One of the best things about making music is that it’s so easy to do. There are countless ways to make interesting sounds out of nearly anything if you’re willing to experiment a little bit — just ask anyone who has ever made a guitar out of a cigar box and a broom handle.
[Vicious Squid] dug in to the fertile soil of the garden implement world and cultivated a three-string upright bass with a rich, soulful sound from a familiar workhorse — an aluminium wheelbarrow. Much of the build is made from reclaimed wood, like the solid mahogany neck from an old door frame, and a broom handle.
The bass is constructed arch-top style, meaning that the soundboard — the wood on the front with the f-holes — is a flat piece tacked to curved ribs that span the width of the ‘barrow. A broom handle sound post mounted front to back pushes vibrations from the soundboard to the aluminium body. To round out the agricultural aesthetic, [Vicious Squid] strung it with weed-whacker bass strings, which are no doubt inspired by the use of actual trimmer line.
It’s already plenty loud, but [Vicious Squid] added a piezo pickup for wheeling it into the recording studio. Slap your way past the break to hear a little ditty.
Are your instrument-building skills at the sapling stage? Start with something simpler, like a sliding rubber bandolin.
Well that’s all well and good but now I don’t have a wheelbarrow!
“One of the best things about making music is that it’s so easy to do.”
No no no.
It’s easy to make NOISE.
Making Music is HARD
Could be what one considers noise is likely to be music
To another. Also the lack of exposure to sophisticated, organized music, could make birdsong seem like music. Personally, I dislike birdsong, but devoid of anything musical ever, it would be a godsend.
When apples garage band was released it was touted that with easy access to the tools to make music easily would allow the creative types to concentrate on making music rather than the techniques of marking the sound. It may have made it easier it it certainly has made it better. Lol
Evidence you have never heard a young Magpie learning it’s song from it’s father. It is highly sophisticated and very organised. Maybe not orchestral, but absolutely beautiful.
Just get weird with it…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-sFK0-lcjGU
Wow, there’s a trip down memory lane. I used to listen to the Art of Noise all the time when I was a young teen. Seems weird to think that I probably haven’t heard that song in over 30 years…
Making music isn’t hard, we just set the bar ridiculously high these days. If you can listen to music and move your body you can make music.
Seems Gilfoyle can also play mad satanic bass tunes.
Send bAss!
I am the creator of this instrument. Thanks for this article, I hope my Instructable inspires more instruments made from waste!