View Full Version : vintage tailpiece source
Looking for sources for a authenic tailpiece cover or replica for a turn of the century Vega bowl back.
Eugene
Oct-01-2004, 8:46pm
This is some tough hardware to track down. Every once in a great while, I get lucky. Bernunzio (http://www.bernunzio.com/) came through for me once.
Thanks, Eugene. I am also looking for pictures for what it should look like.
Eugene
Oct-02-2004, 7:00am
Several of us have old Vega bowlbacks...or several of them. #Vega used the standard slip cover, 5-lobed "clamshell" tailpiece with varying degrees of engraving. #Two old Vegas reside in my stable right now. #I am out of town, but I can try to shoot one and post images when I'm back home; my second is in the shop. #You can see recording artist Richard Walz's Vega by clicking here (http://perso.wanadoo.fr/rswalz/Img/VEGA1.JPG). #You can see several of the standard style on this thread (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=15;t=14185). #I know several coverplates from Martin instruments are pictured in close up; later Martins used the same standard style as Vega.
In addition to asking Bernunzio's, spend some time digging through the junk boxes of shops who specialize in old instruments. #Another shop to come through for me was Smakula's in WV, but he's not online.
Jim Garber
Oct-02-2004, 10:58am
Most seem to be the std (for the time) 2-piece "clamshell" tailpieces with varying engraving or not. Here are two: top is a plainly ornamented style 208 #with no engraving. The other is from my style 3 with some engraving.
BTW I have Bob Samkula's email. Email me.
Jim
The mandolin is the Vega recently sold in the classifieds. It will be my first bowl back; I'm excited. If you can tell the model from the picture, I'd love to know it.
Jim Garber
Oct-02-2004, 5:56pm
The mandolin is the Vega recently sold in the classifieds. #It will be my first bowl back; I'm excited. #If you can tell the model from the picture, I'd love to know it.
Hard to tell exactly from the distance. Maybe you could post more and detailed pics when you get it... unless you have it already.
I had emailed someone on this board about buying this one... it looked like a nice one.
I would venture to say a style 2 or even 3 but not the same era as mine. It has the star inlaid on the peghead and a straigh across, cut off fretboard whereas mine has a cutout on the peghead and a slightly extended fretboard.
Here is the one from the ad (in case the seller pulls it):
Jim
Bob DeVellis
Oct-03-2004, 7:53am
Mace, what's the serial number? It should be stamped into the top edge of the headstock. I'm guessing it's somewhere in the 50,000s or above, but that's just a wild stab. That would put it in the 1920s. I doubt that it's much earlier than the mid-20s, but you never know for sure about these things. I have no idea what model designations Vega was using for bowl back mandolins in that time period.
I'll receive it midweek and will post serial number then. Thanks.
Mace, I recently recieved a Gibson A-jr with a period tailpiece that had a tine broken on the G. I was doubling up, but really wanted a replacement. It was suggested by a fellow member to cruise ebay and look for an old beater on the cheap with that tailpiece (cloud-clamshell). Well it took a while, but I found one without the cover, exactly what i needed for about 10.00. If you know what it is suppose to take, just keep looking and it'll turn up.
Good luck.
I received the mandolin today in great shape. It was all it was represented to be and more. I have yet to find a serial number, any suggestions?
Eugene
Oct-06-2004, 7:28pm
Most Vega mandolins had the serial number stamped at the top edge of the headstock, but those from the most prolific era also a decorative scrolled hole cut into the headstock. Yours is not of this era. Like Bob, I would guess yours is a little later; the star is consistent with some of the later banjos. Also, the scratchplate looks to be inlaid with white celluloid rather than mother of pearl. Is this the case? That would smack of a later-style decor than earlier. Whatever its vintage, I'm not entirely certain where you'd find the serial number on a piece of this era but do try the top edge of the headstock to start.
OK, serial # 18505. #Is there a source to reference the number?
Celluloid as to mother-of-pearl, how do I determine? And I'll be needing to get a hardshell case. Any suggestions? What a wonderful resource we have in this site!
8ch(pl)
Oct-07-2004, 3:19am
If the serial number is consistant with the banjos, then it should be marked A.C. Fairbanks and the date would be 1899.
