Blackcatter asked????

#1 tub, 12 gal, "rightside up" on the bottom.

3/4" thick plywood ring, tapered to fit the slope of the bottom tub - about 2" radial thickness. This is the support for the other tub.

On top of the support ring, a piece of 1/4" thick masonite, with about a 1.5" hole in the center - makes a Helmholtz resonator out of the bottom tub.

#0 tub, 9 gal, upside down on top of the lower tub. With the same masonite plate & hole, makes a separate Helmholtz resonance about 2.5 semitones higher frequency.

The combination of the two "loosely coupled" tuned resonances gives a fairly broad response curve.

The pair of tubs, with their internal tuner sit on a square base - 2 lawnmower wheels and a "foot" make a stable 3-point base for playing. Tip it up on the wheels for transport.

A "T" shaped wooden assembly lays over the upside down top tub, and 3 turnbuckles hold it down to the base.

The "T" also anchors the "fingerboard," made of a split and shaped 2x4 (finished dim about 1.5x3 at bottom, 1.5x1.8 at top, crowned for easy fingering. About 4.5 ft long.

Lawnmower starter cord for the string. Comes in 2 weights - the lighter (1/4") works best. Has a slightly impregnated surface for durability, and is easy on the fingers since it resists fraying. Heavy enough to tune well, and very low stretch.

Tension using an electric fence tensioner - $3 US at your local farm equipment store. Get the "wrench" for an extra $1.50.

Tension the string to get a good tone - probably about 40 to 60 lb. Tune with a sliding "capo" wedged under the string.

Fingers like a regular stand-up base - and thanks to the tuned resonant tubs, sounds much like a real base if you don't get close enough to hear the tin rattle. Plays a musical 2 octaves.

Have your S.O. paint some pretty flowers on the woodwork and it looks right purty too.

John