This is a website about 3 string guitars and homemade cigar box guitars.

- On this page there are guitars for sale. ( at the very bottom )

I am still here and shipping from home. Its November 2021 and I have no plans to slow down.

There is also Lesson and music DVDs I mail in the mail Worldwide

- and - if you prefer, they are available in instant Download form on this page.

I have the music and lessons in both forms,

LOOK for the checkout buttons.

This page constantly changes, I update the guitars at the bottom.

**** I also make and sell homemade 3 and 4 string guitar pickups for sale for your own builds, - if there is none, email me, I make only small batches so I list and remove them often.

If you have any questions, just email me at john@reddogguitars.com

Listening to these old forgotten sounds of the part is like taking a journey back into a time... Imagine walking through an old ghost town in the 1880s, the suspense, the mystery, the whispers that you can barley hear.

If you like old time blues music I have three different blues music albums that can be downloaded right to your computer or mailed to you. Questions or comments - email me at john@reddogguitars.com

All of the music and videos on this site are only made with cigar box guitars - No regular guitars were used or recorded.

This music is old school blues music played on homemade guitars. Have a listen - there is no singing, no band. Just Box Guitar Blues.

This is an all Delta Blues that was recorded on 3 and 4 string guitars. If you want to learn how to play old time cigar box blues yourself, the easiest way to learn is by listening to cigar box guitar music.

In early 2021, I created an old 1920s style watercolor image of a young man playing Blues on a cigar box guitar. This was art that I decided to turn into an album cover. This image became so inspiring for me to look at, I would come up with different concepts and ideas for music to record. So, I followed them and here is the record of emotions and music that Ive recorded on 3 and 4 string guitars.

- and check out those two-tone shoes hes wearing!

I even did a song about them. Them shoes a talkin Image those cool leather shoes taking a stroll down the sidewalk in a small dusty town in the deep south. Those shoes could tell a story all of their own, Juke Joints, street busking, and a whole lot a Blues.

This album has a great mix of both vintage styles from the early 1900s as well as some modern Chicago style electric Blues.

Recording this music was a labor of love. I wanted to make an album that was as close as possible to the music played from the past.

This album is $14 instant download. These mp3 songs play on any computer, phone, or digital device.

If you would like a Physical CD in the mail click here

Shipping for CDs in the mail is about 10 days

I can mail you one anywhere world wide.

A lot can be done with a homemade 3 or 4 string guitar, you can record old time blues with little effort, but you can also record modern blues styles.

These guitars have such a naturally vintage sound that doesnt require much effort to play and sound well. You can let the guitar work for you because the tone is so unique.

Three string guitars are easy to play. Blues and early slide guitar music that was played on these homemade guitars was created by people who most often could not read music. Nor did they know any music theory or what chords and keys were.

Many of them could not even read the written word!

The truth is you DO NOT need to know any math, chords, or complicated music structure to play great sounding 3 stringguitar. If the old school blues musicians of the 1880s didnt know music theory or complicated math, than neither do you.

I have recored this video to explain to you in simple terms how to play early American music from the 1880s to the 1930s on 3 string guitar. These lessons teach you in an easy to understand and effective way how to create and play Blues and Slide WITHOUT using complicated math.

I have broken down in small easy building blocks to learn step by step lessons to put together to achieve that authentic Delta Blues sound.

Watch this video, you will see that vintage Blues is easy to learn and play. Both Fretted and Slide lessons are coverd on the Video, Slide guitar is basically one finger guitar. Watch my fingers, there is not much movement, watch the entire video,

When I was in my teens, I was totally fascinated with playing the guitar. I tried to learn from many teachers.

No matter how hard I tried, I was not the type of person who could grasp, its a G chord with this note as the root....or its with a minor 7th,...or its an open F#...and so on.

I remember thinking to myself, How am I ever going to learn?

I found it too hard and frustrating to learn by looking at confusing maps or dots or watching fret board layouts using math that I didnt understand.

I just wanted to play guitar. So, I ended up spending my entire 20s and 30s studying and learning simpler forms of guitar playing such as slide and blues guitar. I learned how to play by ear. I can now teach you - in effective and SIMPLE terms how to play old school blues in a simple and easy manner and you will be able to pickup your own guitar and play riffs and music that sounds like its from the past.

If you have always wanted to learn to play old fashioned blues or you have tried to learn how to play guitar in the past but youve always failed to get the right sound, it was most likely the poor instruction that hindered you from learning. A lot of that math and science theory usually stops most people from learning guitar. You were not alone, It has happened to so many, it even happed to me in the beginning.

Flash ahead to today, I have been playing guitar for about 30 years. I have spent many years studying slide guitar, early Blues and traditional Rock. I also build and sell guitars under the name Red Dog Guitars. My history of studying and playing these type of guitars has given me a higher understanding than most people about the constrution and music of a 3 string guitar.

The first time I heard myself slide a thick steel slide down my guitar neck....I just knew right then and there that it was that sound that I wanted in my life - and as i write this, I still love these guitars just as if it was the first day I heard and saw one myself!

If you want to learn to play great old-time guitar with an authentic sound, the biggest tip for success I can share is how to hear and think in simple terms. Most of those pro Blues music teachers make it way too complicated than it ever needs to be.

In this How to Play video, there is,

NO math is involved

NO scientific music theory

NO folding and unfolding fretboard maps and wall charts

NO confusing books to balance on your knee as you try to play your guitar

This video is different. I will explain how to play guitar in clear everyday English. I offer correct explanation of the techniques, how to TUNE the guitar to get a truly authentic and vintage sound, and on your part, you will only need patience and practice.

I also show you how to set up your guitar. I like mine to sound gritty with a ruff-edged vintage type sound. I like it when the guitar is kind of scratchy and sounds. It makes the music sound like an old recording from the past.

Lets take a step back in time and listen to something vintage, then I can explain more below.

Here is something to think about,

Imagine a time long ago, and a farmer sitting in a rocking chair on the front porch after a long days work in the fields. Hes holding his old homemade guitar that hes made out of a used cigar box and some scraps of wood.

Hes just sitting there relaxing, not thinking too hard about what hes doing. Hes just strumming and playing guitar on a breezy afternoon without a care in the world. Hes having fun and entertaining himself playing sounds that his ears can enjoy....donst that sound nice?

Well if he can do it, you can too. Its just that simple.

3 string guitars are fun to play. When you learn how to play one of these guitars, you can create music that sounds so vintage you will think its from the 1890s, and that to me is worth more than much of what this material driven word has to offer. Its somthing I can both hear and feel.

If you have read this far, you also probably have the same musical desires that I do. Thanks for your time and consideration in allowing me to share with you how to play and if you have any questions email me - john@reddogguitars.com

This video is $18 instant download and Checks out thru PayPal.

It is an mp4 video that will play on any computer, phone, or digital device.

If you would like a Physical DVD in the mail click here I can ship one anywhere in the world.

This is a Delta Blues cigar box guitar music CD disc that was recorded in honor of the 3 sting guitar.

In these recordings, I wanted to record authentic Delta Blues and Bottleneck slide to sound as realistic as possible to what authentic blues sounded like in the early 1900s. No regular guitars were used to make any of this music on this album.

There is no singing, no band and no regular guitars. I wanted to create music that will take you on a journey into Americas past. Imagine walking through an old ghost town in the 1880s, the suspense and the mystery.

This album is perfect for music while doing chores, walking in the park, or to study if you want to learn vintage style 3 string guitar. Have a listen to few songs below.

This album is $14 instant download. These mp3 songs play on any computer, phone, or digital device.

If you would like a Physical CD in the mail click here

have questions ? email me at john@reddogguitars.com

Cigar box guitars are fun and easy to play, but they are also fun and simple to build.

I have filmed and editing this full lenght instruction video that will show you how and what to do to make great sounding guitars, Everything is covered from start to finish. It doesnt matter if this is your first time building, or your 10th.

Even if you already make cigar box guitars, after you study my work, you can take your guitars to the next level. This is not a basic youtube video or introductory video, this is for both the beginer and the person who wants to create and capture truly vintage style sounds from the past.

This is 2 hours of complete A to Z Cigar Box Guitar building lessons. It will show you how to build great sounding cigar box guitars.

This video will save you many hours of trying to learn on your own that you could ever get from watching random youtube videos.

This video is recorded in my shop and you will be buildings guitars along with me. It is full of many secrets that can only be found through years of experience.

I share what to do about the body, fretting and homemade fretting like a pro with basic hand tools. I cover headstocks and so much more.

If you would like to build guitars that get that old-time vintage 1880s to 1930s sound, this video will show you how I make a guitar achieve the unique tone that a Red Dog Guitar has.

....and yes, fretting a guitar neck is really easy, even if its your first time, I will show you how I do it, and all by hand.

In this I will show you more than one guitar, we will cover both the 3 and 4 string as well as homemade resonator guitars. Here is one of my typical 4 string guitars.

Build BOTH 3 and 4 string guitars

The guitar above is a wooden 4 string guitar, and here below is a vintage style road word 3 string guitar with homemade metal parts.

The parts are different than the 1884 style guitar above, but both guitars really are the same guitar as the one above. I explain how I make (or find parts.) I will show you how to see things around you and how to be artistic with your builds. This video will help you understand what I do, so you can create what inspires you.

