(Alright all you smarty-pantses and dirty minds, I mean the garden variety hoe, not the other kind!) 

So, at a community yard sale last Saturday I bought this really cool-lookin' hoe ($1, bargained down from $2).  I figured I'd either use the handle for a diddley bow or the whole thing for a guit of some kind.  I need some help with just what to do with it:

1.)  I think I'll make a diddley bow or guit using the rusty hoe blade.  I figured I'd make a hole(s) in the blade and run the string(s) through that, and put the nut and tuning machine up the neck/handle.

2.)  How many strings should I plan on?  1 = diddley bow?  2-3 = slide guit?  Justin Johnson plays a really cool 3-string shovel guit.  Would that work?

3.)  What should I do with the surface of the handle/neck?  Leave it as is (I don't think splinters are a danger) which would look cool and aged and distressed but be a bit rough?  Sand it down like some do with barn wood?  And the finish--should I coat it with poly?  Linseed oil?  Tung oil?  Leave it bare?

4.)  If I run the string(s) through holes in the hoe blade, how would I anchor them on the wood? 

5.)  Should I cut the handle/neck down to size, say, 25"-32", or leave it the way it is and put the nut and tuner(s) where I want for scale?  (I kinda already know what I want to do there.  It would look MUCH cooler if I don't cut the handle.)

5.)  Where would I put the pickup?

Thanks!  

Views: 272

Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

what you need to do is , go to ebay . and get  this ...

https://www.ebay.com/itm/The-Dirty-Hoe-Garden-Supply-metal-sign-8x1...

or this

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Dirty-Hoe-Happy-Hoe-Metal-Sign-Vintage-Loo...

build a box around it  , and  incorporate it all together ,

 ;-)

easiest is a one string   (a suitable "G" string  maybe  :-} )  use a hose clamp for the nut  and a flat head screw for the bridge . 

if you go 3 string , you can make an adapter like so for the nut.

leaving the neck as is should be fine for slide .

instead of holes n the blade , maybe cut slots instead  . the ball ends will be the anchors . 

most of all  .... have fun . ;-)

I love the signs.  Gotta get me both!  Slots instead of holes, huh?  Interesting!  Thanks!

1 string diddley bow - straight easy. 3 string git - imo much more playable, slightly more planning. Leave the neck long, for now. You can cut it back later if it proves to be unwieldy to play. Oil the neck, leaving a more natural finish is my vote. Cut and file a flat notch to install your tuners. Three-in-a-line might be best for space, or just one, of course for a diddley bow. Cut and file a notch for the bridge  in the vicinity of the handle/steel joint. Probably have to install p'up at an angle (6 pole p'up) or use a 3 string p'up, a little forward of the bridge. Install jack and pots in the steel hoe. Bone nut in appropriate position. This should get 'er done. At least a dozen more ways to approach this build, I reckon. Could be a way cool $1 start to a build. Just do it.

Bone nut?  Hmm....  Quite often I use a piece of all-thread.  Would that work for the bridge?  Thanks!

Make it into a playing garden hoe use it while you garden then when you rest you can chill up and play a few tunes . I’m a avid gardener and like to use one tool for a few jobs , just my 2 pits . 

Send her my way, I'll help her practice.

Oh, guess I should read the post and not just the title.  :D

:)

RSS

The Essential Pages

New to Cigar Box Nation? How to Play Cigar Box GuitarsFree Plans & How to Build Cigar Box GuitarsCigar Box Guitar Building Basics

Site Sponsor

Recommended Links & Resources


Forum

crossover guitar.

Started by Timothy Hunter in Other stuff - off topic, fun stuff, whatever. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 21. 11 Replies

Tune up songs

Started by Ghostbuttons in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Timothy Hunter Mar 9. 5 Replies

Duel output jacks

Started by Justin Stanchfield in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Taffy Evans Mar 8. 6 Replies

How to Get Your Own Music on Spotify

Started by Cigar Box Nation in Feature Articles. Last reply by Southern Ray Feb 21. 2 Replies

CB Bass Guitar

Started by Mi Rankin in Building Secrets, Tips, Advice, Discussion. Last reply by Justin Stanchfield Jan 27. 5 Replies

Latest Activity

A.D.EKER commented on A.D.EKER's video
Thumbnail

Im Troubled (Tribute) Mc K Morganfield by BCB - A.D .Eker 2024.

"Thank you Poorness ! for loving it ! appreciated!"
14 hours ago
Southern Ray replied to Timothy Hunter's discussion just came accross this pickup idea on youtube.
" Very interesting. Thank you Timothy!"
14 hours ago
Kent Thurston updated their profile
14 hours ago
Southern Ray posted a photo

Punch Project!

She now sports gold metal CBGitty knobs, speaker and an Artec 2.5 watt speaker. Finished this in…
15 hours ago
Southern Ray posted a photo

Project Punch!

Gonna finally get back on this long-delayed project that is more than half complete. (The matching…
15 hours ago
Poorness Studios liked A.D.EKER's video
17 hours ago
BrianQ. left a comment for Rob (Uker) Porras
"Hope this helps?"
17 hours ago
Doug Thorsvik commented on Doug Thorsvik's photo
Thumbnail

Dueling Flatheads

"I appreciate the kind words Papa D! I have always loved the look of these cigar boxes. Glad to have…"
20 hours ago
A.D.EKER commented on A.D.EKER's video
23 hours ago
A.D.EKER posted a video

Im Troubled (Tribute) Mc K Morganfield by BCB - A.D .Eker 2024.

The recorded History By Alan Lomax for the library of Congres of the Blues, from Mc Kinley Morganfield (Aka Muddy Waters) the in this take recorded Tribute ...
23 hours ago
Papa D commented on Doug Thorsvik's photo
Thumbnail

Dueling Flatheads

"Beautiful..Nice work Doug.."
yesterday
Papa D commented on Papa D's photo
Thumbnail

american1 Sun Glo

"Thanx AGP & Doug..  4 more coming soon"
yesterday

Music

© 2024   Created by Ben "C. B. Gitty" Baker.   Powered by

Badges  |  Report an Issue  |  Terms of Service

\uastyle>\ud/** Scrollup **/\ud.scrollup {\ud background: url("https://storage.ning.com/topology/rest/1.0/file/get/963882636?profile=original") no-repeat scroll 0 0 transparent;\ud bottom: 25px;\ud display: inline !important;\ud height: 40px;\ud opacity: 0.3 !important;\ud position: fixed;\ud right: 30px;\ud text-indent: -9999px;\ud width: 40px;\ud z-index: 999;\ud}\ud.scrollup:hover {\ud opacity:0.99!important;\ud}\ud \uascript type="text/javascript">\ud x$(document).ready(function(){\ud x$(window).scroll(function(){\ud if (x$(this).scrollTop() > 100) {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeIn();\ud } else {\ud x$('.scrollup').fadeOut();\ud }\ud });\ud x$('.scrollup').click(function(){\ud x$("html, body").animate({ scrollTop: 0 }, 600);\ud return false;\ud });\ud });\ud \ua!-- End Scroll Up -->