BIDDEFORD — A musical instrument that originated in the early days of slavery and is now making a comeback is found all around the world ”“ including Biddeford.

The first cigar box guitars, which are three-string instruments that are exactly what they sound like ”“ guitars made from cigar boxes ”“ date back to the days of slavery, said Biddeford resident Marty Tauber.

Before being taken from their African homes, some slaves had made string instruments using gourds. So after they were sent to North America, they tried making similar instruments, said Tauber. They liked using the wooden cigar boxes discarded by the wealthy plantation owners, he said, because the resonance of the music was similar to that made from gourd instruments.

Since then, cigar box guitars have come in and out of popularity, said Tauber. Many of the earliest blues musicians used them, he said.

They were also popular during the Civil War, the Great Depression and other times when people have had the need to make music on the cheap in order to take them out of their misery, he said.

Today, cigar box guitars remain a cheap alternative to traditional guitars. Tauber said a decent traditional guitar costs $200 or more, while a cigar box guitar kit only costs $35 to $40, and the guitar can be assembled in a couple of hours.

“I used to play guitar,” said Tauber, thinking back on his younger years. “Then I had an accident with a table saw, and I lost feeling in one of my fingers.” That made it difficult to play the 12-string guitar he favored.

But as he got older, Tauber, who is 61 years old now, said his joints started to stiffen. He said he wanted to play a hand instrument to keep his fingers limber. He had heard of cigar box guitars, so he looked them up online and found out how to make one.

“I made one for myself and found I could play it,” he said. “Then I made a nicer one, and a co-worker who plays guitar asked to buy it.”

Tauber has since sold and given away several of his cigar box guitars. “I’m on my 16th one,” he said.

While he said the income from selling the instruments won’t replace his day job ”“ Tauber is a corporate trainer for AdvancePierre Foods ”“ he enjoys it as a hobby. Through it, he said, he’s met a whole new group of people from all over the world.

“It’s one of the fastest growing movements worldwide,” said Tauber.

Just last night, he said, he was working on a new technique for staining the wood of a cigar box. “I was online with people from Italy, France and South America.”

He likes his fellow cigar box guitar makers, said Tauber. Everyone shares information and no one is competitive, he said. “We’re all equal.”

The cultural heritage of the cigar box guitar is that they’re for average people who don’t have a lot of money, said Tauber. However, he said, even rich and famous musicians appreciate them.

He said he has an order to make one for Adam Agati, a member of the Marcus Miller Band, who also tours with the famous rapper Ludacris.

These handmade guitars are for everyone, said Tauber. Their main purpose, he said, is to “spread music.”

Those interested in purchasing a cigar box guitar can contact Tauber at 590-4856.

— Staff Writer Dina Mendros can be contacted at 282-1535, ext. 324 or dmendros@journaltribune.com.