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Diddley Bow String...

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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Permalink Reply by Dan Sleep on July 12, 2011 at 6:23am

You can use weed whacker line too. It comes in several sizes.

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Permalink Reply by Artist Formerly Known as Matt on July 12, 2011 at 6:39am

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

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Permalink Reply by Seaman Jay on July 12, 2011 at 7:27am

(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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Permalink Reply by ED (Bad Finger) on July 12, 2011 at 9:10am

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.

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Permalink Reply by JUJU on July 12, 2011 at 6:06pm

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

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Permalink Reply by Ethan on July 12, 2011 at 6:53pm

I'm planning on using a piezo for cost and ease of installation. A low E string was what I had initially thought to use. But has anyone used this stuff: http://cgi.ebay.com/Authentic-Diddley-Bow-and-Cigar-Box-Guitar-Broo...

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Permalink Reply by ED (Bad Finger) on July 12, 2011 at 9:17pm

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.