If you ever want to troll the bass community, record with a band using that if you can. Watch people saying "NO! He's using a Fender Jazz with tapewounds!" "No! You don't know what you're talking about! It's a Warwick he's using!"
@WeCamefortheDead Thanks! It was really just because I made the connection that bass sounds like those from a rubberband, don't have to be audible to anything but the pickup. Normally we think in those terms with magnetic pups, but always think of using piezos on already acoustic instruments. This approach is simply leaving out the normal soundboard and just using the piezo...the same as modern modeling guitars.
@DavidHSierra1 Really the replies that I have made about the bass are all there is to it. Getcha a stick or a bit of bamboo from a yard torch, tape a piezo to a smaller stick and solder the leads to a jack. Then cut a couple of notches at either end of the longer stick and stretch a big rubber band across it. The square bands will sound best as the flat shaped bands won't vibrate as evenly. :)
please can you send me one of those I LOVE IT. i was playin with a rubber band and thought the same thing and saw this. ill buy it from you. how evermuch u wanna sell it for: 10, 20, 40 ,60.i just love it
wtf, I really love that piezo pickup!! piezos are only 2 or 3 bucks are radio shack seriously? hahaha wow man. And u just have to attach the piezo to the bridge and sodder it to a jack? nice I love you
@MyHauntedExcursions LOL....Well, I never guessed that this would be one of the comments on here. Who knew that instrument building would be so sexy? :)
@fletch2fail It's pretty much as simple as it sounds....rubber band, stick, another stick, some electrical tape....and a piezo disc soldered to a quarter inch jack. Give it a try!
@dfoulkrod555 A lot of people have asked...I might have to do a vid of me making one. It's very simple in design...just takes advantage of the piezo's abilitly to reproduce the low tones that you can't actually hear out in the air. I used bamboo because it was on hand and seemed to be made to order since the nodes act like a nut. But, I see no reason not to try this with any other piece of wood. Probably, a decent stick of 1" square or a broom handle would work fine.
@CheezeWolf Dunno really....just used stuff I had on hand. But, depending upon where you shop....A package of big rubberbands is a couple of bucks. I got some at Office Max that work alright.... The piezo can be had for $2 at Radio Shack or less if you get the disc from an electronics wholesaler or auction. The bamboo is from a tiki torch and a tomato stake.....about $3 for both. The jack was a dollar....So, somewhere around $10-20 to make one yourself.
Update on the bass....I did make a 4 string version of the bass, and it worked. However, it was a huge pain to get in tune and balance any sort of intonation. I think it is doable as a more complex instrument, but definitely kills the beauty of the simple original idea. I'm going to work on perfecting the two string from here on out.
@fditube I am plucking very lightly with my thumb and index finger and middle finger, just like I would for banjo or bass guitar. You must pluck lightly to retain that deep tone. Otherwise you just get a flappy rubberband sound and loud snaps through the amp.
@CheezeWolf Just get some of those big file rubberbands. The EPDM ones sound pretty good. I haven't found this exact rubberband again, yet. But, I think it is a common manufacture. So, I just have to keep buying similar rubberbands until I find another good one. For another experiment, I plan on trying this with large O rings. The downside is that they are a lot more expensive than rubber bands.
Hey, I want to use your bass for a school project could you please take your take your time to email me the materials, size, etc. All the things I need to know. Thanks heaps if its possible for you.
@Murcia3000 Well, you've got about all of the info right in this video...yep, it's that simple. The piece of bamboo is about 16" and the bridge is about 3". The piezo is sandwiched between the two and wired directly to a quarter inch jack. You'll have to experiment with best placement. I pretty much just scooted the assembly around until I thought it sounded good. :)
@chainduck This is about the best thing ive seen on youtube in ages, i don't know what a piezo disk is or where to get one, can you please specify and maybe some alternatives?
@dazipro Piezo discs are just tiny crystal speaker / microphones that are available in all sorts of devices. They are commonly used as buzzers or phone mics and earpieces. Lots of folks buy Radio Shack buzzers and take the disc out. I buy mine at a local electronics liquidator for a buck each. They usually have 3 wires, negative, positive, and a feedback wire for using as a buzzer. For a pickup, just ignore the middle wire. If you type "piezo disc" on Ebay, you'll find tons.
I don't play an instrument and don't know anything about music, don't know how I stumbled on this video... but I LOVED it. Lots of fun. Thanks for sharing.
Pretty cool, but you take WAY too long to get to the point. The first two minutes could be cut down to about 15 seconds. I remember experimenting with piezos as contact pickups years ago, and for guitar I usually soldered a small capacitor onto the disc. Might be worth fiddling with. Have you tried NOS rubber bands ;) ?
