How To Make A Whamola

this is how to make a full size whamola, but can also be used to make a 34" scale for bass guitar strings
note: my steel shaft is 6' tall
and I think the full name is steve whamola, but dont hold me to it!

as per request full instructions on how to build a whamola:
ALWAYS WEAR PROPER SAFTEY PROTECION GOGGLES/EARPHONES/RESPIRATOR!!!!
I WILL ASSUME NO REPONSIBILITY IF YOU ARE INJURED FROM:
Improper use of tools
Failure to wear protection
Being impaled by flying awesome-ness when playing the whamola

Parts list:
Slab of oak
Steel shaft -- 1"x1"
P-bass pickup (or whatever bass pickup makes you happy)
Output jack
22 gauge wire
Bass tuning machine
Round slim shaft
Screen door roller- brass
Wood screws (usualy come with the brackets)
Support brackets
Finger board wood 1"x ?" x 3' (in the video I use 1"x1"x3' but I think one with less depth would work better)


Cut slab of oak to about 10"
Use hand saw put grooves for tuning machine then chip out wood as best as you can(a router would do so much better of a job so borrow one if you can)
Drill hole the proper size for the tuning machine
Screw brackets into handle make as even as possible

Use Hacksaw and put a slit in the top of the steel shaft 1" down and ¾" wide make sure your roller fits
Drill a hole through the shaft as straight as possible(use a drill press if you have access to one) for the slim shaft fit through

Make the bridge of the excess oak from the handle use a triangle shape. It only needs to clear the pickups and fingerboard

apply glue on the fingerboard (after seeing the expansion of the gorilla glue, I advise you to try TiteBond II, as gorilla glue may throw off measurements) apply glue to steel shaft
put something between the clamps and the fingerboard, to keep it from indenting

make triangle of wood similar to bridge, glue to the fingerboard

place the pickup near the bridge, the magnets should hold it to the shaft, use a sharpie to mark the spots where holes need to be drilled. Drill holes, then use metal screws rather then the pickup's screws to secure it

Use the hacksaw to open up a spot in the bottom of the shaft for the jack, use a method where you make the first 2 like this ___ then the next one like this / then use a pair of ___ /

pliers and bend them so that they can be sawed, drill a hole big enough for the jack on the other side


Drill a hole at about a 45 degree angle in the bridge all the way through the first wall of the shaft. Tin your leads on your pickup, solder some extensions and tape with electric tape, feed wires through and solder them right to the jack, no pots

Put the handle in the appropriate position, and feed the slim shaft through, making sure to get the brass roller in the middle

Then have some one help you hold up the string to the whamola and mark out a spot as close to the bridge as you can get without having to cut the string
Drill a hole all the way through and feed the string through, string it up and have fun!

Category:

Music

Tags:

• whamola
• homemade
• home
• made
• les
• claypool
• primus
• flying
• frog
• brigade
• buckethead

[lazorwolf489]

I now have a home-made Whamola of my very own. You have no idea how much I've wanted one for the past 4 or so years. I definitely wouldn't have one if it weren't for this video. I owe you many thanks. So.. THANK YOU!

[NapoleanXV]

@lazorwolf489 No problem buddeh!

[macDiesiel]

do we need to wear lipstick when we are building it or only when playing it

[NapoleanXV]

@macDiesiel Yes. It is mandatory.

[asmithgdci]

Should the handle, wheel, and nail all move as one when you are finished?



[NapoleanXV]

@asmithgdci Mine didn't but it shouldn't matter too much. Although you may want to make the wheel free floating for sake of the string.

[fordsucks27]

I'm ok with it rubbing against the wood, Feels better that way.

[fordsucks27]

@NapoleanXV Let me tell you about a porcupines balls, THERE SMALL AND DONT GIVE A SHIT!

[NapoleanXV]

@lebleufleur FUCK SALT.

[lebleufleur]

didn't get shit..