article re instruments made from junk

Subject: article re instruments made from junk
From: SueB
Date: 12 Nov 03 - 01:25 PM

Someone recently told me that mountain dulcimers were originally made from fence wire and staples, so I thought this article might be topical. Has anyone here heard this African band, and if so, what did they sound like?

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/africa/3156542.stm

instruments from 'junk'

Subject: RE: article re instruments made from junk
From: ced2
Date: 12 Nov 03 - 03:32 PM

And I've been under the incorrect impression that the instruments made from junk were called banjos, or have I?

Subject: RE: article re instruments made from junk
From: GUEST,pdq
Date: 12 Nov 03 - 03:34 PM

You can add my Korean made Fender acoustic to the list.

Subject: RE: article re instruments made from junk
From: Bev and Jerry
Date: 12 Nov 03 - 03:41 PM

The Museum of Appalachia in Norris, Tennessee (near Knoxville) has dozens of instruments made from junk. A few are dulcimers but most of them are banjos.

Bev and Jerry

Subject: RE: article re instruments made from junk
From: Leadfingers
Date: 12 Nov 03 - 03:55 PM

There is a shop in Kew , South west london , UK where they sell electric guitars with the body made from gallon oil cans !!! Or possibly Five litre even !!!

Subject: RE: article re instruments made from junk
From: Eric the Viking
Date: 12 Nov 03 - 05:59 PM

They are called "African guitars" made by Dave somebody, I saw an article about them. They are quite pricey, but supossedly (spelt wrong-late) quite good, I'll find the reference.

http://www.ehhs.cmich.edu/~dhavlena/ This is a good site as well if the link works.

Subject: RE: article re instruments made from junk
From: VIN
Date: 12 Nov 03 - 06:12 PM

I'm sure Ralph McTell at a gig once told the story of how some special steel guitars were from those old heavy shop money tills you used to get - you know the big silvery ones wi all scrolled writin over em? Anyone know of that?? (Tho i reckon till like that would probably be antiques rather than junk)

Subject: RE: article re instruments made from junk
From: NicoleC
Date: 12 Nov 03 - 08:33 PM

I know a guy that makes bedpan mandolins and wash basin basses... among other oddities. They sound pretty good.

Subject: RE: article re instruments made from junk
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 12 Nov 03 - 10:04 PM

Sat NicoleC,
I have a "guitar" like that...

The Ultimate Busking Tool

I wonder if he made mine?

Robin

Subject: RE: article re instruments made from junk
From: The Fooles Troupe
Date: 12 Nov 03 - 10:45 PM

Of course Steel Drums were originally made from junk 44 gallon drums some time after WWII ...

Robin

Subject: RE: article re instruments made from junk
From: Little Robyn
Date: 12 Nov 03 - 11:50 PM

About 30 years back the New Zealand Folklore Society found an old man who played a one string fiddle. It was actually more like a cello but the body was a kerosene tin and the string was made using a bowden cable - from a bike!
Robyn

Subject: RE: article re instruments made from junk
From: Gurney
Date: 13 Nov 03 - 03:46 AM

VIN, the firm National made both resonator guitars AND cash registers, I think.
That is heresay AND off the top of my head, but no doubt at all, if I'm wrong again, someone out there knows it....

It that article, though, the inner-tube drum sounded interesting. You could have a mate with a foot-pump to retune it between numbers.

Seamen often made fiddles from cigar-boxes in days of yore, and Pacific Islanders commonly make ukeleles from bits and bobs, copper wire frets grooved into the necks.

