Attaching Pecanic Tail Piece

I would assume that Mike makes his tailpieces like most of the better grade tailpieces with the holes on the underside similar to the one in the attached photo.

 

they are not pre-drilled. There is no "shelf" or whatever you call it, on the backside. My luthier drilled two holes, at the bulb, similar to where the coat hangar ends are on a Kay Bass. The cord is looped through and tied off at the "appropriate length" to maximize the desired effect of the afterlength, string tension and whatever other considerations that are best left to those who know.

Therein lies the luthier.

Also, the holes are drilled at a downward angle to minimize sharp bends on the cord.

 

I think you should leave this one to a luthier.

 

I had my Luthier/Teacher put mine on. I was not about to screw that up. I mean if you feel you can do it, but a few bucks to your Luthier and not only is it drilled right but your "afterlength" and all the Luthiery mumbo jumbo will be right. My Bass is doing great with my MPM Tailpiece. I never once regretted that wise investment. Take it to your Luthier. If your MPM Tailpiece is half as pretty as mine you would hate yourself for messing it up. I would post a pick of it but I gota figure out to do so. I sent some Pics to Mike and hes welcome to post one if he reads this. All well I`m off to work

Dave

 

Hi JYD,

If you need a hand finding a luthier, check out Bob G's bass luthier directory, it's an amazing resource:
http://www.urbbob.com/luthiers.html
If you list your location in your profile, we can all make recommendations as well.

You can also call Mike Pecanic for advice, he'd be more than happy to talk with you about getting it installed right. You shouldn't be hesitant to ask a luthier to install a piece that you supply, it's no biggy. I think the best combinations have been when the luthier touches bass with Dr. Mike, they bond, share theory, talk shop, and you get a great job done.

G/L!
John

 

Mike - Since you make your tailpieces to order, why don't you drill the holes or do you offer that as an option? Have you ever considered making underside tailpiece wire attachment so that the buyer doesn't have to detract from the beauty of your work by drilling holes in the top side?

 

You know, I've struggled with the idea of suppling the piece with holes, pocket holes, etc., I keep coming around to when I install one, the bass is in front me (in a supine position). That's really the only time I feel good about drilling the piece. I will drill though if the customer is adamant, but they get a really good ragging from me. I want a luthier to do the installation, not the player. Oh sure, there are a lot of players that can put on a talipiece (hmmm, how many bass players would it take???different thread...)but what about the ones that don't know about or not have the tools to set the soundpost? Don't know about you, but that scares me. Davegr8house insisted on a pocket, so he got it after much grief from me, as I'm not a big fan of the pocket installation. The cord rattling around in two holes up the bottom is a concern. As for predrilling the through hole, it's a piece of cake but what is the appropriate placement? That sometimes dances around aesthetic issues best discussed between the player and the luthier.
Now if a luthier makes the request of me, I feel a whole lot better about pre-drilling because we are able to talk with confidence and certitude about configuration and spacing measurements. So yeah, drilling is an option but I make it with reservations and concerns.

 

Good point. I forget that not everyone is as comfortable with resetting soundposts as me. However, I don't understand your reluctance to pocket holes. I've never had one rattle yet (ofcourse I use Nicopress fasteners). Anyway, thanks for the reply.

 

OK - what does the bottom look like?

 

luthier, luthier, luthier....look in to my eyes,...luthier, luthier, luthier...your eyes are getting very heavy...when I count to 5 you willll.......

 

LOL...Yes I did catch a little from Mike on the Pocket.. BUT, Mike was a true professional and let me have my Pocket which was perfect. I was very impressed with his work. Even though it had a Pocket I still had my Luthier install it. I`m pretty good with my hands and know Tools but I wasent about to unveil my Luthiery skills installing a Tailpiece. I`ll wait and save that for tightening the screws on my tuners

Dave

 

here is one solution, no pocket.
(the holes are parallel, camera angle and shadows make it appear uneven and asymetrical).