Sackbut tassel

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heinzgries
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Sackbut tassel

Post by heinzgries »

what function has the tassel on some sackbuts? Is it only decoration?
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LeTromboniste
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Re: Sackbut tassel

Post by 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.

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.
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Kbiggs
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Re: Sackbut tassel

Post by Kbiggs »

LeTromboniste wrote: Sat Jul 02, 2022 11:02 am 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.
A very elegant solution!
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I have known a great many troubles, but most of them have never happened.
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LeTromboniste
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Re: Sackbut tassel

Post by LeTromboniste »

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!
Maximilien Brisson
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Lecturer for baroque trombone,
Hfk Bremen/University of the Arts Bremen
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BGuttman
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Re: Sackbut tassel

Post by BGuttman »

And here I thought it was to wipe your nose :lol:
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ldmitruk
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Re: Sackbut tassel

Post by ldmitruk »

Does it turn a light on and off if you pull it? 😜
Kbiggs
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Re: Sackbut tassel

Post by Kbiggs »

It’s a pull chain for a water closet!
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bassclef
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Re: Sackbut tassel

Post by 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.
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LeTromboniste
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Re: Sackbut tassel

Post by LeTromboniste »

Kbiggs wrote: Tue Jul 05, 2022 11:20 am It’s a pull chain for a water closet!
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!
bassclef wrote: Tue Jul 05, 2022 1:48 pm 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.
Yes I wondered about that when choosing the colour! :lol:
Maximilien Brisson
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Hfk Bremen/University of the Arts Bremen
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Doug Elliott
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Re: Sackbut tassel

Post by Doug Elliott »

If it's too back heavy you can always put it on the end of the side instead.
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harrisonreed
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Re: Sackbut tassel

Post by harrisonreed »

BGuttman wrote: Mon Jul 04, 2022 2:24 pm And here I thought it was to wipe your nose :lol:
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.
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