How To Make A Bottle Guitar (3 Parts and NO Tools)

In this video I show how to make a guitar using recycled materials and an incredibly simple design. We only need three parts, and 2-3 knots. Thanks to Bespoke Post for sponsoring this video! New subscribers can get 20% off their first box with code NIGHTHAWK here: bspk.me/nighthawk
The parts used for this project are a 2 liter bottle, a 3 foot length of ½ inch diameter PVC pipe, and a piece of string. I use fairly strong gardening string for the bass version of this guitar, and kite string for the standard tuned guitars. Fishing line would be another great option.
Another name for a single string guitar is a diddley bow, and many great tutorials are available for playing these instruments. This is a great place to start: • How to Play Diddley Bo...
If you build one of these send me a video response to be featured in a playlist on my channel homepage! Send a KZbin link to: [e-mail]
Thank you to all of my Patreon supporters for keeping me going with this channel through thick and thin! A special thanks to my top Patrons: Enzo Breda Lee, Jon Hartmann, TheBackyardScientist & Eugene Pakhomov! / nighthawkprojects
Thanks for watching!
-Ben

[@Nighthawkinlight]

If you make one of these guitars please post a video and send it to me so I can feature it in the video response playlist on my channel page! Video links can be sent to [e-mail]

[@StarfortMudflood]

I'm no musician, I just appreciate your gentleness towards the bird... Speaks volumes, stay strong, cheers

[@niki123489]

You should try to make a DIY bagpipes.

[@brettleisy356]

the heat bend in the pipe can also be done if you know about how far you will need to bend the pipe. using a camp fire, camp stove, or even the house stove, can be held above a toaster even. you could take this project further and flatten it using the heat method and then pressing between two boards. might make it easier to play with a flatter surface to press down onto.

[@iammeditating2333]

Hi, i have wanted to tell you that i really enjoy your educational videos. You also seem to be a nice humble dude. I will try to buld one. Thank you for your positive videos and teaching useful ideas. -Sean

[@cmbaz1140]

The small version kinda sounds like a shamisen...

[@nyan2317]

Dude just picked his bird off his arm like it's a can of soda lmao Caught me off guard 😂

[@konekoray9323]

It broke my mind momentarily.

[@jackburton37211]

birds will only let you grab them like that if they completely trust you.

[@Mandrag0ras]

Your comment caught me off guard 😂

[@cloujer1834]

That’s the only way to handle birds, they do what they want when they want no matter what 😅

[@Nehmo]

I thought he was going to count the bird as one of the materials.

[@reaganharder1480]

One minute in and my thought is "alright, you've made a weird instrument, now you gotta send it to Rob Scallon so he can make metal with it"

[@zam0th]

YES!!! DO IT, WE ALL NEED THIS!!!

[@ksp6091]

@@zam0th YES ABSOLUTLLY !!!

[@elyesgrati]

You can djent with this guitar

[@user-hd4wf5gq8r]

This has to be done

[@WhiteRaven___]

I definitely want to see rob scallon play this

[@TheRegulated]

Is a bird required?

[@tomfraser8463]

Absolutely. I tried without and was left with severe injuries. BE WARNED

[@memisemyself]

If you play it well enough, you may even pick one up ;)

[@thedukeofweasels6870]

Instructions unclear does anyone know how I remove a pigeon from my nose

[@dumoulin11]

@@thedukeofweasels6870 Very carefully.

[@Scroteydada]

No but it helps?

[@TristanGrimaux]

It's incredible how this parrot has trained his human to make so many musical instruments!

[@veganvocalist4782]

;D

[@lemmonsinmyeyes]

Dude be teaching boy scouts lessons for adults who didn’t get to as a kid

[@rodneyseenath2865]

that is so true

[@ShadeSlayer1911]

For real.

[@rorywhitaker261]

@@ShadeSlayer1911 ong

[@SkiDooRydr]

Brushy One String has entered the chat

[@XDFreakLP]

0 - 5 - 5 - 0 - 3 - 3

[@johnpaulbruh7909]

Great artist btw

[@artisimo7967]

@@XDFreakLP ah hey hey

[@Splif_IronSide]

@@XDFreakLP. 🌽🌽🌽 🌽🐓🌽 🌽🌽🌽

[@narrow3601]

Shickenindacown

[@smburhan6323]

U should have said : " I will show you how to make this single string guitar from bottle,pvc pipe,string and most important A Parrot"

[@Sinaeb]

When he took the parrot I wanted him to say that xD

[@ashlynnconner3359]

I assume the parrot is an optional accessory. Not require but definitely makes you look cooler.

