I had a metal, original, STAR WARS LUNCHBOX once. (No, I didn't "have a farm in Africa--at the foot of the Ngong hills.")

I put an unfinished "neck" of sorts on the lunch box.(Made out of un-rounded 1 X 2s) I wanted to show kids/students that folks could still make music from what they had around the house TODAY just like the pioneers might've done. Used 3 junk tuners and staples for frets (under the first string only). Inserted 'em with a regular office-type stapler. (If you get the wrong intonation, just pull em out and put 'em in again.) Left it looking rustic for better home-made effect. Did that in spite of danger--from slivers! I put a contact pickup inside (for ACOUSTIC sound quality) and plugged in into the PA that I used for school presentations of American folk songs. This home made DULCIMER (3-strings) went over real well for 22 years. More importantly, it made the intended point.

It now hangs on my wall in an honored spot--with my Julia Belle Swain engineers cap hanging from the tuners.

I'll never sell this even though friends tell me I can get huge amounts for it since it's an original "Star Wars electric dulcimer" that was once played for Ernie Banks' daughter!!

Art Thieme