Washtub Bass

Posted by Diane in Chicago on November 14, 2010 at 10:23am
Okay, not a cigar/wine box, or a suitcase, but here are some really great plans for an upright bass -- much better than the usual method.  Click on the Tub-o-Tone link, but also take some time to admire the other upright creations.  They have tips on adding pickups, too.

I think I'll make a 2-string version to start, for the ooom-pah accompaniment. 

http://tubotonia.freehomepage.com/tublinks.html#top

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Tags: upright, washtub
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Replies

  • Richard Sanabia November 15, 2010 at 9:53am
    Hi Diane, I use a Pignose Hog 20 amp that has a rechargeable power supply. Play it anywhere. Look here,
    http://www.pignoseamps.com/?disp=detail&id=254. The upside down tub design is the best for tone and volume. Much better than the ones that look more like a standup. Using a bottle slide works MUCH better than the lever type, which is more of a novelty than a play-along instrument. If I ever make one I would use a fixed neck, with a big tuner, then use a slide to get the note.


    Diane in Chicago said:
    Richard, which washtup design did you find made the best sound for playing in a small ensemble?


    And what kind of amp do you bring along to play that upright weedwacker one?

    Richard Sanabia said:
    Diane, Great link. I made a couple of these designs, but they were such a pain to carry around I gave them away. I made this electric solid body with piezo PUs, and weed wacker round line for strings. I had to buy a lot of line, so I you need any I'll send you some of the sizes you could use. Don't buy any unless you have dozens of weed trimmers...I have .065, .080, .095....Richard in Tennessee.

  • Diane in Chicago November 15, 2010 at 8:04am
    Richard, which washtup design did you find made the best sound for playing in a small ensemble?


    And what kind of amp do you bring along to play that upright weedwacker one?

    Richard Sanabia said:
    Diane, Great link. I made a couple of these designs, but they were such a pain to carry around I gave them away. I made this electric solid body with piezo PUs, and weed wacker round line for strings. I had to buy a lot of line, so I you need any I'll send you some of the sizes you could use. Don't buy any unless you have dozens of weed trimmers...I have .065, .080, .095....Richard in Tennessee.

  • Gutbucketeer (Jim Bunch) November 15, 2010 at 12:48am
    My favorite subject. Good luck in building!
    There has been a lot of discussion on the Mudcate cafe on building washtubs. www.mudcat.org. Just search on washtub bass.

    Gutbucketeer - aka Jim Bunch
  • Richard Sanabia November 14, 2010 at 1:54pm
    Diane, Great link. I made a couple of these designs, but they were such a pain to carry around I gave them away. I made this electric solid body with piezo PUs, and weed wacker round line for strings. I had to buy a lot of line, so I you need any I'll send you some of the sizes you could use. Don't buy any unless you have dozens of weed trimmers...I have .065, .080, .095....Richard in Tennessee.

  • Turkish November 14, 2010 at 10:46am
    With your skill-set, I would start with a 3, heck even a 4, string version. You'll have no problems.
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