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Permalink Reply by Yankee Dog on February 6, 2014 at 1:24am

The only broomstick necks I have seen use two sticks side by side. I am really unsure a standard broomstick could stand up to a two stringer?? 

I have used shovel and ax handles successfully.

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Permalink Reply by Vick Griffin on February 6, 2014 at 1:39am

Here's a six-stringer that uses only a single stick:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YG2QCSHpThU

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Permalink Reply by Wichita Sam on February 6, 2014 at 1:47am

A standard broom stick size (3/4") of a hardwood like hickory will easily handle 3 strings..... If you buy dowel sticks, know what wood it's made of.  Some are either soft woods or "open grained" hardwoods that will either bend or break under pressure.

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Permalink Reply by Skeesix on February 6, 2014 at 5:09am

I've used one inch dowels for one string, which worked fine. It was some kind of white wood, species unknown. I believe Lowes/Home Depot might have oak dowels?

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Permalink Reply by Jim Woods on February 7, 2014 at 6:09pm

I ave not tried a 3 string , but did a Didley Bow one string - the string was the wire wrapped around the straw & pretty heavy.  I think it is about 1", but had some cracks from weathering. - Momma wasn't about to let me tear up her good broom :-)

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Permalink Reply by Groucho on February 9, 2014 at 6:41pm

I used a 1" red oak dowel from Home Depot to make this canjo.  I have since restrung it with a 52 gauge string.

I believe that it is definitely strong enough to hold 3 strings.

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Permalink Reply by Phil Thomas on February 15, 2014 at 12:43am

I've used 21mm and 25mm dowels on Diddley bows with no problems at all even with soft wood. Even if they bow a little you are playing with a slide anyway...easy to replace if you need to and cheap enough. Go for it!

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