I'm planning to build a diddley bow and I don't know which string should I use, thick or thin. I'm thinking of using a piezo pickup, but I would like it to be loud acoustically.
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thicker strings -> lower pitch sound -> warmer but perceived less loud.
piezo plugged into an amp -> as loud as you set the dials.
generally, unless you are trying to play along with some canned music or other musicians, put whatever you have on hand and enjoy making some noise.
If you are trying to play along with other music, 24-25.5 scale length with either an unwound G (#3 from a pack) or an A (#5 from a pack) tuned down to G.
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The beauty of a diddley bow is: it don't matter.
thinner strings -> higher pitch sound -> perceived louder but tinny
thicker strings -> lower pitch sound -> warmer but perceived less loud.
piezo plugged into an amp -> as loud as you set the dials.
generally, unless you are trying to play along with some canned music or other musicians, put whatever you have on hand and enjoy making some noise.
If you are trying to play along with other music, 24-25.5 scale length with either an unwound G (#3 from a pack) or an A (#5 from a pack) tuned down to G.