Hi everyone! I'm attempting to make my first diddley bow, and was following the directions from One String Willie
Everything's fine so far, except I have .056 gauge music wire, and it is VERY stiff and heavy. I have just some el cheapo tuning machines, and I'm not sure they'll stand up to this. I've never built my own instrument before and I'm sort of nervous.
Any advice? Will that heavy of a wire work, or should I just give up and get a guitar string? Also, I see Dr. Oakroot's directions say you can use fishing line - anyone know how good that sounds?
Thanks!
Pam
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I agree that the 0.056" wire is a pain to bend and to cut. Heavy pliers are needed to cut wire this thick and hard. Broom wire is approximately 0.045" (18-1/2 gauge) and is much easier to work with. I am trying to get a supply of broom wire that I can make available from my website.
I will keep you posted.
Best regards, Willie
Pamster said:
Wow, thanks for the advice! I really enjoyed your site, and appreciate your personal reply. I have to say that I am just flat out scared of that .056 wire! It's a real beast to work with, so I'll try to enlist some help and follow your tips. And wear good eye protection!!
I've finished the lighter version w/the tuning machine and it sounds pretty good. I tried the fishing line and it didn't have much oomph - although when I shoved an Altoids tin next to the "bridge" it was an interesting effect. But not what I wanted, so I swapped the fishing line out with a guitar string (.032) and I like the sound a lot.
One String Willie said:
Hi Pam-
I use 0.056 music wire on some of my diddley bows, and as Wade says, you don't necessarily need tuning machines, just a couple of 16 penny nails driven well into the wood. Put the diddley bow on the floor, put the music wire beside one of the nails, and position yourself with your left hand on the long part of the wire to hold it down. Lean down to put your wieght on your hand and the wire, and with long-nosed pliers in your right hand, wrap the wire around the nail twice. It is easiest to do this if you are working with your torso right above the diddley bow with the nail pointing at you, rather than working from the side. You get a lot more leverage on the wire that way. After you have a little more than two wraps, insert the pliers under the long part of the wire, grab the short end of the wire with the tips of the pliers and pull it under the long part, and then fold the short end of the wire over the long part to lock it in place.
So, the wire has two wraps going UP the nail, and then the short end is pulled UNDER the long end and is folded over the long end to lock it in place.
Repeat this at the other nail. I would advise hammering a finishing nail next to the 16 penny nail and hammering down over the wire to prevent it from riding up the nail when you slip the bridge and nut under the wire.
You can try fishing line, but my feeling is that it would likely be much too flimsy to hold up to the kind of playing I do. However, you may find a different way of playing that would work well with this kind of string. For example, Lonnie Pitchford played a guitar-like diddley bow and his playing style featured multiple pull-offs (two or three fingers pulling off in rapid sequence) and hammer-ons, and this type of string would probably be well suited for that type of playing style.
Please let me know how it comes out--since you are following my instructions, I have a particular interest in making sure the instructions are clear, and that you are happy with your instrument!
Good luck and please let us know how it works out!
Wow, thanks for the advice! I really enjoyed your site, and appreciate your personal reply. I have to say that I am just flat out scared of that .056 wire! It's a real beast to work with, so I'll try to enlist some help and follow your tips. And wear good eye protection!!
I've finished the lighter version w/the tuning machine and it sounds pretty good. I tried the fishing line and it didn't have much oomph - although when I shoved an Altoids tin next to the "bridge" it was an interesting effect. But not what I wanted, so I swapped the fishing line out with a guitar string (.032) and I like the sound a lot.
One String Willie said:
Hi Pam-
I use 0.056 music wire on some of my diddley bows, and as Wade says, you don't necessarily need tuning machines, just a couple of 16 penny nails driven well into the wood. Put the diddley bow on the floor, put the music wire beside one of the nails, and position yourself with your left hand on the long part of the wire to hold it down. Lean down to put your wieght on your hand and the wire, and with long-nosed pliers in your right hand, wrap the wire around the nail twice. It is easiest to do this if you are working with your torso right above the diddley bow with the nail pointing at you, rather than working from the side. You get a lot more leverage on the wire that way. After you have a little more than two wraps, insert the pliers under the long part of the wire, grab the short end of the wire with the tips of the pliers and pull it under the long part, and then fold the short end of the wire over the long part to lock it in place.
So, the wire has two wraps going UP the nail, and then the short end is pulled UNDER the long end and is folded over the long end to lock it in place.
Repeat this at the other nail. I would advise hammering a finishing nail next to the 16 penny nail and hammering down over the wire to prevent it from riding up the nail when you slip the bridge and nut under the wire.
