Tailpiece Question

[Pup]

I'm a long-time player and cafe lurker. This may be my first post. Perhaps it will spur me to contribute more.

Can anyone identify the origin of the Allen style cast tailpiece used on Northfield S series F style?

It's so close to the Collings MF tailpiece but slightly different.

Curious. I've tried contacting them to no avail.

Thanks all, in advance, for your 2 cents.

[Ivan Kelsall]

Without actually knowing,it could be that Allen,as a company, manufacture their 'own style' cast t/piece & the Northfield & Collings t/pieces as well. The only real difference seems to be the top edge. The current Northfield mandolins all seem to have James t/pieces,
Ivan

[colorado_al]

I thought the Northfield S series have a cast tailpiece

[Tom Morse]

In Ivan's post, I'm pretty sure the photo on the left is the Allen TR-2 bronze or gold (it comes in several finishes). Here's a photo of the TR-2 I put on my early 80s Washburn "Jethro Burns" M5S. The are two schools of thought on swapping out stamped metal tailpieces for cast ones, but the TR-2 seemed to improve the sound quality and volume noticeably. But what do I know?

[Mandobart]

Allen tailpieces have been around longer than Northfield, so if someone is using another's idea it's not Allen. I have Allen TP's in 3 instruments - 2 are 10 stringers so there weren't a lot of options. My favorite aspect is the Allens will accept ball or loop end strings. Great for me as I usually use octave pairs.

[Ivan Kelsall]

From Al - "I thought the Northfield S series have a cast tailpiece". I had a look at the Northfield website yesterday prior to posting & all the mandolins shown had James t/pieces. That doesn't rule out some of them having a cast t/piece though,they simply weren't shown.
The James t/piece Co.themselves, make their top covers in a variety of outlines depending on the customer,so Allen could easily do the same. Also,it's not every mandolin builder who wants to begin casting their own t/pieces,
Ivan

[Dale Ludewig]

James tailpieces are cast.

[Ivan Kelsall]

From Dale Ludewig - "James tailpieces are cast.". Are they ? - i somehow doubt it. The very fact that they are machined means that they can be machined from plate material. There's no reason to cast them.

From Roger Siminoff's website :- " For a solid tailpiece, we chose the Bill James design which features a CNC-machined base and hinged cover that snaps shut into two rattle preventers.". Why go to the trouble & expense of producing a mould(s) to cast an item,only to machine 50% of it away when flat plate will do ?,
Ivan

[Dale Ludewig]

Good point Ivan. I stand corrected.

[Pup]

Thanks all for the reply.

The thought that Allen possibly manufactured the tailpiece specifically for Collings and another for Northfield did cross my mind. That seems to make the most sense.

From what I'm seeing on the Northfield site, it seems that all the F's use a James except the S series F.

The A's use something else.

Still curious. Thanks all for the posts.

[Ivan Kelsall]

Hi Dale - I did notice a long while back that you like the Allen 'Monteleone' style t/pieces for your mandolins. The combination of the Gold t/pieces on your Blue mandolins is jaw dropping. I've had this pic.on my PC for several years - it's been my 'desktop pic.' a few times as well - awesome !!!,
Ivan

[Pup]

Thanks again all.

Dale, are you ever in NY? I'd love to try the 2 point oval hole.

By the way, I confirmed that Allen manufactures for neither Collings or Northfield. The search continues.

[Dale Ludewig]

Hi Pup,

I was in NYC a couple years ago for a great little trip. As to a two point oval hole- I don't have one right now no matter where I am.