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Double Bass My tailpiece let loose lastnight!!!

G

GrooveMonkey

Nov 22, 2002
376
0
52
USA, Plattsburgh, NY
www.stanforyou.com
#1
On my cheap beater Cremona SB2

I had just put on a set of Spirocores, tuned up (with a tuner), and started jamming with my guitarist. Then...*BLAM*!!!

The bridge almost hit my guitarist in the leg. The crimp let go on the tailpiece wire which is braided steel wrapped in plastic tubing.

The sound post is still in place. Should I go to the hardware store for new cable and better crimpers?
 
#7
GrooveMonkey said:
The sound post is still in place. Should I go to the hardware store for new cable and better crimpers?
Click to expand...

Go to the hardware store, but don't use a cable crimp, get one of these:

Invalid Link Removed

You don't have to get them at Lemur, I've seen them in hardware stores here and there. Anyway, I used them for years before I started using that funny rope stuff a lot of guys are using now. I don't think it'll let go.

Brent
 
#9
Brent Nussey said:
Go to the hardware store, but don't use a cable crimp, get one of these:

Invalid Link Removed

You don't have to get them at Lemur, I've seen them in hardware stores here and there. Anyway, I used them for years before I started using that funny rope stuff a lot of guys are using now. I don't think it'll let go.

Brent
Click to expand...

I found somthing similar at a local hardware store and managed to put it back together. She creaked and groaned while I was bringing the strings up to tension. I tuned it, went to dinner, and came back to an in-tune bass! My Wife and I were joking that we'd come home to find the dog knocked out cold from my Bass exploding in the den... :D
 
#10
GrooveMonkey said:
On my cheap beater Cremona SB2

I had just put on a set of Spirocores, tuned up (with a tuner), and started jamming with my guitarist. Then...*BLAM*!!!

The bridge almost hit my guitarist in the leg. The crimp let go on the tailpiece wire which is braided steel wrapped in plastic tubing.

The sound post is still in place. Should I go to the hardware store for new cable and better crimpers?
Click to expand...


You've received good advice and I would only add that Bob Golihur on his Bass website has a little article on how to make up your own little field-expedient tailpiece cable by using a simple cable clamp found in any hardware store-- nothing special but it works and he provides photos to boot.
 
#11
Just be careful with clamps designed for metal cable. Whether they are crimped or whether they use a bolt, be aware that the clamp must clamp. It doesn't take much looseness at all in the clamp for the cable to work its way loose. Be sure that what you think is tight is really tight.

A properly tied knot has got a lot going for it.
 
#12
Tis the season.. I just came home from Orchestra Rehearsal. I wheeled my Bass inside, layed it on its side in the livingroom and POP :eek: .. The thick strand Cable (welded I think) popped and everything was caught inside the cover.. I was lucky I wasn't playing as I just finished 1/2 hr eariler. I was maybe gonna practice a little after a late shack and was saved on all accounts.. Whew.. Just needs a new cable/clamp and a quick re-stringing and stuff from what I can see.
 
#13
KSB - Ken Smith said:
Tis the season.. I just came home from Orchestra Rehearsal. I wheeled my Bass inside, layed it on its side in the livingroom and POP :eek: .. The thick strand Cable (welded I think) popped and everything was caught inside the cover.. I was lucky I wasn't playing as I just finished 1/2 hr eariler. I was maybe gonna practice a little after a late shack and was saved on all accounts.. Whew.. Just needs a new cable/clamp and a quick re-stringing and stuff from what I can see.
Click to expand...

Thanks Ken, I feel better now :) Nice to know it's not just me!

I re-strung with a new cable and I swear my bass sounds better now! :hmm:
 
#14
GrooveMonkey said:
Thanks Ken, I feel better now :) Nice to know it's not just me!

I re-strung with a new cable and I swear my bass sounds better now! :hmm:
Click to expand...


Well, I'll tell you when I feel better. When I got the Bass from London, I showed it to Arnold. He mentioned the Cable was too thick. I said I like how the Bass sounds and will leave it for now. You know the old saying, "if it aint broke, dont fix it".. Well, it's broke now so time to fix it.
 
#15
Alexi David said:
Someone in another thread mentioned that someone did get killed once by a flying tailpiece.....I seem to remember it not being a joke comment!
Click to expand...

Yeah, maybe that story is beginning to sink in. It was me that reported the incident which I have never been able to confirm except to note that you find a few overkill cables (possibly borrowed from a suspension bridge) here in Atlanta and almost no-one uses the coat hanger ones (that was the culprit in the story). The story was first told to me back in the mid 1980's and when I first took my cheapo bass in for strings the guy (a very good friend) at the shop wouldn't let me leave until he had changed out the cable and he had heard the story also. I guess if the thing hit you in just the right spot in the head you could be killed, but even if it was just giving you a shiner that would still be a bummer. Very glad no one was injured in either recent incident. Whatever you do to secure the tailpiece cable or rope, make sure that it is really secure.
 
#16
KSB - Ken Smith said:
Well, I'll tell you when I feel better. When I got the Bass from London, I showed it to Arnold. He mentioned the Cable was too thick. I said I like how the Bass sounds and will leave it for now. You know the old saying, "if it aint broke, dont fix it".. Well, it's broke now so time to fix it.
Click to expand...

:hyper: :hyper: :hyper:

Got it.. Thanks Cousin Arnold.. I got your custom Cable clamp today in the mail buddy..

I was also able to let it up a bit as the Tailpiece is only 13" and should be about 14.5" for a 7/8. The sound is a tad looser than before and still has it's 'Cannon' sound..
 

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