Subject: RE: article re instruments made from junk
From: John MacKenzie
Date: 13 Nov 03 - 04:04 AM

There was a series of programmes on Radio 4 in the UK about home made instruments. At the end of each programme they recorded the instrument playing a tune, and each different instrument on successive programmes did the same, and at the end they edited them all together, it was great. The most interesting instalment was from Oz where some guy has built loads of different instruments from objets trouve, and very nice they sound too, called something like the bush orchestra I think. I remember The Barrow Poets, where the double bass was hand built, with useful additions like a shelf for the player's beer.
Giok

Subject: RE: article re instruments made from junk
From: Dave Bryant
Date: 13 Nov 03 - 06:12 AM

I can remember one year at Sidmouth when "Dr Sunshine" took the "Hobby Horse Club" children out beachcombing for materials to make musical instruments from. The resulting "band" sounded quite incredible.

Subject: RE: article re instruments made from junk
From: MikeofNorthumbria
Date: 13 Nov 03 - 06:29 AM

There was (is?) a book available about making instruments from junk - "Resonant Rubbish" was the title, and John Rungethe name of the author (if I remember rightly). Had a copy once, but loaned it to a schoolteacher friend, and haven't seen another one since. Anyone else remember this book? Maybe time for a reprint?

Wassail!

Subject: RE: article re instruments made from junk
From: CRANKY YANKEE
Date: 13 Nov 03 - 12:26 PM

I call it a "Base Foodle"
It was originally named, "Didgeree Don't". But, when I thought about it, I remembered that the Didgeree Do has very serious religious and philosophical connotations for the Australian Aboriginees, so, Inot wanting to make light of anyone's path tsso the infinite, I changed the name.

It is a very playable Bass instrument. It sounds like, and it is played like a real Double Bass. (Bess fiddle) It can either be plucked or bowed, depeding on how you make the bridge. It doesn't , necessrilly have a bridges. mine does.

It started out to be a sculpture entitled, "Modfern Jazz". But, I realized that it was really playable, It took on new possibilities, and some new refinements.

It is an inverted trash can (steel dust bin) with an old guitar neck attached. It has four strings. I removed the fretts so the neck length wouldn't have to be precise.

SThere is a mount, made of wood, bolted to the side of the trash can upon which the neck is mounted. This mount puts the neck at the proper angle for the strings to propely anchor at the center of the trash can's bottom which has now become the top of the instrument's body.

Aftr I decided to use it as an instrument, I made a sound board out of a spruce disc. This is mounted underneath the top (bottom??) of the trash can, It is mounted 1/8" from the top (bottom) by putting a i/8" thick "bridge plate" between the trash can bottom and the sound board. This is backwards fom how a bridge plate is usually mounted. There are four holes in the trash can's bottom spaced as far apart as you want the strings to be spaced. The holes can be put in a slight curve if you want it.

I used electric bass strings because they are one hell of a lot cheaper than the accoustic strings.. .

There ar4e four tuning keys on the neck in the place where you'd expect them to be. Yhe strings are anchored under the sound board, go through the bridge plate and trash can bottom then lead along the fingerboard over the nut and to the tuning keys. Though it has a bvridge plate, it doesn't, necessarily, have a bridge.

There are four rubber fucet washers inserted where the strings go through the metal trash can bottom so the strings don't chafe. It also takes some of the resonance out of the strings so they sound like a bass fiddle.

The open top of the trash can (bottom of the base foodle)(It is spelled "bsse Foodle" to suggest the previous function of the dust bin) is mounted on four pieces of "2 by 4" that hold it off the floor. I cut two "F holes" in the front of the instrument. I'm not sure if this is necessary.

Use an old guitar neck. you can also just shape one out of Honduras mahogany.

This is just the basics. Honestly, it has real tone. You can also mount a microphone inside.

If anyone is interested in making one, E mail me at "[e-mail]. I'll send more detailed instructions.


I HEREBY AUTHORIZE (AUTHORISE) ANYONE TO MAKE ONE. (or as many as you like)
If any money changes hands, please donate ten percent of the selling price to the Salvation Army.

I'll attach a drawing of the Base Foodle to a regular E-mail. I don't know how to attach a drawing to this site. If someone who knows how will kindly E-Mail me, I'll send the drawing right back and. "Thank you very much"

Jody Gibson
36 Charles St.
Newport, Rhode Island USA 02840

[e-mail]

It is strung, tuned and played exactly like a regular stnd up bass.

