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Thread: Repair broken 'floating' tail piece on 10-string Gypsy Mandolin..

  1. #1

    Default Repair broken 'floating' tail piece on 10-string Gypsy Mandolin..

    Hi,

    i have a 10-string Gypsy mandolin built by Walt Kuhlman some years ago. It has a wooden floating tail piece that cracked and a small chunk crumbled. Attached is a oic.

    Any ideas on how to fix?

    Would something like Titebond glue or 2-part epoxy be enough to fix?

    or is there somewhere to order a replacement?

    thanks,
    Bill
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  2. #2
    Registered User Charles E.'s Avatar
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    Default Re: Repair broken 'floating' tail piece on 10-string Gypsy Mandol

    That tailpiece looks a little light for a ten string mandolin. It looks like it uses ball end strings? I don't think that is repairable.

    Allen makes a cast ten string tailpiece that may or not work on your instrument...

    https://www.allenguitar.com/tpcs_tr-10.htm

    You might contact the builder about it.
    Charley

    A bunch of stuff with four strings

  3. #3

    Default Re: Repair broken 'floating' tail piece on 10-string Gypsy Mandol

    Quote Originally Posted by Charles E. View Post
    That tailpiece looks a little light for a ten string mandolin. It looks like it uses ball end strings? I don't think that is repairable.

    Allen makes a cast ten string tailpiece that may or not work on your instrument...

    https://www.allenguitar.com/tpcs_tr-10.htm

    You might contact the builder about it.
    Walt passed away a few years back. I’d replace it. The amount of tension on it probably added to its demise.
    "your posts ... very VERY opinionated ...basing your opinion/recommendations ... pot calling ...kettle... black...sarcasm...comment ...unwarranted...unnecessary...."

  4. #4
    Jo Dusepo, luthier Dusepo's Avatar
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    Default Re: Repair broken 'floating' tail piece on 10-string Gypsy Mandol

    It looks relatively similar to a violin tailpiece. I wonder if a violin tailpiece blank (i.e. uncut) would do the trick?
    I am a luthier specialising in historical and world stringed instruments. You can see more info at my website.

  5. #5
    Adrian Minarovic
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    Default Re: Repair broken 'floating' tail piece on 10-string Gypsy Mandol

    Looks like dyed hardwood (or perhaps ebony). It would be not hard to carve a new one out of some good piece of wood.
    Adrian

  6. #6

    Default Re: Repair broken 'floating' tail piece on 10-string Gypsy Mandol

    Doubtful one of these would take the stress of 8 steel strings, especially where the tail loop attaches. My idea, if the thing is sentimental, is to cut out and epoxy on a metal (preferably aluminum) plate underneath and attach to that. Or just add a transverse dowel, again in metal, where the breakout is, and fill in the detached area. Other options are replication in something, like plywood, that can stand splitting stress in other directions. Plywood: oh the horror!

  7. #7
    Jo Dusepo, luthier Dusepo's Avatar
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    Default Re: Repair broken 'floating' tail piece on 10-string Gypsy Mandol

    Quote Originally Posted by Richard500 View Post
    Doubtful one of these would take the stress of 8 steel strings
    Steel? Didn't those 10 string 'Gypsy' mandolins have nylon strings?
    I am a luthier specialising in historical and world stringed instruments. You can see more info at my website.

  8. #8

    Default Re: Repair broken 'floating' tail piece on 10-string Gypsy Mandol

    Thanks — I clearly didn’t know what the instrument was! Just looked at the tearout and hypothesized too high a pull for a piece like that.
    “On the Venus de Milo, an engineer discoursed ‘why the damn thing’s only concrete, and should be reinforced’.”

  9. #9
    Jo Dusepo, luthier Dusepo's Avatar
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    Default Re: Repair broken 'floating' tail piece on 10-string Gypsy Mandol

    Quote Originally Posted by Richard500 View Post
    Thanks — I clearly didn’t know what the instrument was! Just looked at the tearout and hypothesized too high a pull for a piece like that.
    “On the Venus de Milo, an engineer discoursed ‘why the damn thing’s only concrete, and should be reinforced’.”
    Hmmm, now I'm not so sure. I'm a fan of nylon (or gut) -strung modern and historical mandolins, and I'd heard of Gypsy's mandolins since I once found a 10 string model of theirs which had nylon strings, and then this 8 stringer which Jake Wildwood restored here: https://jakewildwood.blogspot.com/20...-mandolin.html .
    Here's a video of the 10-string nylon-strung mandolin I saw:


    However I did a search just now and found this one with the same tailpiece, and steel strings: https://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/t...int-by-Gypsy-s . So I guess it could be either!
    I am a luthier specialising in historical and world stringed instruments. You can see more info at my website.

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