diddley bow guitar man "Lookin' for You"

[Django5198]

this is kinda like Beefheart

[wadester1969]

Hey tempest, thanks for the comments. It really does open a whole new range of possibilities! Enjoy building and playing!

Wade

[tempestaisback]

i built my first 4 string cigar box today and while doing some research i learned about the diddley bow and i fucking love that sound! thats my next project

[tempestaisback]

@tempestaisback i meant to say three string

[DerEchteBold]

makes me wanna reconsider my whole guitar-stuff!

[frankegoold]

great stuff

[skaterocker666]

i made 1 like this together with my best friend

now trying to make an extremely bad acoustic :P

[wadester1969]

I just tune to what sounds good to my ear. There are no rules when building these instruments

[isildur241]

What tuning are you using?

[justinhatem]

haha fantastic! 

[wadester1969]

A 2x4 better tone I think. Bending the plank is also an added bonus!

[wadester1969]

The wood was from a furniture store type pallet. I like the tone better than a

[MrNikcccc]

what kind of wood is this?

[Vanillablooos]

That is SUPER cool!! Never seen one of these before!!

[etphoneshomeNOW]

It really has a cool sound and the song is TOP too.

Congrats mate! Made me wanna build one myself ;)

[AndrasSimon]

Totally bad ass... awesome!

[wadester1969]

I totally agree. I remember wanting rack effects and gadgets so I could sound like my guitar heroes. Years later many of them went "went back to basics" with just a few effect to get a good tone. I am happy with the raw tone I'm getting with my handbuilt instruments- and I don't have to take out a loan to get them. Thanks again for your comment.

[Max0Inq]

I think revival of pure blues would do much good to music.

How can you think about expressing your emotions when only think you're really concerned about is buying brand new Les Paul with fancy maple top?

btw, great video! :D

[CaptainCropper]

Thoroughly enjoyable. Thank you.

[ontariobuds]

THAT WAS AWESOME! I really didn't expect it to sound like that.

[wadester1969]

@ontariobuds Thanks. I'm playing out of a 100 watt tube amp. It has a sweet tone. Turn it past 7 and It can rattle your teeth!

[superGWARfan666]

is this how the intro to my name is earl was made

[wadester1969]

@superGWARfan666 not sure! Do you mean "What goes around comes around song?"

I think that is a cool tune.

[squiresuzuki]

Why do the strings make sound if there's no neck that the string is compressed against?

[wadester1969]

@squiresuzuki Ah!!! You came to the right place. The slide I'm using shortens the length of the string and changes the pitch. Think of the slide as a moveable nut. Thanks for the question.

[wadester1969]

@squiresuzuki Dat dere is a gooooood question. I use a slide to change the sound-it changes the length of the strings and the pitch.

[pigeonflipper]

thats a pretty thick string, is it a low E

[wadester1969]

@pigeonflipper Yes, it's an E. Most diddley bows I have seen have a higher pitched string. I prefer a deeper sound. Thanks for the post.

Wade

[dronespace]

very cool

[jweard]

This is so sick man! I've been thinking about building myself a diddley bow for awhile and this definitely just inspired me to go through with it! DId you write this?

[wadester1969]

@jweard Thank you for the comment and sub. They are a blast to build, and yup, I wrote the song-

Thanks again.

Wade

[redgreen1990]

@wadester1969 if you wrote the song, because its an awsome song

[ejvdo]

cool but not as good as a real fiddle

[wadester1969]

@ejvdo- fiddle - now there's an idea!

[charliechapstick3000]

how do you get an echo effect with the mic? Do you just have it go through a pedal like a guitar would?

[wadester1969]

@charliechapstick3000 I believe I just added a bit of reverb on the amp. A little effect goes a long way.

Thanks for the question.

Wade

[MrDumia]

nice!

[folfyou]

That is soooooooo cool! Great song!

[Kitinetnies]

Monochord Percussion Zither. I've been a musician 27 years (got paid some fo those years, too!) and you just blew my mind with this. I watched "It Might Get Loud" and saw Jack White making one, looked it up on youtube, and found this video. You actually followed White, Page, and the edge playing Take a Load Off Annie, and I'm still impressed. awesome work!!

