Cardboard Upright Bass

[SmallTimeMusicians]

Wow...that's pretty cool. It doesn't look like it would sound as good as you made it sound.

[Beginnerbassman]

It finally came and i built it!! I love it so much. Great sound. Wonderful invention.

[raynarayskye]

I want one!!!!!



[Beginnerbassman]

I really like this invention. Sounds great. My only question is does it sound good while being bowed? And also there is an input jack to connect to an amp? Great job designing.

[washtubbass]

@Beginnerbassman thanx. The box bass comes with a pickup to plug into any amp. You cant bow this bass because the bridge is similar to an electric bass. The strings are very close to the body and neck. I am an electric fretless bassist and wanted an upright that plays the same as my jazz bass.

[Beginnerbassman]

@washtubbass Oh cool thats good. I ordered a 3-string Bogdon bass from BirdlandMusic. I cant wait for it to come!

[TheActiveAssault]

Those losers should have invested. Rub it in their face when you're loaded.

[ubermisogynist]

@TheActiveAssault thats not right. It's their money they can choose to invest it how they want. The reality is he got airtime on cable tv, I had never heard of it and was curious and I'm no musician so imagine all the people who never heard of it. The people who got angry on the show when they told them no are dumb because they are getting air time and someone else may want to invest..

[washtubbass]

@TheActiveAssault thanx, man! its all good :)

[phatyg77]

U got robbed bro.i will be ordering one.it would be nice to have four strings and reinforced cardboard

[Beginnerbassman]

@phatyg77

[washtubbass]

@phatyg77 thanx, theres a box bass forum on talkbass.com that shows how a guy further reinforced the box bass. for photos go to talkbass.com/forum/f8/box-bass­-club-388231/#post11983324

[corster5x]

They should have invested in it!

[washtubbass]

@corster5x thanx!

[Eraseallhope]

Ill buy it

[echopryme]

MUST.  HAVE.

WILL. HAVE.

[NintenOfPodunk]

99 bucks I'd give it a clean 105 dollars because for a cardboard model it's great

[chorse70]

I just watched this episode too and I loved your invention. I think asking $99 for one is a little steep maybe ask $50. Great invention man!

[zanik00]

If it can sell for 50 bucks it's worth it anything more and go to the music store and buy a squier for $99

[drumbum3218]

This is so awesome! I saw you on tv on the inventer show and I could NOT believe they turned you down! They have no musical ability or understanding and that's why they couldnt see the potential here. You rock! It's not failing if you get back up when they knock you down.

[DubstepTune]

@drumbum3218 thanks man. Its all good!

[jopjop223]

you totally should have got investment.

[DubstepTune]

@jopjop223 thank you. the show was a BLASSSST and the audio-scope showed that the box bass has a smoother tone curve than a standard upright bass. My box bass isnt a replacement, its just a crazy fun bass to see, hear, and play.

[deeIancer]

You should upload a vid showing how to do it. I could really use it!

[washtubbass]

@deeIancer, The History Channel flew me to L.A. for 3 days to film my story on a show called Invention USA. It's scheduled to be aired on December 9th 2011. The History Channel show examines how its made. Just search Bogodon Vasquaf on face book to ask me anything.

[magnetpaints]

Just saw the show. Awesome! And like you said, those guys are dead wrong. This has tremendous potential. What about a cardboard box banjo or guitar?

[DubstepTune]

@magnetpaints everything is possible! i have a 2-string box fiddle thats kinda cool.

[afriggencow]

That's ghetto

[ixl0v3x3m0xb0y5xX]

and what did yu use for the strings?

[washtubbass]

@ixl0v3x3m0xb0y5xX weedwhacer twine and very heavy fishing line.

[ixl0v3x3m0xb0y5xX]

um... some of us have to do this... we have awesome school projects where we have to make homemade instruments

[Rhythmicons]

Great idea!

[fbforlife23]

does it have a peg at the bottom so you can adjust the height??

by the way great job!

[ThePvmag]

Dear Santa,

[newfreshreview]

No offense, because the bass and your ability to play it are awesome, but do we really need the end seconds of you walking over to shut off the camcorder? We don't have the first seconds where you obviously turned ON the camcorder...

[Mufke123]

@newfreshreview Don't know how about you, but i see the first seconds when he turned ON the camcorder... :P Also i'd say that complaining about this fact took you longer then just watching it?! :D

washtubbass, i pretty much like the idea and the sound of your bass! Good job!

[newfreshreview]

@Mufke123 Oops... my bad. I guess I just forgot that when he started getting... funky!

