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Thread: Replacing the mundane stamped tailpiece

  1. #1

    Default Replacing the mundane stamped tailpiece

    I have an Eastman MD 304. I admire the tone and the quality of build and its facile playability...but I do not like the run-of-the-mill COOKIE CUTTER STAMPED TAIL PIECE (NOT BRIDGE) used.
    Does anyone know of a Monteleone-type of cast TAIL PIECE that would directly replace the factory model on the Eastman? One in which no new holes would have to be drilled.
    Last edited by ifakesummando; Feb-27-2016 at 4:25pm.

  2. #2
    Confused... or?
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    Default Re: Replacing the mundane stamped bridge

    Uhmm... Rather than "bridge", are you asking about the "tailpiece"?
    - Ed

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  3. #3

    Default Re: Replacing the mundane stamped bridge

    yes, ED (too much guitar LOL) yes TAILPIECE...thanks

  4. #4

    Default Re: Replacing the mundane stamped bridge

    I have 3 Eastmans, all have cast tailpieces as standard.

    Dave H
    Eastman 615 mandola
    2011 Weber Bitteroot A5
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  5. #5
    Café habitué Paul Hostetter's Avatar
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    Default Re: Replacing the mundane stamped tailpiece

    All the 304s I have seen have simple copies of the old stamped Gibson tailpiece:



    There are nicer versions of this tailpiece available, but, mundane as it might seem to you, it's very much traditional for oval-hole A mandolins.

    The Monteleone style tailpieces won't look traditional and are too small to cover the evidence of the original.



    I find these things a real PITA to install strings on, and the hole for the endpin will need to be reamed, and the brass will not be kind to your reamer. If you have one.

    They also cost around $125.

    Why not either learn to live with the one you have, or just get a better quality version of it?
    .
    ph

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  6. #6
    Registered User Ivan Kelsall's Avatar
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    Default Re: Replacing the mundane stamped tailpiece

    A 'Monteleone' style t/piece has a different end-pin & screw hole pattern than the standard 'Gibson pattern' t/pieces. If by 'Monteleone',you're meaning a 'cast' rather than 'tin' t/piece,then look at the ''Allen''' range of cast t/pieces. One of their 'standard' pattern t/pieces should be a direct swap. I swapped the 'tin' horror on a Michael Kelly mandolin for an Allen one & it was 'one off / one on'. The swap over itself took about 5 minutes,
    Ivan
    Click image for larger version. 

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ID:	144118 The pic.showing the 2 t/pieces shows a 'Monte.' pattern against a 'standard' Gibson style pattern of holes.
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  8. #7

    Default Re: Replacing the mundane stamped bridge

    yes, many of them do have that...but they do not sell it separately.....by MD 302 has the conventional tailpiece.

  9. #8

    Default Re: Replacing the mundane stamped tailpiece

    you have raised some very interesting and serious issues....I guess I will stay with the trad tailpiece out of practicality....thanks

  10. #9

    Default Re: Replacing the mundane stamped tailpiece

    interesting....will any model Allen TP work....or do I need a specific model?

  11. #10
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Replacing the mundane stamped tailpiece

    Just to manage your expectations. When switching between any model of tailpiece you may have some issues with screw hole and end pin placement, even when switching between models of the Gibson style stamped tailpiece from different manufacturers. There is always a chance that the screw holes won't be exact and may need to be plugged and redrilled. I learned that the hard way when I bought a James tailpiece for my Eastman years back. Things don't always line up hole for hole.
    "It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
    --M. Stillion

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

  12. #11
    Middle-Aged Old-Timer Tobin's Avatar
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    Default Re: Replacing the mundane stamped tailpiece

    If you don't want to mess with the potential issues involved in replacing the entire tailpiece, but you don't want the "cookie cutter" look, you might consider doing something different on the cover of your existing one. Maybe take it to a shop and get it engraved with your name? Or some fancy designs? You can fix a decorative top onto the cover. Or heck, make a new cover from wood, metal, etc. You can be as creative as you like. It just affects the removable cover piece, with the original tailpiece itself staying the same.

  13. #12

    Default Re: Replacing the mundane stamped tailpiece

    Quote Originally Posted by ifakesummando View Post
    interesting....will any model Allen TP work....or do I need a specific model?
    Check Out the Allen AR-2: http://www.allenguitar.com/tpcs_ar-2.htm
    It has the "standard"(if there is a standard) hole spacing. I have one on a 3/4 guitar to Octave conversion and I put a Allen TR-1, which uses the same hole pattern as the AR-2 on my Eastman 315 without moving any holes.
    Click image for larger version. 

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    The Allen MR series of tailpieces similar to what Ivan and Paul posted do use a smaller hole pattern.

  14. #13
    Oscar Stern s11141827's Avatar
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    Default Re: Replacing the mundane stamped tailpiece

    I think if they standardize the Pattern of the Holes that would be fixed.
    Last edited by s11141827; Jan-27-2022 at 1:00pm. Reason: Typo fix

  15. #14
    Registered User j. condino's Avatar
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    Default Re: Replacing the mundane stamped tailpiece

    Wow!

    13 post and no grumpy half deaf old geezers telling you, " That's a whole lotta nuthin' that won't make no difference...".

    This may be a mandolincafe first!
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  16. #15
    Moderator MikeEdgerton's Avatar
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    Default Re: Replacing the mundane stamped tailpiece

    Well the post is almost 6 years old so there's that.
    "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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