Porchboard Bass

Subject: Porchboard Bass
From: dwditty
Date: 06 Dec 04 - 02:13 PM

I ran across THE PORCHBOARD BASS the other day. This looks like it could get me one step closer to one-man-band status. I would love to hear from anybody who has heard, or even better yet, played one of these things.

Thanks.

dw

Subject: RE: Porchboard Bass
From: wysiwyg
Date: 06 Dec 04 - 03:13 PM

A washtub bass player I know got all set up to play at a coffeehouse and it turned out she had plunked the tub down over a hole in the floor-- a knothole in a wood floor. It made the whole basement pop when she played!

~S~

Subject: RE: Porchboard Bass
From: HiHo_Silver
Date: 06 Dec 04 - 03:35 PM

I have not seen one of thes instruments. I myself had a floor bass pedal built by Carl Sempreveo in florida which had 12 pedals and simulated the two top strings of a bass guitar. It was played by sliding the left foot along a rail allowing the player to play root notes with the toe and alternate fifths directly behind with the heel as well as simple bass runs. I sat on a bar stool and after getting used to this pedal found it very good. I still have the pedal but no longer use it. would like to get rid of it. However, with all the new self playing accompiments out there no one seems to be interested.

Subject: RE: Porchboard Bass
From: GUEST,Clint Keller
Date: 06 Dec 04 - 08:35 PM

I think I have a disc with Kelly Joe Phelps playing slide guitar and somethiing he calls a "stomp box." Must be something like the Porchboard Bass.

clint

Subject: RE: Porchboard Bass
From: GLoux
Date: 07 Dec 04 - 11:00 AM

Xavier Rudd uses something like this. He calls it a Stomp Box, too. Talk about a one-man band...

-Greg

Subject: RE: Porchboard Bass
From: dwditty
Date: 07 Dec 04 - 02:41 PM

OK, I called these guys...what nice people! Turns out this thing is owned by all kinds of people including Clapton, John Hammond, John Sebastian, Smither, and a ton of other big names. It got its name from a quote by John Lee Hooker...something like..."all I need is a guitar and a good loose porchboard."

Anyway...good news. They found out that the mahogany does not improve the sound at all (but because it is a block it was very expensive), so they use less expensive materials and you can pick one up at dealers fro around $200 or direct for $275 (direct gives you a 30 no questions asked return policy).

I have to try this thing!

dw

Subject: RE: Porchboard Bass
From: dwditty
Date: 28 Apr 05 - 01:58 PM

OK, I am 3 days into using the Porchboard Bass. Except for the fact that it is clear that I have 2 left feet (not to be confused with the other "Left" thread I started a week or so ago), it is very cool. The best look at this instrument is HERE but I got mine from Elderly for $210 delivered.

The unit is a slab of pine (mine is the mahogany stain) about 10"x24"x2". There are two rails on the top. The heel rests on a stationary rail such that when you tap your foot the ball of your foot hits a suspended rail that activates a proximity sensor generating a 33Hz thump (you may be able to tell from this description that I am NOT an eningeer). There is plenty of room for both feet to tap away happily, essentially providing accompaniament falling somewhere between a bass drum and a bass guitar. I am surprise (and pleasantly so) at how much it adds to my solo renditions of songs. The device requires an amp capable of generating the low note (bass amp, or in my case, a PA with a subwoofer). I felt pretty klutzy at first, but I am quickly getting the hang of it and expect to be thumping away like crazy in time for my next gig in a week.

I am sure that there are plenty of ways to accomplish this same effect for much less than the $200 I paid. However, since my wife and kids made me a tshirt with the Home Depot logo with a line through it, I have taken their not so subtle hit that tools and I just do not get along.

There is not much info on line but if you call Enroute Music ([phone] ) they will send you a video CD (plays in Windows Media Player) that shows the unit in action. By way of disclaimer, I have no interest in whether or not anyone buys this thing, but despite the 1/4" cable connected to a power source, it is, in my mind, a folk instrument.

dw

Subject: RE: Porchboard Bass
From: dick greenhaus
Date: 28 Apr 05 - 05:42 PM

Innaresting. I date back to when guitar players took off their shoes to keep th noise of foot-tapping down. Oscar Brand was one of the best-known of such--was billed as the "Barefoot Troubador".