Hey guys, was practicing tonight and noticed when I put the bass up that my saddle (I think that’s what it’s called) has a lift. Is it supposed to be like this?
Thanks
John
Thanks
John
Enjoy the benefits of a premium membership!
Upgrade Account
-
TalkBass has been independent since 1998. Add your voice.
Create a free account to reply to discussions, view embedded media, and browse with fewer display ads.
Join free Log in
Want zero display ads or expanded classifieds tools? Compare plans.
Double Bass Tailpiece saddle supposed to look like this?
- Thread starter Aragorn35016
- Start date
Yeah, it's come loose. You'll just want to get to it before it starts rolling the edge back.
It won’t stay put. It will be very easy to knife in some hot hide glue, clamp it down and leave it alone until the glue sets. Slacking the strings will probably help.
My teacher knew of a reputable luthier that I've been in contact with that's going to fix it after my lesson this coming Tuesday, I finally bought some spiro's to put on it as well and if they arrive in time I'm going to get him to do a complete checkup and string install while its down.
Pressure from the tailgut is the primary force, clearly, but if the tailgut bites into the saddle, or as in this case where there's a flexible coating on the cable to grab the saddle, tuning up the strings pulls the saddle upward. There's really not enough purchase on the ends of the saddle for adhesion prevent that entirely. So a good tight fit and good glue technique helps.
Looking again at the picture and comparing it to my bass, that's a very tall saddle and with a real knife edge. The way that one's shaped, the tailgut is always going to try to rip it out of its socket. However, it may be so tall for a reason, right, having to do with tension on the top and break angle over the bridge? I've seen a lot of mention of this and have test played at least one bass with a great honkin' riser mounted over the saddle, but never internalized the physics.
I had the exact same thoughts on the way its cut and the forward pull from the tailgut, I'm no expert on DB construction, so maybe that glue more than strong enough to keep it down. I'm hoping the guy I'm taking it to can reshape it if it is needed.
Got my spirocores in today to be installed after the repair, and though it’s not something that you guys that are veterans don’t already know, but that is the biggest string box I’ve ever seen, it like a small pizza box ! Thanks Gollihur Music for the strings!
Got my bass back today, with saddle glued and spiro's and a fresh setup done, and I love it! The luthier did a most excellent job for dirt cheap. If anyone in the north Alabama needs some basic repair or setup done I know a guy!
I'm in. I live in Piedmont, and the nearest people I know of are in either the North Georgia Mountains or the bowels of Atlanta (and even this information is dated). I think Birmingham lost its good DB luthier long ago.
This guys name is Nick (I think Walker I may have his last name wrong). He can be reached for repairs through Huntsville Strings Shop. He also makes bows. He’s also a pretty awesome jazz and classical player!
Thanks for the info. There is a really good school band instrument repair facility in Huntsville as well.
- Aug 1, 2005
- 3,546
- 1,421
- Disclosures
- Private Inventor - Bass Capos
The geometry is completely wrong. A saddle should be cut so that it stays in place without glue. Gluing it may solve the problem on the short term, but that forward tension will break the glue joint again and again. You need to have a new saddle made in which the force from the tailgut is more down than forward. Whoever did this one simply doesn't get it.