You can try fishing line, but my feeling is that it would likely be much too flimsy to hold up to the kind of playing I do. However, you may find a different way of playing that would work well with this kind of string. For example, Lonnie Pitchford played a guitar-like diddley bow and his playing style featured multiple pull-offs (two or three fingers pulling off in rapid sequence) and hammer-ons, and this type of string would probably be well suited for that type of playing style.
Please let me know how it comes out--since you are following my instructions, I have a particular interest in making sure the instructions are clear, and that you are happy with your instrument!
Good luck and please let us know how it works out!
I use 0.056 music wire on some of my diddley bows, and as Wade says, you don't necessarily need tuning machines, just a couple of 16 penny nails driven well into the wood. Put the diddley bow on the floor, put the music wire beside one of the nails, and position yourself with your left hand on the long part of the wire to hold it down. Lean down to put your wieght on your hand and the wire, and with long-nosed pliers in your right hand, wrap the wire around the nail twice. It is easiest to do this if you are working with your torso right above the diddley bow with the nail pointing at you, rather than working from the side. You get a lot more leverage on the wire that way. After you have a little more than two wraps, insert the pliers under the long part of the wire, grab the short end of the wire with the tips of the pliers and pull it under the long part, and then fold the short end of the wire over the long part to lock it in place.
So, the wire has two wraps going UP the nail, and then the short end is pulled UNDER the long end and is folded over the long end to lock it in place.
Repeat this at the other nail. I would advise hammering a finishing nail next to the 16 penny nail and hammering down over the wire to prevent it from riding up the nail when you slip the bridge and nut under the wire.
You can try fishing line, but my feeling is that it would likely be much too flimsy to hold up to the kind of playing I do. However, you may find a different way of playing that would work well with this kind of string. For example, Lonnie Pitchford played a guitar-like diddley bow and his playing style featured multiple pull-offs (two or three fingers pulling off in rapid sequence) and hammer-ons, and this type of string would probably be well suited for that type of playing style.
Please let me know how it comes out--since you are following my instructions, I have a particular interest in making sure the instructions are clear, and that you are happy with your instrument!
Good luck and please let us know how it works out!
Wade, thanks for the advice. Since I had the materials, I'm going to make two of them - I'll use the heavy music wire like you suggested for one, and then a lighter wire and the tuning machine on the other. When I get 'em done, I'll post pics.
I'd go for the music wire. You don't even need tuning machines for a diddley bow-just 2 nails or wood screws. Tighten the string between these as tight as possible and then jam something(bottle, wood, metal etc) on each end of the string to form a bridge and a nut.
Replies
Thank you for your kind words!
I agree that the 0.056" wire is a pain to bend and to cut. Heavy pliers are needed to cut wire this thick and hard. Broom wire is approximately 0.045" (18-1/2 gauge) and is much easier to work with. I am trying to get a supply of broom wire that I can make available from my website.
I will keep you posted.
Best regards, Willie
Pamster said:
I've finished the lighter version w/the tuning machine and it sounds pretty good. I tried the fishing line and it didn't have much oomph - although when I shoved an Altoids tin next to the "bridge" it was an interesting effect. But not what I wanted, so I swapped the fishing line out with a guitar string (.032) and I like the sound a lot.
One String Willie said:
I use 0.056 music wire on some of my diddley bows, and as Wade says, you don't necessarily need tuning machines, just a couple of 16 penny nails driven well into the wood. Put the diddley bow on the floor, put the music wire beside one of the nails, and position yourself with your left hand on the long part of the wire to hold it down. Lean down to put your wieght on your hand and the wire, and with long-nosed pliers in your right hand, wrap the wire around the nail twice. It is easiest to do this if you are working with your torso right above the diddley bow with the nail pointing at you, rather than working from the side. You get a lot more leverage on the wire that way. After you have a little more than two wraps, insert the pliers under the long part of the wire, grab the short end of the wire with the tips of the pliers and pull it under the long part, and then fold the short end of the wire over the long part to lock it in place.
So, the wire has two wraps going UP the nail, and then the short end is pulled UNDER the long end and is folded over the long end to lock it in place.
Repeat this at the other nail. I would advise hammering a finishing nail next to the 16 penny nail and hammering down over the wire to prevent it from riding up the nail when you slip the bridge and nut under the wire.
You can try fishing line, but my feeling is that it would likely be much too flimsy to hold up to the kind of playing I do. However, you may find a different way of playing that would work well with this kind of string. For example, Lonnie Pitchford played a guitar-like diddley bow and his playing style featured multiple pull-offs (two or three fingers pulling off in rapid sequence) and hammer-ons, and this type of string would probably be well suited for that type of playing style.
Please let me know how it comes out--since you are following my instructions, I have a particular interest in making sure the instructions are clear, and that you are happy with your instrument!
Good luck and please let us know how it works out!
Best regards, Willie