Tailpieces

[Northwest Steve]

I have been fortunate to have had a mandolin with a James tailpiece for the past 1 1/2 years. They are expensive but really nice. Yesterday I changed the strings on a mandolin with the Allen TR2 tailpiece. It is very will built, solid and looks great. BUT...I did not realize how spoiled I have become with the James. It was much more difficult and getting the length of the stings correct was harder as well. I will be replacing the Allen with a James in the near future. So if you are planning on keeping the mandolin for a long time and can afford it get a James and don't look back.

[Ray(T)]

I have been fortunate to have had a mandolin with a James tailpiece for the past 1 1/2 years. They are expensive but really nice. Yesterday I changed the strings on a mandolin with the Allen TR2 tailpiece. It is very will built, solid and looks great. BUT...I did not realize how spoiled I have become with the James. It was much more difficult and getting the length of the stings correct was harder as well. I will be replacing the Allen with a James in the near future. So if you are planning on keeping the mandolin for a long time and can afford it get a James and don't look back.

I’ve got one of those as well! Not that much better than the Collings. Not quite sure what you mean by “getting the length of the strings correct” unless you’re cutting them to length before you put them on. That is totally unnecessary and can cause more problems than it solves. Follow pops1’s advice, trim the spare ends and you should be fine.

[Gary Hudson]

John Hamlett (Sunburst on the forum) makes a nice one that is also unique. I'm sure you can find pictures of it if you want to search, but I don't have any.

[mandroid]

Loops of older string makers slipped. that's why there are 4 extra hooks..

Id say the 90 year old tailpieces on my 1922 Gibson,
are not the same quality as those replicas, made 'just 30 years ago.

[Charles E.]

Inspired by this thread, I ordered an engraved James tailpiece from Max Girouard for my Girouard F-5. The tailpiece arrived yesterday and I installed it this morning. The installation went very smoothly, the screw holes aligned perfectly. I only had to drill the screw holes a tad larger to accommodate the larger screws provided with the James.
I love it! I weighed both tailpieces on a postal scale and the James weighs almost twice as much as the stamped one.
I put a new set of D'Addario Monel strings and once they settle in a bit I can get a better idea if I detect any difference in tone or sustain.

Max and Lauri are wonderful to deal with.

[MediumMando5722]

Glad it worked out well for you! I’m happy to hear the James is heavier. The stamped ones seem like such chintzy things.

[Charles E.]

Ok, initial impressions are a noticeable increase in volume and sustain. Even my Wife, from across the room, commented that it has never been so loud.

Very happy camper.