[@hughsnuts7318]

Reminiscent of the cat bagpipes famously unveiled by the Australian Folk musician Flog Face Hairtooth

[@legendarychicken8750]

*Mom i want a guitar* Mom :- we have a guitar at home Guitar at home:-

[@canadianmoose7334]

I like the guitar at home thanks mom

[@HolahkuTaigiTWFormosanDiplomat]

Nice can I have one I just trespassing.

[@DeltaSix_YT]

333 likes lol

[@joshsk8erx1]

This is amazing. We should have kids make these in school when they don't have a good budget for music class. They would learn to be resourceful, and can at least make music with what they have.

[@truthhunterhawk3932]

Download it, and also share it with people you think might be interested

[@AeonPrime92]

I am honestly amazed by the simplicity and ease of the idea and the way you convey it, I've been playing the guitar for over 14 years now and I never considered how easy it would be to build such a version myself. I can't say it enough, your calm attitude and way of explaining things make even the simplest things interesting and appealing, as well as shining a new light and perspective onto them. Great work, I will support your patreon once I can afford it again!

[@birdlady2725]

Also check out Edward Philips, he does more historial versions. They are all really cool! Great at home projects for students stuck at home nowadays!

[@constantprayerwarrior]

I'm glad my years in boy scouts have taught my those knots so now I will have a easier time building this

[@Nighthawkinlight]

I thought this would be a great boy scout project to learn these knots.

[@mythowrose2742]

NightHawkInLight I’m teaching a intro class this summer for newly joined scouts this will make a good project.

[@mdbee5]

@@mythowrose2742 have fun teaching, they'll love making a fort or rope and wood only treehouse. One pioneer counselor to another. 😉

[@lawabidingcitizen5153]

@@StrawberryKitten How do you know? Also... maybe it was meant as a joke...

[@hopps118]

The knot to tune it is just pure genius

[@nevyngould1744]

Prussic knot to climbers

[@Mixwell1983]

@@nevyngould1744 2 different knots but same function. Prussik is also good to add a toggle (twig or something) to hang a tarp to keep it stretched out across your ridgeline in conjunction with rope thats staked to the ground. Love it.

[@hallenw]

The parrot antics was so funny! Your tolerance to it was outstanding. Love the stringed instruments but they should have theirs own name as “guitar” doesn’t seem to fit. ❤️❤️

[@dukesins]

Maybe a 'Gitle' or 'Botar'?

[@aeredhaelredfalen6194]

They do have a name. It's called a "Diddley bow".

[@ev0wizard]

This was the first vid of a diy i can do for reals. Thanks now i have a guitar!!

[@Nighthawkinlight]

That's awesome!

[@Faunarr]

@lonestar22759 you just really need something sturdy since you're using the bottle to make the sound. The neck of the instrument shouldn't really matter too much.

[@TheRealGuywithoutaMustache]

Friend: "So what's your favorite instrument?" Me: A water bottle Friend: "Seriously, what is it? Me: A water bottle

[@jaydeep-p]

Did I stutter?

[@royk7712]

does mayonnaise is also an instrument?

[@idiedlike16yearsago97]

You again

[@EDVDompteur]

I can't belive, how usefull the second knot is! So many uses for it! I tied a bunch of wooden bars together, with only one sling, and it holds stronger then nylon ties. Thank yo so much, for sharing these informations in such a clear way!

[@Nighthawkinlight]

The taut line is my favorite also! You can do almost anything with a taut line and a bowline

[@junebug4004]

The Bob Ross of boy scout, with enough episodes and a old school looks million will watch you on twitch or KZbin to chill and sleep keep up the good work.

[@havokvladimirovichstalinov]

1000% making one of these. Perfect for all this time off everyone has

[@znematic_]

Perfect for my school project 🤩

[@skysoldier31]

This is really cool. I think this is a perfect use for the wood and aluminium crutches I pick up on the side of the road. The long pieces that make up the structure have a nice bend to them that will lend itself well to positionning the string closer to it. Now, to find a cool body to recycle...

