2 String Diddley Bow (Electric Optional) by chuckbobuck

Last crawled date: 3 years, 1 month ago

The files included are for two versions of the 2 String "Cigar Box" style (electric optional) Diddley Bow. The fret version and the captive slide version which is a concept of my own. Both are built using a 1 inch wooden dowel for the neck.
The fret version has a dowel that is 31.0 inches in length and is mounted with 2.50 inches protruding from the cap end of the front box. The distance from the center of the bridge to the center of the nut MUST be 25.5 inches for the fret range to be correct.
The captive slide version has a dowel that can be any length (28.5 inches shown) and is also mounted with 2.50 inches protruding from the cap end of the front box.
Three different front boxes are included. Any will work, but the big center hole will allow less pick scraping. The downside is that the dowel is visible and blocks sound. It can be stained black as shown using a Sharpie permanent marker. The decorative score lines were originally added to reduce part warping.
Two different nut/tuning peg headstocks are included. One for the fret version and one for the slide version. They are both designed for Right Hand Stratocaster tuning pegs. If you have Left Hand Stratocaster tuning pegs you will need to mirror the part before printing.
Bridge height for the fret version is.325 inches and .250 inches for the slide version. The height can be changed if needed.
All parts are attached with #6 x 3/4 L (M3.5 x 20mm) flat head wood screws except the bridge which is attached with #6 x 1/2 L (M3.5 x 12mm) flat head wood screws.
For additional strength mount 1/8 inch diameter pop-rivets (minus the nail) in the cap holes before sliding in the strings.
The Slide is installed with the lip toward the box. The inner surface of the slide should be lined to avoid scraping sounds when moved. The photo shows one lined with glued denim fabric, but duct tape is as good or better and easier to install. To mark the dowel for slide fret positions determine the center of the bridge to the center of the nut distance then use an online fret calculator.
Creating an electric Diddley Bow is fairly simple. The minimum requirement is a piezo crystal and a 1/4 inch phone jack. The piezo is available from Amazon or a piezo from a dismembered buzzer (shown) can be used. There are knock-out plugs for mounting the jack and potentiometers. An adapter is included for small shaft potentiometers. Refer to the schematic diagrams for wiring. When the wiring is complete duct tape the piezo disk to the inside of the box.
The Diddley Bow can be setup however you like. It is intended to be played with electric guitar strings (A & D) tuned to open G & open D. If acoustic nylon strings are used the notches in the bridge and nut may need to be modified. Since the piezo electric system doesn't rely on magnetism it will still work with non-metalic strings.
The Diddley Bow is fun to play. When playing with the captive slide, hold it with the orientation hole pointing upward. The slide version can also be played with a normal guitar slide by simply sliding the captive slide against the box to get it out of the way.