Tailpiece covers

[London Al]

Hello folks, London calling:
Can some of you lucky people who have lots of experience with top quality instruments tell me what the correct fit is for a tailpiece cover?
Whats the best way to make them a more loose fit when they're brand new?Ive only ever come across them being very stiff.
Ive just recieved a lovely gold plated one for an f style I'm making and I'd really appreciate a bit of guidance before I work on it, to try to make it fit gently on to the tailpiece.
Should you be able to push it on from above? Should it slide on from the tail end.
Yours in anticipation on the Island
Al

[Jim Rowland]

Hello from Ohio,Al:

The standard tailpiece cover is designed to slide on from the tail toward the neck. If all goes well, you should have a fit that is snugged enough to prevent rattling. Many times in my experience,all does not go so well. The cover may be difficult to slide on,and even more difficult to slide off for string changing etc. Sometimes they fit too loosely. A little careful adjusting using blunt- nosed pliers with the jaws taped to avoid scratches usually will remedy the problems,although you may have to fiddle with it for some time. I now have some metal bending pliers which I
use for the tweaking. Sometimes a little lube of some kind is in order if you use it sparingly and carefully.

Jim

[London Al]

Cheers Jim & thanks for getting the ball rolling on this one.
I'm assuming from what you say, the way forward is to adjust the cover rather than the tailpiece. Common sense tells me there is less to go wrong down that path.
Al.