Electrifying the Diddley bow.

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by One String Willie on July 4, 2010 at 4:35pm

Hi Hannibal-

For a lap-style diddley bow, my preference is for an electromagnetic pickup placed within 1/4 of the open string length of the bridge. You can wind your own on a sewing machine bobbin--I have an article in MAKE magazine issue #23 (I think this is still the current issue) that describes how to do this.

I also have diddley bows with piezos in (or under) the bridge. These also work fairly well but you do get more handling noise, and in some cases, can hear the "wrong" side of the string sounding.

However, the bottom line is that I would suggest you experiment to find out what you like best.

Best regards, Willie

Permalink Reply by Hannibal ManCracker on July 6, 2010 at 5:09am

Thanks Willie and ABE - Always Be Experimenting

Permalink Reply by Ceccon Joe on July 28, 2010 at 5:15pm

Did you glued the piezo under the bone looks a little bit like Ted Crocker's Pick Up isn't it?

Randy S. Bretz said:

In the pic you see the bridge with the piezo in front of it- thats my d-bow bone piezo bridge and it works great. No feedback even with the gain turned way up.

Permalink Reply by Andy Stone on August 25, 2010 at 6:12pm

A security door electro magnet makes a good single pole pick up! Rather low impedance but still sounds great!
The coloured screw heads act as position markers.

Permalink Reply by Hannibal ManCracker on September 30, 2010 at 7:47pm

Do you have a source for those? or just something you found?