Mandolin without Tailpiece Cover?

[SpokeyDokey]

I just noticed my Mandolin lacks a tailpiece cover and exposes the strings. Will this be an issue at all? I personally like the look of tailpiece cover better, so if y'all have any recommendations on where I can find one in gold, that would be greatly appreciated.

Oh and I noticed that some tailpiece covers are much more expensive than others; if the cover is purely cosmetic, why are some priced way higher than others?

[Folkmusician.com]

You are perfectly fine without a cover on your tailpiece. The exception would be if the hooks are snagging on that hand knitted sweater grandma made for you. On the other hand, if it is a candidate for 1st prize in the ugly sweater competition, maybe an excuse for tossing it is a good thing! Sorry Grandma!

Tailpieces are not really standardized so whatever you buy may not be a good fit. You almost need one off the same model to be sure it is a match. Even then, some bending is in order.

Tailpiece quality can be all over the place. Especially gold versions. On some, the gold will rub right off, some the plating is better (it will still rub off).

[Randi Gormley]

I don't know about anybody else, but my sleeve (or scarf or whatever) generally gets caught on whatever edge is there if there's no tail cover. so for me, it's a practical thing.

[MikeEdgerton]

If you could post a picture it might be helpful. I'm assuming you have a stamped Gibson style tailpiece and they aren't really all the same. You would be better off buying a complete tailpiece including cover. That way you'll know it fits.

[David Lewis]

How hard is it to replace the tailpiece? Every now and then I look at my gretsch New Yorker and think that this awful tailpiece has to go. (Sorry to slightly derail thread but the two topics are related.)

[EdHanrahan]

... if the cover is purely cosmetic, why are some priced way higher than others?

Think of them as jewelry: purely cosmetic. I'm told that some jewelry is priced a bit higher than others.

[Doc Ivory]

Should be be a problem at all.
You may get a short thread or sweater thread caught in it from time to time but it's a nothing to worry about.

[Drew Egerton]

How hard is it to replace the tailpiece? Every now and then I look at my gretsch New Yorker and think that this awful tailpiece has to go. (Sorry to slightly derail thread but the two topics are related.)

It's no big deal at all IF THE HOLES LINE UP.
If not, then it can be a big job to fill the holes and drill new ones. I replaced the cast Allen tailpiece on my Kelley with am abbreviated Nugget tailpiece and it was a simple job. Of course you have to take all the strings off which also means relocating your bridge, but overall pretty simple.

[MikeEdgerton]

...Of course you have to take all the strings off which also means relocating your bridge...

That's what they make blue painters tape for. Simply outline where the bridge was before you start and mark the bass side for the bottom as well. The top should be obvious.

[mandolin tony]

I have a mandolin with out a cover too. it was loose & made a little noise so I took it off. too bad I can't remember were I put it. you know some people here put solid cast metal tailpieces on there mandolins. just some thing to think about.

[colorado_al]

That's what they make blue painters tape for. Simply outline where the bridge was before you start and mark the bass side for the bottom as well. The top should be obvious.

I just tape the bridge to the top with painters tape, making sure to tape the saddle down as well. No need to relocate and usually only slight adjustment for intonation.

[MikeEdgerton]

I just tape the bridge to the top with painters tape, making sure to tape the saddle down as well. No need to relocate and usually only slight adjustment for intonation.

Unless you're actually doing work on the body. It's easier to just mark the location if you're going to have to be turning it upside down.