Gut bucket bass...

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KNIFE MAKER
A year or so ago I built a gut bucket bass...made from a wash-tub, broom handle, and a bass string....very simple and easy to play.

Every few weeks I go and play with some folks that do Irish fiddle tunes and old timey music...I'm not too good as I'm an old 60s-70s rocker...but I like anything. So I've been playing the guitar but a wrist injury makes it hard to play and knifemaking doesn't help any...

So...back to the gut bucket...it's too quiet. The folks that play are usually keyboards (she's the leader) guitar or two, fiddle, a gal who plays penny-whistle like none other, banj-itar....all LOUD instruments.

I got invited to play tomorrow...What they don't know is I electrified my gut bucket!!
after much experimentation I had to splice a acoustic guitar EQ/Pick up with a different pickup to get acoustic tone and still run through the EQ. Then I added a floor stand. I used to put one foot up on the rim of the tub while playing...after a while my leg would get shaky and I would switch legs...They have gotten weaker from age/diabetes...so I wanted to make it to where I could just stand normal...

Then I got tired of the broomstick rolling off the tub when I wasn't playing and laying on the floor...which feels a bit like exercise to pick up after giving my legs the musical work out...so I added two pipe brackets to the side and now I have an instrument I'm kinda proud of....the base is made out of corian...my new favorite material for handles...lol.

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Ted, I love it! You will have to record a bit of the group playing and post it!!

My Dad use to play squeeze box (squeeze box is an early version of an accoridian) and a harmonica. I use to love to listen to him play. Him and his brother used play at all the barn dances when they were young!

I tried the harmonica but gave it up when I went into the Army and picked up a guitar while in service and gave it up when I got married. Can't read music so I had to play by ear!!

Remember now you got to post a video with sound!!! I just love what you have done with the bass!!!!
 
C Craft said:
Ted, I love it! You will have to record a bit of the group playing and post it!!

My Dad use to play squeeze box (squeeze box is an early version of an accoridian) and a harmonica. I use to love to listen to him play. Him and his brother used play at all the barn dances when they were young!

I tried the harmonica but gave it up when I went into the Army and picked up a guitar while in service and gave it up when I got married. Can't read music so I had to play by ear!!

Remember now you got to post a video with sound!!! I just love what you have done with the bass!!!!
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Thanks Cliff! I'll see if my wife can record...hopefully we'll do some Christmas tunes!
 
That's slick! I really admire ya'll who can play by ear - that's true musical talent. I've got a tin ear - used to play guitar, but had to have sheet music in front of me. No talent to that, just make the cords with left hand, strike strings with right hand in proper rhythm and you've got music.... well, what past for music. Nope, I can't dance either {g}
 
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