I've got a collection of 1st (E) and 2nd (B) strings. Does anyone have a use for these? I found that I can make diddley bows using the 6th (low E) string, but don't know what to do with the others. I would gladly mail them to anyone who wants them.
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I myself would use those for canjos. I mean why not? I make both single string, and also have made a two string canjo. Those strings would work just as well as any other. It just changes the key its in.
If you really want to give them away.....
So, are you buying six-string sets? Is that why you have a collection of extras?
I've been buying them individually, either from Amazon or my local Guitar Center.
I get six-string sets on Amazon. At first I could get 3 sets for a little more than $5 total, but they have raised the price to about $10.00.
https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001677QO4/ref=oh_aui_detailpage_...
You can get a full set (not good, but not bad) on eBay for £1 if your willing to wait 6 weeks on them coming from China.
I'm not sure what £1 is in dollars.. $0.60c ?
I order 8 sets for the same price as 20 cigs.
If I'm gifting a guitar, I get a good set but these ones do me for general testing and personal builds.
Diddly bow's for kids. Try building sympathetic strings inside the box. Short scale instruments.
Fomhorach, can you elaborate?
First, if you are saying "Diddly bows are for kids," I would disagree with that. Diddly bows, or one-string guitars, are a great simplified introduction to hand-made instruments, but they are not only for kids.
Second, even if you view a diddly bow as a children's instrument, I would hope you are not lacking respect for kids. Kids are people, too. Just shorter. And naive. And often sticky.
I like the idea of resonating strings inside the box, though. That's something to think about.
-Tommy
Diddly bow's are a great introduction to musical instruments. Yup, they are not just for kids but kids love them and loving music creation is the key to a lasting love of of all kinds of musical instruments. I think there's nothing worse than a kid being made to take lessons. I believe it drives them away from playing. Give them something noisey that they can get really creative on and let them rip. It doesn't take a long time to make a simple one so get them strings on and give the gift of music. I'll add a picture of my efforts of sympathetic strings inside the box.
IMG_20160703_194028.jpg
Oh, thank you for that picture, that just makes my head spin. Do you have a recording of what that sounds like?
Also, I appreciate your clarification about diddly bows and kids. I've made and given away a number of them, mostly but not exclusively to kids.
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