Filing / Widening Tailpiece Holes?

jdapodaca · #1 01-10-2007, 06:48 PM

Has anybody filed the holes in your tailpiece to make them bigger? How did you go about doing this? What type of file, how much wider, did it have any affect on the sound, etc? Is this a common practice? This doesn't seem to be discussed a lot.

I'm asking because I just got a new set of strings (Belcantos) and the bottom wrapping on the A and E strings are just too thick too fit through the holes on my tailpiece. Any other solutions to the problem would be appreciated, too.

Thanks.

**Basschair** · #2 01-10-2007, 07:40 PM

Yup, needle files: specifically, rectangular with rounded ends. Very slowly, working the width evenly up and down on either side, just enough to fit the string very snugly. I also put a folded towell in between the tailpiece and the top of the bass to ensure it stayed safe.

This isn't something I recommend if you can help it: I was willing to experiment on this bass because it's my backup, is worth less, and because there was absolutely no way those strings could be finessed into the slots.

**Chris Fitzgerald** · #3 01-10-2007, 08:14 PM

I had the same problem with Spiro starks. I may get slammed by a Lluthier for admitting this, but I used a razor blade to shave a thin layer away at a time, and found it much quicker going than with a file.

jdapodaca · #4 01-10-2007, 09:52 PM

I was just wondering if this was done kinda often, also if it's something luthiers kinda frown upon, or if i should think about taking it to a luthier instead of just doing it myself.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Basschair

This isn't something I recommend if you can help it:

Why wouldn't you recommend it?

And Chris, did you stick with the Starks? Do you think it was worth shaving off some tailpiece for the strings?

**Chris Fitzgerald** · #5 01-10-2007, 10:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by jdapodaca

And Chris, did you stick with the Starks? Do you think it was worth shaving off some tailpiece for the strings?

I still use the stark "E", and now have Dominants on the other three. Sure it was worth it. The slots are just a little wider now, but when the strings are up to tension, there's really no difference at all that I can tell.

**Matthew Tucker** · #6 01-10-2007, 10:58 PM

Hey, they are just slots, I'd be surprised if any luthier would slam you for widening them, any way you choose. They don't affect the sound unless something rattles, and if you put thin strings on again its no big deal to slip on a small washer to stop the ball popping through.

Of all the things you can do to a bass, I think this is probably one of the most benign. Just don't scratch the top while you're doing it.

kontrabass · #7 01-11-2007, 08:02 AM

Jesus,
Assuming you haven't changed the tailpiece on your Wan, I'll assume that we have the same tailpiece (and bass). I'm uncomfortable doing anything to my bass beyond bridge adjustment. I put on a Spiro weich low C about a week ago and originally experienced the same tailpiece problem as you. Since I didn't want to file the tailpiece down, I just slowly tuned up the string. Instead of the ball holding the string in place, the string holds itself about 1/2 inch away from the ball...does that make sense? I've never been one to explain technical things well!

I'd recommend slowly filing the hole, though. I'll have my luthier do the job for me when I visit him next!

jdapodaca · #8 01-12-2007, 03:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kontrabass

Jesus,
Assuming you haven't changed the tailpiece on your Wan, I'll assume that we have the same tailpiece (and bass). I'm uncomfortable doing anything to my bass beyond bridge adjustment. I put on a Spiro weich low C about a week ago and originally experienced the same tailpiece problem as you. Since I didn't want to file the tailpiece down, I just slowly tuned up the string. Instead of the ball holding the string in place, the string holds itself about 1/2 inch away from the ball...does that make sense? I've never been one to explain technical things well!

I'd recommend slowly filing the hole, though. I'll have my luthier do the job for me when I visit him next!

You mean the string is on your bass, up to pitch, but the ball on the bottom of the string isn't up against the tailpiece? Instead, the ball is about 1/2 inch away from the tailpiece?

How is this working? Something tells me this isn't something that's good to do, but I may be wrong.

Anybody else tried this? Or know if it's okay to do this?

I'm going to try slowly making the A and E string holes a little bigger with a rat tail. I figure, If all of the holes are the same size, then the G hole is bigger than the string. So, it can't be bad to have a hole that's a bit bigger than the string. Would I be correct in making this assumption?

kontrabass · #9 01-12-2007, 07:27 PM

I was cautious to do what I did at first. The string is extraordinarily thick where it is held. I'm not worried about a Spirocore stretching or breaking anytime soon.

Since it is a Low C string, not a E string, I'd still recommend filing the hole.As long as the ball doesn't slip out when the bass is under full tension, the size shouldn't matter.