[@jacksonpercy8044]

Picked up or pick up? You make it sound like a regular occurence.

[@vennic]

The finding a cool body comment is also somewhat suspect

[@betterjustin]

take the last part out of context

[@Faunarr]

@@jacksonpercy8044 maybe he murders lone cripples and uses their crutches to make instruments?

[@robbyv.526]

@@Faunarr There is a traditional ole time folk song called Dreadful Wind and Rain ... popularized by Jerry Garcia and David Grisman ... Anyways it's about a girl who was murdered by her sister and drown in a creek until a Miller finds her body and uses it to make a violin .... the most catch upbeat tune about a morbid topic ... ever ahhaah. Made fiddle pegs of her long finger bones .. oh the wind and rain and he made the fiddle strings of her long yellow hair oh the wind and rain

[@kyokoyumi]

"A single string guitar out of a bottle" *Rob Scallon wants to know your Djent stick location.*

[@tuonglukim8973]

Stevie T menacingly awaits location in darkness....

[@HolahkuTaigiTWFormosanDiplomat]

：.

[@VIDEOEPPO]

It just blew my mind. I am making one for my son.... I totally love your videos, there is always something new about this channel.

[@Nighthawkinlight]

Let me know how it goes!

[@smuecke]

This is so cool, definitely going to make this! Love the idea to use cable ties as frets as well!

[@Nighthawkinlight]

Let me know how it goes!

[@silenzio27bruno]

Did u make it?

[@GabrielOliveira-xu4wx]

The subscribers of manual do mundo from Brazil Supports you.

[@arthura.8836]

saw it in Manual do Mundo, now I'm watching here. Double like for you both. Very well explained (y)

[@_Bumby_]

Literally every time I watch one of your new videos You get cooler and cooler

[@de-bodgery]

I had birds for many years. Obviously yours is right at home where ever you are. This is the best kind...and of course that means they are right in the middle of everything too.

[@MCPeeBoy]

Excuse me but I am now busy with becoming a blues post apocalyptic world superstar where people underestimated plastic production and wood or iron is no longer accessible.

[@58.jpegs-in-C.._]

Attempted it and it worked flawlessly!! I have coordination disorder and it's really hard for me to tie any knot whatsoever, but your tutorial is really clear on everything!!

[@ToastAndJellyfish]

That caique doing what caiques do best! Hopefully substituting a sun conure won't affect the quality of my own guitar.

[@jordyv.703]

Great way to keep myself busy during quarantine. Thank you!

[@Advoko]

I wonder if you could use a string made from another bottle (using a bottle cutter tool)?))

[@dovahheimiik2580]

XDXDXD Lost it at the way you just grabbed the bird at the start there, din't even look, just completely casual!

[@christhebirb]

Can we please appreciate the simplicity of this design? Ben is killing it, as always.

[@Nighthawkinlight]

Thanks!

[@jensonjoseph6296]

Bro this is *exactly* what I need. I was working with rubber bands, but they broke fairly quickly. Plus as a bonus you showed some knots which can be very very useful for many applications. This is best video I've seen for a long time.

[@GSVRemix]

Wow, this is actually pretty cool. It reminds me of when I was younger and couldn't afford any instruments, so I always tried making my own. I made a guitar-ish instrument with a bamboo neck and a large water jug as the resonator. The 2 strings were nylon fishing line tied to a screw for tuning. Needless to say, it sucked, but I've always had a thing for building extremely rough and simple instruments, so I'll definitely try this out. Great work.

[@silenzio27bruno]

Did u try to make it?

[@ramonfontes8989]

Vi pelo vídeo do manual do mundo

[@crescentwind1032]

I really like your videos, man. I'm happy whenever I see the notification that NightHawkInLight uploaded a new video.

[@messiahcomplex6366]

Love the concept! I once built a 2 String Guitar with a stick, a watering can and an acoustic pick-up in a similar way :) Works great with a bottleneck 🤘🏻

[@Xplosivo2319]

Cadê os br q vieram do manual do mundo

[@dilvan13]

Hey i'm here hahaha

[@TangoCharlieAlpha]

0:15 "Yeeeeeeeeet!!!"

