Aluminum tailpiece ?

[ERIC A]

I just had my luthier set up my new Engelhardt bass. He put on an aluminum tailpiece as an experiment and the tone seems to be very thin and hollow. Could that just be caused by the aluminum tailpiece? Prior to that, it didn't sound as thin however it was difficult to play. So he made several adjustments, not just the tailpiece. And, by the way, my luthier has always done great work. So any thoughts would be greatly appreciated.

[uprightben]

It could be the tailpiece, a lighter one can bring out the higher frequencies, making the sound seem thin. It could also be the sound post location, and if the strings were lowered that might reduce the volume.

[robobass]

You could try loading the tailpiece with steel C-clamps to see what effect it has. I'm also thinking that there is probably some high frequency damping going on in a wood tailpiece which you wouldn't get with aluminum, independent of weight.

[ERIC A]

Thanks for the replies!!

[Epidrake]

The tailpiece makes a big difference in guitars, especially on Gibson Les Pauls. I see no reason why it wouldn't make a difference on your bass.

[Jake deVilliers]

I doubt that its the tailpiece unless its very heavy. Any idea of the actual weight?

[MostroDB]

Why not put back the original tp, without changing any of the other things he did? Before you put on the old tp, put it on the scale to weigh it, and after you changed the tp's out, weigh the alu one. 10-20 min job, but do let it rest on its back while you do it and beware of the dreaded 'plonk'.

[iiipopes]

Originally Posted by Jake deVilliers

I doubt that its the tailpiece unless its very heavy. Any idea of the actual weight?

I respectfully disagree, from the perspective of personal anecdotal experience. My CCB came with an aluminum tailpiece, and due to its lightness and resonance, my bass sounded thin until I purchased and installed a traditional ebony tailpiece.

[Jake deVilliers]

Originally Posted by iiipopes

I respectfully disagree, from the perspective of personal anecdotal experience. My CCB came with an aluminum tailpiece, and due to its lightness and resonance, my bass sounded thin until I purchased and installed a traditional ebony tailpiece.

The only metal tailpieces I've seen are the brass Wittners with fine tuners, unless you count the Marvin which weighs almost nothing.

Are we talking sheet aluminium or what? How much does your tailpiece weigh?

[iiipopes]

My cheap aluminum tailpiece appears to be cast and anodized. It feels like it weighs marginally less than the ebony tailpiece I purchased to replace it.

I keep meaning to put it into the recycle bin....

[Badener]

Hi!

"The only metal tailpieces I've seen are the brass Wittners with fine tuners..." Those Wittner tailpieces are also made of aluminium, brass would be much too heavy.

Generally ist is not easy to say if a bass sounds better with a light (e.g. maple) or a heavy (e.g. ebony) tailpiece, you have to try. Very important ist also the string which holds the tailpiece, it should be as flexible as possible. As far as I listend to aluminium tailpieces they in deed sound thinner and colder. The Marvin is very interesting but it looks so ugly, I never would put that thing on my bass.

Thomas

[ERIC A]

Aluminum Tailpiece is gone It did solve the problem.