I wrote ages ago about what I can use as a tailstring besides nylon with screw on ends, as I have a broken tailpiece that was repaired by drilling two holes in the top, and the nylon one with screws would look kind of bad.
Anyway, my new question is, can I just use a shoelace? I mean if you can use a metal tailpiece without altering the sound, then what different is a shoelace going to make - and they are woven, they must be strong enough?
My guess is that a shoestring would hold for a while, but would eventually break--with lots of drama and noise, probably at the worst possible moment. A friend's end pin broke during a session once, and we all ducked for cover from the bang it made, with bits of string and bridge flying all over the room. Luckily, he played with his eyes closed most of the time.
You'd also probably have a hard time getting the length adjusted just right. It's a matter of millimeters--that's why the newer tailpieces have threads and little nuts on them--for micro adjustment. And any knots you make in the shoelace may eventually slip. Or the shoelace itself will stretch, messing with your tuning and intonation.
yeah... I have the nylon gut, and tried it last night, but had to use it with just the one screw - i.e. I looped it onto itself using the one screw - I had almost finished tuning it up (very slow process) when it gave up and everything went flying! Lucky the soundpost is up still.
yeah I still want it - I've had it on for a day now and it hasn't broken yet. I even played it for 20 min. I should invest in some protective goggles...
Nah like I said in the old post, this tailpiece is an antique one with the inlaid mother of pearl flower and all that jazz. It's very pretty.
Beano, perhaps we should look on this as an ongoing investigation into the properties of the system; so I look forward to your reports on any observed changes in the dimensions, structure or behaviour of said shoelace/tailpiece over the course of the next few weeks, to be on my desk by 9am each Monday
Tailstring issues again
Tailstring issues again
Hi!
I wrote ages ago about what I can use as a tailstring besides nylon with screw on ends, as I have a broken tailpiece that was repaired by drilling two holes in the top, and the nylon one with screws would look kind of bad.
Anyway, my new question is, can I just use a shoelace? I mean if you can use a metal tailpiece without altering the sound, then what different is a shoelace going to make - and they are woven, they must be strong enough?
# Posted on July 18th 2004 by beano
Re: Tailstring issues again
My guess is that a shoestring would hold for a while, but would eventually break--with lots of drama and noise, probably at the worst possible moment. A friend's end pin broke during a session once, and we all ducked for cover from the bang it made, with bits of string and bridge flying all over the room. Luckily, he played with his eyes closed most of the time.
You'd also probably have a hard time getting the length adjusted just right. It's a matter of millimeters--that's why the newer tailpieces have threads and little nuts on them--for micro adjustment. And any knots you make in the shoelace may eventually slip. Or the shoelace itself will stretch, messing with your tuning and intonation.
# Posted on July 18th 2004 by Will Harmon
Re: Tailstring issues again
yeah... I have the nylon gut, and tried it last night, but had to use it with just the one screw - i.e. I looped it onto itself using the one screw - I had almost finished tuning it up (very slow process) when it gave up and everything went flying! Lucky the soundpost is up still.
# Posted on July 18th 2004 by beano
Re: Tailstring issues again
A new metal Thomastik tailpiece with integrated tuners is only about $22, and it will come with a new nylon tailgut.
Even a "finest quality" plain ebony tailpiece is only $9 from http://www.internationalluthiers.com
Are you really sure you want to keep using a broken one tied to your fiddle with shoelaces?
# Posted on July 18th 2004 by KeepFiddlin'
Re: Tailstring issues again
It will certainly be a lively talking point at any session!
Trevor
# Posted on July 19th 2004 by Trevor Jennings
Re: Tailstring issues again
I'm quite well known for trying to do everything on a shoestring; but never this!
# Posted on July 19th 2004 by rosenun
Re: Tailstring issues again
yeah I still want it - I've had it on for a day now and it hasn't broken yet. I even played it for 20 min. I should invest in some protective goggles...
Nah like I said in the old post, this tailpiece is an antique one with the inlaid mother of pearl flower and all that jazz. It's very pretty.
# Posted on July 19th 2004 by beano
Re: Tailstring issues again
Beano, perhaps we should look on this as an ongoing investigation into the properties of the system; so I look forward to your reports on any observed changes in the dimensions, structure or behaviour of said shoelace/tailpiece over the course of the next few weeks, to be on my desk by 9am each Monday
Materiel Manager
# Posted on July 20th 2004 by Trevor Jennings