[wadester1969]

@Kitinetnies That's a huge compliment. It don't get much better than that. I'll keep a strong diddley hand my friend.

[graiypz]

nice dude :D

[moliba11]

you got it ***

[365Enoch]

wow, this is amazing!

[GirlArmy21]

Great job!!!! I am going to make one of these today. 

[iloveallvideos]

can you post these lyrics up??

[dmeckle]

what do people tune it to? i made a 2 string cost me 0! one 1st string one 3rd string?

[wadester1969]

@dmeckle These diddley bows were originally tuned to what sounded good to the builders ears(there usually were'nt much of any tuners on an original diddley bow, just the tension from what ever the artist shoved under a tightened string)I would tune one string to reasonable tension and then while playing both strings, tune the second to what sounds good to your ears. hope to hear it.

Wade

[dmeckle]

@wadester1969 right i knew that. thanks thou

cool tune

[iloveallvideos]

did you make this?? is this a cover?

[wadester1969]

@iloveallvideos Yes, I made the diddley bow and no, it's not a cover- I wanted to show some friends how cool this instrument can be, so I wrote a quick song in a matter of a few minutes and ad libbed quite a bit to make it a song. Sometimes everything comes together, most of the time it's tough to write! Thanks for the question.

[phr0]

why do i feel stupider having watched this?

[Kylef7735]

@phr0 It just happened to be that while watching this video, you realized you were such an idiot.

[wadester1969]

@Kylef7735 build one- play one - It is satisfying building, writing and playing your own music. Cheers

[Kylef7735]

@wadester1969 Im thinking about it.

I cant decide if i want to get a guitar and learn to play it, or make one of these and learn to play it.

[khanna06]

@Kylef7735

Do both man, I play guitar and I love it! Any time you put into will be well worth it, its the best thing after a long day to just sit back and strum out.

I need to make me one of these too :P

[daswurger]

Great !

[yoda399999]

awesome song

[yolomo321]

bad ass

[sergiuung]

pretty impresive! good job

[TheGreenerItGets]

And cigar box guitars in the back? I love this vid!

[wadester1969]

Thank for the responses. These are a lot of fun. I don't know if I like playing them or building 'em better.

[commanderplyers]

fuck me, thats amazing, iv spent the last 3 days trawling thrugh youtube looking for instruments to make, we have a winner here, i dont think there are many of these in england, cheers

[Mr13964]

this is just fucking great man, i love the blues but didnpt until now , know about the existence of the didley bow... ur pretty good at it too

[AdmiralBoom76]

"I'm evil baby!" Yeeehawwww!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[silasouren]

hey men how to install the single coil?Which you use your? and wath string you use for contruct the diddley bow?

[wadester1969]

@silasouren I used a two piezo pickups for this diddley bow. I have made a single coil by wrapping wire(copper wire recovered from an old printer) around some strong ceramic craft magnets and then strapping the pickup around the body of the diddley with rubber band. This diddley bow uses a low "E"string. A good amp, of course, also improves sound. Thanks for the post.

[WishingForSerenity]

beautiful

[loopert62]

@lozannii see the beuty of the diddley bow is that you dont need to learn to paly it you can do wat ever you want with it. it is one of those instruments were you decide everything and it wont sound like shit

[lozannii]

love this ... were would i find the lyrics for your song, Just built my first diddley bow and still learning

[eastrockaway11518]

I Tunes !

[wadester1969]

@eastrockaway11518 You mean put the song on I tunes?

Thanks - Wade

[wadester1969]

@eastrockaway11518 Do You mean put the song on I tunes?

Thanks - Wade



[legendofwii92]

That's awesome dude!

[skoragzi]

Pretty dang Cool!

[ethosmega]

this is what we call super duty tough work. love it man.

[Omletofon]

Amazing!

What kind of string / wire sits in your diddley bow?

[wadester1969]

@Omletofon I like the low sound of a low E string - phospher bronze type gives a bright sound

[nitsewasdf]

Just made a diddley bow yesterday. Used an E string as well, but I didn't construct it to be quite as long as that one. So the pitch is a little higher. Still a lot of fun to play. It is sitting next to my strat. heh. Do you have a pickup, or is that a mic strapped to the body?

