Well, on a trip to Cancun with my wife, we were on the beach enjoying soaking up the sun, surf and suds, when I ventured off to the cabana to pickup a couple towels for us. When the young guy tossing out rags asked my name, I responded, "Allred," to which he immediately retorted, "Oh, Mr. Todo Rojo." We bantered back and forth for a while having a good time, and off I went.
Much to our surprise, for the entire rest of the time at the resort, I was known by all the waiters and waitresses as Mr. Todo Rojo.
So, I bastardized the translation into a 'Spanglish' version of my name, and it became TotalRojo, which is the reason for the logo.
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Custom Handcrafted Guitars and Amplifiers
I design and create unique and interesting, one-of-a-kind, cigar box guitars and amplifiers.
Each TotalRojo guitar is constructed one at a time, with great attention to detail, and each has it's own unique sound based on box shape, thickness, material type, sound hole placement, etc. There is no mass-production assembly line in my shed . . . just me, my tools, and a little blues music to keep the juices flowing.
Every guitar I create is built using the highest quality materials in pursuit of the richest, most authentic blues and country music sound and tone possible. Subtle differences in construction can have enormous impact on the sound and overall playability of each instrument.
I specialize in design and creation of 3-, 4-, and 6-string acoustic and electric guitars made from vintage and modern cigar boxes, which vary greatly in size, style and construction, and, because they are unique in design and construction, my instruments come in unusual forms and styles, with no two guitars being the same.
Some of my designs are straight-forward creations, which accentuate the basic style of the cigar box, while others are more elaborate, with hand painted designs, laminated graphic applications, or wood burned or carved features.
They're small, portable, and nearly indestructible . . . and let's face it, they look and sound cool as hell (an oxymoron), and they attract major attention.
I also create mini-amplifiers from cigar boxes, which are too small for a guitar. These little battery powered 'monsters' are portable, too, so you can be loud anywhere you go. Because, they blow the sound around big time! And, there is a headphone jack, so the only person you may annoy when practicing is you.
Custom cigar box guitars can and will be created and personalized for the discriminating owner, and they make an unusual gift for the special person or occasion. 'Art with Strings' for the person who doesn't play, but who wants a really cool piece of art to display.
"I'm sure I have or can create the perfect instrument for you."
If you don't see it on my site, or if you have questions about something you do see, please contact me and I will do my best to satisfy your curiosity.
It's my passion! I love to design and create cigar box guitars, and to prevent having them occupy every corner of my shop and home, I'm sharing them.
Since you've found my site, please browse the 'Gallery' to view my creations . . . some are for sale. So, if you see something you like, let's make a deal!
However, you refer to my work, or how you may interpret it, I appreciate greatly your interest.
"Thank you for stopping by."