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A diddley bow is a one-string instrument associated with early country blues, and you can build a simple version from a board, string, nails, a nut, and a rigid bridge. Strike or pluck the string for rhythm, then move a hard slide along it to change pitch. Because the tension and strength of improvised wire are uncertain, wear hand and face protection while building and tuning.
What you need
David L. Williams Jr.’s Make: project describes one practical board-based design. Its materials are a roughly 3-foot length of 2×4 or 2×6 lumber, low-stretch wire, two 16-penny nails, a nut, and a rigid bridge. These are choices for that design, not requirements for every diddley bow.
| Part | Options and notes |
|---|---|
| Board | Make: specifies a roughly 3-foot length of 2×4 or 2×6 lumber. |
| String | Broom wire is a traditional found-material choice; music wire is a suitable low-stretch substitute. A guitar string is another option, but check that its shorter length suits your board. |
| Anchors | The Make: example uses two 16-penny nails. |
| Nut and bridge | Use a nut and a rigid bridge. Make: describes a small block for the nut and a rigid object such as a jar or coupling for the bridge. |
| Playing tools | A hard slide may be glass, metal, a bottleneck, a knife, or an iron thimble. A finger or short stick can strike or pluck the string. |
Basic tools include a saw, hammer, and side-cutting pliers. The Smithsonian Folkways lesson describes a tight rope fixed to a wooden board or even a house wall, illustrating how much construction can vary.
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Safety before tensioning
The Make: guide warns that the tension and tensile strength of improvised wire are unknown, and that the board and glass bridge are under compression. Wear hand and face protection while tensioning. Keep your face away from the string and do not lean over it. Stop if the wire, anchors, board, or bridge looks damaged or unstable.
Build a basic board version
- Prepare the board. Cut a roughly 3-foot board, following the Make: example. Check that it is stable and free of splinters.
- Attach the string. Use two 16-penny nails as anchors near opposite ends of the board. Secure the low-stretch wire at each end. Follow the Make: design for its specific anchoring approach, and protect yourself while tensioning.
- Fit the nut and bridge. Place a nut near one anchor and a rigid bridge under the string near the other. Check that the string rests securely on both supports.
- Check the sound and stability. Pluck or strike the string gently. If the supports move or the string slips, stop and correct the setup before playing. Do not increase tension blindly to chase a particular tone.
Make: describes one stable board-based design, but diddley bows can use other everyday materials and arrangements. Its measurements and hardware should be treated as one maker’s example rather than universal specifications.
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- THE ORIGINAL ACOUSTIC STRING: 80/20 Bronze was originally created by John D’Addario Sr. and renowned guitar maker John D’Angelico in the 1930s.
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How to play
Smithsonian Folkways describes playing the string by pinching or rubbing it with a bottleneck, knife, or iron thimble. You can also strike or pluck the string to establish a rhythm, then touch it with a hard slide to change pitch. Keep the slide in contact with the string lightly and listen for the note rather than pressing hard.
- Start by plucking or striking the open string and listening to its pitch.
- Touch the string with a glass or metal slide, bottleneck, or other hard object, and move it along the string to change the note.
- Try striking or plucking a steady rhythm while the other hand slides or briefly damps the string.
- Learn a familiar tune one note and phrase at a time, then combine the phrases. Make: suggests this as a beginner approach.
A brief history
Smithsonian Folkways places the diddley bow among instruments associated with early country blues and describes rural musicians making instruments from everyday household materials. Its lesson features country blues musician Lonnie Pitchford and references a diddley bow performance recorded in 1978.
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The instrument’s construction and playing have varied, from a tight rope fixed to a board or wall to other found-material designs. These sources support its association with early country blues, but do not establish one definitive origin story or prove that the diddley bow alone caused the development of blues slide guitar.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Frequently Asked Questions
What is a diddley bow?
It is a single-string instrument associated with early country blues. A simple version can be made from a board and string, with a nut and bridge supporting the string.
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What string should I use?
The Make: guide favors wire that does not stretch much under tension. It identifies broom wire and music wire as options and says a guitar string can work if its shorter length suits your build.
What can I use as a slide?
A hard object such as a glass or metal slide, bottleneck, knife, or iron thimble can be used. Smithsonian Folkways describes these kinds of playing tools; a purchase is not essential.
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How do I make rhythm on a diddley bow?
Strike or pluck the string steadily, and use the other hand to slide or briefly damp the string. Make: also suggests learning a familiar tune one note and phrase at a time.
Is it safe to tension improvised wire?
Improvised wire’s strength and tension are uncertain. The Make: guide recommends hand and face protection while tensioning; stop if any component appears damaged or unstable.
Quick Recap
Sources
- Smithsonian Folkways Recordings, “Blues in the Country: Lesson 5 Teacher Guide” and “Blues in the Country” lesson
- David L. Williams Jr., “The Diddley Bow: a Primitive Guitar,” Make:
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