite cigar box guitars.

Shane Speal and "The Jerusalem Mule" (aka Matt Borczon) performing at Speal's Tavern.

Shane's "old faithful" cigar box guitar. He's used this beat-to-hell instrument ever since he built it in 1996. It is signed by the musicians who have shared the stage with Speal.

One of my favorite pics. The Shane Speals performing at the My Rural Radio fest in 2010.

Don't ask. It was a long time ago... The mullet is long gone now.

Halftime at a Harrisburg (PA) Stampede Indoor Football game.

Filming a TV commercial.

Cheers!

Playin' on the streets of Harrisburg, PA. Note the "Shitar" behind Shane. It was built by Mike Orr.

From the Premier Guitar photo shoot using period authentic Civil War cameras. Photo by RJ Gibson Photography, Gettysburg PA

Photo by John McElligott/KM Photography, York PA

Shane's Gear

Shane Speal's #1 axe, "Old Faithful." Speal built this simple 3-string cigar box guitar in 1996 and has used it in almost every concert since.

3-string electric cigar box guitar by Tomi-O. Formerly owned by Gus Aguirre of Jug Fusion and sold to Speal in 2009. It is Speal's workhorse live 3-string slide cbg for 2010.

Reddog "Super 8" three string electric guitar. Speal has re-strung it to the same specs as Seasick Steve's 3-string Trance Wonder guitar. Speal uses this extensively in concert, including "Dancing Days" (Zep cover), "X-Ray Spex" and "Personal Jesus" (Depeche Mode cover)

Daddy Mojo "Dolorosa" model. Made as a 6-string, Speal only plays it with 5 strings. Currently in use for the 2010 tour on "Jesus Is Coming Soon," "Working Man (Rush cover)," "Trimmed and Burning" and others

Smokehouse Guitars custom 6-string electric cigar box guitar. It is strung in double courses in tunings similar to Speal's "Old Faithful." New for 2010 concert season. Speal performs ragas on this. Also currently in the studio.

RIGHT FOOT! Shane's stomper percussion box. Simply an old soda crate with old floor boards nailed to the top. A small piezo pickup is glued to the underside.

Double Neck cigar box guitar by Tomi-O. This instrument was featured in "Songs Inside the Box" when Speal joined Bobby Hamilton on stage for an impromptu set. Also used extensively with Jug Fusion.

The Mailbox Dobro built by Shane Speal. Solo on "Jesus Is Coming Soon" and others. Used extensively with Jug Fusion.

"The Holy Grail." Three string resonator Turbodiddley cigar box guitar built by Kurt Schoen. Serial Number #002. No cigar box guitar sounds as good or feels as good. Featured in "Songs Inside the Box" for Speal's raga collaborations with tiMOTHy Renner.

"Heaven and Hell" 4-string cigar box guitar by Kirk Withrow. Used on the recording "Dead Heroes Sell"

"Heaven and Hell" 4-string cigar box guitar (back view) by Kirk Withrow. Used on the recording "Dead Heroes Sell"

Dulcimer mandolin. Used on the recording, "Tunnel Rat"

Baritone uke built by Shane Speal using a Papa's Boxes kit. Box is a Macanudo Portofino Cafe (same as "Old Faithful"). Speal woodburned a scene on the top, taken from the underground comic, Walking Man.

"Uncle Enos Commemorative Reso CBG" by Pat Cook. Speal used this in his performance with the Presidents of the United States of America. Recordings: "Tunnel Rat" and others.

Lowebro acoustic lap steel by Old Lowe. Speal plays this at home but hasn't used it on recordings or in concert yet.

Lowebow with massive 34" scale. Used for the entire album, "Shane Speal and his Lowebow: B&W" and used extensively with Jug Fusion. Speal later sold it because the scale length was too hulking. He plans on buying a new Lowebow soon.

Electric 3-string cigar box guitar with a 1963 Harmony Stratotone pickup. Built by Shane in the mid 1990's and used extensively with Jug Fusion. Recordings: Guitar solo on "X-Ray Spex," "Jesus Make Up My Dyin' Bed," others. Speal sold this several years ago after retiring it from excessive abuse.