In this episode, I play a cigar box diddley bow of my own design. Diddley bows are American folk instruments typical of the Deep South. My version consists of a wood board, a cigar box guitar, two screw eyes, an aluminum can, two nails and a steel picture hanging wire "string." Note the wood dowel in the photo. The dowel is an unnecessary feature and was left over from another project.

My sources of inspiration include Diddley bows featuring nails instead of screw eyes. I found this arrangement to be challenging because the "string" would not stay in place. Also, I have seen Diddley bows made with broom wire. I have tried working with broom wire and find it is difficult to straighten out. Actually, those who made instruments such as this one used whatever they had available. There are no actual rules when it comes to making and playing the Diddley bow.