Tailpiece

[mikejdexter]

I have an 1880's German DB---well built--quite a heavy Bass.
My question is: What would your advice be regarding what wood to make the tailpiece out of to get the optimum sound from the Bass? Ebony/Maple/Walnut etc.?

Your knowledge would be welcome.

[james condino]

There is no correct answer. 10 different basses will have 10 different responses, so you need to try out several and decide which is best for your bass. Did you read the article Joey posted in your other thread?

Find a luthier who has many diferent models in stock, and buy a few hours of bench time so you can swap them out and try before you buy. I do it all of the time, but the curious customer is the one who gets to change out the strings 10 diferent times!

j.
www.condino.com
www.kaybassrepair.com

[mikejdexter]

Hi James. Yes I did read Joey's thread---very interesting read.
I think I will make several tailpieces myself out of different hardwoods and hear the results.
I play banjo and guitar and over the years I have made many bridges our of all species of of hardwoods and each bridge alters the sound---also changed tailpieces ,that also changes the sound of the instrument. So shortly my quest will be for a DB tailpiece to suit. Then there is the endpin--------------

[james condino]

Originally Posted by mikejdexter

I think I will make several tailpieces myself out of different hardwoods and hear the results. --------------

Great idea. One thing- don't change anything else each time you try the diferent tailpieces.

Everyone should make a few tailpieces. It is easy, affordable, and you can make a fantastic one with a couple of cheap files / rasps and some sandpaper on the kitchen table. 'No excuse not to try it! A simple hand drill or a cheap six pack brought over to a friend's place who has a drill press and you've got the string holes.

j.
www.condino.com
www.kaybassrepair.com

[JoeyNaeger]

I was actually going to recommend he try about three different tailgut lengths with each tailpiece as well. Just take careful notes when doing such an experiment because the downtime between each trial makes hearing subtle differences difficult.

[mikejdexter]

Great ideas from you guys. All taken on board--will try them.
Thank you.
Mike