Super Cheap Bass Drum Kick Drum DIY

by boonokian

36K496

Intro: Super Cheap Bass Drum Kick Drum DIY

This instructable will show you how to make a very very cheap or perhaps free kick drum using a water cooler jug.

This jug drum served my very well when I first started playing drums.  When i made my other kick drum (my other instructable) I donated this drum to a local musician VIA a free ad on Craigslist.









STEP 1: Here's How You Do It


At the heart of this instructable is a 5 gallon water jug that i bought for 6 bucks.

You can probably get one for free if you look around a bit. 

Other things will work.  Such as: smaller jugs,  Ice buckets,  other buckets,  large 55 gallon plastic drums, whatever you want. 

The reason using random items with a kick drum pedal usually does not work  is that most pedals don't work or don't work well unless they are mounted to the hoop of the kick drum.

The way to remedy this is to attach your drum and your pedal to the same base. 

This instructable is really just an example of one way to accomplish this.

So you have a jug now  take a look at the picture to see how to complete the project. 

That is really about it so thanks for checking it out and please feel free to ask any questions you may have. 

Cheers



STEP 2: More Stuff


I cant publish this instructable until i add more steps so i will add some helpful household  tips.



STEP 3: Use Soap and Sugar to Clean Your Hands

Dish soap and sugar will clean your hands very well.    The sugar wont dissolve in the soap right away so you can use it to scrub off  tough grime.  Great for removing grease.

STEP 4: White Vinegar Will Clean a Water Bottle Very Nicely

Add some white vinegar and warm water to your bottle and shake it for a while.  Then just rinse.

STEP 5: So There You Have It Enjoy Your Drum

So there you have it Enjoy your drum


6 Comments

bwells2 12 years ago

My idea is usuing the round plastic tubs from walmart for $7

iamtoats 14 years ago

 WIN!

I am a lifeguard during the summer, so I get a lot of free time to do nothing!
I was stuck playing with empty water jugs for hours on end, and discovered their playability....

The more air you keep from escaping the neck, either the tighter, or more bassey it gets.... (or both)

If you want to mic one for recording, the deeper the mic placement is, the bigger the sound will be.... But of course a dynamic microphone (an SM58 would be suitable) would be best, so it can handle the higher pressure levels...

If you find a way to mute the slap of the stick on the bottom of the jug, you could also make toms, by giving them more or less of a port for the air to escape.... 

Of course, this all needs to be mic'd because the sound from these things changes drastically when you get closer or farther from the neck. (by a few inches even)


take this advice and use it to expand your instructable..... people can learn not to throw salt in their eyes the hard way.... I did...
you could easily make a whole drum set (without cymbals of course) you just need to experiment with dampening and mic placement.

nice instructable.

iamtoats 14 years ago

 whoops! now I remember!

Keeping the air from coming out makes it sound more like a snare,
letting the air pour out makes it like a kick... 

you were right, but you should make a snare, and consider experimenting with microphones, because as you probably noticed these sound much better with your ear next to the hole...... And don't worry about making dynamic (not computer mics!) clip..... they really wont..... even if you try...

oh yeah, acoustic drum mics are dynamic, so they would work.

boonokian 14 years ago

Thanks for viewing, and I am glad you liked my instructable but  I am afraid I will not be experimenting further with this drum.  Mostly because I gave this drum away when I got my current kick drum  and also because at this point I have an actual drum set to experiment with.  

Thanks for your comments.

Take care

B