The Washtub Bass

"Wow, look at that" ---  "It sounds just like a real bass" --- "That looks easy"

"I think I can do that" --- "I'm going to make one"

HISTORY

More than a hundred years ago, Irish music gave birth to mountain music, which is now called Bluegrass.  People made their own instruments and enjoyed inexpensive entertainment.  Upright basses were hard to find.  All music needs "that thump you feel in your chest."  The "Washtub Bass" was born.

As the mountain music broke its boundaries and became more popular, the washtub gave way to uprights and even electric basses, which added more volume and more precise notes.  Then, in the sixties, the Kingston Trio and the Hootenanny TV show brought the tub back, this time as the "Gut Bucket."  It was played more as a percussion instrument to keep rhythm.  Unfortunately, bluegrass festivals were flooded with ?want-to-be' musicians making a lot of noise banging on their drums.  When a tub showed up, the jam session would take a break. 

I played accordion for many years with my very musical family.  I made a tub bass for my wife so she could participate.  Some people have an ear for music and some don't, so the tub as put in the garage.  After taking my banjo to my first bluegrass festival and realizing I wasn't very good, I brought out the tub.  I would sneak up on a group that didn't have a bass, hide behind a car so they wouldn't quit, and play until they would notice and start asking. "Who's playing the bass?"  Surprised faces would see a guy with a palm leaf top hat and a tub.  The hat was just for identity, but the "true bass sound" earned acceptance.