Black Diamond Cigar Box Guitars: Adelaide’s New Obsession with Vintage Blues Vibes
In the vibrant heart of Adelaide, where festivals, laneway bars, and live music define the city’s soul, something raw, authentic, and musically powerful is striking a chord with local artists: the cigar box guitar. Built by the legendary John Stax, former bassist of the iconic UK rhythm and blues band The Pretty Things, Black Diamond Cigar Box Guitars are redefining what it means to play from the heart—now capturing imaginations across Adelaide.
If you’ve ever wandered down Hindley Street chasing a riff, played a Sunday arvo set in the Adelaide Hills, or busked on Rundle Mall with nothing but passion and a dream, then a cigar box guitar might just be your next musical obsession. It’s not just an instrument—it’s a gritty, soulful story with strings.
From London Stages to Adelaide Streets
John Stax brings with him a lifetime of rhythm, blues, and rock ‘n’ roll history. After playing bass for The Pretty Things during the explosion of the British blues scene in the 1960s, he found a new calling in Australia. These days, he’s far from the London clubs—but closer than ever to the heart of music. From his Victorian workshop, John crafts each cigar box guitar by hand, with precision, pride, and a love for the blues that refuses to fade.
And now, his creations are finding a second home in Adelaide. Musicians across the city are falling in love with the unmistakable tone, charm, and vibe of these handcrafted instruments. Whether you're a veteran blues player or a newcomer looking for something different, the cigar box guitar is winning hearts and electrifying Adelaide stages.
The Cigar Box Guitar: Perfect for Adelaide’s Creative Spirit
Why has the cigar box guitar caught fire in Adelaide? Because this city thrives on originality. In a place where street art lives beside symphony halls, where indie acts sell out The Gov and folk singers find fame at WOMADelaide, there's room for something beautifully unconventional.
The cigar box guitar fits right in. Born from American ingenuity in the 1800s—when blues musicians couldn’t afford store-bought guitars—these instruments were built from whatever was on hand: empty cigar boxes, broomsticks, and wire. The sound they created was raw, real, and alive with emotion. That sound is now echoing through Adelaide’s studios, sheds, and live venues.
A Guitar That Tells a Story—Your Story
Every Black Diamond Cigar Box Guitar is a unique work of art. Crafted using reclaimed wood, authentic cigar boxes, and traditional techniques, no two guitars are ever the same. And that’s what makes them so perfect for Adelaide’s musicians: they aren’t just buying a guitar—they’re buying a story they can make their own.
From North Adelaide’s polished music scene to the earthy vibes of Port Noarlunga, artists are discovering that a cigar box guitar isn’t just a novelty—it’s a legitimate, soulful, gig-worthy instrument. Three-string slide models deliver swampy, expressive tones. Four-string fretted options allow for more traditional melodies and complex chord progressions. Either way, they’re compact, punchy, and full of personality—just like Adelaide.
Local Musicians, Global Sound
Adelaide has always punched above its weight on the world music stage. Think Sia, Hilltop Hoods—artists who break moulds. The cigar box guitar is part of that same rebellious tradition. It invites you to ignore the rules and play what you feel. That’s why it’s resonating with street performers, pub bands, singer-songwriters, and blues lovers from Glenelg to Gawler.
And with John Stax’s global musical pedigree, you’re not just buying an instrument—you’re joining a legacy. A Black Diamond Cigar Box Guitar connects you to the old blues masters of the Mississippi Delta and the raw power of the British blues boom—all from your backyard in Adelaide.
More Than Just an Instrument
There’s something spiritual about holding a cigar box guitar. It’s rough-hewn but refined. Simple, yet deeply expressive. Built to be played, shared, and passed down. In Adelaide, where appreciation for craftsmanship runs deep, that matters.
Whether you’re playing acoustic sets in Semaphore or blues licks at Blues Bar in Glenelg, a cigar box guitar becomes an extension of you. It inspires creativity and invites experimentation. It turns heads. It makes people listen.
John likes to say that these guitars are “machines to generate happiness.” And in a city like Adelaide, where music is a daily part of life, what more could you want?
Make One Yours in Adelaide
If you're in Adelaide and looking for your next great musical companion, the time is now. You can explore available models right here from our Black Diamond Cigar Box Guitar range. Whether you’re looking for a piece to display, a tool to perform with, or an heirloom to pass on, your perfect cigar box guitar is waiting.
Each guitar is built with intention, heart, and a passion for music that mirrors Adelaide’s own. Ready to step into a sound that’s as unique as the city you live in? Let a cigar box guitar guide the way.
Join the Adelaide Cigar Box Guitar Movement
The cigar box guitar is no longer a secret. It’s a revolution—and Adelaide is ready. Join the growing community of musicians who are discovering just how powerful three strings and a wooden box can be.
Because in Adelaide, we don’t just play music. We create legacy. And with a cigar box guitar in your hands, you’re not just playing a song. You’re telling a story that starts here—and echoes forever.