Shane Speal is one of the world’s foremost experts in cigar box guitars and American folk art stringed instruments. With a career spanning over 25 years, he has dedicated his life to reviving and redefining the raw, handmade spirit of homegrown music.
Speal is not only a builder and player of these primitive instruments, but also a historian, collector, author, and tireless evangelist for the movement. His work has been featured in national publications, documentaries, and museum exhibits, establishing him as the go-to authority in this growing underground scene.
At BuyShanesGuitars.com, you’re not just browsing another instrument shop—you’re exploring a curated collection of rare, historical instruments along with some of the best contemporary makers, handpicked by Shane himself. Many of the pieces available were once part of his private museum collection and have been featured in exhibitions at places like the New Orleans Jazz Museum. These instruments are living artifacts of American music history. Whether it’s a Depression-era cigar box guitar or a modern folk art masterpiece, each item reflects the soul, struggle, and spirit of the people who built and played them.