I'm getting ready to build my first diddley bow and I'm wondering what the best thing to use for a string really is? It's going to be electric, and I want a real rippin' growl of a sound from it. I've seen some people using various guitar strings and others just using old wire. And I've seen the "authentic broom wire" for sale on Ebay. Suggestions? I live in a pretty rural area. So it's not easy for me to just run out and buy a pack of guitar strings to experiment with.
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With just one string, you might not be too happy with the sound of a piezo unless you add electronic effects and/or a preamp. Then you lose the cost benefit vs a cheap may pup. Just my opinion worth what you paid.
i usually use a low E from a set of 10's mind you it all depends on what scale length your going to use and if your using Piezo or magnetic pickup or acoustic ???
anyway heres a video i made check it out along with others and see what sounds best for you
I used the low E string on mine and it sounded great. My latest bow is octave tuned Dd and I love the sound. Just need a mag pickup to improve the sound.
(upright?) bass flat-wound G string. It sounds really sweet and it'll be playable with a slide (checked).
Round-wound bass strings are just too damn noisy when "sliding" (tested as well).
Warning: the string may be a bit too hefty for a standard guitar tuner.
Weed whacker line - never tried it. But wanted to - I saw it at the local DYI store, but the stuff seems to be almost glass-hard, I have some doubts if it won't break on a tuner peg...
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i usually use a low E from a set of 10's mind you it all depends on what scale length your going to use and if your using Piezo or magnetic pickup or acoustic ???
anyway heres a video i made check it out along with others and see what sounds best for you
(upright?) bass flat-wound G string. It sounds really sweet and it'll be playable with a slide (checked).
Round-wound bass strings are just too damn noisy when "sliding" (tested as well).
Warning: the string may be a bit too hefty for a standard guitar tuner.
Weed whacker line - never tried it. But wanted to - I saw it at the local DYI store, but the stuff seems to be almost glass-hard, I have some doubts if it won't break on a tuner peg...
You want a big growl use and low E, or maybe even a D or G bass string and a bass pick-up ....... but I piezo will work well also.
AFKAM