Classic Guitar Boxes

Having long left the dark pleasures of drink and drugs to more robust types, I'm unclear as to whether the concept of the stash box survived into the new millenium. But current slang notwithstanding, "stash box" pretty much defines this excellent container by British musician and craftsman Guy Lewis.

The box is perfect for holding pens, pencils, slides, picks batteries, jewelry, or contraband. The first such box was commissioned by the wife of former 10cc multi-instrumentalist Eric Stewart as a Christmas gift for her husband, and was loosely modeled on Stewart's favorite '58 Fender Stratocaster. To date, every single box is personally made by Lewis in his Shaftesbury, Dorset workshop.

Constructed of maple with ebony fret markers, the box absolutely evokes a satin-finished Strat neck, and the fretwork is very good. A fine piece of handcrafted guitar art, I used it as a combination Sharpie/pen/plectrum box in my studio. It looked very rock and roll as it sat atop the mixing console. It will look just as groovy on an office desk, and if you love the guitar, it just might ease a bit of work tension by seducing you to run your fingers across its frets every time you're mired in some banal drudgery - Michael Molenda

KUDOS - Well constructed, Fun
CONCERNS - None

"I have been reading Guitar Player Magazine for nearly forty years now and this is the first time I've ever felt moved to buy a product featured in their pages. I am delighted with my box and impressed by the Custom Shop-like quality. Thank you Guy. Frank, Los Angeles""

"Cool product, nice to make your acquaintance. I am intrigued as to what you'll come up with next! Keep me posted" H.T.Robertson, Bakersfield"

"Thanks for my '63 Classic neck box. I would like to order two more for my band mates; I know for sure they'll love them as much as I do. Tony P. NYC"

"Guy, It just arrived. I LOVE IT!!!! I'm obsessed with it!!! Thank you so much!! Richard will love it! And if he doesn't (but he will) it'll be MINE, ALL MINE!!! I really, really do think it's lovely. Lovely!! Thanks so much!! :) Alix V. San Francisco"

"Guy, On Monday I received notice from the US Postal Service that the boxes had arrived. I picked them up yesterday. They're really nice. I REALLY like the skunk stripe. I also noticed the website on the picks so I went there to take look. I expect that I'll be back for more at some point down the road. FYI, of the two I bought, I plan on keeping one and giving the other to a life long friend (aka "my brother from another mother"). He loves stuff like this and I'm sure this will blow him away. Keep up the GREAT work!!! Cheers, --Bob B Ashland, MA"

"Hello Guy: A small parcel arrived today. The boxes arrived safe and sound and are beautiful. Thanks very much and good luck with sales. Dave Hooper, Dallas, Texas"

"Guy, I got the box! I am more than impressed. The craftmanship is outstanding. My wife even thought it was a beautiful thing. I will keep this forever and pass it on when I am gone. It is certainly an heirloom piece. Thank you for everything. PS, I am glad I got mine before the price goes up. The box is certainly worth more than I paid! Best Regards, Billy K. Denton, Texas"

"GOT IT. AMAZING CRAFTSMANSHIP!!! THANX!--JENNIFER BATTEN, Oregon"

"I just received the Box today. Looks great. I made the right choice. Thanks a lot. Bob Barcus , New York"

"Guy The box arrived yesterday and it was certainly worth the wait. It is beautiful, you are blessed with good hands. Sadly my wife has "put it away" until the end of November as it is for my birthday but I was allowed to drool over it for a couple of minutes. I wanted the 58 as I was born that year but I would have wanted it anyway. I will be back to you soon for another as with guitars 1 is never enough. The plectrums were a nice touch. Thanks again Bob, Inverness, Scotland"

"Dear Guy, Late yesterday afternoon the mailman brought the box from you! John was here but thank Goodness he was in the music room. I just had the chance to open it and it is just amazingly beautiful!! I know he is going to be so surprised and he will just LOVE it!! I can tell how much time you spent on it. It is so well finished. What a lovely design! You really came up with a winner here! I just can't thank you enough. It was so well packed and the outer box was perfect. I can hardly wait till Christmas now! Thanks again so very much! Maybe you'll get to come drive Route 66 someday and you'll be about one mile from my house! Our guest room is always ready! Your friend in NM, Kay, Albuquerque, New Mexico"

"Guy, the box is a thing of beauty. It's exquisitely crafted to a wonderfully high standard and opens as if about to reveal a secret (is that too poetic?). I'm sure you will be extremely successful with this great idea (it seems you already are) and I can't recommend it too highly. Many thanks indeed and yes, it is already full of plectrums. Best Pete Bellotte, West Sussex, England"

"Hi Guy, Received the box. A beautiful piece of artwork and craftsmanship. I'm very pleased!! Thanks, Addison S. Katonah, New York"

"GUY- GOT THEM TODAY- THEY ARE BEAUTIFUL- YOU ARE A GOD- LOVE THEM - THANKS FOR ALL OF YOUR HARD WORK- MUCH RESPECT. KEEP ME IN THE LOOP!!!! JON F. RHODE ISLAND"

"Guy Just wanted to let you know that the boxes arrived in good shape. I am delighted with them and they are just what I imagined that they would be. Congrats on the fine workmanship and ingenuity and keep in touch if you come up with any more ideas on guitar induced woodwork. Happy holidays to you and thanks again for the neat stuff!!! Best regards, Rey M. Coral Springs, Florida"

"Guy: I received the guitar box. Its a beautiful work of art. I will proudly display it in my studio. Thank you so much, Keith M. Powder Springs, Georgia"

"Guy, Just received the guitar box. It’s better than fabulous. I love it, and so will my good friend, who’s getting it for Christmas. I definitely want the other one, with the same wood. You do great work. I will send you a check in the next day or two. I’m so glad you talked me into the striped ebony! It’s really very special. Thanks, Dave L, California."

"Hello Guy! I received the box today and it is beautiful. You are quite the craftsman. I am very happy with it and will try to send some business your way. Thanks again and Happy Holidays!! David F. Dallas, Texas"

"Guy- The boxes arrived yesterday. I absolutely love them, they are so beautifully made! You need to market these boxes, you'd make a killing. Best, Susan NYC"

"Dear Guy, You’ve been very accommodating and a pleasure to do business with. Thanks and best regards, Bill Y. Denver, Colorado"

"Bonjour guy et merci ! I have just received the boxes this morning. They are wonderful, they really look like big guitar neck, in every detail. It will be not possible to loose my picks with such beautiful boxes ! Thank you guy, it is "un magnifique cadeau" for my birthday (last week). Thank you again, for the picks inside. Merci Guy ! Phillipe L. France"

"Hi Guy, well what can I say its wonderful total craftmanship and the attention to detail is fantastic. Thank you and well worth the wait. Regards Roy C. Guildford, England"

"Hi Guy, This thing is absolutely beautiful! Thanks much! Bob C. St. Mary’s, Georgia"

"Hi, I received the boxes today! They are beautiful! Thanks so much, Guy! Sincerely, Jimmy J. Houston, Texas"