Howdy y'all,  I design and build one string instruments out of all sorts of stuff (not only cigar boxes) but my passion is the double washtub bass shown in my profile pic.  The design came to me in a vision one night and I got up at 2 am and built my first one.  I take it to festivals all over NC and VA and play into the wee hours of the morning around campfire jams.  I am passionate about seeking out places to play but I'm content sitting alone at home playing along with the recorded music of professionals.

My "utterbass" is constructed out of a wooden bedpost fretboard, two plastic washtub resonators, nuts, bolts and wire stripped from green vinyl clothes line.  The tension is low and easy on the finger.  I can play all night whereas gut bucket washtub players have blisters in an hour and are not very melodic unless in the hands of an expert.  Almost anyone who can hum a tune can play my utterbass.  The tone is remarkably low, rich, and loud.  People are thunderstruck when they walk up expecting to see a "real" bass only to find I'm making music with one string and two plastic tubs. I can get a couple of octaves from my one string.

I hope to soon post an audio/video to prove I'm no joke and hopefully get some ideas for more attractive resonators here on CBG.  The plastic tubs sound great, don't rust, and last forever but don't have the natural organic asthetic of the bluegrass, ole time, folk,and blues music I play.  Looking forward to the interaction with so many like-minded folks in one place.   Uttermike :{)