Cracked tailpiece

[menoluv]

Hi People,

I was wondering whether it is considered normal for a tailpiece to have cracked during the tuning of the upright bass. You see, most of the time when I am tuning the bass, I would hear a very loud "crack" sound emitting from the bass. I've checked all the parts of the bass itself and nothing seems to be the cause of the problem. Just today, I've got a feeling that something is wrong with my tailpiece, and it turns out, the appears to be a cracked of about 17mm just at the slot where the screw is fit. Also ( I don't know how to phrase it), the position of the screws seems to moved, it seems to be stretched. So is there any form of aid to my instrument?

The strings I am using is Helicore orchestra 3/4 and my bass is about 7/8 in size, Made in China (i suppose its the quality of the bass itself?)

A million thanks for your help!!


Here are the pictures:



(the head of the screw pulled in, a bit too much?)

[digdog]

Well I had a similar problem once! One question . Is your tailpiece connected to the pin with a tailgut like this:
GEWA ANHÄNGESAITE BASS 1/2 - Thomann UK Cyberstore or with a steel wire?

I ve been told by my builder that most of the chinese models(like parts of mine) have a steel wire instead of a proper tailgut and this results to extreme pressure and no flexibility for the tailpiece. So maybe if your tailpiece can be repaired you should think of placing a string instead of this non flexible iron wire.

Cheers

[menoluv]

Nope, I do not have that nylon gut, I do wanted to get one though. Instead I have been using the steel gut. Its actually what my local instrumental shop gave me during repairs(around three weeks ago), however it seems that most people dont have these problems. I was wondering is it the bass itself that is causing these problems? Or is it my tail piece string?

Are china made basses poor by itself? Or has it nothing to do with my bass?

Thanks!!!!!

[PaulCannon]

Screws are pretty uncommon on tailpieces. Usually the wire is crimped with a steel brace, or tied up if it's nylon or kevlar string.

If the tailpiece wood is already cracked (I can't tell from the pictures), you may as well replace the entire thing. A nice tailpiece can make a big difference in the sound, and it shouldn't be more than $100 to replace it with the tailwire. You could take your chances with superglue, but I'd be worried about an impending explosion.

[digdog]

Originally Posted by menoluv

Are china made basses poor by itself? Or has it nothing to do with my bass?

Well when I went to my dealer with a czech instrument with chinese parts(that s what he said) he insisted of taking all the chinese parts of and replacing them . He spoke so bad about this parts and he also told me a story concerning the connection of the tailpiece with the pin. He said to me that once a guy came to the shop with a double bass and he said to him that as he was playing the tailpiece got kicked (broke) from it s position and hurt his right hand ?!!? ()
Then he repeated to me. "I can leave the leave the string of the tailpiece as it is but you will not accuse if a crack happens and if you get hurt (you or the instrument) .Nothing can describe the terror I felt !!
Of course China is another part of the world. Good or bad instruments(or parts) are made everywhere in the world. I don t think that generally all Chinese instruments are bad!

Furthermore as mr PaulCannon said replacing the whole tailpiece and a string will cost you about 100 and you will relief yourself from this stress. Thumbs up also for the sound difference
Cheers!

[uprightben]

If the tailpiece is cracked there, you should replace it. You should be concerned about the tailpeice coming off and hitting you in the head, a very dangerous situation.

[menoluv]

@digdog

I was wondering, what happens if the bass came from china itself with no evidence of whoever made it?

[T-Bird]

Hi.

I'd vote for replacing the entire tailpiece as well, or at least securing the holes so the tailpiece won't come off flying when (not if) it breaks.

Originally Posted by menoluv

I was wondering, what happens if the bass came from china itself with no evidence of whoever made it?

Regardless of the "identification markings" You don't usually know who made it or even where it was made, and even if you do, it's no guarantee of the level of the quality. IMLE anyway.

That said, my experiences about carved Chinese basses have been very good, but I'm not classically trained. Or any other way for that matter .

Regards
Sam

[digdog]

Originally Posted by menoluv

@digdog

I was wondering, what happens if the bass came from china itself with no evidence of whoever made it?

Well as mentioned before tailpiece and generally other parts of the instrument can be replaced with better ones.This improves sound. Now considering the instrument itself the only one who can tell you about the quality of the instrument (beside you ears) is a luthier. My instrument inside the body has a czech signature...When I brought it to my luthier he said to me: "this instrument is chinese" ... I personally don t care about the origins of an instrument . I care more on how to make it more functional for me. Of course with a cheap instrument (no matter origins) you have to compromise!

[james condino]

US, Chinese, European...in some manner it looks like you need a new tailpiece. The point of origin is up to you and based on a completely different set of value choices. As a player it is nice if you can find a shop or independent luthier who has a few different tailpieces in stock that will let you try them out before you buy. Different sizes and masses may have a different response on your bass; it just depends upon the instrument.

Carving your first tailpiece out of a solid block of wood is also a great place to start your luthier career....

Good luck and post some photos to let us bass nerds know how it went.

j.