Bending tailpiece - 4 years on

mfb · Post by **mfb** » Tue Jul 10, 2007 12:20 pm

The other thing to be aware of is that sometimes, although it looks as if the tailpiece is lifting, in fact its the top of the guitar that isn't totally flat and has a slight fall to the edges.

Hence the rear of the tailpiece will always look as if it has lifted.

Tylendal · Post by **Tylendal** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 9:39 pm

My 1980 AG 4001 had a bit of lift on it as well, as you can see in the pics, My buddy in Seattle had a luthier he knows put 3 screws in end of it at an angle so they sat flush to the bridge. End of problem ^_^

The shiny screw heads were a nice touch.

ilan · Post by **ilan** » Thu Aug 30, 2007 10:07 pm

Tail lift leads to shallower break angle of the strings over the bridge, and that must affect sustain.

My Shadow has the 7 screw bridge, and I don't think there's anything unaesthetic with this bass.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 1:23 am

<<choke>>

lucky · Post by **lucky** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 1:57 am

The two extra screws does seem to be the best & only option.When i tried to bend my tailpiece back and broke it,as soon as i got a replacement i had the two extra holes drilled and it's been fine ever since.It's great now knowing that when i put Rotosound strings on my bass,that the tailpiece will not lift.

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 2:31 am

The reason I was speechless is because of the appearance of those three, honkin' truss head screws. It's like bridge-riveting fender flares onto a Bentley.

The luthier who did this seems to have been taste-challenged, and while I'm sure the "fix" works, a simple switch to two countersunk oval head screws would be a much better solution, aesthetically.

Why not replace those monsters with some countersunk 1" X #8 Phillips oval-headed stainless screws (Home Depot)?

jps · Post by **jps** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 3:28 am

My buddy in Seattle had a luthier he knows put 3 screws in end of it at an angle so they sat flush to the bridge. End of problem ^_^

No offense, but DON'T EVER GO TO THAT "LUTHIER" AGAIN!!!

alanz · Post by **alanz** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 4:00 am

I love tail lift threads.

Machining a brass ingot is a better process and material than die casting an aluminum (wasn't it zinc once?) part like this. It also is more expensive and weighs more, too, unfortunately.

If only there was an after-market part that looked good and was built with those qualities in mind...

johnhall · Post by **johnhall** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 4:34 am

It's still zinc.

geddeeee · Post by **geddeeee** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 6:11 am

I think those 3 screws look OK. In the end, it's all about the TONE!!!

Lost Coyotes · Post by **Lost Coyotes** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 6:32 am

Poor Paul...

I feel for you, brotha.

elgranluis · Post by **elgranluis** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 6:32 am

quick fix: remove the bridge, bend it back (C clamps help), and place bridge again. No need for drilling.

Lost Coyotes · Post by **Lost Coyotes** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 6:34 am

luis, I think he (someone) said it broke when bending back to shape, and then there's the chance it'd just lift again, since it's weaker where it bent.
Paul?

jingle_jangle · Post by **jingle_jangle** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 6:44 am

aceonbass · Post by **aceonbass** » Fri Aug 31, 2007 7:01 am

In the end, it may be about the tone, but those three bolts would be best for holding a house down to it's foundation. The factory fix was much more pleasing to the eye and worked just as well. The term "luthier" seems to be thrown about the way "doctor" is in some parts.