Hi from Northern Maine! Just got bit by the Diddley Bow bug and I'm beggining a Cigar Box style one, just wanted to know what you guys recommend for a scale length (nut to bridge). I have a 4 foot 1x2 of Oak that I want to use for the neck, I figured that would be a good choice since its a fairly hard/resiliant wood. Thanks for any help, Nick
-Nordmenn forene
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Trower, its good you have an intended use in mind, that will guide the build -> form follows function...
folk/bluegrass suggest a lot of music in the key of G, blues suggests a lot in the key of Am, a diddley bow tuned to open G can let you play either, or uptune the G to A if that's easier for blues...
If you already play guitar, stick with a standard guitar scale of 24-25.5 so you can use your muscle memory.
You can still play it lap style if you want, even if you use a box for a body. I have made several like that, I use a pick when playing it"guitar style", and prefer a chopstick when playing it lap style. Last one I added a popcicle stick to the edge of the face for extra percussion and to save wear on the face.
Hi. I am all thumbs with tools and measuring devices. I honestly don't know how to get from a hank of broom wire and a 2x4 plank (about 35 inches?) to a Diddley Bow. How do I attach the wire? How do I know what size tensioners to use? The only part I "get" is how to put a magnetic pickup under the wire and strap the 1/4" jack to the side of the plank. If someone has a step by step guide somewhere on line, I would really appreciate being pointed towards that so I can make the thing.
Thanks
Gordon Cooper
Bremerton WA
far upper Northwest corner of the continental USA
Lane Martin > Gordon CooperJanuary 24, 2017 at 4:55pm
Gordon,
The simplest way is to drive two nails into the plank, one near each end. Tie the wire to one (down low), then pull tight and tie it off to the other nail. Slip a glass bottle or such under the wire near one end (for a bridge). You may have to put another nail in to hold the bottle in place. Attach the mag pup under the wire, plug in, and play.
There's a video on youtube (search Jack White It Might Get Loud intro). It's not exactly a how-to, but you'll get the idea.
What I use is the scale length from my Dulcimer.
I build all my instruments to that fretboard.That way I know its right .
But using a guitar fretboard length will work just as well.
It's not rocket science tho some folks would try to make it sound like its a tuff nut to crack.
Just use a guitar for your measurements or a dulcimer and your home free if you dont want to mess with figuring out scale lengths.
I was way too lazy to do all that.
-Jerry, I too have a feeling that I will like the lap style one better, but I want to use it in a band, but not as a main instrument......so a CBG style one would be easier to lug and switch to. I really do like having no fretboard under me and really hitting the string, really fun!
As far as length goes, I just take a guitar string and go by how long it is. I don't lean much towards the CBG style diddley bow. For me, a diddley bow is something you sit in your lap.....so as far as that goes, I wanted my diddley bow to look like I just ripped it out of some wall of a old house or found it out in a stack of lumber behind the barn. Go with what you feel. Can't go wrong if you like it.
If you are unconcerned about the note it produces or not concerned about playing it against other instruments, it doesn't matter. Back in the day, they used baling wire. They were not concerned about guage. On the other hand, if you want it to produce a certain note at a certain pitch, use a guitar as your guide. Standard guitar scale lengths are 23 to 24" You can tune to any note if you vary the string gauge. Enjoy.
When I made my diddley bow, I made it just a little shorter than the string I had. Probably the least scientific answer you were looking for, but it worked for me! :-)
Replies
Trower, its good you have an intended use in mind, that will guide the build -> form follows function...
folk/bluegrass suggest a lot of music in the key of G, blues suggests a lot in the key of Am, a diddley bow tuned to open G can let you play either, or uptune the G to A if that's easier for blues...
If you already play guitar, stick with a standard guitar scale of 24-25.5 so you can use your muscle memory.
You can still play it lap style if you want, even if you use a box for a body. I have made several like that, I use a pick when playing it"guitar style", and prefer a chopstick when playing it lap style. Last one I added a popcicle stick to the edge of the face for extra percussion and to save wear on the face.
Hi. I am all thumbs with tools and measuring devices. I honestly don't know how to get from a hank of broom wire and a 2x4 plank (about 35 inches?) to a Diddley Bow. How do I attach the wire? How do I know what size tensioners to use? The only part I "get" is how to put a magnetic pickup under the wire and strap the 1/4" jack to the side of the plank. If someone has a step by step guide somewhere on line, I would really appreciate being pointed towards that so I can make the thing.
Thanks
Gordon Cooper
Bremerton WA
far upper Northwest corner of the continental USA
Gordon,
The simplest way is to drive two nails into the plank, one near each end. Tie the wire to one (down low), then pull tight and tie it off to the other nail. Slip a glass bottle or such under the wire near one end (for a bridge). You may have to put another nail in to hold the bottle in place. Attach the mag pup under the wire, plug in, and play.
There's a video on youtube (search Jack White It Might Get Loud intro). It's not exactly a how-to, but you'll get the idea.
I build all my instruments to that fretboard.That way I know its right .
But using a guitar fretboard length will work just as well.
It's not rocket science tho some folks would try to make it sound like its a tuff nut to crack.
Just use a guitar for your measurements or a dulcimer and your home free if you dont want to mess with figuring out scale lengths.
I was way too lazy to do all that.
-Jerry, I too have a feeling that I will like the lap style one better, but I want to use it in a band, but not as a main instrument......so a CBG style one would be easier to lug and switch to. I really do like having no fretboard under me and really hitting the string, really fun!
Thanks, Nick
-Nordmenn forene
-Daryl thanks for the link, great info, exactly what I needed!
-Keni, that is why I asked I plan on using this (and a 3 string CBG) in a Folk/Bluegrass band that does some blues as well.
Thanks again for all the help, Nick
-Nordmenn forene
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