Double Bass Rabbath Method for Stringing Bass

[robobass]

I think it's more to do with the angular relationship between the tailpiece and the lines of flux of the Earth's magnetic field. Rabbath stringing will make the TP more perpendicular and reduce interference from sunspots.

 

[Rob Thompson]

Well no, not a consensus. MJE explains it most concisely in post #6. There will be no change in break angle or tension. That is a fact, no matter what you choose to believe or hear. GEEZ!

Okay, sorry, I agree now. I had to think about it. I don't think it's completely obvious!

Here's my silly high school physics explanation to myself, in case anyone else is trying to think about this like I was: once your strings are tightened up all forces on the tailpiece (from the tension of the strings) have to cancel out. The forces that are not parallel to the line from the bridge to saddle will either twist the tailpiece or move it (depending on how the tailgut and strings are attached) so that they cancel out. What remains are just the forces in line with the tension. So, no change in angle.

 

[robobass]

Okay, sorry, I agree now. I had to think about it. I don't think it's completely obvious! ...

NO NO NO! Don't you do that! I changed my belief system completely around to accommodate you. Now it's only MJE who believes the lies of Newton and Descartes! We mythos people need you on board!

 

[Rob Thompson]

NO NO NO! Don't you do that! I changed my belief system completely around to accommodate you. Now it's only MJE who believes the lies of Newton and Descartes! We mythos people need you on board!

I may be dumb but I'm not crazy...

Anyway, isn't lutherie a form of witchcraft? Alchemy, phrenology, astrology, iridology,....lutherie. Therefore, Newton's laws don't apply.

 

[bigolbassguy]

I think it's more to do with the angular relationship between the tailpiece and the lines of flux of the Earth's magnetic field. Rabbath stringing will make the TP more perpendicular and reduce interference from sunspots.

Maybe a tailpiece large enough the create it's own gravitational pull...

 

[robobass]

Iridology. I hadn't ever heard of that one before. Perhaps there's some parallel to reading grain patterns in luthiery.

 

[robobass]

Maybe a tailpiece large enough the create it's own gravitational pull...

If you believe in that stuff...

 

[William Hoffman]

Perhaps if there is a change in sound it could be attributed to a change in the rotation or overall movement of the tailpiece via string vibration rather than a change in break angle. The strings cradling the TP rather than exited just off it's top side might make it move differently and change the sound in some basses.

Subtle thing for sure.

that's what i was thinking too. the TP would be held more loosely this way, freer to resonate perhaps. subtle thing, yes. but then it's all the little subtle things that can add up. i am going to try this next time i take the Spiros off.

 

[MrSidecar]

i am going to try this next time i take the Spiros off.

experience tells me that's going to be in roughly 5 years.

 

[William Hoffman]

experience tells me that's going to be in roughly 5 years.

hi Mathias if i get really curious about this thing, maybe in just a few months or so.

 

[nuno guerra]

Yep, will string it up later today.

I will give a full disclosure of my setup and findings

I have tried this method on my bass and have found that it really works. The sound is quite louder and much more resonant. It should be the contact of the things with the tailpiece. I will keep it this way because the response with the bow seems to be much easier.

 

[DoubleMIDI]

What is changed is the vibrating length of the the underlength (only up to the ring, not to the tailpiece fret) and the mass of the underlength, because the beginning of the heaviliy wound part goes closer to the tailpiece.
But the string angle does not change.
I doubt the different position of the tailpiece mass has much influence.

But the underlength mass and shortend vibrating underlength has at least a large influence on wolf tones. If this is good or bad may depend on bass and strings.