tailpiece help

[Roydw3]

I am interested in the cast tailpieces available on the market today. I am having a mandolin built but have the standard stamped tailpiece for it. I tried contacting a few music stores and asking the differences between the tailpieces. I really didn't get much help. Two different stores said they don't know what all the hype is about because they couldn't tell much of a difference over the Gibson style tailpiece and that they thought everyone would go back to the traditional pretty soon.

Two others said it is basically preference and that it does make some difference but they didn't think it was worth the money ($100-150)

Another changed a lower end mando tailpiece and thought he had sustain and tone improvements but couldn't say for sure.

So, I need help having never heard these things for myself. What is the difference in the Bill James, Weber, Allen, or others that you might recommend? Is it worth it to upgrade the tailpiece? What is your favorite?

Thanks for the help

Denny

[jim simpson]

I have the James tailpiece on my main mando. I like it primarily for the ease of string changes. Because the cover hinges, it allows one to hook then press down the cover to hold the sting in place when stringing up. It looks traditional yet is so much more substantial, no rattling loose, or coming off, etc. I think it's worth the price especially if your putting it on a keeper. What are you having built?

[Doug Edwards]

The tailpiece thing has been kicked around a lot. The three names you threw out are the most mentioned. Pick the one you like the most.

I have an engraved Allen, but the James is really snazzy.

[Roydw3]

can I engrave the tailpiece after it is plated or does it have to be done before finishing

[8ch(pl)]

This has been kicked around and again I post that I am glad I upgraded to the Weber Tailpiece on my Mid Missouri. I agree with what has been said about the James unit, but it is only based on seeing photos. It is about $50 more than the Weber or Allen, but it looks like the traditional Gibson type and has nice fit and finish, plus is supposed to be easier to do string changes.

I would recommend any of the ones I have mentioned as well as the Orrico, which has cool art-deco appearance. I possitively hate the sliding cover and tin construction of the Gibson type. You will get a bit more sustain with a cast model and the strings are rigidly fixed at one local with no vibrationg of a light tailpiece. Putting it on as the instrument is built will ensure that the screw holes are right for it. I needed a shim of about 1/32 in to use the existing holes when I swapped mine.

[Nathan Sanders]

I recommend the Bill James. Search the message boards. There have been numerous threads on this very topic.

Here's a thread with my Bill James tailpiece and pictures of several other tailpieces:
Post A Picture of Your Tailpiece (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=15;t=30337)

You can contact Bill through his website: Inlay Inc. (http://www.inlayinc.com)

[My F-5]

I currently play a 1999 Gibson F-5 L Fern that has the stock TP. This monster has so much volumn and deep tones that the TP cover has always created a buzz or rattle. I ordered a new Allen TP that should be in today or tomorrow. If it does come in today, I am playing a gig in Glen Rose, Texas this weekend so I should be able to report on the Allen early next week.
I was also one of the first to try a Price TP on this mando. The results were less than satisfactory...but that's another story for another time.
Terry

[Lefty&French]

can I engrave the tailpiece after it is plated or does it have to be done before finishing
If you order directly, Bill James does the engraving. And I can say he's very patient and friendly!

[My F-5]

Just a quick update...

I received the Allen TP yesterday and installed it on my F-5L. The rest of the setup remained exactly as it was.
The first thing I noticed was loss of volume. Probably 1/4 loss.
The other noticable difference between the Allen and the stock TP was tone. The Allen was MUCH more balanced across all strings. My F-5, when adjusted to deep G, D and A strings caused the E to almost "shrill", for lack of a better term. It was almost as if glass were breaking. I never cared for the E string tone on this mandolin.
NOW however, with the Allen TP, it has great tone and balanced volume on each string.

I know its a trade-off, but one (at least for now) that I am willing to accept.
I fly to Texas this afternoon to play tonight and tomorrow which should give it more of a workout and a true test.
I'll let you know.
Terry

[8ch(pl)]

Terry, did you use the same strings as before? I felt that volume was at least the same and sustain a bit better on my Mid Missouri. A quarter is a lot of loss. Gibson has always stuck with that type of tailpiece and I don't doubt that theirs will be high quality compared to copies found on so many other mandolins.

With Bluegrass volume is very important, less so with the Folk and Gospel that I play.

[mandroid]

the randy wood's site shows his preference for flexibility of sheet metal over cast rigidity. james machines out a groove to adjust angle to bridge, which also gives it the flexibility of sheetmetal, like the stamped 2 piece tailpieces.

[BBarton]

Check out Orrico as well -- a heavier cast than others, but looks pretty cool, particularly on a Celtic style or 'dola. Lloyd LaPlant uses exclusively on his mandos now.

[My F-5]

I did use the same strings. Everything on the setup was/is exactly the same...the only difference is the TP.
I should have stated that this mando is NOT typical. It was literally louder than most banjos...at least all that I've played near. Using a one-mic setup I really had to watch it or I would over power the entire system.
I realize 1/4 loss of volume is alot...but now it is more "normal" volume. But the REAL difference is tone. There is a little more sustain...but I cannot stand overtones so that's not really a factor since I kill the strings behind the bridge and above the nut.
Now, this mando is completely balanced in every aspect....so I feel the Allen TP did help.
This weekend's shows caused me to pay attention to the mic's location when I took a break. Thankfully we use a Shure in-ear monitoring system so I can actually hear what needs adjusting. I did have to get closer to the mic than I used to due to the volume loss...but the tone MORE than made up for that. #I am very impressed.

P.S. I ordered this Allen TP from First Quality. $78.20 including shipping.
Terry