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Homemade bass for acoustic group

BbbyBld

BbbyBld

Oct 13, 2005
1,950
1,595
Meridian, MS
#1
One of my musician buddies wants to put together a folk music group to play at local events. He asked me about playing bass and if I had any ideas. Obviously, DB would be ideal, but I don't have one. Other instruments would be banjo, guitar, washboard, plus who knows what folk type instruments, and I think that all of us would be singing. I'm also thinking that we would be playing outdoors most of the time. My first thought was washtub bass, but then I remembered the whole cardboard box bass thing, which is something I've wanted to build for a while anyway, so I think I'm leaning that way.

I've done a bit of research and can't really get a good idea of how loud the box basses are unplugged. I think they sound really cool plugged in (piezo pickup), and I guess it wouldn't be the end of the world if I had to use a small battery powered amp (maybe even built in to the box), but I would like to keep it acoustic if possible just to keep with the whole vibe of the group.

I'd appreciate comments from any washtub or box bass players.:bassist:
 
#2
I have a two string Bogdon cardboard box bass, tuned AD.

If you play with a relatively aggressive right hand technique (rockabilly style) it's about the same volume as an acoustic guitar. Definitely louder than an acoustic bass guitar, not as loud as an upright.

Word of warning: The tuners are garbage. They work ok for a while then suddenly let go and do nothing. It takes three hands and three wrenches to fix them.
 
#3
Hi.

A DIY cadboard bass only requires a trip to the hardware store, ~$50 max in materials and a few hours of work, so why not try that first.
If I was a hat wearing kind of a guy, I'd tip my hat for Mr. Bogdon for finding buyers for his kits, that's for sure ;).

If the project band is going to last longer than just a few gigs, I'd make a Nekromantix coffin style DB out of plywood though as a more durable and more permanent solution. Should be around $100 for the parts and should not take more than a weekend to put one together either.

Then there's obviously CCB's, from ~$200 up if You don't want, or don't have time for DIY.

Regards
Sam
 
#5
IMG_2663.jpg

This is two steel patio chair seats, and a pickaxe handle. I play's great, and is tuned in A and D. It's loud enough to play with two guitars, Banjo, mandolin and fiddle.
 
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Reactions: Bob E
#7
Hi.

BbbyBld said:
T-Bird, thanks for the info about the necro.
Click to expand...

You're welcome, that approach has always intrigued me.
Just haven't gotten around to actually build one ;).

An imploded or otherwise unplayable CCB would make a great donor for making such a bass.


Another thought that crossed my mind, is a bass banjo.
That would probably look the part better than a box bass.

Either made out of an old (/cheapo) bass drum, or out of a 200 liter steel barrel.
A regular BG neck and BG steel strings can then be used for economical as well as volume reasons.
I haven't tried the commercial Weedwackers for a DB, but the garden aisle varities are IME only good up to A.
The E would probably have to be 4 or 5mm thick to sound right and not to bee too floppy on a 42". Even thicker on a 34", obviously.


Landy67 said:
IMG_2663.jpg
Click to expand...

Very cool looking instrument. Thanks for sharing.

Regards
Sam
 
#9
T-Bird said:
Another thought that crossed my mind, is a bass banjo.
That would probably look the part better than a box bass.

Either made out of an old (/cheapo) bass drum, or out of a 200 liter steel barrel.
A regular BG neck and BG steel strings can then be used for economical as well as volume reasons.
Click to expand...
TBer kickass's brilliant creation:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/very-large-acoustic-bass-guitar-jam-sessions-954228/#post13818037
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/show-us-your-acoustic-bass-guitars-945702/#post13682575
Genius! :eek:
(A cardboard box bass might prove more wieldy though.)

An easily disassemblable neck system would be the icing on the cake.
(I mean devising one made of scrap parts/for cheap if possible, not designing a brilliant piece of engineering costing 20 times as much as the rest of the bass!)
 
#10
BbbyBld said:
lz4005, are both strings the same gauge of weedwhacker line?
.
Click to expand...


They're different gauge and different color.

As for making one yourself, the build was actually a lot more complicated than I thought it would be. The cardboard is doubled up very thick corrugated all around, with a cardboard soundpost. There's a wood brace connecting the back of the neck to the back of the tailpiece inside the box, but it doesn't touch the top. Other than the tuners, it's a well thought out design, and worth the $75 or so I paid for the kit.
 
#11
Hi.

HaphAsSard said:
TBer kickass's brilliant creation:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/very-large-acoustic-bass-guitar-jam-sessions-954228/#post13818037
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/show-us-your-acoustic-bass-guitars-945702/#post13682575
Genius! :eek:
(A cardboard box bass might prove more wieldy though.)
Click to expand...

I do remember that one, there's been other DIY approaches as well on TB IIRC.
I'd probably make it a bit larger in diameter and also thinner with a bowl though, makes wonders for the tone.




Speaking of coffin basses, what a coincidence... :).

http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f164/3-string-coffin-bass-project-1053453/

Regards
Sam
 
#14
HaphAsSard said:
TBer kickass's brilliant creation:
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/very-large-acoustic-bass-guitar-jam-sessions-954228/#post13818037
http://www.talkbass.com/forum/f8/show-us-your-acoustic-bass-guitars-945702/#post13682575
Genius! :eek:
(A cardboard box bass might prove more wieldy though.)

An easily disassemblable neck system would be the icing on the cake.
(I mean devising one made of scrap parts/for cheap if possible, not designing a brilliant piece of engineering costing 20 times as much as the rest of the bass!)
Click to expand...

Thanks!

Here's one of my basses.
KAB%2024.jpg

There are more pics here.
Link Removed
My 20x16" deep drum makes a sweeter tone than the 20x14" or the 22x14",
 

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