Wondering if anyone has replaced the original tailpiece on a vintage Gibson A from around 1920 with a James cast tailpiece? I understand it does not require any change in the screw holes. Does it improve the mandolin's tone?
Wondering if anyone has replaced the original tailpiece on a vintage Gibson A from around 1920 with a James cast tailpiece? I understand it does not require any change in the screw holes. Does it improve the mandolin's tone?
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
Why would you want to replace an original tailpiece? As for the sound, probably not but the new set of strings should
Can you change the tailpiece? Sure. Will it improve the tone? Probably as much as changing to a different strap would. I hope you'll hear a difference if you do it because I hate to see folks spend money and not hear a difference but everyone else that hears you play probably won't hear any difference. James tailpieces are works of art though. I'm seriously considering changing to one on my mandola. I want to do it because I like the way it looks, I carry no expectation that there will be a change in the tone of the instrument.
"It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
--M. Stillion
"Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
--J. Garber
I changed the tailpiece on my Weber Yellowstone, it was a cast piece. I did it not to change the tone, there was no difference, but to make changing strings easier. If you are looking for an improvement in tone I suggest you try different strings, The James is a well built piece of art and makes string changing a breeze. So, if you want to change it I say go ahead but, keep the original and put it in the case.
Just what I thought. I'll pass on the idea. The original tailpiece seems to be working fine and the cover with it's beautiful "The Gibson" is always a pleasure to view.
The only thing I may change on my A2 is to put an adjustable bridge on (saving the original of course).
By the way, here is the original Purchase Order:
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
I prefer the original tailpiece on my A-2, but an adjustable bridge is a necessity for me.
A "Cumberland Acoustics" bridge or other suggestion?
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
Cumberland Acoustics is as good as I know of. I like to tweak my bridges and saddles quite a bit and sometimes make my own saddles. I haven't otherwise tried bridges from very many other sources, so I'm sure others here can be more helpful with that. I do usually have to make small saddle adjustments a couple times during each season of the year and I prefer a wider thumb wheel as it makes it easier for me if I need to do it when I'm playing out.
Some "improvements" are declared to make the Money spent and effort taken to do it, feel justified ..
In a Gig, when you Break a string, It makes the string replacement faster .
That may be all the rationale you need. If that is the situation you foresee.
carry on ..
I have 2 1922 A Mandolins they are largely the same as I Got them ,
I bought a fossil Walrus Ivory Upper bridge portion for my A4 from a luthier in AK
it seemed a good idea at the time, since the ebony one had a split in it.
And it looks right with the 'Ivoroid' ring around the sound Hole.
I have a James replacement on my Lebeda ..Nothing lined up on that,
but the bigger footprint of that tailpiece covered all the plugging and re drilling ..
writing about music
is like dancing,
about architecture
If you break strings often during gigs... it's just another justification for that next mandolin that you need to buy!
My A3 has returned to the original bridge. I didn't like the adjustable bridge and actually never had a problem with the original. So, it's back on and I'm happy.
I have no problems with the original tailpiece.
f-d
ˇpapá gordo ain’t no madre flaca!
'20 A3, '30 L-1, '97 914, 2012 Cohen A5, 2012 Muth A5, '14 OM28A
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