Tailpieces

[Thundercranium]

Can someone pardon my noobness and explain to why so many people here seem to upgrade their tailpieces?

Thanks!

[Eric F.]

The urge to tinker. Belief that a new tailpiece will improve tone or sustain. Looks. To get rid of an annoying rattle. To make string changing a tad easier, depending on the design.

[Thundercranium]

Thanks - is there a preferred maker?

[Mike Buesseler]

That pretty well covers it, Eric!

[Jerry Byers]

Thanks - is there a preferred maker?

What characteristics are you looking for? Weight? Style? Ease of use?

[Eric F.]

Thundercranium, the Bill James tailpiece is the finest available, in my opinion. And it's made by a board member. I cannot say that it - or any tailpiece - will improve tone (I suspect that's more up to the player), but it sure makes string changing less of a bother. You will find it on many of the top luthiers' mandolins these days.

[otterly2k]

those who change tp's often go from a stamped two-piece tp to a one-piece cast tailpiece. Lots of us go with Allen tp's (there are several designs). Orrico is another, for a different slightly ornate look. A few luthiers also make their own tp's such as Newell and Brian Dean. The James (as Eric mentioned) seems to have gained "cream of the current crop" status and is a bit more pricey than the others I've mentioned. Shop around and see what strikes your fancy.

[mandroid]

WIW I, for one, chose to exchange a cast one unique to Lebeda, a cast one , for a Bill James which I modified by putting a piece of Ebony on the top.
its serves better as an armrest, (wore soft gold plating off the original one)
the string changing is a lot quicker, and easier.,now too.

[the beloved '22 gibby'A' remains unchanged though]

[Lee]

I just put a new Weber cast tailpiece on my Old Wave oval A and love it. #Can't say what/if it did anything to the tone because I changed to different strings at the same time. #
I find that during string changes the Weber tailpiece holds the loop on very well, making the chore less aggravating. #I like it better than the Allen tailpieces I've used.
And the price is very reasonable.

[Thundercranium]

Thanks - is there a preferred maker?

What characteristics are you looking for? Weight? Style? Ease of use?

Good questions!

I'll let you know when I know myself.

In the meantime, thanks everybody!