[wadester1969]

@nitsewasdf yes, lots of fun. I installed a double piezo under a piece that angled the can back and used a simple 1/4 inch jack for the input.

[LeandroMuntendam]

GODDAMN! Fuckin nice sound ya got there buddy. I am thinking of building one of ma own. From empty beer bottles YIIIHAAAAA. You gonna post more of this here stuff? Sounds awesome Chief

[AdmiralBoom76]

yeah boy play that shit!

[lpvids]

Fuckin' badass.

[ahmadjetto]

very attractive...how u build it?from malaysia

[psychotic33089]

WOW nice! - CGC

[kcm60]

Great sound, real raw blues. Keep it up.

[Omie789]

What effects have you got on that mic??

[wadester1969]

@Omie789 just a little reverb thats it!

[strutt0james]

I am 15 brought up by a dad who has educated me in old style music (proper music) from the 60's to the 80's i hate modern stuff. You are an inspiration i will be making my own diddleybo tomorrow.

[wadester1969]

@strutt0james - that's awesome idea to build your own diddley. Let me know how it turns out. Better yet, post a video response. Let me know if you need help.

Wade

[thegunclub123]

@strutt0james-and some 90s

[malvarez619]

dang i got to build one of these stupid phisics class

[riztar]

bravo sounds great man

danny in ohio

[benji0387]

good stuff man great job

[mattposty]

reminds me of Primus! Great job man.

[porchboogie]

I like the percussion you got by using a second striker for the can reso --- sweet.

[RichStark412]

someone wipe tha shit eatin grin off my face...wait...not yet.... man Im enjoyin this--genius!

[dmband420]

very inventive and cool!!! and a sweet ass song to top it off!!!

[RockinEd]

the link is now dead

[ahspiritworld]

Excellent, I'm saving my cash for one of these things.

[gruhonjic]

It costs like 10 bucks

[johnnyXsniper]

@ahspiritworld build one man, customise it a bit

[madhouse11111]

I like the bendy bit at the end, I see you have used a thiner peice of wood than normal thats a good idea thanks!!!

[guitwizzz]

hehehehe HEHEHEHE! Thats sweet!

[unstrung13]

YES YES YES!!!!!

OMG freaking awesome!!!! the string sounds really great an bass-y and you even included what looks like a little pot for some percussion... please tell me more about the construction/setup/playing of this one..

brilliant!!!!!!!!

[wadester1969]

Hey Thanks, It's a plank of wood, a large tuna type can with a small wedge to angle the string on one edge of the can to form the bridge. I'm using a low E string from a guitar and a stick and a paint brush at the same time to add some percussion. Tuner is a wood screw! I will have a one string compilation cd out soon if anyone is interested.Thanks- Wade

[unstrung13]

yes, definitely interested in the cd!! so how did you attatch the string to the wood screw for tuning? drill a hole through it? and what type of wood screw? i tried to use a drywall screw once, and an eyelet screw another time, but with the lower strings, they could not hold enough tension and would give..

funny thing. i was intent on building a d.bow last night, having been inspired by your video... and i don't have any scraps of wood!! LOL

keep up the work!!!! keep me informed!!

[yamamushi]

@wadester1969 Where do we find the cd?

[kevkraft]

Fantastic!

[nuclearguru69]

thats great man!

[prsshred39]

i wonder what you could do with harmonics for one of these

[racfarm21]

love it, real cool...

[strawbfan]

nice

[CrOeDdE]

You should release an MP3 of this.

[wadester1969]

Thanks. This track will be on a compilation cd with other diddley bow musicians. It should be out soon. I'll keep you posted!

Wade

[TacoBellLover4eva]

damn....ORIGINAL

[camisetasguapas]

5 estrellas!

[ProfessorPeewee]

Now that's what I call "da blues!"

Love the bend at the end...

[zphaze]

Great song!

[WILLARDJ]

a store bought guitar just won't do...very primal....nice..

[wadester1969]

Thanks to all! I've seen your work, Willard. I'm honored that you like it.

Wade

[kae15800]

wade, you're a legend

[ekserchina]

I dig it a lot...very simple but very cool at the same time. You play it well wadester1967.