Help Please!!! I need Tailpiece Advice!

[GatorBass]

Guys and Girls,
I have a Laminate Bass that Ordered from a reputible Bass Shop that was supposed to have an Ebony Tailpiece with Tail Gut, but instead arrived with the Wittner composite tailpiece with the Wittner TailCable. I know this is not a "plastic" tailpiece, but I am unsure of how well they work. The note that came with the bass said that it was an attempt to stay on top of the current trends, and that it actually betters and tone, volume and playability of a Laminate Bass. Should I send it back for the ebony one, or is this REALLY a very high tech, and worth its weight investment. I need to make this decision quick.

[Matthew Tucker]

To answer you, a luthier would need to listen to your bass. The wittner tailpiece holds the strings at one end of the bass, therefore, it works! But whether or not its the best tailpiece for your bass is hard to say.

On my laminated bass, changing from an ebony to lighter wood tailpiece gave a great result for Pizz. But my carved bass needs a heavier tailpiece to darken the sound.

I'd say, lust leave it there for now until you know what you want.

[Bob Branstetter]

Originally Posted by GatorBass

Guys and Girls,
I have a Laminate Bass that Ordered from a reputible Bass Shop that was supposed to have an Ebony Tailpiece with Tail Gut, but instead arrived with the Wittner composite tailpiece with the Wittner TailCable. I know this is not a "plastic" tailpiece, but I am unsure of how well they work. The note that came with the bass said that it was an attempt to stay on top of the current trends, and that it actually betters and tone, volume and playability of a Laminate Bass. Should I send it back for the ebony one, or is this REALLY a very high tech, and worth its weight investment. I need to make this decision quick.

If you play primarily pizz, I would advise you to keep it. If you play primarily arco, I would be inclined to go for the ebony.

[PatrickC]

Question for New Standard Owners

[drurb]

Originally Posted by GatorBass

Guys and Girls,
I have a Laminate Bass that Ordered from a reputible Bass Shop that was supposed to have an Ebony Tailpiece with Tail Gut, but instead arrived with the Wittner composite tailpiece with the Wittner TailCable. I know this is not a "plastic" tailpiece, but I am unsure of how well they work. The note that came with the bass said that it was an attempt to stay on top of the current trends, and that it actually betters and tone, volume and playability of a Laminate Bass. Should I send it back for the ebony one, or is this REALLY a very high tech, and worth its weight investment. I need to make this decision quick.

Seems to me you should first discuss this with someone from the reputable shop from which you purchased your bass.

[GatorBass]

I did discuss it, and they are giving me the opportunity to switch it out if I choose by the end of the weekend, but I am willing to keep it, if it infact will better the playability and sound of the bass. I am seriously thinking about just keeping it. I was able to play a gig tonight with my band, who were real impressed by the sound of the bass with the composite piece. That and thanks to the responses from the other post. It seems that for the stuff I play, mostly pizz. BG and Jazz that I will be fine with what they put on it in the shop. I will post all the info on who, and what the Bass is after I decide. Thanks for all of your help.

[JimmyM]

I think that at the very least, you should have been given the option by the shop. That's a little dubious. But on the other hand, I'm sure it'll be fine for a plywood bass. Not that there's anything wrong with that (mine's plywood, too), but it seems to me they're less sensitive to things that can cause tonal changes than carved or hybrid. So my guess would be is that if it did make a difference, it wouldn't be a whole lot.