[@keithmedeiros5039]

I have made several Diddly Bows, one string guitars, but I do use guitar machine heads for tuning. Can’t wait to try this one

[@craftywamama]

I loved watching your caique as much as I enjoyed the instructional video! 💕 Caiques are one of my favorite parrots.

[@TealCheetah]

Neat project. And as always, birb!

[@CiruPlays]

whenever i see a person pick up a bird like an icecream it makes me laugh.

[@cathyshepard253]

I have to make an instrument out of recycled materials for a final project in my Acoustics class. This is fantastic inspiration! Thank you for all your work! :D

[@annheider9925]

This is amazing! This would be so fun for the Cub Scouts... knots, music, recycling! Thanks for sharing this!

[@ChozoSR388]

Band: "So, what you play?" Me: "The 20 oz Uke." Edit: All joking aside, this is a great video, and the guitar sounds great for what its components are.

[@ClumsyPsychopath]

Here's one I need, "How to make your parrot listen to you."

[@Nighthawkinlight]

I'd like in on that secret myself.

[@elainetreadwell5576]

Your videos are so interesting. Lots of people can explain how things are done but you make me think I can do that. Even if it means using electricity or wiring something electrical. Thank you so much for the time you put into these videos.

[@Thrive-Off-Grid]

I spent over 800 bucks building a custom guitar out of kit and this guy makes one out of two liter bottle and some string!! Nice!! Good playing as well.

[@krakymancz5303]

Would it be possible to use a violin bow on such guitar?

[@Nighthawkinlight]

Yes, probably

[@krakymancz5303]

That could be a lot of fun too, I love this project

[@dimesonhiseyes9134]

Honestly probably not. I mean you could but the violin has completely different strings and are much much more taught. If you were to make this a bit more complicated and make tension knobs it would probably work better. However I doubt this is rigid enough to really work like a violin. Plucking would work much better.

[@TheFusselmonster]

Could sound like one of this mongolian horse head violins

[@Tropicalfrooploops]

0:27 hard time killing floor?

[@Nighthawkinlight]

Yeeeeep

[@isaiahhiggins]

I would love more simple instruments like this!

[@BobMonkeypimp]

You've given me so many ideas for lockdown! I've got so many designs running through my head right now.

[@jordyv.703]

HINT: If the rope is too slippery, make an extra loop forbthe tautline hitch.

[@trollmcclure1884]

Cool project to play with a kid and teach it knots and stuff. People like you invented bluegrass banjo. Cool. It reminds me more those African Gabon Iboga harps

[@donk.5730]

You are such a talented person. Great melodies, I wasn't expecting this. Always great to be surprised. !

[@Angor6495]

i think this is the first video i upvoted even though i didn´t find it that interesting (topic-wise) just because i like how it delivers a lot of compacted information and the ingenuity of designing such a simple but effective instrument

[@spammy3164]

Great lockdown project ben, stay safe in these strange times ✌

[@siwakhilehlophe9339]

I have made my guitar but I don't know how to play it😥😧🤯👩‍🏫

[@Nighthawkinlight]

See this simple tutorial: kzbin.info/www/bejne/gaDNi2p5orlnf80feature=shared You can use this with or without a slide

[@elmirelmir842]

I love the way you explain the things which makes me feel relaxed.

[@pedroi9008]

Thank you so much! The variations are endless. The knots are awesomely useful.

[@twigcheeseball]

Hey, love your videos as always. I have a comment about your tauntline hitch, which I think is a fairly common mistake I used to make all the time in boy scouts. My scoutmaster taught me that the three loops should all go in the same direction, but it looks like in the video you are reversing the direction of the last loop. I actually have no idea if this has any impact on the strength/performance of the knot, so sorry if this comment is just being nitpicky

[@Nighthawkinlight]

I've seen that as an alternate version. I'll have to try it and see if I like it better. It might be a little more secure that way.

[@y33t23]

And this, kids, was the story of how the Banjo was born.

