In tune with his passions

Hey there, time traveller!
This article was published 18/11/2019 (2312 days ago), so information in it may no longer be current.

Chris Freeman brings more than one meaning to the term smoking tunes.

In the last seven or so years, Freeman — who lives in St. Vital — has made more than 140 cigar box guitars.

The idea first struck a chord with the 67-year-old musician after he saw fellow Winnipegger Wayne Seepish, who eventually became his friend, selling his cigar box guitars at St. Norbert Farmers’ Market.  

“I’d found some beautiful cigar boxes when I’d been travelling, and as a guitar player, bass player and songwriter myself, I thought I’d have a go and make one of them,” Freeman said. “My brother is a luthier, and he showed me how to do the frets properly.”

Freeman keeps some of his creations, sells some, and gives away some as gifts. “I realized I had to do something, as I couldn’t keep them all, but I’ve kept a select few for myself.”

He said his guitars — which are generally either one-string, three-string, or four-string — sound a bit different than a standard guitar, but their playability factor is a priority for Freeman, who considers the process of creation a labour of love.

“I make them completely from scratch, and cut everything myself. Everything is tailored around the particular box. On average, it takes me about a week to make one, although I’ve been known to build a couple at the same time in eight or nine days.”

Noting that guitar icon Jimi Hendrix started his musical journey playing a broomstick with one string on it, Freeman said his creative process has naturally evolved over time.

“I’m now making way better ones than when I started. It’s fascinating to me to play music with only three strings, for example, which conjures up images of some guy sitting on his porch and playing a hundred years ago,” Freeman said.

It’s not just cigar boxes that Freeman turns his hand to. At the moment, he’s working on a custom build using “an old Kodak film can” for one of his friends. He’s also made one from a Jack Daniel’s anniversary whisky tin, and a salad bowl “for something to do.”

“Sometimes people buy my guitars for decoration, while others buy them to play,” he added.

Visit Freeman on Instagram @cfreeman4321 or email smilinmoji@gmail.com or cfreemancbg@gmail.com for more information.