@BwanaTube LOL...sorry if I ramble a bit. But, I don't charge for these videos...and usually don't script them either. Hopefully, the point is worth the trouble. ;)
I haven't tried the capacitor yet...but, have some plans for an inductor setup to reduce peaks. NOS rubber bands sound like a plan. Got a source?
@Noold Yep, I've had trouble finding any just like the original....almost perfectly square cross section. The other epdm rubber bands that I've found are pretty good....just a bit more twangy tone.
It's a plain piezo disc...no casing. The disc sits on the main stick and is taped to the bridge stick. I'm still experimenting with the best placement. But, the sound varies widely according to how much contact the disc has to stick or bridge. It's tough to make it consistent...and so not ready for prime time yet.
Better get on a patent of some sort. The instrument is a good a good idea with some income potential. You could probably mass produce them out of plastics. Unfortunately you've posted it on YouTube so hopefully some enterprising individual won't beat you to the punch.
Thanks for the compliment! I do have it well documented as my innovation. However, it is built on similar ideas for using alternate string materials and a piezo pickups. So, it is more protected by my trademark than anything.
The new improved bamboo bass is under way. I hope to get the working version posted soon!
The two ends of the bamboo main rod are notched to hold the rubber band and space it about a half inch apart. The band just rides over the bridge. This one doesn't have notches...but some could be added to help keep the "strings" in place.
This is still in development.... But, shoot me an email and I'll see what I can do. I haven't decided on what the "production" model will cost yet. :)
I'm already plotting a four stringer. Now, I just have to figure out where these big rubber bands come from....hmmmm
Because the rubber produces low tones much better than highs, I might have to use two different systems....rubber for the lows and nylon or poly strings for the uppers. This might be too much though. I hate to ruin the simple success that is this instrument. ;)
Cool how it's made ?
lordvader146 1 month ago
cool how its made ?
lordvader146 1 month ago
How do you lock the "strings" in the bamboo stick? Can you tune them?
gtabrasil0net 3 months ago
If you ever want to troll the bass community, record with a band using that if you can. Watch people saying "NO! He's using a Fender Jazz with tapewounds!" "No! You don't know what you're talking about! It's a Warwick he's using!"
Sounds amazing!
WeCamefortheDead 5 months ago
@WeCamefortheDead Thanks! It was really just because I made the connection that bass sounds like those from a rubberband, don't have to be audible to anything but the pickup. Normally we think in those terms with magnetic pups, but always think of using piezos on already acoustic instruments. This approach is simply leaving out the normal soundboard and just using the piezo...the same as modern modeling guitars.
chainduck 5 months ago
outstanding! please publish some plans, or at least some dimensions, I want one ;-)
DavidHSierra1 5 months ago
@DavidHSierra1 Really the replies that I have made about the bass are all there is to it. Getcha a stick or a bit of bamboo from a yard torch, tape a piezo to a smaller stick and solder the leads to a jack. Then cut a couple of notches at either end of the longer stick and stretch a big rubber band across it. The square bands will sound best as the flat shaped bands won't vibrate as evenly. :)
chainduck 5 months ago
Great job! Thanks. You've proven ANYTHING is possible. Best wishes.
tmo7734 5 months ago
doesn't sound that bad either
toobsockproductions 7 months ago
also what king of piezo disc?
CheezeWolf 9 months ago
Priceless bass.
buddyeagle 11 months ago
excelent,,,its Gene Simmons brother,,
LeahBoeBeah 11 months ago
you need to make a diagram or something
please.....
CheezeWolf 1 year ago
lol it sounds like welcome to the jungle is that what it was
MrNikcccc 1 year ago
If I payed you to make me one of those things how mutch would you charge me? Its awesome!!
joshworkman123456 1 year ago
insane man hubaba
salamalycoom 1 year ago
Comment removed
fourstringmania 1 year ago
Restores my faith in the humanity! That should be developed further....
fourstringmania 1 year ago
Nice work
reggaemash 1 year ago
please can you send me one of those I LOVE IT. i was playin with a rubber band and thought the same thing and saw this. ill buy it from you. how evermuch u wanna sell it for: 10, 20, 40 ,60.i just love it
chrisx8x23x95 1 year ago
how did you get two notes
TheHalo3creed 1 year ago
I fucking love you hahahahaha
wtf, I really love that piezo pickup!! piezos are only 2 or 3 bucks are radio shack seriously? hahaha wow man. And u just have to attach the piezo to the bridge and sodder it to a jack? nice I love you
o00o0o0o0o0o 1 year ago
@o00o0o0o0o0o Yep, that's all there is to it... :)
chainduck 1 year ago
@chainduck redneck bass?
randommike2012 1 year ago
you're pretty hot. i'd do you.
