Getting started with the Diddley Bow (one string guitar) with ChickenboneJohn

The diddley bow is the most basic stringed instrument..one string, and that's it! Chickenbone John takes you thorough the basics of getting started, tuning the one string to G, getting the right hand working to get a rhythm going, then using a bottleneck slide and picking out a tune. John Lee Hooker style rhythm and the classic Little Red Rooster are covered in this introductory video.
www.chickenbon...

[@vinces.2862]

I've watched a some starter videos on KZbin but this is the most clear and concise yet. I learned more in 11 minutes than I have in watching six or seven 30 minute starter videos. Thank you Chickenbone.

[@chickenbonejohn714]

Glad to be of some help.

[@davidinboden9563]

Thank you Sir, I got my first diddly bo yesterday never having played any string instrument, this is exactly what I wanted to find today, again, thank you for teaching me my first riff!

[@grandaddixon1146]

I am trying to learn how to play the guitar but looking at you playing that you are fantastic teacher it was amazing to look at you again and again playing

[@writehandman2833]

Thank you! I just bought a Diddley Bow and a 3 string CBG. You are a great teacher.

[@tracymcdougal4729]

I learned a lot in 5 minutes of watching, great instructor I should have watched sooner. Mind blown 🤯🤯🤯😎

[@malcolmnesky9897]

You sir, are a great teacher!! That was a master class!!

[@alex-E7WHU]

So this popped up in my recommendations and now I really need a log cabin in the mississippi delta for some reason.

[@LastDaysIntercessors]

One of the best tutorials I've seen on the Diddley Bow, to date!

[@SgtBrewdawg]

Great instructions. Big thanks Chickenbone!

[@alwayslearning8365]

Thank you. That lesson is much appreciated.

[@markk8975]

Excellent video/tutorial.

[@pimcramer2569]

Best didley bow vid out there. All the essential instructions for beginners! Thank you so much! Especially for the anti rattling tip! Almost quit because I couldn't get rid of the rattling

[@richhalmuth160]

What an amazing lesson Thank you

[@chickenbonejohn714]

I just hope it was of some help.

[@AKAxeMan]

That is such a dirty sound, I love it!

[@stephenconnolly602]

Brilliant as usual thank you John

[@Heather22056]

Best one yet.thanks for the video..

[@nealeware9163]

Thanks mate. I loved it.

[@marcmayou1422]

enjoy your videos Thanks

[@francoisdastardly4405]

This is really good !!!! ❤❤

[@davidcox9115]

Too cool man!! Well done!!

[@paulbache3940]

Superb, just played my first rhythm ! (just got into CGB guitars,many thanks

[@paulcook68]

Did you stick with it Paul? If so how is progress?

[@don.richard8823]

Very coowl... Im going to buy one! 🔥

[@vanessabremond2614]

Good very Good bravo

[@kevinmorrice]

i once heard someone say "1 string, 1 slide, 1 minute to learn" watching this i think they were right

[@BaddMuzic]

Awesome John...

[@peterhaynes8258]

Very informative video, Thank you Sir.

[@chiswolfenden2400]

Cool thanks

[@christopherch7307]

Thank you for the video

[@doodlespachesco7306]

Great job 👍

[@LockStoppageSandwich]

Loving your content John.................so very informative.

[@tims2179]

You can buy for free a 3 string on amazon if you have the bonus credits. I bought one for free right before Christmas. After seeing this done with 4 string pickup which I do have going to bypass the piazo and use my humbucker. Should play the melody nicely.

[@charlystrau2565]

Super Idee, danke für das Video!

[@antoinegiret1368]

thank you Mister !

[@joshstagg148]

thinking about building one, thanks for the vid

[@truettharris3944]

I just built one today :) Super easy if you have any experience at all with a drill.

[@amandasteven1400]

well, this was fun :)

[@stephenwillis5432]

Great tutorial fantastic..if ya ever get the time , video of you doing .Turd on the run. By the Stones.that would be bad ass... thanks for the vid...

