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Build a Les Claypool Whamola!

Les Claypool's one-string Whamola is the mutated and high voltage bastard-son of the washtub bass. Using a lever tuning/playing system, the instrument delivers globular, freak-out sounds. Just watch this video to get an idea...

We've seen many plans posted n the net for building your own, but none come as close as Jeremy Cook's plans (links below). Just in time for Autumn instrument building season, we're sharing them with you.

Parts needed:

Wood – 1 3/8 inch square x 8 feet long
Axis of rotation – 1/4 – 20 bolt 6 inches long
2 1/4 – 20 nuts to lock bolt down and and some 1/4 inch washers
Roller for string – replacement roller from screen repair tool
String – “D” string for bass guitar
Pickup – P-style bass pickup (single) $6.49 at CBGitty.com
Volume and Tone pot - Prewired harness for $23.99 at CBGitty.com
Tuning peg from bass guitar $5.99 at CBGitty.com
Wood screws (2) to attach handle assembly (roughly 4 1/2 inches long)
Wood screws (2) to attach bridge (roughly 2 1/2 inches long)

Plans links are in 2 parts - the body and the electronics:

How to Build a Whamola! (Part 1, Assembly)

How to Build a Whamola! (Part 2, Electronics)

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Permalink Reply by the anonymous pick on March 13, 2018 at 10:45am

how bout a reverse wamola lap hybrid ? ;-)

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Permalink Reply by Paul Craig on March 15, 2018 at 9:59am

I think we need to see this in action pic. ;)

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Permalink Reply by the anonymous pick on March 15, 2018 at 11:24am

welp... you can "hear" it in action here ..

http://www.cigarboxnation.com/video/the-rack-reverse-whamola-and-3-...

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Permalink Reply by Paul Craig on March 16, 2018 at 7:16am

Very Nice.

Thought it funny that your "The Rack" instrument video was followed by a Breast Pump devise video on Youtube. Hahahaha

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Permalink Reply by the anonymous pick on March 17, 2018 at 5:59am

lol. :-)

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Permalink Reply by Clint Spotts on June 7, 2019 at 3:09pm

This is truly awesome! Hats off to you, sir, for such an inspired build! Will definitely have to attempt something similar in the near future.

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Permalink Reply by the anonymous pick on June 7, 2019 at 4:29pm

thanx man ;-)

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Permalink Reply by Thomas "Duck" Petry on March 13, 2018 at 11:17am

Nice one Mr Pick.

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Permalink Reply by the anonymous pick on March 13, 2018 at 12:21pm

Thanx Duck . i gotta credit Smilingdog for introducing me to whamolas a while back.. ;-)

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Permalink Reply by Grandpa on March 14, 2018 at 9:45am

I built a whamola from these plans when the post first appeared in 2015. I built my upright around a 1 x 1 1/2 aluminum square tube. I broke a lot of bass strings until I put a stop bolt to keep from over-bending the handle. Now I have a stand up bass string on it , .110, I think. A fairly limited instrument in my hands, but lots of fun.