Better fitting tailpieces

[J.A.P.]

Hi Everyone,

I'd like to do some re-tooling in my shop and building better rims is part of the reason. From time to time the fit of a standard Gibson style tailpiece is less than perfect. Can anyone tell me what the radius of the plate on the tailpiece is? That would be the surface in contact with the rim. I'd like to use this information to check my rim form for accuracy.

Thanks,
J.A.P.

[Keith Newell]

It should be between 4.95" and 5.0" radius. At least thats what I use.
Keith Newell
http://home.comcast.net/~mandolinkgn/wsb/html/view.cgi-home.html-.html

[mandomaniac]

Seems like I spoke about this when I talked to Pete Allen. I voiced the same concern.....contact between tailpiece and body. I believe he told me his tailpieces had a 12" radius to inner surface. Hmmmmm? Any other experience???

[Keith Newell]

A 12" radius is a 24" diameter. The diameter of the body at that point is approx 10" making it a 5" radius. I make all my tail pieces like the link below to match the body perfectly so that it is neither "high centered" on the body or the sides are not digging a deep dent into your preciuos instruments. I make mine between 4.95 and 5 inch radius and that is 9.9 to 10" body daimeter at the tailpiece location. Here is a website with some of my tailpieces, plus I have some gold plated ones in the classifieds. http://home.comcast.net/~mandolinkgn/wsb/html/view.cgi-home.html-.html
Keith Newell