steveh_2o - Posted - 05/06/2016:  10:47:48

"22 Tapered, metal, close back pot  with heavy nylon strings.  "43 scale.

Fine. It's a bass.  I built a washtub bass. 

Some pictures of how it went together.

Zachary Hoyt - Posted - 05/06/2016:  18:00:02

It looks great.  The construction photos are interesting too.  I want to hear what it sounds like.  Do you play it upright or in more traditional 'banjo' position?

Zach

steveh_2o - Posted - 05/06/2016:  18:40:45

Thanks.  It has an end pin to stand on.  I don't play but here is a short video of me thumping on it.

mike gregory - Posted - 05/07/2016:  05:07:44

Never occurred to me that a ring of blocks would be a very good way to secure the head.

How do you keep the handles from rattling when the bass is played?

And, not that it's REAL important, but, what's the top wood?

Finally: Is that a store-bought, or a done-it-yourself bass bridge?
I understand the store ones are dang pricey, per pound of product.

Sounds OK through my rummage-sale speakers.

steveh_2o - Posted - 05/07/2016:  08:04:09

Mike,

The blocks and many of the other design ideas came from this guy's website:  dennishavlena.com/db.htm 

The handles have a couple of rubber bands on them to stop the vibration.

The top wood is cherry.  I had a 11 inch sawmill board from the farm here that had been in the barn sine the 70s.  It has a glue seam along the neck line.  The neck and bridge are made from the same wood.  The fretboard and tailpiece are walnut.

I made the bridge.  The one on it now is actually number 3.   The one in the construction photos had the grain running from the strings down and it shattered before it came in tune. (big commotion)

I made a second, heavier one out of walnut but in an effort to get a little more volume and string height,  I built a 3rd one out of cherry with the grain running across the strings.    I didn't cut the slots in to the holes in an effort to sturdy it up.

I think it sounds pretty good, be it a tad short on volume.   I took it to my weekly jam Thursday night and had it test piloted an it really could have stood out more but I have changed a few things and I think its quite a bit better.

A few more details:

The tub is old, rusty, and cracked.   It is a leftover here on the family farm.  The wood I had.  The only supplies I bought were the tuners ($15 Amazon), The strings ($25 Slap Happy Weed Wackers Kevlar Core) a foot of nylon covered steel cable($.14 (lady at the hardware store thinks I have the world's shortest clothes line)) and a cable clamp ($1.29).  Tightbond 2 and Tru Oil.

Thanks,

Steve

Helix - Posted - 05/07/2016:  08:31:04

This is great forethought, this should be a merit badge banjo that young men and women use to get started, totally hands on. That really moves some air. Way to go.