Heard a gunshot. it was my upright

PinkFloydDan · #1 03-17-2010, 07:29 AM

Last night sucked.

My friend and I were chatting when all of the sudden we heard this noise that was like a gun shot. I looked all over the house and was completely confused.

Then he went to grab my upright which was relaxing between two walls and the bridge, basically the entire section, exploded off the bass. The ties snapped, too.

It's a rather basic ply model, nothing expensive. I traded a CLarus for it. A guy known in town for setting up uprights put this bridge on it.

Was the temperature changes in the house what caused this? I was completely surprised? My apartment does get hot and cold because the heating system is horrible.

I hope it's not too entirely pricey to fix.

drurb · #2 03-17-2010, 07:39 AM

Sorry to hear this! I don't understand what happened. The bridge snapped? What do you mean by "the ties?" Please explain and I'll try to offer helpful advice. Got a picture?

Eric Hochberg · #3 03-17-2010, 07:39 AM

Are the "ties" (tailwire) broken or did the clamp come loose? The tailwire should be braided steel cable and there are various ways to clamp it. If the bridge and the rest of the bass is still in one piece, then just have the bass set up again, possibly with new tailwire and clamp.

Temperature changes shouldn't be a problem unless low humidity is part of it, but with a ply bass, you're probably ok.

drurb · #4 03-17-2010, 07:43 AM

I figured "the ties" might be the tailpiece wire. If so, then Eric is quite correct. Just have it set up again, preferably with an eye toward preventing whatever happened from happening again. On a carved bass, the sudden release of tension on the top would not have been healthy. I agree with Eric that on a ply you'll probably be back up and running with no ill effects.

interp · #5 03-17-2010, 07:43 AM

I had something similar happen to a carved bass. A 12-inch section of glue joint between the back and side just popped. Made a sound like a .22 rifle shot. It was easily fixed though.

PinkFloydDan · #6 03-17-2010, 07:49 AM

Yes, it is the tail piece wire. It snapped. I assume all it needs is a new set up. The bridge is in one piece. But was it set up poorly to begin with, causing this?

I am a neophyte to the upright.

AMJBASS · #7 03-17-2010, 07:54 AM

I have had this happen before. However since I started using aircraft cable and crimp locks(which you can buy at hardwear stores), I have never had a problem.

**Damon Rondeau** · #8 03-17-2010, 08:15 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by PinkFloydDan

Yes, it is the tail piece wire. It snapped. I assume all it needs is a new set up. The bridge is in one piece. But was it set up poorly to begin with, causing this?

Either the wire (or whatever material it is) was bad or -- much more likely -- the method of forming the wire into a loop was bad. They can either be tied or clamped/crimped. If the wire lets go, you get the whole string system coming apart with great drama, as you already know all too well. Chances are your bridge is fine and you've got some kind of mark on the bass belly where the bridge whacked into it.

Does this mean your setup is bad? Not necessarily. Stuff happens, even to experienced people. Part of what makes experienced people good is knowing how to deal with stuff that happens. On the other hand, part of what makes an experienced person good is knowing the things that can go wrong and doing what it takes to prevent them from going wrong. Without knowing anything more about your situation other than what's in this thread, I'd say this is a sign that your setup person maybe isn't fully-experienced.

Eric Hochberg · #9 03-17-2010, 11:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damon Rondeau

They can either be tied or clamped/crimped.

My basses have a brass tube with set screws that the wire goes through and have never come apart.

**Damon Rondeau** · #10 03-17-2010, 12:26 PM

I use a clamp with set screws -- the thing is properly-sized and made for the steel cable I use. If you use the right size clamp and if you make sure the thing is clamped properly it will probably never let you down. But it can certainly let go if neither of those conditions is met.

I'd say the same thing about knots and crimped fasteners -- nothing is reliable unless it's been properly put in place. There's a right way to knot, there's a right way to crimp, there's a right way to clamp.

The reason I like the clamp with set screws is it makes experimenting with tailpiece length a little easier. For me, anyway.

davidAaronCarte · #11 03-17-2010, 01:11 PM

I had a bridge fly off of a borrowed Eminence EUB in the middle of a gig once, gave everyone in the room a big scare
**** happens

MR PC · #12 03-17-2010, 01:19 PM

Never use a wire coat hanger for a tailpiece wire. I had a bass with this set up........ it exploded on a gig to the laughter of the patrons.

**Damon Rondeau** · #13 03-17-2010, 01:37 PM

Yeah, those wire coat hangers have a nasty habit of breaking.

uprightbass.com · #14 03-17-2010, 03:21 PM

Something similar just happened to me last week. Bought one of those composite tailpiece to try and it snapped in less than a week where the tailpiece wire slips through. It was indeed a very horrible sound.

nattydreads · #15 03-18-2010, 06:42 AM

this happened to me a few months back but unfortunately i wasn't around to hear the "gun shot" i was just super depressed when i went to play it after work and took it out of the bag that day... easy fix with a trip to you hardware store

drurb · #16 03-18-2010, 06:59 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nattydreads

easy fix with a trip to you hardware store

...assuming the soundpost hasn't fallen.

Herbie 80's · #17 03-19-2010, 12:12 PM

I heard about those wires snapping. I have one on my upright that I just recently got. It hasn't been set up in forever and a day, but the wire hasn't snapped, so I feel lucky. I'll replace it when I get home, though.

drurb · #18 03-19-2010, 04:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Herbie 80's

I heard about those wires snapping. I have one on my upright that I just recently got. It hasn't been set up in forever and a day, but the wire hasn't snapped, so I feel lucky. I'll replace it when I get home, though.

If it ain't broke (or frayed)...

Gearhead43 · #19 03-19-2010, 05:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Damon Rondeau

Yeah, those wire coat hangers have a nasty habit of breaking.

First thing I replaced on my Engelhardt. Those are notorious for snapping, on Kays too - usually during your slap bass solo at gigs.

I heard of one guy who got beaned in the forehead with the tailpiece.

Herbie 80's · #20 03-19-2010, 11:41 PM

Reading through this thread scares me...

And the next time I'm home is in July.. oh god, have mercy on me.