Tailpiece cable question

[rslaing]

First post from me, so I do hope I am observing rules/regs/protocol.

I had the unfortunate experience of my tailpiece cable snapping today - I wasn't even playing at the time. Fortunately, the soundpost hasn't moved. I have gratefully consumed Bob Gollihur's excellent advice on replacing the wire with aircraft cable but when I asked our local hardware stores about it, they don't know what it is called here in the UK. Are there any other UK'ers on here that could give me the name it is called in the UK? Or can anyone tell me of another suitable alternative I can use? Is it ok to use any plastic covered stranded cable?

Thanks in advance - and also for all the other great advice I have picked up whilst lurking over the last year or two.

Rob

[dmusic148]

It's often called 'wire rope.'

[360guy]

I find something similar at a boating supply store.

[pipFunk]

+1 on the boating supplies. We call it wire rope in Gloucester.

Get down to your local Chandler and they should be able to sort you out... my luthier refitted mine with 70 tonne breaking strain wire rope. Should last a while!

The measurements are critical of course. I seem to recall he did it with a looped piece of string and then got the Chandler to run the wire rope, of the correct guage, through the tail piece, and cut/crimp it to size.

If you have the same set-up that I had, the old piece will be too short as it was screwed into the tailpiece rather than looped, so you can't use that as a template.

Good luck! P

[gbaker]

Originally Posted by pipFunk

+1 on the boating supplies. We call it wire rope in Gloucester.

Get down to your local Chandler and they should be able to sort you out... my luthier refitted mine with 70 tonne breaking strain wire rope. Should last a while!

The measurements are critical of course. I seem to recall he did it with a looped piece of string and then got the Chandler to run the wire rope, of the correct guage, through the tail piece, and cut/crimp it to size.

If you have the same set-up that I had, the old piece will be too short as it was screwed into the tailpiece rather than looped, so you can't use that as a template.

Good luck! P

While at the boating store look at the rope (cord). You can search this forum for a brand name, but it is marine rope that has a synthetic stretch-resistant core. Get the larges diameter that will fit through your TP holes (maybe 3/16?). You just make the loop and tie a square knot - easy to install easy adjust. It will stretch for a couple hours and then settle in. I bought some in Spain last year and just recently tried it. I had my doubts but it is working very well.

BTW one if the problems with stranded wire cable is closing the loop elegantly. On another installation I settled on two u-bolt clamps sized for the cable (which is 3/32").

[shadygrove]

Here's a link to a previous thread on synthetic cord tailpiece hangers...

Synthetic tailpiece cords.your experiencie...

My 2 cents worth in post #3. Bottom line is the Amsteel Kevlar cord is inexpensive and worked well once it stabilized but that was more like weeks than hours and it was a PITA to adjust the afterlengths.

[Andrew McGregor]

You want stainless yacht rigging cable. The synthetic stuff has several names, two different compositions, and they take ages (many weeks) to become stable, whereas the stainless takes minutes to stabilise.

You will need someone with the right crimping tool to join the cable, the crimps and wire are not expensive but those crimping tools really are, and there isn't a way to make it secure without the tool.

[wayne holmes]

Are you sure it broke, or did it come loose at the fastener? You'll probably need to change it either way-do a search on aircraft wire and you will probably find it and have it in just a few days. Send a pm to some of the UK luthier member of TB- they could tell you were to get it, most likely- they could perhaps mail it to you themself, or, if you find one close-pick it up.

Good luck and welcome-with lots of bass love

[360guy]

I don't use a crimping tool to secure the aluminum wire ferrules. I just take the tailpiece and wire over to the anvil side of my bench vice and give it a couple of whacks with a ball pean hammer.

This either ends up under the bass or behind the tailpiece so it's not really seen. And I feel it is a strong joint.

[rslaing]

Originally Posted by wayne holmes

Are you sure it broke, or did it come loose at the fastener?

It broke away where the wire enters the brass adjusters. (Pic of the original tailpiece wire is here). It looks like the crimped section is the weakest point and by recently replacing the bridge and fitting new strings, the several loosening and tightening cycles of the strings has exposed this weak point. I like (although not cosmetically) Bob Gollihurs alternative and the exposed cable clamps make it easier to adjust the tailpiece.

I have also read that it is important to ensure the string length between the bridge and tailpiece has to be a certain length, some people suggest it be tune (2 octaves and a fourth - some say a fifth) and others a measured length of the string. Is this critical? It appears that some of the forum members have increased or decreased the length with various degrees of success in both sound and playability.

Thanks to everyone for the replies. I sourced some wire rope (unfortunately without any plastic covering) so will hopefully have the bass playable again shortly.

Rob

[Jake deVilliers]

Lemur sells a very nice cable/sleeve clamp tailwire set for cheap and you'll be able to adjust your afterlengths to 2 octaves and a fourth with it!