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The art of transformation Turning cigar boxes into artisan guitars helps Phoenix man cope with PTSD Comment By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune Posted Jan. 30, 2015 at 2:36 PM Updated Jan 30, 2015 at 5:45 PM By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune Posted Jan. 30, 2015 at 2:36 PM Updated Jan 30, 2015 at 5:45 PM » RELATED CONTENT • Cigar box guitars » Social News Like the mythical bird for which his new business is named, Matt Havniear has risen from the ashes of war-torn Afghanistan to be reborn — as a craftsman of artisan guitars. Havniear, 32, a Medford native, says he finds relief from post-traumatic stress disorder working in the quiet of his garage, where he turns colorful cigar boxes into three- and four-string guitars. "I hadn't been able to get much relief from the PTSD until I started making the guitars," says Havniear, owner of Phoenix Cigar Box Guitars. "I found, when I was working in my garage, I could actually focus on the present, which is tough to do when you have post-traumatic stress. "Finding any sort of discipline you can practice is a huge benefit, so I feel very fortunate that I found this." Havniear was serving as an infantry assault man with the 2nd Battalion 7th Marines out of Twentynine Palms, Calif., when he was deployed to Afghanistan in 2008. He was injured in a building collapse after his unit came under fire. Honorably discharged in 2011, Havniear underwent extensive rehabilitation for back and shoulder injuries, including time in a wheelchair. He kept busy as regional field operations manager for Team Rubicon, a disaster relief organization, and Relay for Life, and took on handyman jobs to make a living. But even a light schedule was too much for his shoulder and back. Then Havniear visited a cousin in Portland who tried making cigar-box guitars and decided to make one of his own. "I was really proud of the first one I did," he says. "Looking back, now, it wasn't even that nice compared to some of my newer ones I've done. "My second one turned out a lot nicer, so I built another one. I guess you could say I was hooked. I've done over a dozen now, and every one that I do is a little nicer than the last." Though he enjoyed volunteering, Havniear says nothing eased his anxious mind as much as building the intricate guitars. Transforming cigar boxes into stringed instruments has been around since the mid-1800s and saw a resurgence during the Great Depression. It's caught on again in recent years with the popularity of do-it-yourself projects. Havniear scavenges the Internet and various shops for unique cigar boxes. He adds his own embellishments, such as a skeleton key for the bridge, hand-carves pieces of exotic wood to create custom necks and even has used an old license plate as part of the body.  Local artist Tony Chavez, owner of King Hat Pin Striping, is collaborating with Havniear on embellishing cigar boxes for some planned guitars. Chavez says Havniear has a knack for finding unique boxes and creating guitars that are true art pieces. "It's a pretty cool and innovative thing. He's pretty passionate about it, and I'm all about supporting local artists," Chavez says. "His work has been pretty impressive so far, and he gets really excited every time he gets another one done." Phoenix resident David Cannon, Havniear's neighbor and proud owner of one of the early Havniear guitars, says his piece has all the makings of a quality high-end instrument. "We play guitar together, so I went over to his garage one day and he was showing me what he was doing. He just handed it to me and said, 'This one is yours.' The detail he puts into each one is nothing short of remarkable," Cannon says. "He hand-carves each of the necks. Last time I was over, he was using an old vintage license plate on one of his boxes. They're just really cool. I've been playing guitar for 20 years, and I can't believe what a great sound they have." Encouraged by family and friends, Havniear started to offer them for sale. His guitars range from $195 to $500, and he's working on an economy model whose production can be streamlined. "I would want anyone who would enjoy owning one to be able to," says Havniear. "I'm working on getting some supplies in larger orders so I can get some of them down to $100." As Havniear works toward a health degree at Southern Oregon University to help support his wife, Tanya, and their 15-month-old daughter, Lydia, he hopes to expand his guitar line, which will be marked with a stamp of the Phoenix. "I'm not trying to be the next Gibson Guitars or anything like that," he says. "But this has been a really good thing for me in a lot of ways. It's really been a positive thing in my life, and I just want to share it with people." Havniear's guitars are available at Fretwell Music in Ashland and online at www.phoenixcigarboxguitars.com. Reach Medford freelance writer Buffy Pollock at [email protected]. By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Buffy Pollock for the Mail Tribune Posted Jan. 30, 2015 at 2:36 PM Updated Jan 30, 2015 at 5:45 PM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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