New Tailpiece Design

[labraid]

Hi guys and gals,
I'm getting ready to do some castings for a new tailpiece design in a few weeks but wanted some input before I got out the elbow grease. How do you guys like the following design? All comments/suggestions good or bad are quite sincerely appreciated..
The dotted area is where the string posts are coming out towards you... this area is recessed. Strings go under the the banner shaped upper part and there'll be lots of hand engraving. Will be cast bronze.
Thanks guys!
-Brian

http://www.bfolk.com/cafe/tailpieceproto.jpg

[jim simpson]

I like it, can't wait so see photos! Go for it!

[mad dawg]

I like its graceful curves.

[labraid]

Here's the wood mold if I decide to go through with it...

http://www.bfolk.com/cafe/tailpieceproto2.jpg

[mandoJeremy]

Why not just build one of those with ebony? I find it difficult to find an ebony tailpiece and I would love to hear how one sounds.

[Tim Saxton]

I love it!!. How much? I would buy one.

Tim

[Luthier]

I like it Brian!!! #Very nice. #You may want to make two models: #One with a logo for your instruments and one without for other builders. #That is of course if you should decide to market them to others.

Don

[Mike Crocker]

Very handsome design! I generally go for nickel or chrome for these sort of things, but coloured chrome (green, black, red) might be nice for those non-traditional mandolins. Good luck with the production.

Peace, Mooh.

[labraid]

Thanks, friends, for the encouragement. I'll have to post a picture in a week or two when I get to the final product. Good idea, making two versions. I had not thought of selling them but if people like I'd be happy to offer them to all interested.
Thanks again for the helpful input,
Brian

[Magnus Geijer]

I like it! Any idea what the price range would be?

[labraid]

Hmm, maybe $40? The castings are one at a time, and the setup is time-consuming, as is the polishing. Just thinking aloud here.. anyhow somewhere near $40.

[jim simpson]

$40 would be an attractive price!

[Kent Barnes]

I like it! I'd be in for $40.

[Bandersnatch Reverb]

If you could make one undrilled, I'd be interested! VERY interested!

[Tim Saxton]

count me in for 40

Tim Saxton

[jagmando]

Cool... count me in for an order

[dgfoster]

I might be interested also. Post some pictures when you get the first one finished.

[labraid]

Guess I'll be keeping track of names in this forum. Shan't be long now before I complete one..

[Dolamon]

Brian - Congratulations! I REALLY like the basic simplicity and elegance of your design. The only marginal observation I have is in regards to the height / shape of the string "pins". It would seem that even in the recessed position, they could either hang up on clothes or even worse ... get twisted, bent or pranged over time.

Perhaps, if these were set not facing up but angled at twenty or so degrees BACK to the tail and had some type of a round / brad head to them, the strings would be held down towards the bottom plate and protrusions would be below the surrounding surface of the tailpiece "Frame". Just a thought on that as I'd used a Monteleone tailpiece with top pins which kept hanging up on sweaters or long sleeved shirts.

Have you thought about plating these? I'm interesting in three of these at this time (preferably nickle plated) let me know when you need a check. (Drilled with a center hole for a strap pin is fine.)

Dion Morriss - Chicago

[RI Jim]

Hey Brian , i have a couple of questions for you. I really like the design of this taiplice, it just flows RIGHT. the questions i have :

1. Your drawing has some funky round cutouts on the side that aren't in your mold. Are these going to be cutout later, to be honest i like it w/o those personally,Less 'Gothic ' looking for lack of a better term.


2. Looking at the mold, it doesn't look like there is enough room to put a screw in at the ' point'. One could fit there, but it would look terrible. Again, it's most likely the angle of the picture and the lighting, but it's just another thing i was curious about. Of course that could be solved easily by moving the strap button hole up just a bit, keep everything in proportion.

This really is a very eye pleasing design Brian. The reason i'm asking the questions is if these come out really well, i'm thinking of putting them on my A-styles. It just fits that 'short' body style!

Congrats on the possibility of making some extra money doing something you enjoy !!

Jim

[John Zimm]

Dang, that looks really great. I am no expert, but $40 seems like a really great deal for that tailpiece. Good luck with that.

-John.

[Amandalyn]

NIce design. I'd also be interested in an ebony one.... if not a cast one. Let us know when they are ready & the final outcome.

[dgfoster]

1. Your drawing has some funky round cutouts on the side that aren't in your mold. Are these going to be cutout later, to be honest i like it w/o those personally,Less 'Gothic ' looking for lack of a better term.

from RI Jim

I agree with Jim.

[labraid]

Thanks for the comments, I've noted all. I'm modifying the mold again today, actually starting over and going with a bare "back" to it so all holes will be optional and customizable. I will recess the string pins deeper with a rounder head and angled back a bit. Also, silver plating would be available sometime after I get the basic castings down..
I'll be back soon,
Brian

[labraid]

Friends, look here for the new tailpieces Wednesday or Thursday. My casting equipment was not up to par for the quality I needed so I've entrusted the task to a local artisan. He suggested solid Sterling silver as well as a bronze alloy which smacks of gold. There are _no_ holes or cutouts in the tailpiece like the drawing and model above, the model was remade and improved thanks to all of your suggestions. The "back" will accomodate standard Gibson screw and endpin pattern and others too, custom drilled if need be. For those interested, I will give a final price when the finished product is in hand.
Til then,
Brian

[Bandersnatch Reverb]

Sterling... will that be strong enough at the string mounting area?

[labraid]

I guarantee everything I do or sell.

[labraid]

Hey guys, the wood mold (basswood) didn't survive the wax-mold-making process (get's hot in there) so I have to carve the model from a high temperature wax now. Sorry for the delay but the final product should be in hand by June 9th or 10th.
Have ye's a good one,
Brian

[Rick Crenshaw]

I'll be keeping in touch. I have an F model on the bench now and I'll need a tailpiece. Yours looks very nice. Let me know the final material and the final price. And a picture would be nice.

Thanks, Rick

[labraid]

Hey guys and gals, I started a new topic "New Tailpieces" so you'd know I wasn't just pushing the date out further as I'd done for the past month! http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/biggrin.gif
Tomorrow I'll be contacting all who were interested by email.
Thanks,
Brian