STRING ANCHORS

The String Anchors fitted to Caldera basses are machined from solid billets of hard drawn brass. The grade chosen for the block is CZ121M as this has excellent characteristics with regard to low thermal expansion, high resistance to wear, and produces a first class surface that can be finished in many different ways, including our standard bright chrome.

Typically, the alloy is composed of 58% Copper with 38-39% Zinc, 3% Lead (which remains insoluble within the molecular structure of the alloy and enhances the machinability) and traces of Silicon, Selenium and other metals and compounds.

Machined as a part of the block is a tenon which fits within a mortice routed into the body where it is secured from the rear by two machine screws.

Fitting the anchor in this way provides an extremely solid mounting for the strings. The whole width of the through-construction neck acts as a stop and extending deep into the neck, the anchor has a massive contact area to transfer all the energy and all the tonal dynamics of the strings to the entire instrument.

Held firmly in place by the two 6mm Aerospace grade stainless steel machine screws fitted from the rear of the body and securing into turned steel cups the anchor has all the advantages of through body stringing whilst at the same time maintaining quick and easy string changing. With our original Thread-Through design simply de-tune, remove the two screws and the whole block and string assembly can be quickly and easily removed for cleaning or maintenance. From 2014 we have fitted our new design ‘Quick Load’ tail-block which can be seen in the picture of the fretless model (this example in polished brass). This later design is now fitted as standard on all our basses.

We believe this system takes stress off individual components, such as mounting posts or screws, commonly used by other makers and helps to make the instrument more stable and resistant to tuning and intonation problems.

Have you read about our laminated necks and pickups?