The Mike Miller Foot Bass

[bassfran]

Has anyone ever seen one of these before? (I'm not sure if it qualifies as a bass guitar exactly, so mod's please move this if necessary.)

The Mike Miller Foot Bass. The amazing 2-stringed bass you play with your foot! It's in great condition and is a stylish shade of baby poop brown.

I found it online about 15 yrs. ago and decided I had to have it. The only info I could find at the time was that it was built around 1970. None of my local experts had ever seen one either. Obviously, it didn't quite take the music world by storm...

The primitive pickup actually sounds decent- (it's hidden under the huge metal cover.) I had an easier time playing it by hand on a table. Sorry. I don't have any sound clips.

The 2nd pic is taken from the instruction sheet that was inside the chipboard case.

Any and all info would be appreciated.

 

[bassfran]

Wow, really? I thought it might be rare, but... WOW.




*sound of crickets*

 

[Luv2Pla4U]

The Office of the Medical Examiner has determined that this thread died from lack of interest.

Not many TB'ers with a foot fetish, I guess...

 

[cdef]

Don't have any pertinent info, but I've had a pic of that thing for years and wondered about it:

Maybe it was intended for singer/songwriter types who wanted some low notes. Seems to me you'd have to nail or tape it
to the floor, and you'd have to watch your toe action, too. - Anyhow, it became totally obsolete with the invention of MIDI.

 

[grisezd]

By the same token all other instruments also became obsolete with the advent of MIDI. No need to even go to the gig anymore, just mail them a synth and email the files.

I quite like the thing. I think it would not be so easy to play and it is, er, not pretty. But I'm happy that it exists!

 

[bassfran]

Don't have any pertinent info, but I've had a pic of that thing for years and wondered about it:

Maybe it was intended for singer/songwriter types who wanted some low notes. Seems to me you'd have to nail or tape it
to the floor, and you'd have to watch your toe action, too. - Anyhow, it became totally obsolete with the invention of MIDI.

Thanks for the reponses and the pic, cdef.

I can just about make out some feet there on the underside, so it'd hopefully stay put for use. That one-sheet is slightly different than mine which seems weird to me. As in I doubt they ever had to do a 2nd printing due to overwhelming demand.

You're correct in that it was geared toward folks that wanted some bass accompaniment without hiring a bass player.
"You'd better stick to roots and fifths buddy, or I'm replacing you with a FOOT BASS!"

 

[Jazzdogg]

What are the scale length and string gauges? Perhaps we can, collectively, draw an inference about possible tunings.

 

[bassfran]

Jazzdogg,

The scale length measures 24", the range is 1 octave, and it has 7 tiny frets with stickers that indicate the respective note values.

The upper string appears to be a 'typical' bass guitar A string and is tuned to Ab. The lower string (a typical D) is tuned to Eb.

I removed the cover for additional pics of both the pickup and bridge.

Thanks for asking.

 

[bassfran]

I quite like the thing. I think it would not be so easy to play and it is, er, not pretty. But I'm happy that it exists!

Thanks! I appreciate the solidarity.

 

[jbossolo]

That's one cool piece of bass memorabilia. Have you played it yet? How is it?

 

[bassfran]

That's one cool piece of bass memorabilia. Have you played it yet? How is it?

Well, it's a nice conversation piece...

I've never used it on a gig or anything like that. But it does sound pretty good for what it is.

 

[smcd]

It's great knowing these actually existed. Fun stuff!

 

[RedMoses]

Very Kool! Thanks for sharing, while this is prolly not very usefull it is cool to see the ideas of yesterday that have been forgotten over time. I bet it sounds interesting and could would be great for recording.

 

[Rebop]

I want it!! So cool.

 

[hrodbert696]

Are you supposed to play it by tapping it with your toe, or by plucking it, or what?

 

[grisezd]

Wow, I just noticed that the fretboard is stepped. That should make it much easier to play as intended. With a flat leather sole, especially with a shape like a classic wingtip, I'd imagine you'd hammer on the fret of the note you want. I didn't notice a mute at the nut end, that would make it more useful, I think. A longer scale would be swell, too, to create a little more space for the foot.

Dammit, now I'm thinking about making one!

 

[1SHOT1HIT]

Interesting!

More pics please!!!!!

 

[bassfran]

Are you supposed to play it by tapping it with your toe, or by plucking it, or what?

It's a toe-tappin' bass machine.

Imagine setting up 2 of 'em for a double bass drummer and the ensuing cacophony.

1shot1hit- What do you want to see? Let us know and I'll shoot some more pics tomorrow.

grisezd- Don't forget to show your work. I'll subscribe to that thread.

 

[SirMjac28]

Very Strange very strange indeed

 

[Geroi Asfalta]

That....is really weird. I'm curious as to how that odd, dinky little pickup sounds.