Bed Pan Guitars: making of, etc

Subject: Bed Pan Guitars: making of, etc
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 08 Jul 08 - 08:07 PM

I'm not making this up, you know...

Try Googling...

I've actually got one, but it is made from an enamelled one - thin metal and keeps twisting all the time.

I acquired a stainless steel one the other day.

The thing is, should I just gut the existing 'work of art' - mostly unplayable, cause every time you tighten a string to tune it, it warps again, or should I start from scratch?

I have no clue as to how to fix the neck, but the SS one is very strong around that area.

Robin

Subject: RE: Bed Pan Guitars: making of, etc
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 08 Jul 08 - 08:11 PM

The original one I have is 'reversed' from the one at http://www.flickr.com/photos/rnrobert/2561205319/

The arrangement is similar to the http://www.flickr.com/photos/gregandbryan/2612270714/

But the top rim area near where the neck attaches on the second pic, is open on mine - it's possibly a 'male version' rather that a fully closed rim around the top... :-)

Subject: RE: Bed Pan Guitars: making of, etc
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 08 Jul 08 - 08:18 PM

This one http://www.stringdancer.net/cgi-bin/mods/usergallery/index.cgi?action=showpicture&album=14&id=12&albumname=Uh-Oh,%20Its%20Dennis

is of a similar shape to the SS one I acquired.

http://www.otislael.com/GALLERY/Otis-RARE-5.htm
is the same type as the original one I have, but the neck is screwed in to the think metal, not attached to the back.

Quote: "Otis used these rare folk-art instruments to enhance his poetry readings and singing at events and family gatherings. The bed-pan guitar is of special note, as this is what he used to perform his most famous song, "the Bedpan Blues". His antics had most in attendance to these shows, cry-laughing till bellies ached."

http://www.esnips.com/doc/08eedb9e-3fc6-49ea-b652-61d1e8c6d9ae/Billys-World-Famous-Bed-Pan-Electric-Guitar-3
is really cute, and is SS.

The one at http://www.drauten.com/guitars.htm - a few pics down, is similar to mine, but the neck is far better attached, with wood on both sides - unlike mine.

Thanks, guys...

Subject: RE: Bed Pan Guitars: making of, etc
From: GUEST,Geoff the Duck
Date: 09 Jul 08 - 04:28 AM

I would take design hints from banjo construction with a perch poe running through the body and string attachment connected to the pole. That gives a rigid structure for tensioning the strings which does not rely on the strength of the bed pan. Look up "Biscuit Tin Banjo" using your favourite web search engine.
Quack!
GtD.

Subject: RE: Bed Pan Guitars: making of, etc
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 09 Jul 08 - 09:03 AM

So - String it on the poe-poe Geoff.

As in the song - "Pat him on the PoPo!"

:-)

Subject: RE: Bed Pan Guitars: making of, etc
From: GUEST
Date: 22 Aug 08 - 10:37 AM

Check out my home made bedpan guitar on youtube.com/jimscbgs..It's a four stringer all set up to play thru an amplifier..Volume control and all..It is tuned EADG..And the intonation is correct..A fun instrument for sure..Not to mention an eye catcher..

Subject: RE: Bed Pan Guitars: making of, etc
From: Jayto
Date: 22 Aug 08 - 11:31 AM

I found a bed pan guitar one time years ago. I went down to take off the trash one day and I looked down in the open top dumpster and there was a bedpan guitar. I know it is gross but I couldn't pass it up. I grabbed it and brought home (scrubbed it down very very very good lol). I never could get it to play right though. I understand why the person threw it away. It was funny though to show people. I always told them that was given to me because people said my playing sounded like crap. lol I don't know what happened to it I had it for years but who knows now. Don't laugh too hard at me for pulling it out of the dumpster though because another time I pulled out a 1960's Gretsch Tennessean that was in the original (rough shape though) case. The guitar needed some work but after it was worked on man it is sweet.

Subject: RE: Bed Pan Guitars: making of, etc
From: Art Thieme
Date: 22 Aug 08 - 12:42 PM

The secret to the stability of the instrument, which is what I think you are talking about, is that a single piece should constitute both the neck AND the extension of that neck THROUH THE ENTIRE LENGTH OF THE PANJO. Then, it can be anchored in place by inserting stabilizing screws into the end of the wood that runs through the instrument. The "panjo" I put together from a bedpan I actually brought home from the hospital is plastic. It can be viewed at my photo website--with Pete Seeger playing it in Cathy Fink's kitchen.

http://rudegnu.com/art_thieme.html

Art