Alec Fraser-How to make a brushbass drum attachment-part two

[luckyhorsecinema]

fantastic ! love that , thanks for sharing - i'm gonna try it out with a boundary mic, wishyou could've played a little bit on it so people could hear more of what it's like, but at any rate judging by when you did tap the sponge it seemed to have a really good sound about it.

[Guitarchaeologist]

Alec is the best one man rhythm section in the world!

[Magublican]

An AKG B9 is a pre-amp. Sax players would use one attached to their belt with a volume control for the mic they had on the bell of the sax. It also supplies phantom power for condenser mics.

[RavenRP]

Sorry to be posting again already, I wanted to let you know I am trying you idea but as I didn't have an old snare head sitting around I tried some sand paper and I think it's working brilliantly. I also tried an old crappy ¼ inch plug vocal mic with a switch, but the jury is still out on that one. Anyway this is fun, Thanks.

[Magublican]

Let me know how it goes. I did consider sandpaper for the sound but feared that it would wear out too soon and be flaking sand all over my bass and in peoples drinks. A new Ambassador coated drum head is very cheap and will last a long time.The mic you use should be fine as long as it's light and you roll off ALL the bass and midrange and boost the treble on the PA.Fun,fun,fun.

[RavenRP]

I nominate this for a Harvard award.

Way Cool!

I want to do this for my upright.

[kcfraser]

Suction cup for a show? I think not Alec Fraser (if that is your real name. I remember seeing Roxy Raven, miss nude Red Deer 1978, wearing them with tassels during her shows.

Keef

[Magublican]

If we put a great big suction cup on your head Keef we could hoist you down from the belfry on to your drum chair ya pervert :)

[rx321j]

...this guy is great!!!!

[antillmusic]

Nice one, I'm thinking about attaching one of those brushbrasses to my girlfriend. She's very musical and it should add a nice backbeat.

Cheers from Berlin, Antill

[killifish13]

cool ya! cool make your own It all about feel'in your sound. I don't play bass just love music.You sound great! love it keep it going thanks. Dale

[DustinSmithOD]

hey man why dont you just use a piezo? its only 1.99 for a piezo transducer and 2.00 for a 1/2 inch output jack. all at radioshack they sound great too. i use it for almost every instrument i make.

[Magublican]

If it ends up sounding better than a miniture condenser mic then I will.

[Magublican]

@Magublican I got a Piezo and gave it a try. The tone was like hitting a tin can so I still prefer the mic so far. I'll experiment some more with it though.

[bigdjindustriez]

I also wanted to add, you could cut a piece of foam rubber out of another sponge, and stuff it into the hole after you put the mic in, which would prevent sound from escaping and give you all of the sound.

[Magublican]

I should mention that the only sound that is sought is the upper register. I role off ALL the bass and mid, increasing a lot of treble on the P.A, otherwise it sounds like a thud every time you hit it, so trapping the sound would only add to that. Give your ideas a try though and let me know how you get on.Thanks for the input.

[bigdjindustriez]

Yup lots of bluegrass musicians used those, one of the bass players for Marty Stuart

[Magublican]

Ernie Newton, Lightning Chance and Joe Zinken were the first guys out of Nashville in the 50`s to brushbass that I know of(not many since). Marty`s bassplayer Kent and myself are two of a handful keeping it alive. I`m hoping that my electrified/removable version will inspire some kids to start using this fun technique.

[bigdjindustriez]

I'd for sure use it if I had an upright bass..but who can afford those.

[Magublican]

Sell something your not using, that`s what I did.A lot of people run down cheap chinese basses but for $500 on ebay you can at least get started and later upgrade.

[bigdjindustriez]

Some Chinese stuff is good I guess. If I was going to use this technique, I'd make one the way a archtop guitar pickguard is made, cut the drumhead to that shape, screw it down on one side and hold the other side up with a metal bracket..maybe use that mic on it.

[Magublican]

The only problem with screwing in to the belly of the bass is that it`s permanent and it hinders the left hand going up the neck. That`s why I came up with a removable one but if you never venture up that far then it`s not a problem. The mic inside mine also allows me to move around and not have to stay still like a robot. Also less feedback and personal control over the volume to the board.

[BobForehead]

Pure, unadulterated genius. Wish i played stand-up. I`m making this the head of my DIY playlist. Thnx!

[hankvansickle]

Genius. Never did see the underwear.

[hankvansickle]

Ahhhhh you're a genius.

[sgtpepper1138]

if yout want to know the head with the best texture, the brand is Aquarian texture coated or any of the aquarian models with texture, i've had their heads on my kit for like 3 years and the coating is STILL THERE, unlike remo or evans witch wear off pretty quick, now I know that you won't need a long lasting texture because you're not beating the heck out of it like it's on a real drum, but theirs is fantastic

[Mrjohnnyatomic]

I'm making one TODAY!!!!!

[Magublican]

Let me know how you do Johnny.

[wal4u]

Thanks for the cool plans for your wonderful device. The gig will be so much quieter now!

[shrimpdaddy]

you're a geneous! but drummers will hate you hahahahah

[magentafalcon]

I love you!