One String Diddley Bow

If you dig the Blues, or if you're just looking for a different sound, be sure to check out these cigar box guitars. They were first seen around the Civil War and really exploded in popularity during the early 1900's. Musicians at the time couldn't afford professional instruments, so they made their own, often using a broomstick or piece of wood from a fence or shed for a neck and broom wire for strings. They were very rustic instruments with a very unique tone.

Unlike my three and four string guitars, these one string diddley bows are much more rustic. They still use a great cigar box for the body, but the neck is simple and straight, without frets or fingerboard. These are acoustic only and do not have a pickup.

Why do they only have one string? Well, that's how the original diddley bows were made. And honestly, you only need one string to play the blues.

To order, just let me know which cigar box you prefer for the body. I typically have the following boxes in stock (just click the names to see the pics): Arturo Fuente, Brick House, Hemingway, Indian Tabac, Joya De Nicaragua, La Traviata, Oliva, Padron, and Rocky Patel. Box sizes, dimensions, and decoration may vary slightly as many of the brands have different boxes for the different cigars in their product lines.

If you're looking for a box I didn't mention, just ask and I'll see if I can get one. If you want me to surprise you, I'll pick out a sweet box for your guitar — maybe one of the more rare or unique boxes I have.

I custom build all guitars to order so that I can accommodate your personal preferences. Given current demand, custom orders typically take two to four weeks to fulfill. I do typically have some inventory set aside for shows, so if you want something a little faster, just ask what I've got in stock at the moment.