Anyone made a diddley-bow?

barefootgypsy · Oct 17, 2012

I'm determined to make one of these things over the winter. It's a home-made one-string instrument made out of junk finds and a pick-up, though some are acoustic..... but has anyone on here made one? I've used a drill and a junior hacksaw in the past.... !

Lalz · Oct 17, 2012

I haven't yet but it so happens to be one of my plans for the winter too! Cool! We should share our experiences once we get started :rock:

vanflynn · Oct 17, 2012

I know Bo Diddley but not Diddley-bow. Do you have any pics?

barefootgypsy · Oct 17, 2012

vanflynn said:
I know Bo Diddley but not Diddley-bow. Do you have any pics?

A-ha! Apparently Bo Diddley made one of these things and took his name from it! It's a "roots" type blues instrument - usually home-made Here's Seasick Steve playing one.

Apparently someone made his for him though - I read.....

vanflynn · Oct 17, 2012

Awesome. I like the way he ductapes it to his leg!

barefootgypsy · Oct 17, 2012

vanflynn said:
Awesome. I like the way he ductapes it to his leg!

Yeah, it's amazing - there are quite a few of these on Youtube - I'd be so proud of myself if I managed to make one without any practical assistance!

gnordenstam · Oct 17, 2012

I built one recently. Used a 1x2 piece of poplar, and empty dog food can for the resonator, and a spare guitar tuning peg. Now I'm working on a three string fretless cigar box slide guitar. I'm hoping to drill the headstock for the tuning pegs this evening and then apply a finish to the neck.

--G

barefootgypsy · Oct 17, 2012

gnordenstam said:
I built one recently. Used a 1x2 piece of poplar, and empty dog food can for the resonator, and a spare guitar tuning peg. Now I'm working on a three string fretless cigar box slide guitar. I'm hoping to drill the headstock for the tuning pegs this evening and then apply a finish to the neck.

--G

Wow, fantastic! Be sure and report back when you've finished it! And thanks for sharing the pics - are you pleased with your diddley-bow? Does it sound how you expected?

gnordenstam · Oct 17, 2012

Yeah, the diddly bow is fun. It does sound the way I expected - I just need to get better at it. I found a cool book - "The Handmade Music Factory" that has lots of info on building stuff like this.
--G

barefootgypsy · Oct 17, 2012

gnordenstam said:
Yeah, the diddly bow is fun. It does sound the way I expected - I just need to get better at it. I found a cool book - "The Handmade Music Factory" that has lots of info on building stuff like this.
--G

Thanks for that - I'll look for it! Lesley

J-Peg · Oct 18, 2012

A great resource for stuff like this is Cigar Box Nation.
I'm wading into the world of building cigar box ukuleles and I couldn't have gotten anywhere without that community.

Their main focus is on 3 and 4 string guitars, but they have a ukulele group and a group for "Diddly Bows and Other Primitives."

gnordenstam · Oct 19, 2012

I finished up my 3-string cigar box guitar last night. Cigar Box Nation is a great site. Other helpful sites are Cigar Box Guitars and Handmade Music Clubhouse.

Here are a couple of pics of final assembly...

barefootgypsy · Oct 19, 2012

J-Peg said:
A great resource for stuff like this is Cigar Box Nation.
I'm wading into the world of building cigar box ukuleles and I couldn't have gotten anywhere without that community.

Their main focus is on 3 and 4 string guitars, but they have a ukulele group and a group for "Diddly Bows and Other Primitives."

Thanks for the link, J-Peg! I've saved it for that time when I dip my toes in those waters.... ooh, exciting......

barefootgypsy · Oct 19, 2012

gnordenstam said:
I finished up my 3-string cigar box guitar last night. Cigar Box Nation is a great site. Other helpful sites are Cigar Box Guitars and Handmade Music Clubhouse.

Here are a couple of pics of final assembly...
View attachment 44284 View attachment 44285 View attachment 44286

That looks just great! Now we need a video!

Anyone made a diddley-bow?

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