Results 1 to 4 of 4

Thread: Tailpiece Damage and Top Repair

  1. #1
    Registered User Drew Streip's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    Chattanooga, TN
    Posts
    442
    Blog Entries
    2

    Default Tailpiece Damage and Top Repair

    It’s been a while since I posted! Just acquired an old Kay mandolin for very cheap, and while it’s mostly OK, it obviously suffered damage to the tailpiece area — maybe dropped or bumped.

    The most obvious complaint is the way the tailpiece was mounted: The top screw holes go right into the seam between the wood and binding — not even touching the tail block. So the first clear solution (to me) to make this playable is a different tailpiece, mounted lower and more securely.

    But there’s also a little crushing of the top wood, about 3/16” in from the binding. It should be over the tail block, and I can’t see any defect internally.

    The top appears to be solid spruce — I can see the center seam inside and out.

    Should I attempt to fix this crushed bit where the tailpiece was bearing down on the top? Or just let it go as long as it seems stable?

  2. #2
    Registered User Drew Streip's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    Chattanooga, TN
    Posts
    442
    Blog Entries
    2

    Default Re: Tailpiece Damage and Top Repair

    Pics for clarification:
    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	8B7ADF06-1D14-486C-8001-7C7149027DC6.jpg 
Views:	63 
Size:	400.9 KB 
ID:	198408

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	64B09D53-B4E6-4721-A562-84B6F573090E.jpg 
Views:	60 
Size:	459.7 KB 
ID:	198409

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	F1D01127-4553-4C46-9156-40E569D36DD8.jpg 
Views:	63 
Size:	353.6 KB 
ID:	198410

    Click image for larger version. 

Name:	F5B4F83F-7A09-4C5F-84F8-03789A4B2834.jpg 
Views:	62 
Size:	1.30 MB 
ID:	198411

  3. #3
    Teacher, repair person
    Join Date
    Oct 2017
    Location
    Southeast Tennessee
    Posts
    4,077

    Default Re: Tailpiece Damage and Top Repair

    See if you an ascertain whether the tailblock and the associated glue joints are in good condition.
    If they are, the top damage may be cosmetic rather than structural.
    PM me if you would like me to look the instrument over and offer any advice.
    My fee will be a cup of coffee.

  4. The Following 2 Users Say Thank You to rcc56 For This Useful Post:


  5. #4
    Registered User Drew Streip's Avatar
    Join Date
    Jan 2016
    Location
    Chattanooga, TN
    Posts
    442
    Blog Entries
    2

    Default Re: Tailpiece Damage and Top Repair

    Quote Originally Posted by rcc56 View Post
    See if you an ascertain whether the tailblock and the associated glue joints are in good condition.
    If they are, the top damage may be cosmetic rather than structural.
    PM me if you would like me to look the instrument over and offer any advice.
    My fee will be a cup of coffee.
    Thanks Bob! Looks solid at first inspection, but I’ll poke around a bit more. There’s also some waviness of the top under the bridge feet….I’m hoping it may resolve with a full contact bridge.

    If I get a wild hair (and any extra time) I’ll come see you soon.

Bookmarks

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •