In [Dino]’s case, they’re the ones you make for yourself. In honor of his 55th, he built the Sqonkbox 55, a 13-note cigar box organ based on a 555 and amplified with an LM386.

Saltzman used to take along a cigar box guitar when he and his late wife, Norma, performed at nursing homes. She played the piano accordion and keyboards.

The cigar-box guitar dates at least to the Civil War; an etching of two soldiers shows one being played at a campfire. Moller once spent $50 to get a box that was piano-shaped.

Since cigar box guitars are smaller in size, he is able to strum the instrument with ease. "Smaller body guitars are just easier to play which is why a lot of people start of with them," said Zwetsch.

SHICKLEY, NEB. - 12/19/2014 - A solid oak neck, which passes completely through a cigar box for a body, make up the bones of another guitar Levoy Saltzman is working on in his Shickley garage.