The Cigar Box Guitar Store in Huntsville, Alabama represents something truly unique in the music world‚the only brick-and-mortar store specializing exclusively in cigar box guitars. Owner and luthier Jeff Mello operates the shop alongside his wife Tara from their studio at the historic Lowe Mill Arts & Entertainment complex, America’s largest privately-owned artists’ community.

Mello’s Mad Sci Innovations brand showcases his expertise in custom guitar builds, crafting three- and four-string cigar box guitars, bass guitars, and amplifiers from recycled materials including cigar boxes, lunchboxes, tins, and even baseball bats. Each piece qualifies as playable art, featuring unique designs while maintaining full functionality as acoustic or electric instruments. The store typically stocks around 40 handcrafted guitars, with prices starting at $175.

Beyond building instruments, The Cigar Box Guitar Store fosters community through free Saturday lessons and build-your-own classes. The shop also serves as home base for the world’s longest-running cigar box guitar festival, now in its 22nd year, which supports music education throughout North Alabama.