I follow the same recipe no matter what I guitar I make, I only make them look different outside, but I always build them the same inside.

Tools and Parts Needed

We will cover all of the parts needed and the many types of homemade ideas possible. Bridges, pickups of all types, hardware etc, everything is covered and explained. You can use old guitar parts that you can buy for cheap from ebay and flea markets or get creative and make your own parts with stuff from around your house.

I cover everything in this video. This is a complete class of Cigar Box Guitar building. The wood, the boxes, different styles of necks and so much more is covered for building a great playing one of a kind guitar with great tone.

These cigar box guitars are built with just a few basic hand tools that most people have or can borrow from a friend,

a small hand saw

small hand pliers

sandpaper and wood glue

a small hand drill

pocket knife

small hammer / or rubber mallet

small screwdrivers / phillips type

a quality ruler (I prefer Metric) - Buy a steel ruler, Its the most important tool youll own and it will last a lifetime!

as you can see from the photo below you do not need much at all

The great thing about these guitars is since you DONT need power tools, its kind of liberating if you think about it. If you were to try and build regular guitars, you would need a whole shop of specialized tools, jigs and planes and endless amounts of specialized gear.

This is my work bench, its nothing fancy, just a small table and a few small hand tools, I dont like clutter and I dont own many tools, that is one reason I love these guitars, they are simple to build and the process is fun and rewarding.

Just about anyone can build one of these guitars with only a few common hand tools. That is whats so fun and interesting about them, they are simple by nature, and best part is they sound fantastic.

Go to you-tube and search cigar box guitar and check out many of the other builders, then do a comparison and search and then listen to videos made by me at Red Dog Guitars.com

Listen to the tone and sound and let your ears decide. I make mine with that old time trademark vintage sound that others cant seem to copy.- Its not difficult, but it does make a difference in the sound when you learn an receive the correct imformation.

However, that said, this is not a contest, I am not in competition with anyone. In fact I want others to do well also. I give advice freely to all that ask, the more success that people have in this hobby, the better it is for everyone involved in this hobby.

I want everyone to build a great guitar. These guitars are easy and fun to build, even if this is your first time or you have build many and just want to see how I build, this video will help you build a great sounding guitar.

I have many years of experience and I build mine in a way that is unique to me. I build guitars that have a sound all of their own.

How to Build Resonators are also covered on this video

Homemade resonator guitars are super fun and unique guitars, plus you can play one without an amplifier.

Everyone always asks me how I make my resonators look so unique and sound so crisp and vintage, so I have taken time to explain how I build them. Building a cigar box resonator guitar is much easier than you think, its a stick that runs right through the box and is cleverly anchored at the end, its just a neck thru homemade box guitar. YES the neck runs right thru the box!

There are some things I will need to show you and a few extra steps, its not harder, just a bit more time is needed to construct it.

The only difference is a metallic surface is used under the bridge to give them a trademark vintage twangy sound and tone. I will show you how I make mine, these guitars are in a class all on thier own. So much fun and they have such a unique sound.

Below is a sound sample of a homemade resonator guitar.

You can build this exact guitar below. They have sevral people who make resonator parts, covers, and the most imporat part the cone and they are for sale in many places online. They are also available in Europe and the United Kingdom.

There are many makers of resonator parts that sound great, but I also share how to use paint can lids or pot lids etc. to get that old school reso-tone. These instruments sound fantatsic playing them acoustic...but plug one in an amplifer and they just come alive!

Here below is a sound sample of a homemade resonator guitar - BUT - before you listen, find some headphones to listen to this video.

Study closely and listen to how the metalic surface of the cone gives the instrument a completely unique voice that really is a 1 of a kind sound. This video was recorede with NO amplifier...this is just a recording in the open air with a small microphone sitting right in front of me. This video is nothing but a simple homemade 3 string acoutic resonator box guitar. You can build one too.

Once again, it doesnt matter if this is your first time, or your 10th. This video will help give you many great ideas and the ability to make really awesome guitars. This video lets you peer over my shoulder and see exactly what I do. You can watch what I do and it will save you a lot of time from making costly mistakes in your work.

Thank you for your time and consideration, I really enjoyed putting this video togeheter for you to see how I build cigar box guitars.

This video is $18 instant download and Checks out thru PayPal.

It is an mp4 video that will play on any computer, phone, or digital device.

If you would like a Physical DVD in the mail click here I can ship one anywhere in the world.

This is Cigar Box Americana

This music is Southern Bottleneck Blues that has been recorded on only 3 and 4 string homemade guitars.

If you liked the movie Crossroads or the guitar playing from Ry Cooder, you will enjoy the vintage style.

