Tail Piece Wire

TroyK · #1 02-12-2011, 05:29 PM

Mine just snapped as I was tuning up. That's a new one on me. Someone was coming over to play, but I can cut that short and do it with my BG.

I guess I've got a trip to the luthier in my immediate future.

Valis · #2 02-12-2011, 05:54 PM

which kind was it?

TroyK · #3 02-12-2011, 07:49 PM

Don't know. Looks like standard wire. It actually broke at the point that it wrapped around the endpin. It wasn't a connection failure or a break at one of those points.

As far as I can tell, no other damage to the bass, but I'll get it looked at. I'm glad i wasn't on a gig.

Question for the luthiers. The soundpost didn't fall. There's obviously no tension on the table now because the bridge is off and strings are still connected to the disembodied tailpiece. Should I try to do something to drop the soundpost?

I'll have it somewhere within a day or two. I have a studio session on Friday. Jake, I'd love to bring it up to you, but it's not possible this week, I'm afraid. I'll make a couple of calls to locals and see who can see her when.

Did I say "glad I wasn't on a gig?" Wow, I don't know what I would have done if I had been. Maybe some beat box?

KUNGfuSHERIFF · #4 02-12-2011, 08:28 PM

What kind of strings are you using? I recently replaced mine with a 2.7mm climber's cord that will hold 250 pounds, which is a little less pull than a set of Spiro Mittels exerts. It seems to be holding up OK.

Since your soundpost didn't fall, why not replace the tailgut yourself? Getting the afterlength right is a pain in the ass but, if I can do it, is not brain surgery.

TroyK · #5 02-12-2011, 08:44 PM

Strings are Jazzers. I probably could do it myself, but I'm sure that the soundpost didn't move, just that it didn't fall. Also want to make sure that some other damage didn't occur in the incident. I don't see any, but piece of mind.

And, I'm recording Friday, so I need to get it right. The afterlengths were freaking perfect.

If my favorite in-town luthier can see me this week, I'd feel a lot better about putting it in her hands.

Bizarre incident. I guess I knew that it was possible, but I may be the only person I know who has had it happen to them.

KUNGfuSHERIFF · #6 02-12-2011, 09:25 PM

I know nothing about Jazzers but I certainly understand the yen to know no permanent damage was done. On the other hand, I've had enough cars and other expensive machines fail on me to want to know how to save my own butt in a pinch and save a buck in the process if I can.
Was it a coathanger style tailgut or braided steel? I've heard of the former breaking out of the clear blue but not the latter.

TroyK · #7 02-12-2011, 09:50 PM

I feel the same way about building and fixing things and money is tight right now. But, on the other hand the only money coming in right now comes through me playing that bass, so I'm just nervous about the learning curve. I agree that it looks simple, but it just makes me nervous. If I can get into my first (local) choice, then I don't think it will cost much money.

Braided steel, I suppose. Definitely not any of that fancy Velvet cord and it doesn't really look like a coat hanger.

bigolbassguy · #8 02-13-2011, 08:39 AM

You can pick up a couple of feet of 3/32 braided steel cable and 2 3/32 'U'-type cable clamps at just about any hardware store for a couple of bucks. If you have a little socket set and some cable cutters it wouldn't cost much money. At first glance, it may not seem like rocket science, but it can be a fairly delicate operation - bridge placement, soundpost placement, potential scratches on the top from the tailpiece, maintaining a tidy pegbox, and several tunings/detunings of the strings. Each of these issues needs to be addressed repeatedly when changing the TP cable. Also, it takes a little while to stretch in, complicating the tuning of the afterlengths.

If you're pretty handy and patient you would probably be able to do it yourself, as long as your soundpost stayed put and you knew how to set your bridge. Even so, you'd be wise to take it to your luthier afterward to make sure everything was in the right place.

Eric Hochberg · #9 02-13-2011, 09:38 AM

If the post hasn't dropped, this might be a good time to make sure it's not too tight for winter months.

Jake deVilliers · #10 02-13-2011, 01:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TroyK

Don't know. Looks like standard wire. It actually broke at the point that it wrapped around the endpin. It wasn't a connection failure or a break at one of those points.

As far as I can tell, no other damage to the bass, but I'll get it looked at. I'm glad i wasn't on a gig.