MyHauntedExcursions 1 year ago
@MyHauntedExcursions LOL....Well, I never guessed that this would be one of the comments on here. Who knew that instrument building would be so sexy? :)
chainduck 1 year ago
How can you make it? I Really want that thing!!!
fletch2fail 1 year ago
@fletch2fail It's pretty much as simple as it sounds....rubber band, stick, another stick, some electrical tape....and a piezo disc soldered to a quarter inch jack. Give it a try!
chainduck 1 year ago
that is awsome
dfoulkrod555 1 year ago
@dfoulkrod555 A lot of people have asked...I might have to do a vid of me making one. It's very simple in design...just takes advantage of the piezo's abilitly to reproduce the low tones that you can't actually hear out in the air. I used bamboo because it was on hand and seemed to be made to order since the nodes act like a nut. But, I see no reason not to try this with any other piece of wood. Probably, a decent stick of 1" square or a broom handle would work fine.
chainduck 1 year ago
all together about how much did that cost cuz i dont have any of those materials on hand. none of my rubberbands are low enough
i just wish i could buy the whole thing
CheezeWolf 1 year ago
@CheezeWolf Dunno really....just used stuff I had on hand. But, depending upon where you shop....A package of big rubberbands is a couple of bucks. I got some at Office Max that work alright.... The piezo can be had for $2 at Radio Shack or less if you get the disc from an electronics wholesaler or auction. The bamboo is from a tiki torch and a tomato stake.....about $3 for both. The jack was a dollar....So, somewhere around $10-20 to make one yourself.
chainduck 1 year ago
@chainduck I'LL BUY IT FOR $20 AU
fanofsongs 1 year ago
this is awesome. i wish it were easier to tune.. i play in a uke jam band, and this would be so great to have.
josephcecil 1 year ago
ahaha that rocks!! I love it!!
kadaj2172 2 years ago
@kadaj2172 Thanks!
chainduck 1 year ago
Update on the bass....I did make a 4 string version of the bass, and it worked. However, it was a huge pain to get in tune and balance any sort of intonation. I think it is doable as a more complex instrument, but definitely kills the beauty of the simple original idea. I'm going to work on perfecting the two string from here on out.
chainduck 2 years ago
wonderful, thank you!
I don't understand how are you picking the sound, canyou further explain please?
Thanks,
Fernando
fditube 2 years ago
@fditube I am plucking very lightly with my thumb and index finger and middle finger, just like I would for banjo or bass guitar. You must pluck lightly to retain that deep tone. Otherwise you just get a flappy rubberband sound and loud snaps through the amp.
chainduck 2 years ago
HOLY SHIT that's awesome
too bad a don't have a rubber band like that
CheezeWolf 2 years ago
@CheezeWolf Just get some of those big file rubberbands. The EPDM ones sound pretty good. I haven't found this exact rubberband again, yet. But, I think it is a common manufacture. So, I just have to keep buying similar rubberbands until I find another good one. For another experiment, I plan on trying this with large O rings. The downside is that they are a lot more expensive than rubber bands.
chainduck 1 year ago
Hey, I want to use your bass for a school project could you please take your take your time to email me the materials, size, etc. All the things I need to know. Thanks heaps if its possible for you.
Murcia3000 2 years ago
@Murcia3000 Well, you've got about all of the info right in this video...yep, it's that simple. The piece of bamboo is about 16" and the bridge is about 3". The piezo is sandwiched between the two and wired directly to a quarter inch jack. You'll have to experiment with best placement. I pretty much just scooted the assembly around until I thought it sounded good. :)
chainduck 2 years ago
@chainduck This is about the best thing ive seen on youtube in ages, i don't know what a piezo disk is or where to get one, can you please specify and maybe some alternatives?
Thanks you so much
Timothy .P
dazipro 2 years ago
@dazipro Piezo discs are just tiny crystal speaker / microphones that are available in all sorts of devices. They are commonly used as buzzers or phone mics and earpieces. Lots of folks buy Radio Shack buzzers and take the disc out. I buy mine at a local electronics liquidator for a buck each. They usually have 3 wires, negative, positive, and a feedback wire for using as a buzzer. For a pickup, just ignore the middle wire. If you type "piezo disc" on Ebay, you'll find tons.
chainduck 2 years ago
thats brilliant
sephiroth450 2 years ago
really cool, simple and awesome sound!
ooltimu 2 years ago
I don't play an instrument and don't know anything about music, don't know how I stumbled on this video... but I LOVED it. Lots of fun. Thanks for sharing.
tikisailor 2 years ago
Pretty cool, but you take WAY too long to get to the point. The first two minutes could be cut down to about 15 seconds. I remember experimenting with piezos as contact pickups years ago, and for guitar I usually soldered a small capacitor onto the disc. Might be worth fiddling with. Have you tried NOS rubber bands ;) ?
