Outside-The-Box InstrumentsSave Shop

My workshop is located in a small East Tennessee city situated in the foothills of the Appalachian Mountains, an area rich in traditions of music and craftsmanship.

I have played stringed instruments for over fifty years, starting with violin and passing through the uke to finally settle on the guitar. I never seriously considered how these instruments come to be until I happened across the work of luthier Bill Neely from Damascus, Virginia. Bill created simple, functional, and beautiful folk instruments from local woods while using modern techniques. These instruments expanded my perspective and inspired me to start building.

After first making traditional guitars, I felt a desire to return to Bill's values of simplicity, functionality, and beauty. I began to combine aspects of visual art into my guitar making, and the result is Outside-The-Box Instruments.

It is my aim to create visually interesting and musically inspiring instruments. These guitars are designed to be used by everyone. Most are fretted similar to the Appalachian dulcimer, making them easy to play for the beginner, while also offering a creative alternative to the experienced musician. Hanging on the wall or placed in a stand, these instruments make an attractive visual statement and enhance any room.

THE GOAL
Outside-The-Box Instruments are designed to inspire the eye, ear, and hands, and are made using sustainable, responsible materials. They are visually compelling, lightweight, comfortable to play, and are great for making music. Every instrument is hand-painted, signed, and one-of-a-kind. OTBI creations are equally adept at pumping up the look of every room.

The guitars are fretted to a "diatonic" tuning, the same system used in the Appalachian dulcimer. This means there are no wrong notes… the guitar sounds only the notes of one scale. You can play a melody on the top string while strumming the other two as drones, or play chords with all three strings. This makes it easy for beginners or those who feel that "they can't play an instrument."

Experienced musicians enjoy these instruments as well, as they offer new creative alternatives and ways of making new sounds.

MAKING AN OUTSIDE-THE-BOX INSTRUMENT
Each guitar begins as a simple box. After shaping, sanding, and a coat of primer, the box is enhanced with acrylic paints using a variety of techniques and tools, combining intentional design with elements of chaos. Once cured, the box receives several coats of finish and a final coat of UV protectant.

The neck blank is glued up, hand-carved, and shaped. The fingerboard is ripped, slotted, and attached to the neck. After more shaping, the assembled neck is protected with clear finish.

The neck and body are joined with bolts, hardware is attached, and the instrument is strung. The guitar finally has a chance to sing.

Please grab a cup of coffee and browse through my shop. I'm sure you'll find an Outside-The-Box instrument to beautify your home and inspire your musical dreams.

RECENT SHOWS AND AWARDS:

2019
Jonesborough Art in the Park - Second Place Overall

Roan Mountain Rhododendron Festival

2020

"Grendel" acquired by East Tennessee State University Reece Museum's "Local Art in the Age of the 2020 Global Pandemic" special collection initiative. https://www.etsu.edu/cas/cass/reece/pandemic.php

Winner in American Craft Week "Art Therapy in the Time of COVID19. http://www.acwshowcase.com

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