[@tims2179]

Notice he has a 4 string electric pickup instead of a piazo

[@stuartbudd4584]

Bloody fantastic --- have been learning harmonica for the last 2 years ... need one of these now :)

[@tracymcdougal4729]

Ncredible,😎

[@tiagoamado6330]

Top

[@tracymcdougal4729]

I am trying something different, can you please tell me what gauge string are you using on the guitar?

[@chickenbonejohn714]

Probably a .046, but cant swear to it.

[@robertvance1873]

@chickenbone John, did you build this diddly bow? What kind of Roland is that? I use a Roland micro cube gx amp and I can't get that sound, are you using a specific pedal also?

[@ChickenboneJohn]

That's one of mine, of course. I'm using a Roland Street Cube EX, no pedals.

[@davidmacleod9313]

Just noticed...that’s a “fretless” smoke box!

[@scot4191]

I need to throw a P90 in mine as you did. The piezo in mine feedbacks something awful with any gain added. Thanks for posting.

[@chickenbonejohn714]

We generally only use piezos with a pre-amp, as they are just too unpredictable, trebly and feedback prone - a regular magnetic guitar pickup is much more useable.

[@bombercountyblues]

I gave up on piezos after 2 attempts. Then someone on c b.n told me to try mounting em inside beer bottle caps.. that got rid of the feedback alright, but wiped out half the volume at the same time. Definitely sticking to coils now.

[@kevinmorrice]

@@bombercountyblues do what i did, i added a boost pedal to my pedal board, sorted out the issue

[@JonathanRossignol]

Hi hiddiley ho neighbor! They call me Mr. Diddley Bow-jangles. #LFLR

[@Allthingsfun1221]

Built a beautiful single string but it sounds like crap. I don't know how to read music or tune a proper string. Trying to learn how to play but it's just not working out😢😢

[@kashmoose2478]

I have a acoustic one

[@tylerjones7310]

Do you two string diddly bow or charger

[@davidking5360]

A one stringed instrument? When might it be out go tune and to what?

[@ld50sicfreak]

What’s the first song you played???

[@PonziZombieKiller]

10-4

[@YMGupta-ep9hr]

Well done. You can make music with the bare minimum. And what is that black covering on your finger and what purpose does it serve? Can you please play a simple, popular song in full with this instrument lying in a flat position? Thanks.

[@truettharris3944]

The dirt under your fingernails makes me trust you more.

[@ChickenboneJohn]

Straight from the workshop...some people seem to get upset that I have dirty hands from time to time!

[@blueykoala3827]

Does the neck have to go al the way through the cigar box

[@davideddy2672]

Bluey Koala - Been thinking the same, I’ve an old Euphonella Viol that looks to be a possible start, it’s missing its horn and needs a purpose.

[@chickenbonejohn714]

Doesn't have to but it's the simplest way of making them as the box is then just a sound chamber rather than a structural part of the instrument.

[@davidmacleod9313]

An English hillbilly? I thought those were the Scottish.

[@ChickenboneJohn]

I'm English..but no hillbilly!

[@scott-jc5nd]

Great job thanks!

[@bobhunt1253]

Thank you Sir that was a much needed lesson.

[@Danielpettitphotography]

Just bought one, looking forward to it arriving and trying it out 👍🎸😊

[@bombercountyblues]

Love the visible grain on the fingerboard John.. have you burned it?

[@chickenbonejohn714]

It's just a piece of poplar with a quick coat or two of rattlecan lacquer. Poplar can be very variable in the colour and grain.

[@garyslater1243]

I've just got into CBG (after seeing the BBC doc with yourself, Hollowbelly etc) and, as an absolute beginner, this is the best tutorial I've seen so far ! Thank you John and keep up your outstanding contributions !

[@ChickenboneJohn]

Thanks for the kind words.

[@VioletMidnightProductions]

Wow that sounds so cool!

[@Liesl_Cigarboxguitar]

You just can't beat a Diddley Bow! I've made scores of them, I love them. Great tutorial Chicken Bone John my friend 💚

[@ライド-l2p]

クリームソーダーの帽子かぶってる🧢 凄いね✨

[@ChickenboneJohn]

From Pink Dragon, Cat Street, one of my favourite stores in Tokyo!

[@AndiGitarre1]

Good Job 👍✌