Shane Speal's Snake Oil Band harmonica player, Derick Kemper is back in the spotlight with Man At Arms: Reforged, the Youtube blacksmithing show.  Kemper is a master blacksmith who operates Damsel Fly Forge in Fawn Grove PA and is a member of the Man At Arms: Reforged cast.  

In these short, 3-part episodes, Kemper and the gang create an ungodly large weapon from the video game, Lost Ark.  This photo shows how it took two people just to wield the weapon when it was done.

Shane Speal's Snake Oil Band is currently on hiatus as we build a bigger, more theatrical concert experience.  In the meantime, enjoy Derick and his shenanigans as he builds the Berserker Sword below.  

Episode 1

Episode 2

Episode 3

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I'm continuing my series on classic blues songs arranged for cigar box guitar with this fantastic song by the great RL Burnside.  "Nine Days in Jail" was originally released on his album, My Black Name A-Ringin' and has that signature North Mississippi groove to it.

They call him "the king of the cigar box guitar." Shane Speal, an avid cigar smoker, guitar player, woodworker, and author, is not only building some of the best cigar box guitars, he's also serving-up a lesson in American history. Working out of his modest backyard shed in York, PA Shane takes pride in recreating the "poor man's guitar," which dates back to the turn of the 20th century.    ...Read more and see the full video

I am proud to announce my brand new 3-string signature sets from CBGitty.com.  The strings come in either acoustic or electric and are the same exact gauges I use in every concert.  TUNINGS:  Each string pack also includes my tuning guide, allowing you to take your cigar box guitar from an Open G to jazz, Hawaiian and even dirty blues tunings. 

By Shane Speal.  This article was originally posted in my Guitar World column.

Have you ever bought a guitar slide and had intentions of ripping new leads with it, only to discover when you get home that it’s damn near impossible to use? 

I’ve been there, too. 

Playing slide guitar, well, takes a little dedication in practice, but also in the way you set up your gear, too. 

Here’s a quick rundown of five roadblocks that might be keeping you from sliding: 

Playing badass blues licks ain't hard... Here's an easy lesson to get you grindin' on the back porch. Tuning: GDG. 

Every slide guitarist has a signature tremolo.  Here's how you can start to get yours.  Remember to only wobble half a fret away from your starting note!  Grab a Stubby Slide and watch the video below...

LET'S MANGLE THE OPEN G TUNING AGAIN!!!  Let's retune just one string and make the fretboard FRESH.  This is a G major tuning, a tin pan alley version of the blues tuning.  If you're in Open G, simply retune the middle string down to a B.  That's it!     

Check out the Susquehanna Folk Festival at http://julyfolkfest.org .  I'll be performing there on Saturday, July 28. 

Shirts and slides at http://stubbyslide.com 

Have you been playing the same licks over and over again?  Let's retune just one string and make the fretboard FRESH again.  This is the G7 tuning, a jazzy version of the blues tuning.  If you're in Open G, simply retune the high string down to an F.   

Check out the Susquehanna Folk Festival at http://julyfolkfest.org .  I'll be performing there on Saturday, July 28. 

Shirts and slides at http://stubbyslide.com 

Shane Speal official:  http://shanespeal.com

This is the exercise you'll need to develop a deep blues fingerpicking style on 3-string cigar box guitar. I break it down into a very simple rhythm. Play it at your own pace, but always play it with rhythm! The better you get, the more this will become part of your musicianship.