View Full Version : New Bill James tailpiece
About 2 months ago I asked my friend Bill James to design a tailpiece for mandolins that was "bulletproof". I told him I wanted a traditional look, and other than that it just plain had to be simple, and work. Bill has exceeded my requirements in every way.
This is one spectacular piece of work! Everything about it is simplicity, and pure genius. Bill machines them out of bronze. I had a couple of prototypes at IBMA and folks loved them. As you can see in the photos, the style is very taditional. The cover is latched by the two "O" rings which are, in turn. held in by the strings. The "O" rings also function as string dampers to eliminate unwanted "ringing". The third photo shows the machining inside the cover, which when closed captures each string on its hook.
I talked to Bill yesterday, and he seemed to think he could start production soon. Anyone wishing further information can contact Bill at:
bill@inlayinc.com
This one's got my endorsement!
Hans.
Tailpiece with cover closed.
Inside cover. The twin posts on the cover press into the "O" rings and down through the square holes in the bottom of the tailpiece.
Don Grieser
Oct-14-2004, 11:41am
How is the cover held closed? Friction? I like the hinge design like the Gilchrist tailpiece.
Bob DeVellis
Oct-14-2004, 11:46am
Looks like friction/pressure between the inside edge of the cover and the bulging portion of the "O" rings holds it in place.
Lane Pryce
Oct-14-2004, 12:06pm
First class! will it be available to the public or only available on Brentrup Mandolins? http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/wink.gif Lp
Tom C
Oct-14-2004, 12:17pm
Can those "O" rings pop out in any way where you may loose one. (or hit you in the eye)? same question as JLP +plus in gold.
http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
I've edited the posts to help show how the cover latches. The T/P will be available to anyone, and will also be offered in gold. Don't believe that the "O" rings will pop out and hit you in the eye...most everyone I know changes one string at a time. I believe he will supply extra "O" rings. Any further questions should be directed to Bill.
Hans.
Bob DeVellis
Oct-14-2004, 12:47pm
I think I get it now. The square projections on the cover fit into the square holes in the center of the rings and the rings catch the grooves on the front and back edges of the projections, holding everything in place. Is that it?
That's it! Simple...elegant.
Hans.
Flowerpot
Oct-14-2004, 1:56pm
Hans, I like it. Could you arrange for a gold one on my 23? Love the traditional look and the functionality.
Mark J.
jim simpson
Oct-14-2004, 3:36pm
It's fabulous! I like this hinged design and the fact that it looks trad when closed. Let us know ordering info as soon as it's available.
Jim
Peakbagr
Oct-14-2004, 5:33pm
My V23 is waiting in Hans' shop, ready to ship after he returned from IBMA. I emailed him this afternoon hoping I might get one of these puppies on my new mandolin, even if if means a longer wait.
Alan
Bill James
Oct-14-2004, 5:50pm
You got it Bob, good eye.
Hey guys, I'm glad that you like the tailpiece. I really can't thank Hans enough for taking it to IBMA and taking the time to show it. Maybe I can offer a free tailpiece to anyone who gets on his list before Thanksgiving. http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Forgive me Scott, for the shameless plug, I just want to point out a few things about the tailpiece. I never really cared for removable covers for obvious reasons, hence the hinged design. The cover when closed, is fully dampened as are the strings to eliminate any chance of buzzing. As Hans pointed out, when changing strings the cover can be closed after hooking a new string to keep it from popping off the hook. In my opinion it makes the job much easier since it leaves both hands free to work on the tuner end. You no longer feel like you need three hands.
We should have units ready to ship around the third or fourth week of November. Feel free to E-mail.
bill@inlayinc.com
Bill James
(post edited by Scott T. to reflect his new email address at his request)
Bill, after I saw your new tailpieces at Hans' booth in Louisville, I think I actually started singing:"Sweet mystery of life, at last I've found you!" I've been saying that this design is what should have been the standard all along. I'm so glad that you've done it. It's been a long time coming.
Folks, they are are a very substantial, well designed and superbly executed piece of engineering. They seem to work as well as they look, and I for one am looking forward to having them on all my instruments. Thanks for creating what I've always dreamed of.