[Xxrickibee94xX]

just a question , not trying to sound aggressive here but what is the point in this ???

[washtubbass]

@Xxrickibee94xX absurd fun and i've sold a few thousand so far... i won Best in Show at the 2008 Summer NAMM. its just crazy fun. thats the point.

[Xxrickibee94xX]

@washtubbass but if it got wet , wouldnt it be ruined ???

[washtubbass]

@Xxrickibee94xX LOL you play wet basses? My box bass floats because its a triple corrugate thats air tight. If you care for the box bass as you would any upright bass, it will last years and years. It will not "get ruined" when wet. lol

[Xxrickibee94xX]

@washtubbass i was just wondering because it said cardboard and if you leave a cradboard box in the rain it ruins

[washtubbass]

@Xxrickibee94xX just like any other bass.

[vampairejoseluis]

THANKS FOR ANSWER MY QUESTION AND IF YOU DON'T MIND I WILL TRY TO MAKE MY OWN!! I'M A MUSIC STUDENT BUT I DON'T HAVE THE MONEY TO BUY AN UPRIGHT BASS.

[vampairejoseluis]

can i ask you how did you made it??

[washtubbass]

@vampairejoseluis Bass Player Magazine wrote a story about me and my box bass. They made a video showing exactly how its made Ii had to separate the lettering because youtube wont allow links posted in comments) B a s s P l a y e r. c o m/article/bogdon-box-bass/Jan-­08/32919

[bassjeffd]

I'm liking that. Nice work.

[snickersfan15]

Really cool! :)

[marcelsandes]

how to make?

[gugugummybears]

wow that takes alot of skill!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[dahbombman]

That is sick.

[thomasisatwin]

what video camera did you use?

[washtubbass]

@thomasisatwin i use a Casio Exilim 7.2 Mega Pixels camera with built in mic.

[RCAvhstape]

So this is what they build in Detroit these days? No wonder Honda is kicking our butts! LOL Just kidding, man, that thing sounds great, now I want to build one!

[telebass51]

show your face, you should be proud

[17fallen1]

orange weedwackers? koo

[chavruta2000]

You gotta love the F holes

[stupidcrapcanyonlake]

what do you use for strings and tuners?

[washtubbass]

@stupidcrapcanyonlake the strings are ordinary weed whacker twine and the tuners are nuts n bolts (no kidding) info at BogdonMusic. c o m

[seomoz]

i cant help but sounds kinda awesome

[peterbiltroy]

This thing sounds amazingly good! I thought it was a joke till I clicked the play button!

[PennybagDarrell]

its accually made of cardboard?! how does the string tension not rip it to shreds?

[washtubbass]

@PennybagDarrell, there is a video on the Bass Player Magazine site that shows editor Greg Olwell asembling a Bogdon Box Bass. You can see the design is simple yet effective. (or facebook search for Bogdon Vasquaf)

[misanthr0pe]

@PennybagDarrell neck looks like it's wood

[talc89a]

@misanthr0pe it is

[Fattboy59]

What type of strings? are the available only at Bogdon?

[washtubbass]

@Fattboy59 these strings are Bogdon 100% nylon bass strings. They available individually E - A - D - G for $4.99 each. BirdlandMusic. net and Elderly. com sell them, and they're also availabale from BogdonMusic. com The strings are smooth yet very ard and have a great stretch-tolerance. The strings are about 5 feel long and are looped at one end.

[Fattboy59]

@washtubbass Thanks Washtub! I going to get one of these, Ive played bass guiitar for years and the Standard contra Bass just too intimidating.

[TheRcwilson]

so much fun...my friend and i made one of these out of a home depot box, a poplar plank and some bits and parts. trying a plywood one now.

[washtubbass]

@TheRcwilson very coooL... it's a lotta fun to play. PLEASE post a video of yours

[Fattboy59]

@TheRcwilson Yeah I would like to see and hear the plywood one !

[nananaalgoodaye]

hey mate I'm thinking of getting one I was wondering if they sound good if you slap them?

[washtubbass]

@nananaalgoodaye i'm not a slapper so i dont really know how to do it. there isnt a lotta room under the strings to grab and slap it... the bridge on this bass is similar to an electric bass because the strings are very close to the body.

info at BogdonMusic . com

[nananaalgoodaye]

@washtubbass oh yup lol cheers mate i think i'll order one! (:

[snowyalbino130]

just... AWESOME

[0713mas]

That sounds aweosome!!!!

[dervictor01]

loser -.-

[otharennaur]

This thing sounds REALLY GOOD lol, never thought this kind of instruments could really sound good. Congrats!

