Darren Brown - Cigar Box Guitars

[John 2]

Came across Darren Brown in a place called Halls Harbour near Digby NS. He makes, sells and plays guitars made from cigar boxes in his Canning workshop and since starting this as a hobby, has now developed a world wide business. He had just completed the model he is playing in image 1 as a bespoke commission for a US client. It was an interesting conversation and one of those occasions when I wish I had resorted to video because he was also quite and instrumentalist when it came to playing. He takes pride in the fact that he has effectively revived what was a cottage industry in the day when people hadn't the money or resources to make music on anything other than instrument manufactured from whatever came to hand. He has a limited output due to the difficulty in obtaining cigar boxes and he's not prepared to have them specially made because that would destroy the whole ethos of keeping a heritage activity alive. A fascinating half hour and he was quite happy for me to snap away. Image 1 is mono because some of the reflected light was a bit of a pain in terms of colour but also because I'm fond of mono. Image 2 shows some of his products. Both available light hence the high ISO.

Fuji X plus 18-55mm lens at ISO 2500
1.


2.

[Shadowman]

I've heard the sound that comes from those, almost made me buy one even though I don't even play. Nice captures.

[IzzieK]

John (2) -- what a wonderful find!!! I used to have a lot of Cuban cigar boxes that I bought whenever we go to Cedar Key, Florida for $5 a pop just because I like the smell of cigar...and no I do not smoke. I can't buy them anymore since the restaurant I got them from burned. His work is amazing...beautiful...and odd.

Those masks all over his place also makes a good topic. All nicely done photographically. I like the expression of the mask on the left side (his right side) as he plays his guitar. T'would be nice to own one of them guitars.

John (Shadowman) when I read your post, I immediately thought "really? that good???"

[Stagecoach]

Interesting set John, what a great craft to keep going.

[Craigie]

A good story along with two good images.
I believe that Seasick Steve (an old American blues/folk singer) has a couple of guitars very similar, which he made himself and still uses, not made out of cigar boxes but made out of other kind of boxes.

[bnnrcn]

Both nice images John , I like the conversion in #1

[rpcrowe]

I really like everything about #1. #2 is nice but, #1 tops it!

[Mike Buckley]

Wonderful environmental portrait! Love the toning!

[Dave Humphries]

I was initially thinking the cigar boxes were metal and wondered how awful that should sound, then I realised they are basically wooden, so it makes more sense.

Interesting thread and subject.

PS
Anyone else, in UK especially, read this as Derren Brown? (arguably a 'famous' hypnotist)

Dang, that man's inside my head!

[madcrow]

I can't say I ever heard of him but your story and images have brought him alive, thanks.

[John 2]

Thanks all for your comments.

Izzie, oddly enough, I seem to remember Florida as one of his sources of cigar boxes because he complained about the shipping cost.

[IzzieK]

Simply because Cuba is just across a swim away from the waters of Florida.

[John 2]

Makes sense Izzie.

[FootLoose]

I like the first shot particularly, John. Good toning, good DoF, and good composition.

[John 2]

Thanks Greg.