How to build a washtub bass pt. 2 - construction

The Viper shows you how to build a washtub bass, based on instructions by San Antonio's Barefoot Larry Collins (see his directions at http://www.jugmusic.com/main.html). This section of the video shows you how to put the parts together. See part 1 for a discussion of the materials you'll need and part 3 for how to play.

One correction to what you see here - rather than drill the string hole 48" up the staff, I'd recommend going a few inches higher (like to 52") so that the string itself, when taut, will measure 48" from staff to eye bolt.

TRANSCRIPT

Now to build the washtub bass.

WASHTUB: Were going to start with the washtub. Well be removing the handles, which you can do with a bolt cutter, if you have one, [or a] hacksaw — sometimes, if theyre soft enough, even just a pair of pliers. Drill a hold in the bottom and then put in the hardware assembly.

OUTSIDE HARDWARE: Eye bolt, lock washer, fender washer.

INSIDE HARDWARE: And in the inside: fender washer, lock washer, lock nut. Then you want to make sure you tighten it, quite tight. (This ended up being just about perfect. The bolt doesnt extend past the nut, which is good if you want to carry stuff in the tub: it wont scratch as much.) And then were done with our tub.

STAFF: Now were going to work on the staff. First, were going to cut a notch across the bottom. That will fit into the rim of the tub, and thatll allow it to rest on the rim without slipping while youre playing. Then were going to drill a hole through 48″ up for the string to go through. Ill go a little bit more than this. But you dont want to go too deep, because you dont want this to touch the bottom of the tub, which will rattle. So just about 1/4 of an inch, enough to keep the thing from slipping. Now were going to measure 48″ up the staff. And mark it: thats where were going to drill the hole.

[NOTE: One correction to this. Rather than drill the string hole 48" up the staff, I'd recommend going a few inches higher (like to 52") so that the string itself, when taut, will measure 48" from staff to eye bolt (it's the hypotenuse -- use your knowledge of right triangles!).]

And when you do the drilling, you just want to make sure that the hole is going through perpendicular to the way that the notch is cut — in other words, the hole should be facing the center of the tub. Youre going to drill the hole big enough for your rope to go through.

STRING: Now that weve got the hole drilled, were just going to feed one end of the clothesline through that, and then tie a knot on the other side. And then cut off about 6 feet. And well run that through the eye bolt — double back, like that. And then we essentially want to adjust the length until its basically taut when the string is almost straight up and down. When its straight up and down, thats the lowest note youre going to be able to hit. Then were going to take our clamp. Clamp this, and screw these back on. Eventually, well cut this. But for now, Im going to leave it until I have a chance to test out the bass: make sure I like the tautness of the string, and the length and everything. And the nice thing about the clamp, rather than tying it, is it makes it much easier to make small adjustments while youre figuring out what work.

PLUNGER: And then the last thing we need to do is to build a riser to allow the sound out to come out of the instrument. So were going to cut a notch in the top of the plunger. And thats going to go under the rim.

And thats how you build a washtub bass.

Category:

Howto & Style

Tags:

• risers and plungers
• washtub
• eye hoe handle

[LLJJEEYY]

I have that same drill. Came with a big set of other tools. I cant find replacement batteries for it.got a drill, a skill saw, sander,scroll saw, and flashlight and one old battery left. Do you know where to get them? It was a gift years ago and ive never seen anyone with that brand

[jerving]

@LLJJEEYY - I'm pretty sure the drill came from Home Depot, with a battery that fits the drill and a flashlight.

[busycece]

I am so going to do this. I play a dulcimer ;and my Sweetie wants to play along. only I won't teach him to play a dulcimer because he is a perfectionist - and he will be better than me in a week! I am going to make this on MONDAY..what a great Christmas gift! I'm so excited!

[curiousjapan]

Nothing quite like the sound of sawing through a resonator, is there? :P Excellent video!

[franulele]

Excellent how-to video! Thanks for posting.

[dustinlima]

lol.. perfect, just in case you need it to double as a container..

lol x2.. random cameo appearance of future actress

[frank0stein]

Awesome video and instruction. Thanks for making everything seem so clear and easy. I have been looking for a video like this for a long time.

[psychodelicdragon]

better by the minute!!