Since this has only one string, you can call it a Diddley-Bow, a truly ancient instrument of African origin, widespread and well-used in the southern United States a long, long time ago. Simple as they get, yet very expressive! "…The grandfather of all blues guitars!…" A buddy of mine assembled this CBG and sent it to me to arrange the final result to my own taste. Good cooperation, I think .. Im calling it: The Kicking Mule Special..

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24 thoughts on “The Diddley-Bow.. "…Grandfather of all blues guitars!…"”

  1. Gary Powell
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    I can officially now say I have heard and seen it all! You need to get a band together if you have not already! A drummer with trash cans, a juice harp, and maybe another Diddley Bow, with a bigger or smaller string to play lead! Now I have got to see that get up! I will buy the record.

  4. BottleneckJohn
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    Sorry about the late reply! The slide here is a broken off bottleneck, not a fancy cut but just plain smashed, haha!

  6. hobo31009
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    fantastic! wish my cbg sounded as good…but im a beginner;)

  7. BottleneckJohn
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    It’s true, bro! Just got the word today that the records are pressed, packed and shipped on their way here! I’ll make an info video clip here on YT soon!! Thanks for giving me the idea. 🙂

  8. chuckHart70
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    Just saw this! Me inspire you? Come now. It just kind of blew me away. Thanks to you for sharing. And you are a very talented musician. When is the new CD available?

  9. BottleneckJohn
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    I will!!!
    Next weekend I’ll record this Diddley-Bow for my coming album, haha! It’ll be the part of "wade in the water" and some jammin’.. Foot stompin’ and a choir will do the trick.. Thanks for giving me the idea to put it on vinyl(and CD..)

  11. joe153D
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    Just made my first diddley bow, named her Ms. Jackson! I dig you bow man that’s pretty rad! What kind of slide are you using? I noticed you and Scott Ainsley have the same looking slide except his is red. I’d like to get one like that

  12. Bernievids
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    I can’t wait until you really let a rip, there is some serious sound there. Great vid.

  13. Marcos Peñalosa
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    Amazing instrument. Andalucian people must play that, why not?
    LET’S GO!!!

    thank’s for the video, man 😉

  14. Lukiel666
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    Awesome! A true blues man may get low down and blue, but he puts it into music, he (pun alert) doesn’t fret.

  16. BottleneckJohn
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    Thanks!!
    I apply a bit of pressure on the string but it never touches the neck stick. Enough downward pressure will lessen string noise and rattles, not enough pressure and the string/slide will make unwanted sounds..

  17. mckutzy
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    Awesome vid and CBG. What is the string height, Look like 3/8" bolts you have there.
    When you use the slide do you depress the string all the way to the neck("fret board" I understand it is fret-less) or just let it hover above while touching the string.

  19. BottleneckJohn
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    THANKS! I sure will, on my next album I will do this tune, promise!

  20. chuckHart70
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    Dude you have to record wade in the water. Best solo version I have ever heard!

  21. truelokos
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    What an outstanding inspiration on Creation, craft & musical. Thanks!

  22. Ed Huey
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    Thanks John. I’m going to make one like the Kicking Mule. Your body of work is amazing!

  24. BottleneckJohn
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    This is a 0.58 nickel string. Tuned to an E or nearby..

Comments are closed.