Subject: RE: article re instruments made from junk
From: Ralphie
Date: 14 Nov 03 - 12:40 AM

Have just purchased a book/CD from Elipsis Arts of N York entitled:
Gravikords, Whirlies, and Pyrophones (Experimental Musical Instruments) First released in 1996. (ISBN 1-55961382-3)
Particularly like "New York, New York", played by Wendy May Chambers on her Car Horn Organ!

Subject: RE: article re instruments made from junk
From: SueB
Date: 14 Nov 03 - 01:39 AM

The link Eric gave works, and the website is absolutely brilliant! Aso I'm on the lookout for Resonant Rubbish and the Gravikords book, thanks for the tips!

Subject: RE: article re instruments made from junk
From: Clinton Hammond
Date: 14 Nov 03 - 02:26 PM

And here I thought this was gonna be an Ovation thread...

Subject: RE: article re instruments made from junk
From: Lanfranc
Date: 14 Nov 03 - 05:53 PM

I have a bowed psaltery that was constructed from an old mahogany drawer that had been used for a couple of years as a ferret cage.

Took a while to lose the smell!

Alan

Subject: RE: article re instruments made from junk
From: GUEST,reggie miles
Date: 14 Nov 03 - 09:59 PM

I've spent some time mixing it up with jug band types and early on was issued the summons to acquire the ability to make a washboard function as a pre-cussion unit. Now, years later, (Whew!) it's still metalmorphosing into a cantankerous collection stuff that any swap meet vendor or antique mall merchant would be proud to display in their respective retail outlets. Yep, making music with junk has certainly been a treat. All those years of reconfigurin', er, making room to fit stuff on my washboard must have rubbed off on my guitar playing because I've created a small but worthy bunch of Frankenstinian concoctions. My latest, and probably best executed, is still in the works, but if it sounds as good as it presently looks it's sure to be a show stopper and there's more to come.

Keep on junkin'

Subject: RE: article re instruments made from junk
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 15 Nov 03 - 02:10 PM

The Mudcat Yorkshire Gathering 2003 saw the unveiling of the Bass Kazoo. This was originally the waste pipes from our old Kichen Sink. The Bass Kazoo is featured in a couple of the photos, but the best detail can be seen in the top photo on this page.
Quack!
Geoff the Duck.

Subject: RE: article re instruments made from junk
From: Joe Offer
Date: 22 Nov 03 - 11:40 PM

Since it's an image at Mudcat, I added a picture of the bass kazoo to Geoff's post. OK, Geoff, does this thing really work? What's the sound like? Where can I find instructions on building one? This may be the instrument of my dreams, since I can't seem to play anything with strings or keys or buttons..
-Joe Offer-

Subject: RE: article re instruments made from junk
From: Lanfranc
Date: 23 Nov 03 - 06:49 PM

Apart from my old bowed psaltery, made from the remains of a Victorian mahogany wardrobe that had spent some time as a ferret cage, there was the (in)famous Taylor Pallet guitar, which now seems to be a Production Item!!!

Alan

Subject: RE: article re instruments made from junk
From: NH Dave
Date: 26 Nov 03 - 08:01 AM

The NH Strathspey and Reel Society has a five string bass that used a bit of stainless steel ducting - ysed to carry air out of corrosive areas - as the resonator. The thing stands about six odd feet tall, with a standard peg head and fretboard, all locally made, but has a 3-4' section of rectangular ducting for the resonating part. They man said he made it five string to avoid awkward reaches for a couple of notes.

DAve

Subject: RE: article re instruments made from junk
From: GUEST,weerover
Date: 26 Nov 03 - 08:10 AM

Subject: RE: article re instruments made from junk
From: GUEST,weerover
Date: 26 Nov 03 - 08:12 AM

Oops, finger slipped...

