Doc Kazoo:
Here lately I been hearing more about the old timey Stomp Box. I have seen a couple over the years but never up close or get to play with one. I found a few pictures and info so decided to make myself one. So yesterday was a playday in working on the prototype for a Doc Kazoo Stomp Box. Got it all roughed in for testing and seems to work fine but since I am not sure how it's suppose to sound I have no idea if it's right or not. :-\ I put this wee video together and thought maybe someone can tell me what they think about the sound, not the looks ;D . This is a prototype. This one has a piezo pickup with 1/4" instrument jack. So, what do you think? Am I on the right track? Or should I go back to making kazoos 8) ?
This is not a polished recording. There are no effects added to the stomp box track and very little on the vox or guitar. This is just a quick shoot from the hip type video. ;)
Thanks! :)
Doc Kazoo:
I finally found an audio recording of a stomp box and it has a much deeper tone that this prototype so I am going to redesign this box and make another with a thinner top and probably a wee bit larger. I like that deeper tone much better than this prototype.
At least with the prototype I am satisfied that the piezo pickup will work just fine and I had such a fun day messing around with this in the workshop.
I will probably get back to this next week so if there is anybody out there with design ideas please share them. :)
Glenn:
Hey Doc Cool that you are working on new instruments!
I don't know if you're stomper is close to those on the market, so I wouldn't be a good judge of that.
Love what you're doing though ... I don't have those 'crafting with wood and tools' skills that you have, and I'm envious. It must be such a good feeling when you've finished something new like this. :) Keep us posted on your progress and goings on, always a good read, and the vids are quite interesting too.
Have a great day! Glenn :)
Doc Kazoo:
Hey Glenn,
Yep, without doubt the stomp box in this video is certainly not up to par with anything available in the marketplace. Gotta remember this is just the first prototype. It was never intended to be a finished product. The second stomp box I made yesterday (the Goat Stomper) is progressing towards success I do believe. You also have to remember that these prototypes are made from materials I have in the workshop. Once I get things figured out better I will purchase new wood to make what I hope will be a stomp box that I can market.
I just thought it might be interesting for some people to see how I fool around with ideas and that you can use your imagination to make folk instruments out of a variety of materials. I just love experimenting in the workshop with new stuff. For me it's a type of meditation. When I am in the shop working on a prototype idea the rest of the world just stops for me and I remain in the here and now. It also keeps an old sailor off the streets and the world a much safer place ;D :o .
Some people "doodle" with a pen and paper. I like doodling with odds and ends materials. I really never consider any prototype a failure as I learn something new from each one. I was hoping that someone experienced with stomp boxes would give some suggestions. I have an old kazoo customer that makes cigar box guitars and stompers that I have sent links to the vids for some help with design information. He's in his 80's and takes a wee bit to get a reply. I am sure he will set me straight for the next shot.
If this second stomp box is going in the wrong direction I will probably use the wood box in the prototype for another type of instrument that I have an idea for. So it won't go to waste either way and I end up with a lot of fun, cheap 8) .
Well an old kazoo maker will ramble so I will shutup now. :-X
You have a great Sunday!
Doc
Glenn:
What a great read Doc!
You're a real 'artist' - in every sense of the word! 8) The way you work, trial and error, honing your skills as you go, refining what you do til you either 'get it' the way you want it, or - move on to the next project .... leaning from everything you do.