Michael Lewis
Oct-14-2004, 11:08pm
Bill, let me add my kudos to you for the new tailpiece. Hans showed it to me at IBMA. It's the best thing to come along so far, looks very traditional, and should become the standard of the industry. I am really impressed with the well thought out design. You da man!
Scotti Adams
Oct-15-2004, 5:20am
..thats a real nice piece....I wish they were available about a month ago cuz I bought a Gil tailpiece which is pretty close to the same design..
I never really cared for removable covers for obvious reasons, hence the hinged design
I think the hinge is brilliant. I used to play a relatively cheap (compared to Chapek, Holoubek etc.) Czech made mando with a traditional tailpiece. The cover came off so often I eventually couldn't be bothered to stick it back on and just kept the cover in the case.
when changing strings the cover can be closed after hooking a new string to keep it from popping off the hook
That's the very reason I only change strings every 3-6 months. I've only got two hands.
Like most innovations, it seems so simple, you have to wonder why no-one has come up with this before now.
Great work http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Well I have to congratulate Bill James as well as Hans for their wonderful design, and also for beating me to the punch! I have a very very similar design that I haven't got to production yet, and I think this tailpiece looks so nice that I may not pursue production of my model. I think it's very well done, and is so much needed because in my opinion all of the other traditional style tailpieces availabe are seriously flawed as well as many of the cast tailpieces. I am glad that someone has finally put this idea on the market, and I'm just sorry it wasn't me! I hope they are available to the public as I believe there are thousands of poor tailpieces out there that should be replaced by these beauties. I haven't even seen one in person yet, but I have to say from the pictures I highly recommend this tailpiece to anyone. Very well done guys.
Benjamin R. Wilcox
BRW Musical Instruments http://www.mandolincafe.net/iB_html/non-cgi/emoticons/smile.gif
Very nice, but gotta say, I have not had a lick of trouble with my old F-5 tp.
Scotti Adams
Oct-15-2004, 7:03am
Thanks Ben..I thought this would get you out of the wood work...I take you got my Email this morning.
This tailpiece looks very nice. I just got a Dudenbostel/Oden tailpiece, I think the first available to a non-dude mandolin, and it's a real gem. I am wondering Bill, why didn't you put the string hook ears in a horizontal layout? This is the way the Dude/Oden tailpiece is and you put the string on, rotate it 90 degrees, and the ears catch the string loop and then it won't slip off. I have to say though, I really like the design of the hinge and the simplicity of the fastening with built in string dampening. I'm sure you'll capture the market with these, that's for sure.
Oh, Scotti, have you gotten your varnished mandolin? Mine is going to be about Thanksgiving before I get it now.
Jim
Scotti Adams
Oct-15-2004, 9:09am
..nope Jim..I havent....Im down to countin the days though...thanks for asking..
Jim, Bill and I looked at the Oden style hooks, but we concluded that this was Ken's idea and belonged to him. Bill came up with his own solution to "not enough hands".
Thanks for the reply Hans, I understand completely. Is it to early in the design/production stage to get a weight on the final product? Again, this is an awesome design which I think will gain most of the market.
Jim
Mando Medic
Oct-17-2004, 6:14pm
It looks like a great design. A couple of questions though. How much pressure does it take to lift the cover? Is there any reason to believe that over time the holes will wear some, causing early release or rattle of the cover? Is there no need to dampen the string from the top of the cover? Is there a suggest price yet? Thanks again. Kenc
ethanopia
Oct-17-2004, 6:42pm
I got to check this out at Hans' booth and it is top notch. The machine work and tollerances are very tight. The thing feels like a million bucks. As long as the quality can stay that good in production, Hans I say you have a winner.
Hi Ethan, was good to meet you at IBMA.
I'm going to have to give all the credit for this T/P to Bill.
Ken, the latching of the cover is very positive, but does not take a lot of pressure to lift. Any wear would be to the "O" rings, and we really haven't noticed any wear. Bill has "cycled" the latching thousands of times. They are also easily replaceable should any wear occur. As far as pricing, you can contact Bill.
Bill James
Oct-18-2004, 7:12am
Ken,
Good questions.