Surprised I haven't seen any mention of tin whistles as they are relatively easy to make. One wrong and they have to be scrapped, so I have had a few failures, but I've also successfully made them from metal pool cues, mop handles and plumbing pipe.

wr

Subject: RE: article re instruments made from junk
From: GUEST,weerover
Date: 26 Nov 03 - 08:13 AM

...and that should have read "One wrong hole"

wr

Subject: RE: article re instruments made from junk
From: SueB
Date: 26 Nov 03 - 08:25 AM

How do you make the mouthpiece?

Subject: RE: article re instruments made from junk
From: GUEST,weerover
Date: 26 Nov 03 - 11:59 AM

Sue,

1)file a rectangular hole in the (tubular) metal a couple of inches from one end
2)flatten (hammer) the curved surface either side of the rectangular hole just enough that the hole is flat
3)hammer further the part of the flattened surface on the "long" side of the hole so it is just lower than on the "short" side
4)file the edge the hole on the "long" side to a sharp edge
5)shape a cylindrical wooden piece in the "short" end so that it just meets the first edge of the hole
6)file the curved surface of the wooden block just enough that when inserted it makes a "windway" a millimetre or so high
7)varnish filed surface of wooden block, glue in place and file to preferred mouthpiece shape

Some trial and error involved, but you shouldn't need any fancy engineering equipment

wr

Subject: RE: article re instruments made from junk
From: weerover
Date: 26 Nov 03 - 02:34 PM

...and in no (6)...a millimetre or so high and approximately the width of the hole

wr

Subject: RE: article re instruments made from junk
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 26 Nov 03 - 02:55 PM

Joe - the idea of a Bass Kazoo had been a standing jokle between Selby, myself and some others who had formed the Windy Bottom Kazoo Orchestra a few years earlier. When I fitted a new kitchen sink, I took some of the outlet piping and had a play about (it was approaching the Mudcat Gathering). The mouthpiece is the bit where you clip the drainage from a washing machine. The bit it attaches into is the down pipe connector from beneath the plug hole. This bit had a screw ring fitting at both ends. I tried fitting a membrane to BOTH of these, but decided that it worked better if one of them was blanked off with a circle of card. The instrument resonated better with just one membrane. The membrane consisted of a plastic bag or pedal bin liner held over the piping thread and the ring then screwed tight over it.
The rest of the piping was fitted to a second inlet (from a second smaller "sink" thing for washing your potatoes - or draining your veg?). I would have liked to be able to find a bit which looked more like the bell of a saxophone, but haven't managed to do so yet.
As for tone and musical quality - it did sound like a kazoo, but resonates best at a lower pitch than the standard small instrument. If you hit its range, it puts out quite a volume - it was excellent for doing the aeroplane sound effects in the Dambusters March at the May 2003 Yorkshire Gathering.
Quack!
GtD.

Subject: RE: article re instruments made from junk
From: Geoff the Duck
Date: 26 Nov 03 - 07:12 PM

Just found the Bell End - a section from a toilet cistern - I just need to organise something to join the two parts together. I'll send photos when complete!
Quack!
GtD.

Subject: RE: article re instruments made from junk
From: GUEST,reggie miles
Date: 27 Nov 03 - 07:26 AM

Just had the opportunity to spend two days at local school's fall festival where the theme was loosely based in heritage. I play old songs and folk instruments like the musical saw and washboard and have created a few resonator type guitars with unusual old junque as well. They wanted me to talk about the unusual instruments I've created and to play a few songs to demo them. I realized that there was a great deal to say about how and why I came to create my homemade guitars and my washboard/gadget/gizmo/whatchamacallit/thingamajig. I enjoy adding stories about the history behind the instruments and the music I perform but I found that the children enjoyed hearing me play them more than talk about them. Still, they had lots of questions as did their parents. I just about went hoarse responding. It was great fun.