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Thread: Gibson stamped cloud tailpiece

  1. #1
    Registered User Dale Pauline's Avatar
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    Default Gibson stamped cloud tailpiece

    I just bought a mando from a forum ad and would like to know if this tailpiece is a common one. I hadn't seen a stamped cloud before. Here's a pic. This mando is supposed to be a '42 or '43, but I can't see an FON stamped inside.
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    Cheers,
    Dale

  2. #2
    Registered User Marvino's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson stamped cloud tailpiece

    What model mandolin is it. Very nice tailpiece cover, never seen one with "Gibson" stamped on it. Shape is a little different then my cloud tailpieces.


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  3. #3
    Registered User Dale Pauline's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson stamped cloud tailpiece

    Was sold to me as an A-50. Has bound front, back and fretboard. Still looking for the FON. Along with 'Gibson' on the tailpiece cover, it has 'Gibson' and a gold diamond on the peghead.
    Cheers,
    Dale

  4. #4
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson stamped cloud tailpiece

    Niether have I seen any Logo* stamped and I Have Owned several Gibsons with that Tailpiece..
    sure its not engraved ? turn it over and look at the Bottom.
    * font seems like what a trophy badge engraver would have in their options.

    So many people buy a Cloud tailpiece Fitted Mandolin , which a Past owner left off
    after a string change and Lost.

    maybe someone was resourceful enough to have It made them selves
    rather than asking for one Here.
    writing about music
    is like dancing,
    about architecture

  5. #5
    Registered User Timbofood's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson stamped cloud tailpiece

    Looks stamped to me, edges are not "crisp" like most engraving, just an opinion. I think someone had it done, also looks like chrome plating not nickel? Don't think it came from the factory. Again, just an opinion, there have been so many "exceptions" over the years.
    Timothy F. Lewis
    "If brains was lard, that boy couldn't grease a very big skillet" J.D. Clampett

  6. #6
    Registered User Dale Pauline's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson stamped cloud tailpiece

    After looking at it again I've noticed that the cover is indeed a different type metal...at least appears to be. Much shinier than the actual tailpiece which is dull looking and maybe nickel. So, I guess someone in the past ad libbed and made their own.
    Cheers,
    Dale

  7. #7
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson stamped cloud tailpiece

    some process clarification seems needed,

    My Dad owned the gear that the trophy badge makers use.. Its a Pantograph
    that follows a standard pattern , pre set like Movable type, in Early Gutenberg Printing.

    and is a Mechanical reproduction process the shape cut in the metal
    depends on the Font of the pattern letter pieces, & rotary cutter tip chosen

    in the Dremel tool at the cutting end ..

    Completely different than a Hand Engraver that is a skilled Individual with a tool in their hand .

    then polishing it against a Buffer wheel would further soften the letter edges.
    writing about music
    is like dancing,
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  8. #8
    Registered User Timbofood's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson stamped cloud tailpiece

    Pantograph engravers can have either cutting head (a rotary "Dremel" type or a scribe of some sort, tool steel or sometimes diamond) so I can appreciate your point Mandroid. I still think it was stamped, inconsistency in depth from "G" to "n" and the fact that the color appears to be solid, stamping would not necessarily break a plated surface whereas cutting surely would. If the decoration was done prior to plating that would make that point moot, of course. In any case I think we can agree that this tailpiece cover is an "aftermarket" accessory and didn't come from the company.
    As for hand engraving, I think it is fairly clear that this is not hand work, surely from a machine. I think a shot of the back might show evidence of stamping.
    Timothy F. Lewis
    "If brains was lard, that boy couldn't grease a very big skillet" J.D. Clampett

  9. #9
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson stamped cloud tailpiece

    +1) Have to see the back side to know. Cut depth could be operator hand pressure .
    His was not CNC..

    My Dad used his a lot for labeling the function of valves

    and color coding them on the Sea Scout Training Ship . In his Retirement .
    mostly Plastic Laminante, But did put his name on a Lot of tools .
    writing about music
    is like dancing,
    about architecture

  10. #10
    Registered User Dale Pauline's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson stamped cloud tailpiece

    Will take a shot of the back and post soon. Thanks for the responses.

    By the way, it fits very well and there is no slippage. Snug fit. Whoever did it, did a great job fitting it to the tp.

    One more thing. The stamp is equal in depth across the length. My picture was taken at an angle and looks like the stamp is not equal across, but after looking at it again, it is indeed the same.
    Cheers,
    Dale

  11. #11
    Registered User Dale Pauline's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson stamped cloud tailpiece

    Here are a couple more pictures that may show a cleaner shot.

    Click image for larger version. 

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    Cheers,
    Dale

  12. #12
    Registered User Dale Pauline's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson stamped cloud tailpiece

    Here are a couple from the backside.

    Click image for larger version. 

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    Cheers,
    Dale

  13. #13
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson stamped cloud tailpiece

    Still doesnt look like the lettering is stamped in , though the Overtone damping pad
    may be covering over half the lettering .

    The welded/silver soldered seam is Def not how the original ones were Done.
    they were folded Brass, Nickel plated, that may even be a nickel metal alloy .

    as a replacement for the Missing cover it was well done, though not original .
    writing about music
    is like dancing,
    about architecture

  14. #14
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson stamped cloud tailpiece

    We had one of these posted a few weeks ago. That cover was used on some early banjo mandolins and could have come from the factory that way. It also may have been added later by someone that liked the cover better than the plain one.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

    "Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
    --J. Garber

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  16. #15
    Capt. E Capt. E's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson stamped cloud tailpiece

    The gold diamond dates it to 1947 I believe. They did the diamond only for one year.
    Jammin' south of the river
    '20 Gibson A-2
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    My albums: http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/album.php?u=7616

  17. #16
    Registered User Timbofood's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson stamped cloud tailpiece

    Really, Mike? With that type style?
    This is one of the most fun things about this site....the amount of "surprising" information to be found! It simply boggles the mind.
    Timothy F. Lewis
    "If brains was lard, that boy couldn't grease a very big skillet" J.D. Clampett

  18. #17
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    Default Re: Gibson stamped cloud tailpiece

    diamond inlay - 1942 - not usually a FON in them - plain cloud tailpieces

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  20. #18
    Registered User Dale Pauline's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson stamped cloud tailpiece

    Guess I'll be looking for a plain cloud tp just to make things right. Will keep this one on there as it looks pretty cool to me.
    Cheers,
    Dale

  21. #19
    Registered User Dale Pauline's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson stamped cloud tailpiece

    My question is, if this is a war-made mando....how did the ladies do it?
    Cheers,
    Dale

  22. #20
    coprolite mandroid's Avatar
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    Default Re: Gibson stamped cloud tailpiece

    I see sellers asking $140 for them
    writing about music
    is like dancing,
    about architecture

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