What is a diddley bow?

A diddley bow is a one-string instrument whose lineage goes back thousands of years.

Traditionally, diddley bows were made using a plank with two nails/posts with a tightened string stretched between them.

When that string is plucked or struck with a stick, and a smooth hard object is used as a slide and moved up and down on the string, different pitches result and melodies can be played.

What does it take to build this kit? 

To assemble this kit requires a bit of neck filing and hole-drilling, but can still be easily accomplished using only basic tools that most people already have access to.