F5 tailpieces

[tattiemando]

I have more recently seen mandolin players photos such as Chris Thile, and I think Marty Stewart with there mandolins. It would appear to me that neither of the aforemention professionals care for a tailpiece cover when playing. Or are these tailpieces like Montelone style tailpieces. If I am correct and players have discarded there tailpiece covers then is there any gain to the tone quality.

[sunburst]

If the cover is rattling or buzzing, it sounds better with it off.

A lot of mando players, particularly 'road musicians', end up leaving the cover off. When they're using the mandolin as a tool, breaking the occasional string on stage, and that sort of thing, removing and replacing the tailpiece cover each time a string is changed, keeping it from getting lost or starting to buzz or rattle, it's all just too much to bother with when there's work to do (gigs to play).

[JEStanek]

A good reason to use a cast tailpiece, IMHO. They look nicer, make string changes easier and can look exactly like the trad one (Bill James or some of the Allens) or more utilitarian (Weber Universal style) or more ornate or flowing (Hamlett or Orrico). Some will say the cast improves the tone others say they make no change YMMV.

I'm a fan. Those stamped tailpieces rattle my nerves everytime I pull one on or off. I keep seeing myself oopsing it right into the soundboard.

Jamie

[Adam Tracksler]

I love john hamletts tailpiece, and have one on both of my mandos.

[Peter Hackman]

Collings tailpieces have no covers and they don't need them.
But you need three hands to thread the string through.

[mandroid]

Hinged cover on bill james' TP allows you to hook the loop , close the cover, which holds the string loop captive on the hook , and then Both hands can deal with the the peghead end of the broken string repacement project, with the winder, it's a 2 minute project.