Junkyard Jam Band book review – Geeky Musical Instrument Awesomeness

Junkyard Jam Band book by David Erik Nelson

The quick glance: This book is chock-full of new and exciting instrument plans. The homemade microphone (plastic cup + piezo disk + Slinky toy) blew my mind. Buy this for a teenager instead of a video game. Cigar box guitar builders will love this.

The full review:

David Erik Nelson is back with his latest geeky projects book…and this one’s a winner. Junkyard Jam Band features sixteen different musical instrument projects and each one is thoughtfully presented in a very easy-to-follow writing style. Here’s the official trailer for the book:

Let me first say that I own a LOT of how-to books for musical instruments. I devour them and love to get inspired. Nelson’s book is different than most, though because he’s making the ‘geeky’ type of instruments… circuit bent toys, ‘glitch’ instruments and even a “Scratchbox’ that’s made from old tape decks. It’s wonderfully bizarre stuff.

My biggest thrill about this book is how Nelson makes electronics so understandable to luddites like myself. He wants everyone to be able to wield a soldering iron like a pro and he’s gonna take the necessary steps to show us how. This book inspired me to go out and purchase a nicer Radio Shack soldering iron and really get into making my own circuits. I never thought I’d be doing this…but here I am.

Oh…before I forget: this is an awesome book to buy for a teenager. Nelson is a former teacher who knows how to explain the physics behind each project without boring us.

Highly recommended. 4 stars.

Junkyard Jam Band by David Erik Nelson (2015 No Starch Press) $24.99

 

Vintage Video: Homemade Drum Kit being played in 1928 New Orleans

Spasm Band Drummer - Kokomo JoeSpasm bands were a big part of New Orleans’ turn-of-the-century music scene. Cigar box guitars, fiddles and washtub basses all made regular appearances in the pool halls and on the street corners of the city, and played a role in the development of Jazz music! In fact, the first known use of the term “jazzy” to describe a musical performance was printed in reference to one of these spasm bands!

Homemade drum kits, like the one shown in this video, laid down the rhythmic backbones of these rag-tag groups. This video shows a young man, thought to be Kokomo Joe (a long-time street performer in the French Quarter), giving his homemade kit quite a workout.

Music always finds a way to come out!

See the video and learn more about spasm bands here.

The Fascinating World of Ed Stilley’s Guitars

In the pantheon of great guitar makers, Ed Stilley’s work stands alone like a castaway on its own musical island. Imperfect, bizarre and some even un-tunable to the modern equal temperament scale, his crudely made stringed instruments would make the most adventurous guitar collector shudder. Continue reading “The Fascinating World of Ed Stilley’s Guitars”

The Latest Cigar Box Nation Newsletter

Every week, the guys over at CigarBoxNation.com put together a newsletter featuring the best stuff from CBN – instruments of the day, the best discussions and forum posts, videos and more. This week’s newsletter is extra special, as it announces the winners of the Halloween Build Contest! Browse on over and check it out.

If you are new to Cigar Box Nation, consider signing up! CBN is the online home and nerve center of the cigar box guitar and homemade/handmade music movements, and a repository of almost 7 years’ worth of how-to info, uploaded photos and videos and other great content.

The Who’s Who of Cigar Box Guitar Performers

Samantha FishWe have been busy compiling the definitive database of performing musicians from around the world who regularly incorporate Cigar Box Guitars and other homemade/handmade instruments into their stage acts. Check out the first 13 entries here!

This is a work in progress and we have more artists to add, so don’t panic if you don’t see your favorite CBG musician yet! Also please note that this list is limited to musicians who are actively touring or frequently performing public shows in front of live audiences (including busking).

“Self Medication” – New Blues Album from One Hand Dan featuring Homemade Instruments

Untitled-1The new album “Self Medication” from One Hand Dan Russell on C. B. Gitty Records is a rich collection of deep, swampy blues steeped in the mud and heat of the Mississippi delta. Dan joined up with a seasoned group of musicians to create this studio album, laying down his unique, energetic vocal style over their solid and smooth bluesy backup. Dan added his own instrumental flare as well, playing a range of handmade and homemade instruments, including cigar box guitars and license plate guitars.

You can listen to sample tracks and buy the album in MP3 form on CDBaby.com via this link. It is also available from iTunes, Spotify and many other digital music providers.

You can learn more about Dan and his unique story from his entry in our Who’s Who of Cigar Box Guitar Performers.