BwanaTube 2 years ago
@BwanaTube LOL...sorry if I ramble a bit. But, I don't charge for these videos...and usually don't script them either. Hopefully, the point is worth the trouble. ;)
I haven't tried the capacitor yet...but, have some plans for an inductor setup to reduce peaks. NOS rubber bands sound like a plan. Got a source?
chainduck 2 years ago
Made me laugh.
7WaysFromSundown 2 years ago
can u use a stick instead of bamboo
hurryingj 2 years ago
Probably, I haven't tried it yet though.....It will alter the sound...I just don't know how much.
chainduck 2 years ago
Haha too cool!!! Have you tried different rubber bands?
Noold 2 years ago
@Noold Yep, I've had trouble finding any just like the original....almost perfectly square cross section. The other epdm rubber bands that I've found are pretty good....just a bit more twangy tone.
chainduck 2 years ago
very cool!
H0LL0WBELLY 2 years ago
wow dude thats pretty awesome
jTrux22 2 years ago
Thanks!
chainduck 2 years ago
is the piezo still in the case ?nad is the bridge on top of the buzzer
gsjssss 2 years ago
It's a plain piezo disc...no casing. The disc sits on the main stick and is taped to the bridge stick. I'm still experimenting with the best placement. But, the sound varies widely according to how much contact the disc has to stick or bridge. It's tough to make it consistent...and so not ready for prime time yet.
chainduck 2 years ago
Wow! Really cool sound! O.o
Zudden666 2 years ago
thats awesome!
cancerslug101 2 years ago
Better get on a patent of some sort. The instrument is a good a good idea with some income potential. You could probably mass produce them out of plastics. Unfortunately you've posted it on YouTube so hopefully some enterprising individual won't beat you to the punch.
gblan 2 years ago
Thanks for the compliment! I do have it well documented as my innovation. However, it is built on similar ideas for using alternate string materials and a piezo pickups. So, it is more protected by my trademark than anything.
The new improved bamboo bass is under way. I hope to get the working version posted soon!
chainduck 2 years ago
how do you hold the rubber band in place at the bridge and at the end of the neck. please PM me
tectruss 2 years ago
The two ends of the bamboo main rod are notched to hold the rubber band and space it about a half inch apart. The band just rides over the bridge. This one doesn't have notches...but some could be added to help keep the "strings" in place.
chainduck 2 years ago
this has ALOT of potential.
eldarragi 2 years ago
i so want one!!!
kenaciousT 2 years ago
I'll be happy to make you one...shoot me an email.
Eric
chainduck 2 years ago
kool cheers. how much??
kenaciousT 2 years ago
cool how much ya charge to make one?
riztar 2 years ago
This is still in development.... But, shoot me an email and I'll see what I can do. I haven't decided on what the "production" model will cost yet. :)
chainduck 2 years ago
Wicked...I WANT one!
L
daddymojo1976 2 years ago
Thanks...And, I'll get right on it. :)
Eric
chainduck 2 years ago
WOW!.......you better start production of that wayout be-bop stik! sound is awesome, jump on it! :-) laurie
cinderellalifestyle 2 years ago
Thanks, I'll put you down for one! :)
chainduck 2 years ago
Verry, verry - VERRY COOL !!!
I need one of those!!!
You're gonna make alot of tribal, native musicians jealous.
GOOD JOB, bro.
Steve
Stevel1819 2 years ago
Send me an email....I'll get to work on it for ya!
Eric
chainduck 2 years ago
WOW Eric
That's so cool , it sounds wicked i never expected the amazin sound that would produce , i think your onto a winner there mate , kudos
juju.
dioramajue 2 years ago
Thanks, my friend!
You just never know what might work...LOL
chainduck 2 years ago
Too Cool....uh your gonna put some pics up on the forum...please
I gotta make one of those!!
Big Daddy
bigdaddysmojo 2 years ago
I'll see what I can do...;)
Eric
chainduck 2 years ago
Just brilliant!
YoppyKyabetsu 2 years ago
Thanks Yoppy. :)
I'm already plotting a four stringer. Now, I just have to figure out where these big rubber bands come from....hmmmm
Because the rubber produces low tones much better than highs, I might have to use two different systems....rubber for the lows and nylon or poly strings for the uppers. This might be too much though. I hate to ruin the simple success that is this instrument. ;)
chainduck 2 years ago
The tone from that little stick is amazing!
SayAgain709 2 years ago
LOL...I know! My GF wondered what the gag was when I showed it to her.....But nope, that is really what it sounds like...even better in person.
Thanks!
chainduck 2 years ago
Sorry about the encoding...I'll try to redo it when I get the chance....
Eric
chainduck 2 years ago