[@2CanChewBoo]

I thought along the same lines but more seeing primitive humans playing with a rope that they made around a stick or something

[@yura2424]

Wow! That's creative! He always makes something interesting

[@deepshikharairai936]

This is the first video I saw on your channel and it helped a lot... I always wanted to make a instrument from my own. I tried all kinds of methods in craft but I failed by shortage of complex materials or I saw fake videos. I made this in first try and it really works . Thanks a lot.

[@fritchoffnilsson2574]

Sounds like Davie504 needs this bass.

[@angelinadeleon1268]

Yea

[@koolaidmytholgy5918]

Who else is making a school project?

[@foxandlilyapparel5020]

Me

[@koolaidmytholgy5918]

@@foxandlilyapparel5020I can tell you that it sounds good cuz I did it for 5th grade

[@J88541]

Me

[@user-zc5oy1fv5f]

Me

[@LucasMorales-gm4uz]

Im tryna do this in 2 days cuz I procrastinated heavily 💀

[@profbunsen2]

Your videos are amazingly creative. Well done! And thanks for teaching those knots. Very handy.

[@Cyrilmc222004]

Thank you so much I really really enjoyed watching you create this amazing and awesome guitar. I really really love ❤️ it and I probably won’t ever get around to making one, but, I really really appreciate that you’ve taken the trouble to bring us all this. Very very clever and useful too. Please stay safe and well too

[@billiepie8562]

The way you picks up your bird in the first few seconds 😂

[@caimor2974]

Vim pelo manual do mundo

[@Relaxtherapywithme]

The bird is the main reason behind such classic tune 🎉🎉

[@aridemedina8770]

Minimalist to the limits! Pure talent! 👏👏👏

[@chorro_add-2870]

POV: vc tá aqui pelo vídeo do @manualdomundo

[@VGameL0v3e12sF012Ree]

*Has a guitar at home* Me: Nah. I want this.

[@dwaynewladyka577]

That is a very awesome looking guitar. It sounds really cool. Cheers!

[@aeredhaelredfalen6194]

Super simple Diddley Bow instructions. Pretty cool stuff!

[@leonardocamilo9295]

Quem veio do Manual do Mundo??

[@juninhocorreia2946]

Eu aqui vendo se eu acho um comentário do manual do mundo kkkkk

[@sinfulf4i]

the bottle guitar is cool now teach moses the parrot how to play it... THAT would be beyond epic . and please tell youve dressed up as a pirate with moses for halloween. cause you could totally pull that off. thank you for another great video.

[@fatmaninparadise2003]

A Single String Thing! I've seen these for years and they're so much fun to play!

[@mothman1654]

Every time I see one of your videos I have a "woah, that's fricking awesome!" moment. Thank you for making such high-quality videos!

[@bunnyslayer3390]

I’m with that other guy..send it to rob scallion I want heavy metal out of that thing.

[@kalerylee1011]

I'm using this as school project thank you so much for teaching us how to make this it was so helpful

[@chethanamk9783]

Superb! The best DIY guitar ever 👍👍😀😀😀😀😀👌👌👌👌

[@oyss9809]

Thank you, just completed this for my Physics project

[@johnmorgan9617]

Love the simplicity of the instrument, and the way your bird just crawls all over you.

[@Nurr0]

It sounds great! I could totally see people in poorer regions building these out of scrap for busking/fun. Really neat!

[@kamilovskyrocker4665]

Oh a Genius here ! Congratulations ! The Guitar Parrot Water Pipe Bottle ! The invent of the century! I love The sound !!!!! Greetings from Brazil !!!

[@Funshark12]

Thanks This really helped me for my school project

[@phyllisndungu3423]

This video was very useful when making my son's school project.👍thanks

[@dryued6874]

This is on par with the electric shovel guitar. Really cool stuff.

[@R462venom]

Thanks this is definitely a project I wouldn't mind building!

[@dandowning2546]

Now I wish I would have paid more attention when I was a scout to the knot tying practice. Pretty neat video Ben.

[@Kanding3000]

thanks this helps me with my school project. i hope idk i havent passed it yet

[@paulbyerlee2529]

Hat's off to you for a brilliant idea. Can't wait to do this with the kids.

[@aleksamarkovic8411]

If i ever get in a situation of building such guitar, those rope advices would be very useful as you say

[@HWPcville]

I would say that is the "trombone" of stringed instruments. Thanks for posting.