[justin1996qm]

sweet man

[justlikeclockwrk]

thats badass bro

[DivineWindOfTheSnow]

The best way to save money. :D

[BazBuzinkum]

]Sounds way better than my turd kazoo. Seriously, good effort. I may have to try this.

[woonbootje1]

dude that thing is totally freaking awesome!!!, Show us how you made it dude!

[JesusChrist5000]

What did you make the fingerboard out of?

[washtubbass]

@JesusChrist5000 the fingerboard is made of red oak flooring

[hahahahihihioolu]

i like it.

[GreenTree732]

That is cool

[GreenTree732]

are those bass strings on it and also is the neck wood

[washtubbass]

@GreenTree732 the neck is red oak flooring wood and the strings are weed whacker twine guage ,095" and .085" tuned to A-D

[talc89a]

well on thursday i got lucky. i went to stapels and founnd a box that was perfect. it is a box that is 24 inches tall which is perfect for me because im making a 1/4 size bass. me and my son are making it. my son saw you playing it on youtube and wanted to make one. so we are. the gauges are g=0.050 d=0.065 and a=0.080 and i will try to post a vidio of my son playing it.

[talc89a]

where do you get a box that big

[washtubbass]

@talc89a i order my boxes from a place called ULine. you can google it. The original box was from a bathroom cabinet. Any sturdy cardboard box will do. The box in this video is 8" x 12" x 42" and the strings are simply weed whacker twine. My string gauges match the gauges of standard upright bass strings and feel the same. more info at my website bogdonmusic com

[talc89a]

nobody makes better cardboard basses than yours.

[TmasterREY]

awesome. i want one.

[washtubbass]

@talc89a cool, its a fun bass to play.

[washtubbass]

cool, it's a fun bass to see, hear, and play.

[Chessguitar]

I really like your sound, i will make a cardboard guitar

[talc89a]

If the strings weren't close to the body, would you be able to use a bow with it?

[washtubbass]

yes, but then the strings will be far away from the neck making it difficult to play.

[rodney12314]

whats song was that

[washtubbass]

that wasnt a song, it was just an improv riff in A.

[trumpeteerxx]

sounds better than a wood one

[ButlerSONG]

Bass is not green ahahah

[RATMblink182]

is it possible to make it 4 stringed ?? i mean is there enough space between the strings to make it a 4 string or is there a possibility i can buy a 4 string one??

[washtubbass]

there isnt room between the nylon strings because the tension is light and the strings wobble. i make a 3-string version now at my websit BogdonMusic. c o m the 3-string is tuned to E-A-D but some players are tuning it to A-D-G... but you CANT tune the E string up to A, ya gotta use an A-D-G strings so the bass can hold the tesnion.

[bakersman12]

...I bet you could sell this...

[washtubbass]

i've sold over 1000 of these and Bass Player Magazine wrote a feature story on it.

[bakersman12]

@washtubbass Oh wow. That's awesome.

[FlareHunter76]

freakin awesome. so the body is cardboard and the neck is wood? and what are the strings made out of and how are they attached at the top?

[washtubbass]

strings are attached to nuts-n-bolts as tuners at the top, and a dry wall screw at the bottom. it's totally tunable and stays in tune. more info at BogdonMusic. c o m

[gargoloso]

Can you use a bow with it?

[washtubbass]

cant use a bow because the strings are set close to the body similar to an electric bass... more stuff at my web pagew BogdonMusic. c o m

[Rhythmicons]

Thats clever, and a nice little bassline to boot.

Eric

Rhythmicons

[aftermathfool]

wow... that's awesome

[BrightonInWindsor]

How does the cardboard handle the tension?

That's awesome

[washtubbass]

the strings are weedwhacker twine that matches the guages of standard bass strings. This bass was made in 2006 and still plays just as good as the day i made it. The tension is not an issue because there is less tension than a standard upright bass. The strings are close to the body on this cardboard upright bass so the bridge isn't withstanding a large amount of tension.

[washtubbass]

the neck is in 3 peices and goes all the way thru the body. The neck doest touch the face plate of the body and allows the bridge to resonate for tone. The strings are attached to the top of the neck, and the very bottom of the neck which touches the floor.

[nerrad127]

can you slap on these?

[washtubbass]

its a little tricky to slap because you cant really get your fingers under the strings. the box is sturdy and can take a beating.

[wwesuperstarreviews]

THIS IS CHEAPER

[washtubbass]

I made the first one cause i didnt have the money to buy an upright bass. i just wanted the upright tone for home recordings so i made a cardboard box upright bass. Its just a crazy thing.

