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davehouck
Senior Member
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 635
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Wednesday, June 09, 2004 - 7:41 am:   Edit Post

I've removed and disassembled the bridge for polishing before, but I've not removed the tailpiece. Polishing would be easier but I wasn't sure if it was a good idea since, in theory, removing and reinserting the screws would cause some wear and reduced tightness; and given the stresses that the tailpiece is under, it does need to hold tight. Am I being overly concerned? Do you guys remove the tailpiece for polishing?
effclef
Intermediate Member
Username: effclef

Post Number: 189
Registered: 1-2004
Posted on Wednesday, June 09, 2004 - 8:12 am:   Edit Post

I believe all the Alembic tailpieces go into threaded inserts in the wood and thus would cause no wear when removing and reinstalling them. In fact, I think someplace on the Alembic site it says the only screws going into bare wood are the strap buttons.

You can tell by taking one screw out - if it's a machine screw with fine threads, there are inserts below!

If your bass is very old, I am not sure if this will apply.

EffClef
slugbass
Junior
Username: slugbass

Post Number: 32
Registered: 3-2003
Posted on Wednesday, June 09, 2004 - 8:16 am:   Edit Post

I've removed the tailpiece for polishing, and never had a problem.
dela217
Advanced Member
Username: dela217

Post Number: 394
Registered: 6-2002
Posted on Wednesday, June 09, 2004 - 8:47 am:   Edit Post

The older basses did not have the steel inserts under the tailpieces. I have had the brass screws on the tailpieces break before on a couple of occasions. Once while playing and the tailpiece came off, and on another bass, while it was in the case. I guess the brass just corroded, the screws at the wood surface were kinda green. I just got the broken off screws out the best way I could and replaced them with stainless steel screws. So, if you are removing an older tailpiece, be careful, the screws could break leaving you with part of the screw stuck in a hole in the instrument.
davehouck
Senior Member
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 637
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Wednesday, June 09, 2004 - 9:01 am:   Edit Post

Thanks guys! My basses are '84, '90, '97, and '00. The one I'm working on at the moment is the '97 so it's probably no problem. When I get around to the '84 I'll proceed with caution.
mica
Moderator
Username: mica

Post Number: 1726
Registered: 6-2000
Posted on Wednesday, June 09, 2004 - 9:31 am:   Edit Post

The only wood screws are the strap holders, the tailpiece screws and the tuning key anchor screw*. The tailpiece is secured with at least 3 wood screws. Most Alembic tailpieces are coated with polyester, so it's not really possible to polish them without removing this coating first. When you custom order, you can request to have this coating omitted, like Bob did on his bass.

*The new 1/4" sidejack is also secured with a wood screw inside the cavity.
effclef
Intermediate Member
Username: effclef

Post Number: 191
Registered: 1-2004
Posted on Wednesday, June 09, 2004 - 9:42 am:   Edit Post

Mica, thanks for setting the official record straight! I was going from memory, which has proven to be defective at times.

;-)

EffClef

PS this sort of note would be great for an Alembic FAQ, if such a thing ever materializes.
davehouck
Senior Member
Username: davehouck

Post Number: 641
Registered: 5-2002
Posted on Wednesday, June 09, 2004 - 10:35 am:   Edit Post

Thanks Mica! Now that I think about it, I believe you have told us this before. My memory just doesn't work very well <g>.

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