How to remove Eastman tailpiece cover...

[shaeusler]

I just bought a new Eastman MD515/v-amb and I have no idea how to get the tailpiece cover off to change the strings.. it looks like I have to unscrew the whole cover from the mandolin body? Nothing seems to want to slide off.. Anybody have any ideas?
Thanks,
shaeusler

[Tenzin]

Looking at photos of it, the mandolin appears to have a tailpiece that slides off. It is probably pretty tight. I've used a quarter and held it at a right-angle and used it to help push the top part of the tailpiece off.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fLIRe-0wprA

[CES]

Yes, it should slide off...pull straight back and try not to wrench it up too much. Tight is good, will keep it from rattling or falling off. Do NOT unscrew the tailpiece from the body (just not necessary)!

[Eric F.]

I thought the 515 had a cast tailpiece. Does it look like the one in the youtube video above? Or like this:

[Eric F.]

If it looks like the one I posted, it is not intended to come off. There is no cover. You change the strings with the tailpiece in place. Slide the string packet or a soft cloth under the strings behind the bridge to protect the finish and just change the strings. If you're new to mandolins, keep in mind that the bridge is held in place by string tension, so do not loosen them all at the same time.

[prairieschooner]

Guess the first thing to do would be to try & post a picture of the tailpiece. Your tailpiece should look like the picture that Eric F posted if not then it would be curious when yours was built since they shifted to a cast tailpiece rather than the stamped

[Kevin Stueve]

If it is like the 305 then it pushes off but is snug as heck.

[Randy Mallory]

The first time I slid the tailpiece cover off my Loar, I had to tap on it with a rubber mallet. it was TIGHT! But now, it pushes off with just a little force.

[shaeusler]

Hi Eric, you’re right. It is not intended to come off.. Silly me I asked Eastman and they replied to change the strings with the tail piece in place! Thanks everyone!!

[MikeEdgerton]

I've removed covers that have been on for decades using the coin method on the video linked above (Hey, that's me!)

I have never been able to remove a cover from a one piece cast tailpiece.....

[allenhopkins]

...I have never been able to remove a cover from a one piece cast tailpiece.....

Bigger hammer might do it.

[MikeEdgerton]

Bigger hammer might do it.

Yup, the old portable press.

[Ray(T)]

I had a wheel bearing that 20 Tonnes wouldn’t budge. “So I hit it with a sledge hammer” said the mechanic; “I only wanted to hit it once!”.

[jhammond]

Nine Pound Hammer might do it

[Bill McCall]

Nine Pound Hammer might do it

its a little too heavy

couldn't help myself