#1 resource for Cigar Box Guitars, Free Plans, How-To, Parts & More!

PDF Download: Build a Super Tub Bass (improved upright gutbucket bass)

Super Tub Bass by Martin Case

Plays more accurately than a conventional gut bucket and enables slap bass styles, too!

PDF Scan from Mugwumps Magazine, Vol 5. No. 2, September-October 1976 (Plans originally reprinted from National Bluegrass News, Vol 4, No. 6, 1975)

A classic set of plans for an upright washtub bass. Parts needed:

Small washtub 9" x 18" x 15 (approx. 22cm x 46cm x 38cm)
Wood board, 2" x 12" x 62" ( approx. 5cm x 30cm x 157.5cm)
Two 5" (12.7cm) carriage bolts
Standard guitar tuner
10 x 24 eye bolt
D bass string (.70 gauge or close)

You're probably familiar with the Tub Bass, an inexpensive, amusing contraption that can emit suprisingly deep bass notes and has served as the bass instrument in many a fledgling band.

As well as it has served, the Tub has a few shortcomings, and the following conception of a Tub Bass is to remedy some of these flaws. Read more in pdf download...

Super Tub Bass Plans PDF Download

A note from Shane: In researching various obscure musical instruments, I have discovered the treasure trove of information from Mugwumps, a now defunct magazine originally published by Michael Holmes of Silver Spring, MD. The bi-monthly journal celebrated old time music, unusual folk instruments and served as a classifieds for the emerging bluegrass community of the 1970's.

Mugwumps was one of the first publications to reprint old patents and present plans for instruments such as this improved gut bucket bass. To my knowledge, all Mugwumps issues are completely out of print and not available in reprint. I present these plans to you as an easy-to-download PDF. Print them out and build away.

Make sure to post photos of your Super Tub Basses in the comments below, from inception to completion!

2 members like this

▶ Reply to This

Replies to This Discussion

Permalink Reply by BrianQ. on January 18, 2019 at 4:55pm

Yea, Mugwumps & Foxfire rule!

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by Timothy Hunter on January 19, 2019 at 6:43am

wow. is that a 47"scale? allowing for the bottom of the tub to pull up about 1/2 "as you tune it..

▶ Reply

Permalink Reply by James Matthews on January 19, 2019 at 5:50pm

Shane! Dude! I've been looking for washtub bass plans for a while now (before I ever thought of making a cigar box guitar.) I even emailed one of the gals from The Mourning Glories for help with this matter. This actually is something I've been wanting to try for several years, now... so Thanks! =)