Upcycling never sounded so good! Huntsville’s Cigar Box Guitar Store—the only one of its kind in the country—lets you build a piece of musical history at home. The design of the cigar box guitar hasn’t changed much since its origins in the 1800s. Back then, clever musicians crafted the simple instruments from empty cigar box packaging, broomsticks, and strings.
The shop’s kits are designed so even those of us who are all thumbs will be strumming in no time. There’s no drilling or cutting required, and the kits even include the screwdriver.
Schedule private or group classes, or pop into the shop on Saturdays for free music lessons. True aficionados make the pilgrimage to Huntsville in late May for the world’s longest-running cigar box guitar festival, which celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2024. At-home kits, $125, plus shipping.