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building electric diddley bow need help!!!!

Posted by Scruggy on October 1, 2014 at 9:03pm in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion

Hi everyone was too scared to build 3 string cbg (even though got all the parts) untill I seen justin johnsons vid on making a diddley bow and though hell I can do that! So my first build is guna be a one string electric diddley bow! 

Ive a few questions which is best pick up? bridge or not sure name of the other think its a humbucker?

What length?

What strings to use ive standard 3 string set and E string and A string of electric bass guitar! Im a huge classic rock fam ACDC, Metallica, Van Halen etc, so based on that type of music which string?

Using a home built cigarbox with sound holes and a through neck broom handle!

Would appreciate any imput or ideas!

Thanks in advance guys!

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Replies

  • robert jones October 9, 2014 at 9:16am

    Here's another song you should recognize:

    5 5 12 12 12 7 8 7 5

    12 15 17 15 12 14 10 12

    17 17 17 15 12 12 10 8 7 3

    5 12 10 8 7 5 3 5

    I know it's not the classic rock you prefer but it is common tune that will help you get a feel for playing your diddley bow.

    • Scruggy > robert jones October 9, 2014 at 10:33am
      Think I know it can't for life of me remember the name but there are lyrics that go "drink a cup of irish beer" ? Am I right!
      • robert jones > Scruggy October 9, 2014 at 11:58am

        The tune is most commonly known as Scarborough Fair but there are other names on record.

        Though I have never heard this tune with "drink a cup of Irish beer" lyrics, seeing as the melody is over 300 years old with numerous lyric variations, I wouldn't be surprised if that's yet another.

        I would be interested in the version with the lyrics you mention. Can you post those complete lyrics or direct me to where those can be found?

        Did you figure out the previous tune I posted for you?

  • Scruggy October 7, 2014 at 8:29pm
    Built diddley bow with prewired pickup as seen on photos! But sound on electrics not right need to turn volume up real high on guitar before you hear even though amp up pretty high! Could it be that the strings are a little high and I need to adjust the pickup a little higher? Not sure what's wrong but IV a simple piezo on another cbg and the sound seems better?
    • Diglydog > Scruggy October 8, 2014 at 4:02am

      It could be the string height, it's difficult to see on the photos.  Can you pop the bolt off the bridge to lower it temporarily just to see whether it gets louder ?

      • Scruggy > Diglydog October 8, 2014 at 11:00am
        Will give that a go later! Thing the pick up is adjustle too so can bring that up a bit higher also!
  • Scruggy October 6, 2014 at 6:48pm
    Just finished my first build, one string cigarbox diddley bow! What a fun weekends work! Waiting for glue to set before I plug her in and see how she sounds! :-)
    • bemuzic > Scruggy October 6, 2014 at 6:52pm

      oooh that's when the fun will really begin. It's so exciting playing something you've made for the first time!

  • robert jones October 6, 2014 at 8:57am

    Here's another play and guess the song snippet for your one string pleasure:

    10 12 12 10 12 7 6 5 3 0 0

    10 12 12 10 12 7 6 5 3 0

    Use vibrato on the 3 fret.

    • Scruggy > robert jones October 9, 2014 at 7:38pm

      I

      s it cocaine ?

This reply was deleted.