[TheRichHobo95]

why would u buy that?

[wwesuperstarreviews]

Bass Player Magazine did a story and he sold 1000+ somebodys buying it.

[TheRichHobo95]

why not just buy a real bass???????

[washtubbass]

some ppl dont want to spend $800 on a cheap upright bass when you can get the same sound for under $100

[washtubbass]

a cheap real upright bass costs $800, a cardboard box upright bass matches the tone yet costs under $100 (plus its just plain crazy)

[stodd32]

I dig it brother

[DUY1337GUITAR]

I'm thinking of making a cardboard acoustic

[ringomainia]

Dude,that's awsome!!send me something on how 2 make 1 for myself!

[BMTH105]

That's SWEET!! :)

[coffinbass666]

great man! check out mine :)

[CaraTheGuitara92]

LMAO.... mad.

[jontheliar]

i like how you put it down...lol

[snailswigbee]

@jontheliar for some reason that hand gesture keeps them from falling, haha.

[666133666]

thats awesome lol

[AVGanondorf]

Oh my God... Wow!

[xaviermoyssen]

make a lesson on how to do it

[moosenamedmorton]

just don't take it outside on a rainy day

[washtubbass]

just like every other bass :)

[kghsbassboy]

do you think that weed whacker line would work for guitars too? strings can be expensive especially the strings on bass guitars and upright bass and wouldnt it suck to have an upright bass string snap over your hand it seems like itd take your arm off though but that is a good idea right there!

[washtubbass]

weedwhacker line wont work on a guitar because it cant take that much tension. Bass strings are very loose and dont snap when they break, IF they break.

[Morahman7vnNo2]

Considering how expensive real Double basses are, not a bad investment.

[EvesUnderground]

dude =]~

[Verse34k]

that is sick... how long did it take to make that thing?

[TheJudge442]

THATS F#%@N CARBOARD!!!!

[unsforlife]

Are those strings weedwacker line?

[washtubbass]

@unsforlife i call them Weed Wacker Twine, but they are actually 100% hard nylon strings.

[collareddove7]

Aha. That was awesome.

[FreddyBone17]

haha rockin!

[Zeaky0arteest]

Woah, I've never seen that before...cool!

[DreHectik]

...then there should be some cardboard drums, a cardboard guitar.....and some chicks dansing with cardboard bikinis....

[andytom]

Aren't upright bass strings a little expensive to put on a piece of cardboard?

[washtubbass]

these are nylon weed whacker twine strings with gauges that match real bass strings. the feel is similar and smooth with less tension.

[andytom]

Aaaah, I see. Taking that into account, it sounds amazing.. Well done..

[washtubbass]

i use weed whacker twine from the hardware store. they match the gauges of real bass strings and sound great.

[TMundo]

@washtubbass Awesome, I used to play one when I was a kid, how do I make one of those, can you post directions or do you just sell them?

[PomadeHead]

sik! lol !!

i like the Prostetic F holes!!

[swtxlallie]

LOL

[gorblimey61]

I've seen the Zorko Baby Bass, but this cardboard contraption is new to me. Sounds great!

[Witzomania]

YEAH!!! ha-ha, this is the best!

[Ackbano]

Reminds me of Blue's Clues. :D

[blacktemplar111]

haha epic!

[idahodanseur]

i would like to attempt to make one of these. Could you tell me the length of the neck (bottom of the body to the tuning pegs) how tall the bridge is and the dimensions of the box?

Please!

[washtubbass]

Bass Player Magazine did a story on me and my box bass in the January 2008 issue. Go to BassPlayer . com and search Bogdon Box Bass, they posted an assembly video to go with the story. The editor made the video!

[dustingrey]

Site was down due to maintenance, but when it comes up it might be cool to have the link in the description :).

[breawnrox]

holy shit

[BassLabel]

I guess it's cool that you can make a bass out of common materials. Wouldn't take it to gigs

[ttime720]

haha, thats badass

[Bassbumpin]

very cool. Is the neck made of cardboard too?

[washtubbass]

the neck is oak.

[ericschuran]

I like that little, "stay there" pose you do at the end. Still can't believe it's just a cardboard box.

[lazthespaz4]

wow that's pretty good for cardboard

[superdooperpooper564]

looks like it's plugged into an amp

[taylorzack78]

wait did you use real up right bass srtings or did you use something else

[washtubbass]

the strings are actually weed whacker twine that matches standard bass string guages (just way cheaper)

[taylorzack78]

how did you make it