Does the tailpiece make a difference in the tone of the mandolin?

[Bertram Henze]

There is definitely something about seeing (and hearing) things the way you expect, believe …or want them to be.

"Can you turn your radio down a bit?!
"Sure!" (changes nothing)
"Thanks!"

[MikeEdgerton]

What we notice here in the UK is that a lot of people [ particularly in the USA ] seem to think they can buy a fairly cheap mandolin then add an expensive :- tailpiece, bridge, nut, armrest and toneguard in the vain hope it will somehow sound like a Gibson/Gilchrist/ Weber or some other great mandolin, it never works.

Dave H

You forgot putting the mandolin on a stand and blasting heavy metal music at it from the stereo for three or four days as well. By the way, we've noticed it here too!

[Jeff Mando]

What we notice here in the UK is that a lot of people [ particularly in the USA ] seem to think they can buy a fairly cheap mandolin then add an expensive :- tailpiece, bridge, nut, armrest and toneguard in the vain hope it will somehow sound like a Gibson/Gilchrist/ Weber or some other great mandolin, it never works.

Dave H

That's what makes it a hobby. And fun for some people to experiment with. Kinda like putting those big rims on your car.....

[Jr Brown]

Where you will notice thew tonal change the the new tail piece causes the string length to be longer or shorter than the previous one. With will change the string tension and string break angle.

[sunburst]

...the new tail piece causes the string length to be longer or shorter than the previous one. With will change the string tension and string break angle.

Differences in the length of string from bridge to tailpiece do not affect string tension, and do not affect break angle. A tailpiece change can alter break-over angle of the strings at the bridge, but only if at least one tailpiece is rigid enough do deflect the strings away from their natural path from the bridge to the edge of the top at the tailpiece position, but changing the length alone does not.

[johnhgayjr]

Swapped out a cast Price for a James - didn't notice much change in tone but did notice saving about 15-20 minutes of aggravation when I changed strings...

[MikeEdgerton]

I saved a few bucks and just bought a small rare earth magnet to hold the string on the hook while I change strings.

[Willie Poole]

I just put a piece of tape across the loop after I hook the string on it, works fine....I keep a small piece of tape under the tailpiece cover so I always know where the tape is...

willie