Sackbut tassel
- heinzgries
- Posts: 250
- Joined: Apr 24, 2018
what function has the tassel on some sackbuts? Is it only decoration?
- LeTromboniste
- Posts: 1634
- Joined: Apr 11, 2018
Everybody I know who uses them, uses them for hiding a counterweight. You substitute part of the wooden core with a chunk of metal, and voila, everyone thinks you just have a decoration but you actually have a counterweight to help with ergonomics.
I personally think it looks a bit silly, but to each their own. I don't really see the point of a counterweigth on tenor, unless you have a very specific embouchure type where playing with the horn at a downwards angle is impossible. It changes the feel and sound of the instrument quite a lot! (which is to be expected, adding so much weight to such a light and flexibily-built instrument)
I don't particularly see the point on large basses either as the long wrap usually balances out the instrument nicely, but I do need a counterweight when I set up my bass in G, because the back bow is so short, with the big bell in 4th and the long slide, it's really problematic for my wrists.
I personally think it looks a bit silly, but to each their own. I don't really see the point of a counterweigth on tenor, unless you have a very specific embouchure type where playing with the horn at a downwards angle is impossible. It changes the feel and sound of the instrument quite a lot! (which is to be expected, adding so much weight to such a light and flexibily-built instrument)
I don't particularly see the point on large basses either as the long wrap usually balances out the instrument nicely, but I do need a counterweight when I set up my bass in G, because the back bow is so short, with the big bell in 4th and the long slide, it's really problematic for my wrists.
- Kbiggs
- Posts: 1768
- Joined: Mar 24, 2018
[quote="LeTromboniste"]Everybody I know who uses them, uses them for hiding a counterweight. You substitute part of the wooden core with a chunk of metal, and voila, everyone thinks you just have a decoration but you actually have a counterweight to help with ergonomics.
[/quote]
A very elegant solution!
[/quote]
A very elegant solution!
- LeTromboniste
- Posts: 1634
- Joined: Apr 11, 2018
Aaaaaand the guy who just wrote two days ago that tassels look silly just got himself a tassel... :roll:
Was at the workshop today for the newest round of prototyping on my bass, and I took the opportunity to try a version of the back bow with a screw-on brass counterweight. Really didn't like the way it stiffened the response and "locked" the sound. Also not very keen on having the mount permanently soldered onto the instrument, even when I remove the weight.
Tassel may look silly but it doesn't affect the sound and response as much and at least it's fully removable for when I don't need it!
Was at the workshop today for the newest round of prototyping on my bass, and I took the opportunity to try a version of the back bow with a screw-on brass counterweight. Really didn't like the way it stiffened the response and "locked" the sound. Also not very keen on having the mount permanently soldered onto the instrument, even when I remove the weight.
Tassel may look silly but it doesn't affect the sound and response as much and at least it's fully removable for when I don't need it!
- ldmitruk
- Posts: 23
- Joined: Nov 21, 2018
Does it turn a light on and off if you pull it? <EMOJI seq="1f61c" tseq="1f61c">😜</EMOJI>
- bassclef
- Posts: 337
- Joined: Mar 23, 2018
You should experiment with cotton, wool, silk and synthetic yarn tassels. The differences in sound and especially response between them has to be experienced to be believed.
- LeTromboniste
- Posts: 1634
- Joined: Apr 11, 2018
[quote="Kbiggs"]It’s a pull chain for a water closet![/quote]
You beat me to it!
Plus, it's quite the impressive amount of plumbing – with all the crooks can go all the way down to contra Bb. Although then it really doesn't need the counterweight!
[quote="bassclef"]You should experiment with cotton, wool, silk and synthetic yarn tassels. The differences in sound and especially response between them has to be experienced to be believed.[/quote]
Yes I wondered about that when choosing the colour! :lol:
You beat me to it!
Plus, it's quite the impressive amount of plumbing – with all the crooks can go all the way down to contra Bb. Although then it really doesn't need the counterweight!
[quote="bassclef"]You should experiment with cotton, wool, silk and synthetic yarn tassels. The differences in sound and especially response between them has to be experienced to be believed.[/quote]
Yes I wondered about that when choosing the colour! :lol:
- Doug_Elliott
- Posts: 4155
- Joined: Mar 22, 2018
If it's too back heavy you can always put it on the end of the side instead.
- harrisonreed
- Posts: 6479
- Joined: Aug 17, 2018
[quote="BGuttman"]And here I thought it was to wipe your nose :lol:[/quote]
Tassels usually are meant to make a performance or event more exciting. Unfortunately, this is a sackbut.
I am speaking of course, of graduations. They make graduations more exciting.
Tassels usually are meant to make a performance or event more exciting. Unfortunately, this is a sackbut.
I am speaking of course, of graduations. They make graduations more exciting.