Mancuso Studivarious Single String Bass
The Mancuso Studivarious Single String Bass is a derivative of the Washtub Bass…you know, an upside-down metal washtub, a broomstick and some kind of string. That was how I started out performing on the Streets and Subways in New York City.
As I began to play with more advanced jazz bands, as the music progressed into a complex jazz language, I needed, as with any high quality, crafted instrument, more range, a natural tone, better action and ‘comfortability’. Over the last eleven years, I developed and refined the washtub bass into what is currently an all wood, three-and-a-half octave, smooth action, and articulate, custom instrument.
At first, the need to play acoustically louder gave way to the open horns in the tub…along with that, I used a hickory Queen Anne Hoe Handle with a carved ‘V’ groove at the top for easy sting placement and better tone. I added some acoustical foam and carpet on the interior to deaden the metallic sound and warm it up a bit.
Eventually, as I wanted to play faster and more accurately, I contacted Lou Mancuso, a master guitar maker who studied with Di Angelico, (has done work for Bob Dylan, Les Paul, Jimmy Hendricks, John Platinia, and Van Morrison) to help me with a few design problems. I wanted a ‘washtub bass neck’ made with a curve, which would bring the stick closer to the string. I also thought that cutting the tub on an angle would tilt it back , bringing the center closer to the neck as well, to give better action.
Lou hand carved my first neck out of oak with an ebony fingerboard, and shaped a curved stick. Instead of cutting the tub, he mounted it to a wooden ‘hoof’ that acted as an acoustical chamber and tilted the bass back as well. And, in response to my concern over doing three, 45 minute sets on one foot (you must hold down the bass with one foot so it stays on the ground) he attached a small foot rest to the floor so that I could stand on two feet. Remarkable!
Over the next few years, Lou and I developed and implemented many refinements…different pick ups for sound reinforcement, quick release wooden nut for better neck/string contact and quick removal, a contour neck bottom for stability, plug in inputs, different curves in the neck, and much more.
Since I began, back in the last century, with a traditional washtub bass, a slew of bands and musicians have become interested in the unique sound and unusual entertainment value of the Studivarious as a complement to their own exclusive musical evolution. As well as playing the current Studivarious in my solo act, I have also performed with Zoe B. Zak, Too Human, The Hudson Rhythm Boys, Pamela Sue Mann, Brian Melick, Katherine Pritchard, Laurel Masse, Richard McGraw, The Wiggins Sisters, Zoe Lewis, The Italians, The Blue Monkey Side Show, and, my partnerships with Mark Dziuba and Dean Sharp, Duo Loco and Trio Loco.
So, check out the photos (and the one's below) and if you have any questions, please feel free to drop me an e…come listen to some tunes at one of my shows, buy my new CD or, try listening on-line to this remarkable, new instrument…stay tuned...
