I just bought a mando from a forum ad and would like to know if this tailpiece is a common one. I hadn't seen a stamped cloud before. Here's a pic. This mando is supposed to be a '42 or '43, but I can't see an FON stamped inside.
I just bought a mando from a forum ad and would like to know if this tailpiece is a common one. I hadn't seen a stamped cloud before. Here's a pic. This mando is supposed to be a '42 or '43, but I can't see an FON stamped inside.
Cheers,
Dale
Was sold to me as an A-50. Has bound front, back and fretboard. Still looking for the FON. Along with 'Gibson' on the tailpiece cover, it has 'Gibson' and a gold diamond on the peghead.
Cheers,
Dale
Niether have I seen any Logo* stamped and I Have Owned several Gibsons with that Tailpiece..
sure its not engraved ? turn it over and look at the Bottom.
* font seems like what a trophy badge engraver would have in their options.
So many people buy a Cloud tailpiece Fitted Mandolin , which a Past owner left off
after a string change and Lost.
maybe someone was resourceful enough to have It made them selves
rather than asking for one Here.
writing about music
is like dancing,
about architecture
Looks stamped to me, edges are not "crisp" like most engraving, just an opinion. I think someone had it done, also looks like chrome plating not nickel? Don't think it came from the factory. Again, just an opinion, there have been so many "exceptions" over the years.
Timothy F. Lewis
"If brains was lard, that boy couldn't grease a very big skillet" J.D. Clampett
After looking at it again I've noticed that the cover is indeed a different type metal...at least appears to be. Much shinier than the actual tailpiece which is dull looking and maybe nickel. So, I guess someone in the past ad libbed and made their own.
Cheers,
Dale
some process clarification seems needed,
My Dad owned the gear that the trophy badge makers use.. Its a Pantograph
that follows a standard pattern , pre set like Movable type, in Early Gutenberg Printing.
and is a Mechanical reproduction process the shape cut in the metal
depends on the Font of the pattern letter pieces, & rotary cutter tip chosen
in the Dremel tool at the cutting end ..
Completely different than a Hand Engraver that is a skilled Individual with a tool in their hand .
then polishing it against a Buffer wheel would further soften the letter edges.
writing about music
is like dancing,
about architecture
Pantograph engravers can have either cutting head (a rotary "Dremel" type or a scribe of some sort, tool steel or sometimes diamond) so I can appreciate your point Mandroid. I still think it was stamped, inconsistency in depth from "G" to "n" and the fact that the color appears to be solid, stamping would not necessarily break a plated surface whereas cutting surely would. If the decoration was done prior to plating that would make that point moot, of course. In any case I think we can agree that this tailpiece cover is an "aftermarket" accessory and didn't come from the company.
As for hand engraving, I think it is fairly clear that this is not hand work, surely from a machine. I think a shot of the back might show evidence of stamping.
Timothy F. Lewis
"If brains was lard, that boy couldn't grease a very big skillet" J.D. Clampett
+1) Have to see the back side to know. Cut depth could be operator hand pressure .
His was not CNC..
My Dad used his a lot for labeling the function of valves
and color coding them on the Sea Scout Training Ship . In his Retirement .
mostly Plastic Laminante, But did put his name on a Lot of tools .
writing about music
is like dancing,
about architecture
Will take a shot of the back and post soon. Thanks for the responses.
By the way, it fits very well and there is no slippage. Snug fit. Whoever did it, did a great job fitting it to the tp.
One more thing. The stamp is equal in depth across the length. My picture was taken at an angle and looks like the stamp is not equal across, but after looking at it again, it is indeed the same.
Cheers,
Dale
Still doesnt look like the lettering is stamped in , though the Overtone damping pad
may be covering over half the lettering .
The welded/silver soldered seam is Def not how the original ones were Done.
they were folded Brass, Nickel plated, that may even be a nickel metal alloy .
as a replacement for the Missing cover it was well done, though not original .
writing about music
is like dancing,
about architecture
We had one of these posted a few weeks ago. That cover was used on some early banjo mandolins and could have come from the factory that way. It also may have been added later by someone that liked the cover better than the plain one.
"It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
--M. Stillion
"Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
--J. Garber
The gold diamond dates it to 1947 I believe. They did the diamond only for one year.
Jammin' south of the river
'20 Gibson A-2
Stromberg-Voisinet Tenor Guitar
Penny Whistle
My albums: http://www.mandolincafe.com/forum/album.php?u=7616
Really, Mike? With that type style?
This is one of the most fun things about this site....the amount of "surprising" information to be found! It simply boggles the mind.
Timothy F. Lewis
"If brains was lard, that boy couldn't grease a very big skillet" J.D. Clampett
diamond inlay - 1942 - not usually a FON in them - plain cloud tailpieces
Guess I'll be looking for a plain cloud tp just to make things right. Will keep this one on there as it looks pretty cool to me.
Cheers,
Dale
My question is, if this is a war-made mando....how did the ladies do it?
Cheers,
Dale
I see sellers asking $140 for them
writing about music
is like dancing,
about architecture
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