Double Bass Thomastik tailpiece

[Don Higdon]

I'm sure there's a simple answer, but:
If one big name shop says the interval should be a major 3rd, another says a 4th, and another says a 5th, just how important is this capacity for microtuning?

I feel that finding the proper mass is of greater consequence.

 

[Bruce Calin]

Maybe I've been missing something all this time but to me the sympathetic vibrations of the strings between the tailpiece & bridge are mostly a nuisance,especially through an amp.I always deaden them with something.I've seen some tuning gimmicks from time to time but none have caught on that I know of.

 

[David Kaczorowski]

Originally posted by Don Higdon
I'm sure there's a simple answer, but:
If one big name shop says the interval should be a major 3rd, another says a 4th, and another says a 5th, just how important is this capacity for microtuning?

Tuning the afterlength to whatever interval has nothing to do with microtuning or fine tuning the playing length of string. Tuning the afterlength affects the way the bass resonates.

When Barrie Kolstein put an adjustable tp on my bass he told me just to experiment with different tunings as basses are different. Tom Martin, in a thread on 2xbass list, said a 4th is usually best. After experimenting that's what I found to be the case. A fifth sounded tight or choked, a third was unfocused and mushy, a fourth sounded great.

The string length on basses is so much longer than the upper strings I can't imagine how fine tuners like the upper strings use would be much use.

 

[Dave Irwin]

"Tuning the afterlength to whatever interval has nothing to do with microtuning or fine tuning the playing length of string. Tuning the afterlength affects the way the bass resonates.
"

If the fine tuner changes the length of the after string, wouldn't it also change the tension between the bridge and nut thus changing the pitch if the fundemental? The fine tuners pull or relax the string at the tailpiece.

Dave

 

[David Kaczorowski]

Originally posted by Dave Irwin
[BIf the fine tuner changes the length of the after string, wouldn't it also change the tension between the bridge and nut thus changing the pitch if the fundemental? The fine tuners pull or relax the string at the tailpiece.[/B]

Yeah, that's exactly what they're for. I was replying to Don's comments regarding adjustable tailpieces. With an adjustable tp you tune the afterlength to sound at a particluar pitch but that has no effect on the sounding pitch of the open string above the bridge.

 

[anonymous0726]

Tension shouldn't change at all. The angle of the string across the bridge remains the same.

 

[Dave Irwin]

I'm pretty sure if you tune a string, then change the length of the after string, you will have to re-tune.
That is unless the tension and angle across the bridge is such that the string would not move at all over the bridge. (Hard for me to imagine)

Dave.

 

[Bob Branstetter]

Is this discussion still about the Thomastik tailpiece? If it is, let me say that like Mr. Calin, I had a Thomastik tailpiece on one of my basses for about 10 years. I totally agree with what Mr. Calin says about the relative usefulness of this device. It does not tune the after length. The amount of real change in length over the range of adjustment is insignificant as far as after length is concerned. Any change in pitch made to the after length is temporary due to the friction over the bridge. As soon as the tension is equalized over the bridge, the pitch will return to where it normally would be relative to the string stop length.

 

[Dave Irwin]

I was with a teacher last night and we used the TP to tune the after string to 2 octaves + a 5th.

The tailpiece uses a claw that holds the ball end and a screw that when turned moves the claw up and down (not exactly vertical and there is not a great distance of play)

It does change the length of the after string. Seen it with my own 2 eyes. Heard it with my own 2 ears.

If the after string length is nowhere near 2 ocatave+5th (or 4th as some have recommended)
the fine tuners can't get you there but if you are close, the fine tuners can change the length and therefore the relative pitch of the after string.

Unless someone can explain how changing the length does not tune the after string, we'll have to agree to disagree.

Dave

 

[Bob Branstetter]

I don't deny that the length of the after length changes, just that it is an insignificant amount as far as actually changing the after length LENGTH. The change in pitch you mention is mostly friction on the bridge. Try this test. With your fingers on the G string after length and your thumb on the E string after length, squeeze hard. Repeat with your hand above the bridge. If the pitch of the after length has not changed much, then you are may have the true after length LENGTH. Here's another test to try. With a magic marker, place a mark on the string where it crosses over the bridge. Move the adjuster knob on TP throught the entire range. Report back with how much the mark move from the bridge. And - are you tuning all the strings or just the G string?

BTW - I looked at the Thomastik website you mentioned in the first post. I notice that they do not make any claim for tuning the after length. Just fine tuning the pitch of the string. Wonder why?

 

[Dave Irwin]

No idea why they don't talk about it. I'll try the tests tonight but I think the important test has already been completed. I changed from a 4th to a 5th after length using the fine tuners.
I am tuning all the strings.
I agree the amount of length change is insignificant IF the TP is not close to the length you need to start with. I'm sure I could not change the after string a 6th or somthing like that.
Perhaps that's why Thomastik could not make the claim.

Since most posters have advocated a 4th or 5th, the TP seems to be perfectly positioned since I can reach either.

Dave

 

[b4811537]

I forgot to mention that one thing about the Thomastik tailpiece that is sometimes inconvenient is that you can't use the holes in the tailpiece to attach anything to the bass,like pick-up connectors or quivers or anything.Strings can be a little tricky to install too,depending on the end.

Hello. I'm buying a new bass wich cames with Thomastik TP and I'd like to install my old Realist Pick-up on it. How could I do to attach the connector in this TP for the best fit?? Any ideas?? Thanks.

 

[Jake deVilliers]

Hello. I'm buying a new bass wich cames with Thomastik TP and I'd like to install my old Realist Pick-up on it. How could I do to attach the connector in this TP for the best fit?? Any ideas?? Thanks.

You should be able to zip tie it onto the tailpiece or you could drill a hole where its most convenient.