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From Gitty's Desk
I had occasion to be reminded this week how important it is to stay focused on the good things. There is so much trouble and strife in today's world, and unfortunately so many folks have been caught up in anger, fear, bitterness and accusation... especially online.

Just when you start to feel like you're doing some good, it seems like there's always someone waiting to knock you back down. A negative online comment, a false accusation, criticism meant only to discourage and hurt, or just general meanness... there are folks out there who, it seems, can only be happy if they are ruining someone else's day.

It can be hard to let it go. Our instinct is to double down, jab back twice as hard. Letting it go and turning the other cheek is one of the toughest personal challenges we can face.

For me, personally, the only option is to let it go and try to focus on the good. It's not the easiest option... in fact it's one of the hardest. But I've learned the hard way over the years that the old saying is true (especially online): Never wrestle with a pig - you'll end up covered in *bleep*, and the pig'll enjoy it. Or to put it another way: the only way to win this game is by not playing.

So this week, despite a couple of gut punches, I've been doing my best to focus on the good . I've written four new train songs, made some progress on my next cigar box guitar songbook (Volume 2 of Old-Time and Bluegrass Favorites), contributed to a couple of good causes, met some new friends, hugged my boy and kissed my wife a couple of extra times... and the week isn't over yet.

As we make our way through these troubled times, I hope that those of you who take the time to read these little things I write will join me in trying to focus on the good. To try to make the net sum of our interactions with the world be positive rather than negative, building up rather than tearing down.

Think of someone in your life who you appreciate, and haven't talked to in a while, and send them a little note letting them know you appreciate them. Get out into the shop and build something as a gift for someone. Give a little extra tip to a waiter at your favorite restaurant. Spread the good.

It can be hard... but the things worth doing usually are.

Ben "Gitty" Baker
January 23, 2020
Gitty Grab-Bags
If you remember from last week's newsletter , Gitty's been cleaning house and assembling must-have grab-bags of components for creative builders like you.

As you can see in the image above, Gitty's still at it, and he's posting these tasty auction-deals on Ebay.

Follow this link to see the grab-bags still up for auction , and post a bid of your own. At the time of this newsletter sending (Thursday morning, Jan. 23), there are two listed, and Ben intends to add one or two more today.

Win these grab-bags and you'll have endless inspiration (and a good few of the parts) to build your best guitars yet!
Look Close.
That Ain't A Normal Strat.
Just the other day, Gitty Gangster Jim Morris posted a video to the Friends of Gitty Facebook group in which he's playing a fantastic 5-string instrument. With his usual grace and skill we've all come to know and love, Jim plays the old Appalachian tune Cold Frosty Morning. And a brilliant performance it is.


The 5-stringer Jim plays was given to him by another Gitty Gangster, Louie LaManna. Call it a Ban-Jar. Call it a Banjo-Caster. No matter the name, the instrument represents the ingenuity seen all throughout the cigar box guitar community. And the thoughtfulness Louie displayed in giving the instrument to Jim is an enormous part of what makes the cigar box guitar community so special.

Good people doing good things. We can all use more of that in our lives.

After you hear Jim's lovely performance in the video above, check out more examples of Louie's Ban-Jars in the video below. Louie talks about his fascinating 5-string creations and plays them with his masterful style. You've got to see and hear Louie do his thing!
Learn Cigar Box Guitar Chords
(The Easy Way)
It takes years of dedicated practice to play as well as Gitty Gangsters Jim Morris and Louie LaManna play in the videos above. But that doesn't mean you can't enjoy your cigar box guitar by playing songs you know and love.

Here's a rewarding trick that will help you learn how to play a wealth of chords on your cigar box guitar. Use it for 20 minutes a day, and you'll be stunned at how much better of a player you become.
Set Aside 20 Minutes Each Day To Do This

Want to learn how to play chords on your 3-string cigar box guitar? Use flashcards 20 minutes a day. That's right. Those things you used to learn your multiplication tables and other grade school lessons. As you're about to see, they're not just...

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www.cbgitty.com
All Aboard!
First Stop: Hobo Junction.
In everyone's new favorite Gitty Gang Show segment, Hobo Junction , Ben and Dan play toe-tapping train songs that will have you longing to ride the rails on a handmade musical adventure.

Here we have for you two video clips of their performances. Plus, below the two videos is a link to the entire Gitty Gang Show episode. Follow that link to see timestamps that allow you to jump to your favorite show segments.

The first video is of Dan performing his original tune Eastwood Station with Ben accompanying on a Hobo Fiddle (of course!)
The second video is another original train song, this one written by Ben "Gitty" Baker. For this performance, Dan joins in with his terrific backing vocals and nifty harmonica riffing.
And finally, below is the link to the entire Gitty Gang Show episode including timestamps to find your favorite show segments.
Gitty Gang Show #119 | "Eastwood Station" Debut

In this episode of the Gitty Gang Show, Ben and the Gang discuss Hobo fiddle innovations, songwriting, and playing in an alternate tuning. Plus, there's Watt Corner, Hobo Junction, and the debut of Dan Woodman's song Eastwood Station!You're in...

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www.cbgitty.com
Gitty Gangster Build
Wow! Would you look at this 4-stringer?!

Gitty Gangster William L. built this beautiful cigar box guitar and posted these images to the Customer Gallery on CBGitty.com .

Said William, "Thanks to C. B. Gitty for furnishing many of the items used in the build."

Big thanks to William for sharing his terrific work with us.

Would you like to be featured on CBGitty.com?

C. B. Gitty Crafter Supply | 877-470-5707 | support@cbgitty.com | www.CBGitty.com