That tailpiece base does not appear to be the correct style for a 1914 Gibson. An original would have had 12 prongs, each one shaped rather like an arrowhead. Also, the large rectangular cut out is not typical of a 'teens Gibson tailpiece.
You can go ahead and replace the tailpiece, or just the base if you wish.
I have a modern base which I am not using. Although it is shiny and new, it is the correct style for a 'teens Gibson, and should fit your instrument and the original cover. PM me if you like.
"It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
--M. Stillion
"Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
--J. Garber
John Hamlett
www.hamlettinstruments.com
Am I mistaken that all vintage Gibson mandolins and mandolas use the same size tailpiece?
Jim
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Playing lately:
1924 Gibson A4 - 2018 Campanella A-5 - 2007 Brentrup A4C - 1915 Frank Merwin Ashley violin - Huss & Dalton DS - 1923 Gibson A2 black snakehead - '83 Flatiron A5-2 - 1939 Gibson L-00 - 1936 Epiphone Deluxe - 1928 Gibson L-5 - ca. 1890s Fairbanks Senator Banjo - ca. 1923 Vega Style M tenor banjo - ca. 1920 Weymann Style 25 Mandolin-Banjo - National RM-1
The mandolins and mandolas used the same tailpieces in the 1910's. The only way your base might be original is if it the older style with the "pineapple" cover, and I'm not sure about that-- it's been a long time since I've seen one of those, and if your instrument is from 1914, it is very unlikely that it left the factory with a pineapple tailpiece anyway.
It's also possible that the tailpiece is pre the 1910 patent model. Gibson had a habit of sweeping the floor or if the prongs broke on the new model maybe somebody had the old model laying around. Unfortunately all the old old mandolins and mandolas in the Mandolin Archive either have covers or if they don't have a cover the picture is too small to enlarge and view. I'm guessing the OP will take Bob up on his offer.
As far as sizes go, I know a guy with a pineapple cover on a 70's F5.
"It's comparable to playing a cheese slicer."
--M. Stillion
"Bargain instruments are no bargains if you can't play them"
--J. Garber
Very clever!
My 1914 H1 mandola has a tailpiece with 12 prongs.
i think I'm going to chance the StewMac Golden Age version. Looks like the Gibson cover will slide on top of that. If it lasts the next 107 years, I won't complain but can't vouch for my heirs.
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