Tailpiece comparisons

jps · Post by **jps** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 4:56 pm

I just had the opportunity to photograph my three different era tailpieces, '60s, '70s,and current '00s (left to right). Note how robust the casting is on the '60s tailpiece, such as the mute housing wall thickness compared to the other two. RIC did beef up the new tailpiece considerably, more solid like the '60s era ones.

Lost Coyotes · Post by **Lost Coyotes** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 5:04 pm

Cool, Jeffrey.
I had noticed the split tailpiece is significantly beefier than the later ones I have.
As in, no lift.

johnallg · Post by **johnallg** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 5:57 pm

I think the most telling and most important area is the undersides around the area where the strings anchor. Also where the lift is.

Great pictures and contribution Jeff!

jps · Post by **jps** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 6:07 pm

If anyone wants higher res versions, just say the word. Hmm, which word should that be...?

ilan · Post by **ilan** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 9:03 pm

Did you weigh them?

heinpete · Post by **heinpete** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 9:06 pm

I might contribute the early 4003 tailpiece (7 screws) pics, front and back, here. The damper is the current one.

heinpete · Post by **heinpete** » Fri Sep 21, 2007 9:07 pm

Ooh, double post!

jps · Post by **jps** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 4:45 am

I did not weight them as I do not have a scale that would be sensitive enough. The '60s tailpiece did feel like it was about half the weight of the others, if that helps.

ben_brown · Post by **ben_brown** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 5:16 am

The '60s tailpiece did feel like it was about half the weight of the others,

That is probably because the 60s tailpieces were made of cast aluminum IIRC.
This is also another reason for the "non lift".

Oh yeah... 900!

sloop_john_b · Post by **sloop_john_b** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 5:40 am

So why don't they make 'em like they used to?

(I generally ignore all the tailpiece-lift threads so I plead ignorance on this one!)

jwr2 · Post by **jwr2** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 6:41 am

Quote: "So why don't they make 'em like they used to?"

That is a question for the ages ... we have all been wondering about that for years ...

wints · Post by **wints** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 7:13 am

"So why don't they make 'em like they used to?"

The same reason it always is...

Lost Coyotes · Post by **Lost Coyotes** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 9:14 am

time, and /or money

walker · Post by **walker** » Sat Sep 22, 2007 10:42 pm

Based on what I'm seeing in Jeff's photos, it looks like the new version of the tailpiece is indeed designed to address the lift issue. Beefed up braces & sides in the back. Looking forward to hearing your review in time, Jeff.

jps · Post by **jps** » Sun Sep 23, 2007 3:27 am

What review? I do feel the new tailpiece is far stronger than the previous version, and from the looks of it I would expect no or at least a minimal amount of lift.

I do still prefer light guage strings as they help with greater musical expression due to better playing technique.