restringing with a Gibson style tailpiece

[Charles E.]

With a Gibson style tailpiece, there are four additional tabs for the A and E courses. The strings are then bent around the other tabs to the bridge. I have always done this because thats the way it is done. When I recently got a new mandolin the strings were all attached the the front ones bypassing the others. So it got me to wondering, what is behind this design feature and why does it persist?

[mandobassman]

Those were designed way back when string loops would sometimes unwind and were used for extra stability. They take some of the load off of the windings and were only used on the unwound strings. With today's string winding technology they are unnecessary to use. I have been playing for 40 years and have never used them. Many players still use them because of tradition, but they are not needed.

[MysTiK PiKn]

quote = The strings are then bent around the other tabs to the bridge. =

I am connecting strings as if those "bent around" tabs were the only ones.
While working on my mando lately, I have tuned up and down a lot - and broke 2 strings, that were originally bent around those tabs.
So , I don't bend around anymore.
It's possible, however, that there's a sharp edge on those tabs - that's could be why strings broke right there - but it's old school stuff, and I figure the less edges you contact the better.
Someone else might have a better idea.

This TP is just stock stamped cheepo Gib style - and I think it's lighter than a Gib style - but looks similar. A better tail might have heavier connect points for strings - but I have not yet seen a better heavier TP. Maybe later, if I have problems.

[Dave Hanson]

I never use the extra hooks, it's just putting an uneccessary extra kink in 2 strings.

Dave H

[Jim Garber]

Hah! Just another of example of doing it because that was the way we always did. I never questioned. Now I will.

[fatt-dad]

I always do it the right way. I'm convinced the kink on the unwound strings help tame them from releasing during string change.

f-d

[mandroid]

Its not like the string is so short it wont make it that extra Bit..

This a Peer Popularity poll?

I string the ones with a different tail piece differently,
I string my 1922 Gibson As using all 12 hooks Because I have the time . & it's been fine for over 80 years, as such

Nutone plain strings are not wound for loops like D'Add & GHS
May Put those on in the old TP . The british string came in my Djangolin case.
the rest of the nickel wound set has been bright sounding for years ..

I've never had them break at that bend, so its not a stress-riser .. they break at the bridge because I'm Making Music
with the vibrating wire and that is where the vibration bending makes the steel fatigue.

The Ones with the James Tailpiece is on the ones that go Out no slip off cover , so string changes go quicker.

[multidon]

Why don't cast tailpieces like Allen have a bend a round? Why not Weber tailpieces? Why not Breedlove?

The bend a round is not needed, therefore I never use it and have never had a problem.

[John Adrihan]

I do not use them. Seems not necessary.

[Barry Wilson]

never bother with the bend. I just filed and sanded the hooks to smooth the edges

[MikeEdgerton]

This is America, you can string that mandolin any way you'd like to. Frank Ford's take on it can be found here.

[allenhopkins]

Good enough for Orville G, good enough for me.

As Heather Wood quoted a mother saying to her restless kid, at a Morris-dance demo, "Shut up! It's traditional."

[Charles E.]

"Shut up! It's traditional."

Hahaha, thanks Allen, I am going to borrow that.

[JeffD]

I bend the strings around. Its not scientific, but the couple of times I had a prematurely broken string on the thing, it was the string I hadn't bothered to bend and loop on the far tab.

There is probably no advantage, or no significant advantage.

But I do not abandon things just because they are old school. How many many things we do on mandolin only because Bill did.

[fatt-dad]

folks that don't use all the chads are the same folks that love the James tailpiece. Sure, you can fix the string at the tail by lowering the James to hold. You can also use all the chads to keep the strings in order (i.e., keep them from jumping off the chad when you are busy at the peghead).

It all seems so intuitive to me and that's the reason I like the samped tailpiece.

f-d

[KGreene]

This thread reminds me of the industry I work in... Public Safety, specifically the Fire-EMS service. Where there's an old adage that's usually associated with firefighter safety... "200 years of tradition, unimpeded by progress" and "because that's the way we've always done it".

I personally don't use the additional tabs anymore, and to date haven't had any issues.

[JeffD]

The instrument I am worried about being all old school on is 92 years old. On it I play music that is a lot older. But lets not do any tradition in how we hook the strings on the peg head.

[Charles E.]

On a teen's Gibson I would use them. On a modern good quality replica (not stamped garbage) I feel no need. I am good to go.

[UsuallyPickin]

Well ... I never used the sideways tabs. Didn't really notice a problem. I sent my favorite mandolin to a name luthier in Nashville. When I went to restring it a couple of months later I noticed that when he restrung it he used the sideways tabs. Working on the notion that he knows more on and about mandolins than I do I have used the tabs since. Still haven't noticed a difference. R/

[AlanN]

I always thought those 4 hooks were cool as part of the vintage vibe, so I used them. Needed? Nah.

[JeffD]

On a teen's Gibson I would use them. On a modern good quality replica (not stamped garbage) I feel no need. I am good to go.

You are likely right.

[Timbofood]

I just have always used them, tradition I suppose. Never had a string break there, at least, not that I remember.