Serious double washtub bass player

[uttermike]

Howdy folks,
I have come up with a unique design for a one string double washtub bass that I play at festivals and on the backporch for my own enjoyment. It produces a great deep tone for about 2 octaves. It really does sound phenomanal as compared to the thump whump of the traditional washtub/hoe handle variety. I also make cookpot dobros, cookie tin banjos, coffee can guitars, etc... But I play serious music with the double washtub bass. Yesterday I broke down and bought a cheap Chinese-made, second hand, repaired "real" double bass... hence I now feel qualified to join this most honorable and revered forum. I'm anxious to learn all sorts of things from the group> from settin up my new/old bass to the secrets of actually learning to play using more than one string.

Uttermike :{)

 

[hluluchaos]

Hi - I've been researching washtub bass design and would love to see some pictures (and more) of your design!

Welcome!

 

[uttermike]

Here's my double washtub bass design. It came to me in a vision one night :{) It does sound awesome, much better than the old metal on-the-ground tubs I use to make. I impress folks at festivals. Merlefest, Shakori Hills, and Clifftop folks were most complimentary. As you can imagine this ticks real bass players off. They never get any attention to start with so I try to always defer to them around the jamm'n circles. I have so much fun with it that my mission to set up and learn to play my old second hand "real bass" has been hampered. I sit on the back porch and play to sirrius radio. The design takes advantage of two sound chambers and the string is not tight so I can play all night with no blisters. Try that on the old whump thump hoe handle metal tubs! Festival season starts next week with back to back Shakori Hills and Merlefest... hoooty whooo !!!!!

 

[DanAleks]

That's great!

Wish I could find it, but I saw someone attach a neck and bridge to the outside of one of these.
http://www.bayteccontainers.com/plastic-water-drum-55-gallon.html