Double Bass Tailpieces

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The tailpiece on a double bass can have a significant effect on the tone. The weight of the tailpiece, the flexibility of the tailpiece wire, the notes of the after-lengths, (the part of the string on the 'wrong' side of the bridge) and the fundamental frequency of the whole tailpiece assembly can mean the difference between a bass whose notes ring with fullness & depth and one that only goes 'bong.'

Replacing the tailpiece with one that is smaller and lighter is often the first step in helping a bass find its voice and reveal its full potential. We carve custom tailpieces in a variety of woods - many people choose the beauty of curly maple, a traditional tonewood used for violin family instruments, or dark stained cherry, which looks like old ebony.

The new tailpiece is then suspended on a very flexible 3/64" stainless steel cable using small adjustable clamps to allow accurate tuning of the after-lengths. We have developed a new tailpiece design that is based on the older 'Torch' shape from the 18th and 19th centuries. Its shape interacts with the lines of a bass is a little different way than my original pattern.

See photos below.