Tailpiece question

[B381]

Looking at some tailpieces I see multiple loop hooks which have some strings make a 90 degree turn before going towards bridge. Now, my thoughts are that 90 degree turns in strings could weaken the string. How important is it to use the extra hooks?

[fscotte]

Not really sure you need to use them. The wound strings don't use them. When a string breaks at the tailpiece, it's usually at the 2nd hook.

[Tobin]

It is generally true that a sharp bend in a tensioned wire will be a point of stress concentration, and would be the most likely place for failure to occur. Especially if there are sharp edges in the tailpiece hook that crimp or cut into the string as it bears on/under the hook.

The best advice here is to go by your experience. If your plain strings have problems with the loop ends coming undone or slipping, use the extra hooks. If not, then they're not really necessary. You can use them if you like, or not. But if you're getting string breakage at the hooks, then don't use them. They're simply an optional feature.

[Ray(T)]

This topic has been discussed to death and there was a recent topic which exposed Gibson's reasons for designing them that way. Personally, looking at the o/p's photo and considering string breakage, I'd be more worried about the point at which the strings leave the tailpiece for the bridge.

[mandroid]

Try laying a strip of leather at the lip of the tail piece,
that and a piece of felt inside the cover ,

eliminated the whole grommet string dampener

need that also is in the whatisit FAQ repeats..

[dhergert]

I think it was MikeEdgerton that posted this a few months ago...

[sblock]

CONSENSUS: Don't bother to use the secondary hooks, and don't bend your strings needlessly by 90 degrees, which can only weaken them. These Gibson-style tailpieces work perfectly well if you use the eight hooks that are oriented in line with the fretboard.

They were originally designed to deal with strings that had loops that tended to slip. Modern string loops don't slip.

[B381]

To those who I seem to have upset with my question...sorry. Back to lurking.....

[trabb]

To those who I seem to have upset with my question...sorry. Back to lurking.....

Well this lurker appreciated it. I've been reading here for three years and have completely missed all the discussions of these tailpieces. I learned something from this thread.

[B381]

Just a random picture off the net for an example, my Kentucky's have a strip there, but thanks for the suggestion.

[Ray(T)]

I think it was MikeEdgerton that posted this a few months ago...

That's the one I was thinking of.

[Ray(T)]

Most people start off as lurkers. The only stupid question is one you already know the answer to. (Or should that be "... one to which you already know the answer"?)

[fatt-dad]

At the end of the journey, we'll have to agree that all these topics have been beat to death!

I always use the extra chads. I find that using the chads for the unwound strings keeps them on the tailpiece when I'm working to the north (i.e., on the peghead). I've never had a string breakage problem and I have a heavy hand. I've never-ever had any issues with string life, etc. It seems fine and convenient to use them, to me. . .

f-d