The washtub bass and variations of the design have been used all around the world for centuries. They are a great way to provide a rhythm that that can have audiences stamping their feet in no time.
The design that we are most familiar with, the simple stick on a upturned washtub with a piece of wire and a broomstick, was a staple of jug bands in the early 1900s. Like many instruments of the era, they were constructed out of whatever materials were available.
In this video, Ben “Gitty” Baker shows you how easy it can be to build one of these timeless instruments. He also gives a suggestion on how to electrify it, lending the instrument even more versatility!