I own 2 double basses, one with coat hanger type wire and the other (Shen willow) with what I assume is braided steel. I believe replacing the coat hanger wire will improve the first bass. Is there a better option for the Shen? I tend to like lower tension strings, guts or gensslers (tempera/APs). Do some people use rope? Any reports on Gensslers standard wire and/or v.expensive premium wire?
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Double Bass Best tailpiece wire?
- Thread starter afroblue
- Start date
I have had a brass coat hanger originally that was changed for an aircraft steel cable which was a large improvement.
When I installed an adjustable saddle (Moser HVU) it came with a carbon fiber (I think) tail rope that was needed because of the much higher flexibility.
It took me several attempts to set the afterlength correctly as it stretches a bit under tension (not so much the fibers itself, but the braid). I used slings at the knots with additional security knots of the ends to be able to open the knot when needed (which was a wise decision).
I didn’t find that much of a difference, but I might not care enough about my sound.
It’s a 4/4 110cm 5-string with a thick top (the whole instrument is rather on the heavy side), so not very typical.
I also use the saddle higher than before, so hard to compare.
Jonas Lohse sells a carbon fiber tail rope too. Haven’t used the one I got before, it’s still in my box and a bit longer for the large instrument.
When I installed an adjustable saddle (Moser HVU) it came with a carbon fiber (I think) tail rope that was needed because of the much higher flexibility.
It took me several attempts to set the afterlength correctly as it stretches a bit under tension (not so much the fibers itself, but the braid). I used slings at the knots with additional security knots of the ends to be able to open the knot when needed (which was a wise decision).
I didn’t find that much of a difference, but I might not care enough about my sound.
It’s a 4/4 110cm 5-string with a thick top (the whole instrument is rather on the heavy side), so not very typical.
I also use the saddle higher than before, so hard to compare.
Jonas Lohse sells a carbon fiber tail rope too. Haven’t used the one I got before, it’s still in my box and a bit longer for the large instrument.
Braided steel aircraft cable is vastly superior, which is why it’s in such wide use. I tried a Kevlar tailgut when they were fashionable and, after giving it enough time to stretch in, immediately threw it in the trash. It ate the high transients like groceries.
Sure, just be careful who you say it around. The original, unmodified phrase is pretty dirty.
I have braided rope/parachute cable-looking variety. Sounds great on my bass, and my strings felt a touch freer/looser. Joey Naeger did it for me, and I am sure that it, with a combination of his Magic juju he sprinkles all over ever bass he tweaks made it audibly and tactile more relaxed.
Anyone use the genssler wire? Sonophil it's called. The premium Sonophil wire costs a fortune and I have my doubts that it could make a noticeable difference except that I think his strings are magnificent and both the rosin (leatherwood) and pickup (erhlund) he recommends all work really well.