Martin Jonas
Oct-07-2004, 3:33am
Mother-of-pearl shimmers in rainbow colours when held against the light, celluloid is just white. Hardshell cases are a slightly difficult area. I have one from Hobgoblin UK (http://www.hobgoblin.co.uk), which is Korean-made and very nice for the price (53 Pounds). However, I understand that Cafe members who've ordered this case from Hobgoblin US have had some delays in delivery because of Customs holdups.
The latest options, and probably the best if it ever comes to anything, is the Eastman fibreglass bowlback case. These are available in Asia, but not yet in the US or Europe. However, Eastman have promised to explore the possibility to sell them here and there may be good news in the next few weeks on that front. See here (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=6;t=18369) and here (http://www.mandolincafe.net/cgi-bin/ikonboard.cgi?act=ST;f=6;t=16129) for more on that.
Martin
Eugene
Oct-07-2004, 4:50am
So it's a bit earlier rather than later. To clarify, not all celluloid is white. The tortoise-colored stuff around the decorative whitish inlay is also celluloid. It is by no means definite that the banjo serial is consistent with the mandolin serial, but I believe Bob's research implies that it is at least close.
Bob DeVellis
Oct-07-2004, 7:14am
I don't think it can be 1899. The serial number sequence we're talking about wasn't adopted by Vega until 1904 when it acquired Fairbanks and thereafter apparently used the pre-existing Fairbanks numbering system. I'n not convinced that Vega even had a numbering system prior to 1904, which is why the company was willing to let David Day apply the Fairbanks numbering system. The inlays actually look like turn-of-the century Boston-area inlays, but similar patterns were used for an extended period. Compare to these, for example, from a turn of the century Howe-Orme, also made in Boston. I'm stumped.
The tailpiece has a pat date of Oct. 26, 85 if that helps. The inlays are similar but not exact to the ones above.
Jim Garber
Oct-07-2004, 1:56pm
And I'll be needing to get a hardshell case. Any suggestions? #What a wonderful resource we have in this site!
If you are in the US: try Lark in the Morning (http://larkinthemorning.com/product.asp_Q_pn_E_CSE032_A__E_) for a relatively inexpensive decent Korean made case. $60 and about $10 for shipping.
I think this is pretty similar to the one that Hobgoblin sells. The Vega will not fit snugly but you can pad it with cloth or whatever. Otherwise you are talking bigger money for a custom case.
The other possibility is the cases that Eastman is trying to get for us. At them moment, no info as yet (and we are not even sure that they wil get them) but they should be about $100 or so and are fiberglass, nice-looking ones.
Jim
Evidently, the Eastman option is not to be, at least according to one source. It seems to be generating a great deal of interest.
Jim Garber
Oct-11-2004, 7:00am
Evidently, the Eastman option is not to be, at least according to one source. #It seems to be generating a great deal of interest.
Mace:
Who is your source? Retailers prob haven't a clue.
Gordon works directly for the company here and is looking into it. Gordon?
Jim
Steve Perry, but he is a retailer. He might have mistaken my inquery for an Eastman bowl back mandolin, not a bowl back case.
Jim Garber
Oct-11-2004, 9:23am
Even so the bowlback cases are not available yet in the US. They do make them and Gordon is checking into ordering them for us from China.
Jim
Great, I'd like to get on his list.
Still looking for an appropriate tailpiece, engraved, cover that will fit. Give me a shout if you can help.
mandolooter
Feb-27-2005, 6:34pm
Mace I don't wanna sidetrack your thread so pardon the interuption but I have a question for Eugene or anyone who knows for that matter...whats this scroll-type cut-out on the Vega's look like? I too just aquired my first bowl-back and it has a cutout that is similar to Martins but no label according to seller. #It's at the post office till tom. morning when I get to pick it up. #Im all nerves as usual when buying off Ebay:O #I hope its as described. For my $$$ I risked it. #Seller not a player but all positive feedbacks and very helpful and quick to answer my ?'s. #I'll know tomorrow and post some pic's. #My camera has returned finally from the "few hours" borrowing before Xmas after I made the 2 hour drive to go get it for Wintergrass! uuugggg!http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/sad.gif