Question for the luthiers. The soundpost didn't fall. There's obviously no tension on the table now because the bridge is off and strings are still connected to the disembodied tailpiece. Should I try to do something to drop the soundpost?

I'll have it somewhere within a day or two. I have a studio session on Friday. Jake, I'd love to bring it up to you, but it's not possible this week, I'm afraid. I'll make a couple of calls to locals and see who can see her when.

Did I say "glad I wasn't on a gig?" Wow, I don't know what I would have done if I had been. Maybe some beat box?

Hey Troy, I'm going to Everett on Wednesday to deliver some Fiat parts and could keep on coming down to your place if you want. I'll bring you one of my newer style tailpiece wire clamps and some wire.

It would be my first international house call!

Its kinda weird that it snapped in the middle of nowhere - I would have expected it to break where the set screws bite into the cable. Call me at 604-535-7271.

Just set Ilsa down gently on her left side to keep the post in place.

Jake deVilliers · #11 02-13-2011, 01:25 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Eric Hochberg

If the post hasn't dropped, this might be a good time to make sure it's not too tight for winter months.

We don't really have a need for summer and winter sound posts out here Eric. Indoor humidity ranges from 40% to 55% almost all the time.

The dangerous exception is when we get a cold, dry air outflow from the interior which can drop the humidity to less that 20% overnight. That's when we see a lot of cracked instruments.

TroyK · #12 02-13-2011, 04:51 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jake deVilliers

Hey Troy, I'm going to Everett on Wednesday to deliver some Fiat parts and could keep on coming down to your place if you want. I'll bring you one of my newer style tailpiece wire clamps and some wire.

It would be my first international house call!

Its kinda weird that it snapped in the middle of nowhere - I would have expected it to break where the set screws bite into the cable. Call me at 604-535-7271.

Just set Ilsa down gently on her left side to keep the post in place.

Jake, that would be awesome if it works for you. You know you're my first choice.

I'll give you a call.

Chris Symer · #13 02-13-2011, 05:16 PM

Happened to me once but my sound post fell too, never will forget that sound! Nice timing having Jake down here, although Sarah has kept me happy since I moved here....

Jake deVilliers · #14 02-13-2011, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Chris Symer

Happened to me once but my sound post fell too, never will forget that sound! Nice timing having Jake down here, although Sarah has kept me happy since I moved here....

Yeah, Sarah does really nice work too!

TroyK · #15 02-13-2011, 06:29 PM

Yeah Chris, that sound! I talked to Jake on the phone and was just telling him I though I was still in shock. Like I had witnessed a shooting or something and I was still having trouble coming to terms with the reality of what happened. I hope to never hear that again...or witness a shooting, since we're on the subject.

Sarah was going to be my first call Monday morning. She always done great work for me and treated me swell. But, it looks like Jake and I are going to meet up at John's house on Wednesday and take care of it. Jake's got my (or had) setup dialed in just so and will be able to get her right back to form, I'm sure.

Chris, does Sarah ever say "Hey, do you know that this is supposed to be tuned to 4ths?"

Chris Symer · #16 02-13-2011, 06:31 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TroyK

..... it looks like Jake and I are going to meet up at John's house on Wednesday and take care of it. Jake's got my (or had) setup dialed in just so and will be able to get her right back to form, I'm sure.

forester · #17 02-14-2011, 04:49 PM

NAFTA only goes so far,i strongly suggest you check mr. devillers documentation,work permit,etc,etc.

TroyK · #18 02-16-2011, 06:21 PM

All is right in my world again. Brother Jake happened to be passing through this week and John Lilley was nice enough to loan us his pool table to use as a field surgical center. Thanks profoundly to both of you guys.

So, yeah, I could have done it myself, it's just wire and a clamp after all, but there is magic in the fine tuning of those afterlengths and scoff or not, if you've sat there and played before, during and after, there would be no question in your mind.

My bass sounds better than it has in a while, I wonder if perhaps it has been a little out of whack. It had been 3 or 4 years since Jake had had his hands in it and it's been worked on a few times since then, by me and local luthiers.

Thanks again Jake, I would have beaten this thing into kindling years ago without you.

Stev187 · #19 02-16-2011, 07:32 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TroyK

All is right in my world again.

This is a heartwarming story of international cool. Thanks for posting it.

--Steve