How to build a washtub bass pt. 3 - playing

[MaxwellChillington]

WHITE STRIPES

[definiteNZ]

thanks so much - im certainly going to make one! so let me get it right - the notes are changed by the angle of the staff? how much slack do you need to leave so the staff can move?

[kissyfish2010]

@definiteNZ - Yes, you change the notes by changing the angle of the staff, making the clothesline tighter (higher notes) or looser (lower notes). Some players also "stop" the clothesline along the staff (as with a regular string bass).

In terms of slack: tie the clothesline so that it is tight enough to sound a note when it is directly vertical to the tub (the staff leaning in slightly). This will be your lowest note and will give you the maximum flexibility to go higher.

[miho9000]

Does the cup plunger go in place of the book our is it somewhere I can't see in the video?

[jerving]

@miho9000 - You've got it right. The plunger is not in this set-up (its a filmmaking continuity error -- I'll be firing the script supervisor you see at the end of this video.)

In the video, I'm using a book as a riser (clothbound works better than paperback). For a less wobbly and slippery base, you can use the notched plunger described in parts 1 & 2 of these videos.

[phoenixmidwife]

This was wonderful! Thank you so much! Love your series! We could watch you all day!

[bigme75201]

great video series, glad to see you are being a positive musical influence on your little girl, heck from the looks of your living room she probably knows what a record is...

[oakster777]

7 nation army....omg yes.

[serveTHEservants]

Lol shes so cute, just please dont let her do that to a professional bass like a Rick or somethin, haha.

[jerving]

@serveTHEservants -- You might enjoy the following, starting from 1:45 (Bob Haggart & Ray Bauduc playing "Big Noise From Winnetka," which is sort of a proto-"Seven Nation Army" song. Do a Google search for KfFBdViZHzk

[TheAlmostGod888]

I made one of these and all it cost me was a 20 dollar bill, Its a great build, I'll make a video response of it

[okonkolo]

give the drummer some!

[uptehpunxxx]

How much did you spend on materials?

[TheAlmostGod888]

@uptehpunxxx Like $30

[jerving]

@uptehpunxxx - for this particular washtub bass I spent $39.99 for the washtub, $13.49 for the hoe handle, $4.62 for the various fasteners and washers, and $2.99 for the cup plunger. I already had clothesline, but for the next bass I built I bought parachute cord for $4.21.

It can be done for less - you don't necessarily need the fasteners, and you can buy a less sturdy but adequate tub at for less than $20. If I ever do a part 4, I'll show how to make the simplest, cheapest bass!

[Amcclai785]

@jerving Did using the parachute cord make a significant difference? and if so, where do you get one and what diameter? Thanks!

[jerving]

@Amcclai785 Parachute cord did not make a significant difference to my ear. It's a little stretchier (so a few notes more range) but also not as resistant (so a little loss of thumpy tone).

If you want to try it yourself, anyway, you can find it at Army/Navy surplus stores. I don't remember having to choose among different diameters -- though there was a color choice (I went with Army green) -- but if you run into that, I'd try to get something pretty close to clothesline thickness.

[vincentpsarrazin]

Great tutorial, seems like the little one is gonna be hell of a drummer!!

[arniethegreat]

awesome!

[xscottmcdonaldx]

aaahhhh!!!! That was the most adorable thing ever.

[TheAlmostGod888]

seven nation army, that was the best part when the srums came in, :)

[TheWeatherMan2012]

AWESOME!!!!!

[dustinlima]

you can also vary the effective string length by pressing it down onto the staff as though it's a fretless bass

[UNCLEMOMMY]

that little helper sure has great rhythm.

[Dekehager]

Great series of videos! Thanks, looking forward to putting one together!

[murf003]

i saw your video lastnight and i made one, this morning. had all the things here at home so it was 100% free haha. thanks dude for the tips. now im playing it non stop today. once again thanks

[geegor]

i want one!

hell yeah!

awesome!

[foraminiferal]

this is totally awesome!  great job

[30MoreStones]

Sweet! Now I know what my next project will be.

[mayerrocks]

thats awesome i want to build one



[psychodelicdragon]

have heard that before!!

[1958wvpicker]

Exxxxxxxxcelent

thanks Viper

Rich in WV

[hoosierhiver]

This is great!

[wadester1969]

Great job on this series! I'm gonna build one.

[ilivensoca]

How fun!!!  good job!!

[marjet]

great stuff, very detailed, informative and fun. gonna build one this summer and this helps out a LOT!

[wifelessinphx]

your daughters better than meg white!

[MrCorona64]

7 Nation Army. AWESOME!!

[mikolaXXI]

awesome