To record this music, Ive played 3 string cigar box guitars, Electric Bottleneck 4 string cigar box guitars, and Cigar Box Resonator guitars. I have also used old and vintage 1960s and 70s guitar amplifiers. Some were naturally overdriven and some were setup clear as a bell. Ive also recorded with an a old vintage Pignose amp. Those little amps are perfect to record with and they produce a real primitive southern gritty sound.

The music and songs on this album are vintage and southern in flavor, perfect for study if your trying to learn early Americana or slide guitar, or just enjoy it as a relaxing way to step back in time.

If you would like a Physical DVD in the mail click here I can ship one anywhere in the world.

Below are fully built guitars that I have for sale.

These are the current guitars for sale for shipment world wide, they are not custom order.

These are finished and ready for shipment.

This section of the website is updated weekly, these guitars for sale are the exact ones in the photos.

If you have any questions, my email is john@reddogguitars.com I ship world wide Anywhere in the world safe and secure.

Theses guitars check out with Paypal. There should be a button below the photos that says By Now

There is a separate web cart that is separate than the video and music Downloads above, this section is only for the guitars for sale.

*** The shipping is Flat Rate $88.00 anywhere in the world. I ship guitars world wide and basically if you buy a guitar, as long as you have a home or buiness address, I will make sure you get the guitar safe and insured, same price - $88 anywhere in the world.

Guitar for Sale Only! - No amplifier is for Sale

This is the Old Timer 3 string guitar. These are super fun to play guitars and have a truly authentic tone and vintage sound.

I have hand drawn and etched vintage style Old Timer brand cigar label art into metal cover art for the pickup

This guitar is simple and clean. But dont let its looks fool you, its all about that old school tone!

Its painted a vintage style satin black, it looks old but it smooth to the touch and painted with a retro 1950s lacquer style automotive paint. This guitar really has a great feel in your hands, but just as important it will play Blues unlike any other guitar youve ever owned.

These 3 string guitars sound great with many types of amps, but here is a quick sound sample.

This guitar is made to plug in and play, from vintage Southern Bottleneck Blues to amped up gritty 1950s Electric Chicago-land slide guitar and everything in between. Many people have more than one guitar, but once you play this guitar, youll never want to play anything else!

Old Timer -3- String Cigar Box Guitar $985 Shipping anywhere in the world $88

email me if you have questions at john@reddogguitars.com

This is a really fun to play guitar. Its also fun to look at! This guitar is the The Bounty Hunter - 3 string guitar.

I have painted this guitar in a satin vintage royal blue that looks like it from the 1950s. This is a super fun to play guitar and a super delight to hold in your hands. The pickup cover is all hand drawn and etched into the wooden pickup cover and it gives this instrument a vintage feel and look that youll never get tiredseeing, it will make your eyes happy for many years to come!

This guitar is made to plug in and play those Old School Blues, hey its Blue!

from vintage Blues to amped up Electric slide guitar and everything in between, this guitar can play the bLueZ : )

This guitar check out thru Paypal. - If you have any questions email me at john@reddogguitars.com

Bounty Hunter -3- String Cigar Box Guitar $965 Shipping anywhere in the world $88

This is the Indian -3- String guitar. This guitar will have such an impact on anyone who sees it, and plug it in and youll step so far back in time youll never want to come back. The color is a colonial burgundy and it feels satin smooth to the touch.

It has such a vibrant paint job...this is one of my favorites!

This is vintage stlye hand lettering that Ive drawn and etched deeply into the wooden pickup cover. This guitar is one of a kind and has such a great presence in your hands, but its not for looking at...plug it in and youll get lost in those sounds of the past.

Indian -3- String Cigar Box Guitar $985

Shipping anywhere in the world $88

Indian -3- String Cigar Box Guitar $985 Shipping anywhere in the world $88

If you have any questions, email me at john@reddogguitars.com

Beans fer Breakfast???

Thanks for giving me the opportunity to share my music and videos with you. I am a guy who is just super passionate about the hobby of homemade guitars. To me there is so many lifetimes of exploration a person can do in this hobby. You can learn and explore both the craft of building them and also the avenue of exploration in playing them.

Then there is also the art of recording with them.... and making recordings for videos such as soundtracks, thats a whole world in itself!

Much of this music on this site has taken many years to put together. I hope that you have enjoyed it, I put alot of time and effort into it. You can always see my newest songs on youtube, search out Red Dog Guitars.

Well, Im running out of room on this page, but here below are a few more random videos and photos,

Check out this cigar box guitar, its one of my all time favorite antique home made guitar photos.

How about that craftsmanship!

I have several websites and pages of these guitars, art and blues music,

to see more - visit to the full Red Dog Guitars website at this link

https://www.reddogguitars.com/