A lifelong woodworker, he has built everything from furniture, to canoe paddles and even a teardrop camper. Lynn began building instruments several years ago, starting with mountain dulcimers. He currently builds cigar box guitars, signature chip carved tramp art guitars made with vintage cigar boxes, license plate guitars, resonator CBG’s, stick dulcimers, wooden kazoos and still builds the occasional mountain dulcimer.
Hagans’ Tramp Art Guitars builds are scattered across the United States and Europe, as well as having works displayed in museum exhibits alongside other noted builders. His favorite part of the build is hearing the instrument’s “voice” for the first time. Each instrument has its own personality and is meticulously crafted with many pieces having custom handmade parts including hand spun resonator cones that Hagans spins on a wooden form on a restored vintage Powermatic lathe.