Force required to un-snap the cover? I'll hook one to a load cell when I have time and get you a reading. For now all I can say is "just the right amount". Not too much or too little, just a nice positive snap. It's virtually impossible to un-snap while playing. #
I have a test unit with well over 4000 cycles on it and can't measure any wear to the pin or hole. The hinge pin is also dampened with a small O-ring. It proved unnecessary in testing but was left in place as an added precaution. Once the cover is closed it is fully dampened.
The top of the cover should not touch the strings. I've added more clearance in the production models as a precaution. If you push really hard with your forearm when you play, it could possibly touch the strings. I've thought about a small strip of rubber or felt on the underside of the cover but unless further testing proves it necessary, I won't add it.
I see Hans just chimed in. As he mentioned, the O-rings just are not showing any wear. They're basically free at a couple of cents each so I'll be supplying extras, also it's a standard size and can be purchased at a hardware store.
I'll be E-mailing additional info to you, thanks for asking.
Bill
AeroJoe
Oct-19-2004, 12:33pm
Inpickin'credible...!
Hubert Angaiak
Oct-28-2004, 10:21am
This is a very nice design. Will this swap out the standard Gibson type tailpiece without having to drill new screw holes? Any thought of designing a skeleton cover top so you can put on your old cover? Some of those old covers are nicely engraved. Just a thought.
Bill James
Oct-28-2004, 3:24pm
This is a very nice design. Will this swap out the standard Gibson type tailpiece without having to drill new screw holes?
That's the idea, but there are cases where it won't. The hole pattern is meant to be a match but the elevation of the holes can very different from mandolin to mandolin so you never know for sure.
Any thought of designing a skeleton cover top so you can put on your old cover?
Nice idea, but no, not at this time.
Thanks,
Bill
jim simpson
Oct-28-2004, 4:42pm
Bill,
How does one go about ordering one of these, i.e. selling price, engraving, etc.?
Thank you,
Jim Simpson
Spruce
Oct-28-2004, 5:18pm
The most impressive detail on your tailpiece is the subtle little "click" when the cover is pressed back into place, Bill...
It's the feel of a fine camera or a Neumann microphone. #Very impressive...
You mentioned you had a test unit with 4K cycles on it....
I'll be we all put that amount of clicks on your tailpiece at IBMA, and I probably had a go at #for 25 cycles or so...
Nice job!
Peakbagr
Oct-28-2004, 7:15pm
That tailpiece came back to Hans' shop with him from IBMA and I asked him to swap it for the one on the V23 he was going to ship me on his return home.
I just got the mandolin on Tuesday. I'm was so enthralled with the mandolin that the tailpiece almost went unnoticed. It is really quite inventive and well made. There is a very nice, subtle, "click" as you seat the cover. Like everything else on the mandolin, top notch. I can tell you that the tailpiece is so well made and thought-out, I'd have one retro fitted if Hans didn't have the original for me.
evanreilly
Oct-28-2004, 7:44pm
Do post info on availability, options & costs as soon as they are non-vaporware..<G>
Looks like a great add-on.
Hubert Angaiak
Oct-29-2004, 11:57am
That's the idea, but there are cases where it won't. The hole pattern is meant to be a match but the elevation of the holes can very different from mandolin to mandolin so you never know for sure.
Is there a place where there is a pattern for the screw holes and end pin so we can do a "dry" run to see if retrofitting will work in terms of not redrilling and all that stuff. I am very interested, but wouldn't want to redrill my mando.
Bill James
Nov-26-2004, 5:58am
As an update on the tailpiece:
At this time we're accepting orders. The order form shows options for engraving and also addresses pricing, delivery, etc. If you would like to receive an order form, send me an E-mail at: bill@inlayinc.com
Thanks
Bill James
(post edited by Scott T. to reflect Bill's new email address at his request)
evanreilly
Nov-26-2004, 6:47am
Do you have a link to an online catalog??
Bill James
Nov-26-2004, 7:20am
Evan,
I'm sorry to say there is no online catalog at this time. Just can't justify the expense of a merchant type web site with a secure socket layer, etc. thats required for ordering online. However, I am working with a few retailers so hopefully at some point that will be an option as well.
Let me know if you have any specific questions.
Bill