This instrument began life as an augmented washtub bass. The washtub bass is an instrument more likely found in a backwoods jug band hootenany than an experimental instrument performance and that was my motivation to start on this instrument. The washtub bass is wonderfully simple, a stick, a string and a bucket. My first prototype was a dowel, a string and a tin can hooked to a microphone. It played but the sould was too trebly and not bassy enough. I then built a full size version with a washtub, a broomstick and a acoustic bass string. The sound was booming and beautiful. I wanted to get this sound but without having to lug a washtub around.

The final instrument uses three strings: a acoustic bass string, a hand braided twins string and a monofilament plastic string. The different strings enable the player to play multiple tones simultaneously and to play different timbres and well. The hinge mount on the stick mimics the churning motion of the washtub playing style, controlling the pitch. Inside the tin can are a piezo contact pickup and a tweeter speaker element functioning as a pickup. A custom made circuit is used to mix the two signals coming from the pickups making a truly unique sound. A regular guitar amplifier is used for performing.

Credits:

NIME New Interfaces for Musical Expression