Washtub bass: anyone else remember it?

KBCraig · August 24, 2010, 03:34:50 AM

So, does anyone else remember the bluegrass group in the 1970's to early '80s that featured a washtub bass? Literally, just an inverted washtub, a string, and a broomstick. And the guy playing it could flat-out rock!

On a local music forum, the subject came up, so I'd appreciate anyone/everyone sharing memories and knowledge.

rubedugans · August 24, 2010, 08:18:39 AM

I do remember something like that from the very early 80's...I got to thinkin' about it the other day after I saw a man playing one at a festival here in St. Charles MO. His was a bit different....
This one was using the tub as a resonator to amplify bass strings that were string upon a neck (picture a washtub bodied bass)

As a bass player this is intruiging, and I just might have to make one and try it out. Plans are everywhere on the internet. Whats the worst that can happen? I get a new washtub!

Junior · August 24, 2010, 08:28:30 AM

I was working on park about that time, and yes, I do remember somebody playing the ole washtub. I cannot remember which group...but my two guesses: Swing and Turn Jubilee, which featured Greg Becker and his wife at the time...or...The Undergrass Boys...but I think that the bass player in the Undergrass boys usually used a big, upright bass, although he might have used the wash tub from time to time. By the way, I strongly encourage you to get on your search engine and type in "The Undergrass Boys" as it will get you to their MySpace page, which features some examples from their one and only 1981 self titled album...they did progressive bluegrass, and had a strong following (Me included) and were a very hip, exciting band for their time. As their Website says...imagine Bill Monroe getting messed up on acid, and getting together with Rock icon Janis Joplin and having love children...the kids grow up on the road listening to Roy Rogers. That's how the Undergrass Boys explain the influences for their music.

betamike · August 24, 2010, 05:23:06 PM

I seem to recall many cartoons with this washtub bass....which may be clouding my memory of an actual band using it.

Duelist · August 24, 2010, 08:48:37 PM

It's been a while since I've seen the Baldknobber Show on Hwy 76 but didn't one member of the band use to play the washtub bass?

Junior · August 25, 2010, 04:36:07 PM

Regarding Baldknobbers...yeah, I think in the early days '50's & 60's, comedian George Aggernite did play the washtub bass.

rubedugans · September 09, 2010, 10:57:10 AM

I am a dabbler in musical instruments of all kinds. The cheaper, the better, and if I can make it, even better! Cigar Box Ukes, Washtub basses, anything I can craft from existing objects or instruments I will try. I came across this website after this thread popped up. It has SO MANY instruments that I am planning on building when I get time...like that will happen right? Many are weekend projects that I can hopefully knock out over the winter months.

This week I am going to start collecting supplies for a few, and maybe I can get into an open mic night playin' my homemade instruments out of everyday objects.... We will soon see!

List:
Washtub/ Trashcan Bass
Tennis Racquet Banjo
Old guitar, or box Hurdy Gurdy
Fretless banjo from a cookie tin
PVC pipe bagpipes
And a bunch of others

http://www.dennishavlena.com

Ozark Outlaw · September 09, 2010, 02:30:24 PM

I think you have some great ideas for a weekend project. If you are able to get some of your friends, and family involved you could have your very own "homemade" band so to speak.

Silver Dollar City should open up their own music store of sorts, and one of the things they could sell is instruments, or kits made from parts, or supplies like you described.

Junior · September 09, 2010, 04:10:42 PM

Two SDC employees discussed putting in a music store as far back as the late 70's. OLD GUY and his buddy "Milo" talked about it way back then, but nothing ever came of it. SDC has some high rates when it comes to being an operator of a "lease" shop on the park. Of course, the rent is high because 2 million potential customers pass by your shop every year. I don't know of any lease shop at the park that ever lasted more than just a few years.

rubedugans · September 09, 2010, 10:36:05 PM

Alright, I have the old 1970's tennis raquet for the banjo, and the needed wood for the , I am going to cut it tomorrow, and hopefully build it this weekend from scratch.

I also will finish cutting the pieces for my aeolian wind harp in hopes to finish that as well a few years after I initially started it!

Photos will be up tomorrow...

KBCraig · September 11, 2010, 04:34:57 AM

Very cool, Rube.

rubedugans · September 11, 2010, 10:10:59 PM

Hit a road block or two...but I am moving along rather well on the banjo for day one.
I first sanded off one side of the handle only to find that the handle was hollow-leaving a big hole open where the fretboard/ neck would be. I planed down a piece of scrap oak to 1/8" and glued that to the handle. Next I routed/ sanded the edges to be flush with the existing neck. I then made a dowel to fit the void that was left in the handle.

Day 1 cost: free tennis raquet, scrap wood, used tuning pegs from an old guitar (free)

Next I am going to drill the holes for the tuning pegs. I have to track down a used piece of mylar/ a used drum head for the head, and find 3 screws for the string mounts/ and 6 for the tuning pegs, create a nut, and a bridge from the rest of the scrap oak, and fing some strings/ line and I am in business.

So hopefully once I find the mylar I'll be on my way to finishing it, for now I am on hold $:-\$
Maybe I'll talk to the local music store...I just don't wanna pay for a new drum head that I am going to cut up!

rubedugans · September 11, 2010, 10:23:23 PM

This is a view of the aeolian wind harp that I began for my father a few years back, that I am getting around to finish. It depicts Aeolus Greek god if the wind blowing a clipper ship.

Detail of sound hole:

I have to mount the tuning pegs, and create a lid for the harp. and hopefully after all this time it actually resonates, and makes a sound. My choice of wood when I began was a bit on the heavy side...in hind sight I would have formed the body out of 1/2-1/4" instead of 3/4". I will soon know if all the work was in vain!

rubedugans · September 12, 2010, 10:08:57 PM

I think I might have located my mylar sheet! I visited with my old band mates this evening in town from Oregon, and low and behold his drum set here had an old head that was used as a frisbee in the basement...Tomorrow I get to see if it fits the banjo...Fingers Crossed! $:-\$

KBCraig · September 13, 2010, 03:34:26 AM

That's cool, Rube. I look forward to seeing your finished project!

Are you putting tuners on the neck, or the tail?

Edit to add: I really need to make a cigar box or even oatmeal box whanger as a demo for my youngest, who is really eager to start playing guitar, but completely impatient about learning how. I figure a visual lesson in string tension and diameter will help him understand notes.