Sackbut tassel

[heinzgries]

what function has the tassel on some sackbuts? Is it only decoration?

[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.

[Kbiggs]

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!

[LeTromboniste]

Aaaaaand the guy who just wrote two days ago that tassels look silly just got himself a tassel...

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!

[BGuttman]

And here I thought it was to wipe your nose

[ldmitruk]

Does it turn a light on and off if you pull it?

[Kbiggs]

It’s a pull chain for a water closet!

[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.

[LeTromboniste]

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!

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!

[Doug Elliott]

If it's too back heavy you can always put it on the end of the side instead.

[harrisonreed]

And here I thought it was to wipe your nose

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.