Official Luthiers Forum!

Hi to you all,

I am building an Archtop for a friend and he has given me an open slate except he would like a metal tailpiece. I'm not to keen on using this as I am building a Benedetto copy from his book and he makes one from ebony. I think it will effect the tone some what too!

Any suggestions where I may source a tailpiece from. I was thinking maybe a black tailpiece maybe even made from an alloy if possible. Anyway, all suggestions greatly received.

Here is a pic of the guitar so far. The top is one of Stew Macs spruce wedge sets. It is surposed to be European Spruce but I found it very soft to carve and it looks more like Englemann to me! Either way I left it a little thicker and it had turned out real good. I am pleased! The back and sides are Queensland Kauri which where a joy to carve.

Here are a few pics:



Cheers

Alan

Can't really help you on where to get a metal tailpiece, but just had to comment on how nice and clean the lines of your guitar are. Ebony would really set this light wood off nicely. I do recall that someone (maybe in the mandolin section) made a very nice tailpiece out of damacus steel that he forged himself. It was pretty much a work of art just like your arch top. Anyway good luck on your search, and you might scan the mandolin section for that tailpiece.

WD Music, Allparts and Stewart McDonald all have some metal tailpieces. I know WD has one that's black and looks vaguely like Benedetto's tailpieces.

Metal worker extraordinaire, Phillip Patton made a tailpiece for his Challenge archtop uke. Check his 2012 Challenge thread.

Alex

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There are normally quite a few on ebay from vintage to new. http://www.ebay.ca/sch/i.html?_trksid=p ... e&_sacat=0

Thank you for your comments and links. I have found most of these suppliers but I am looking for something a little special and different. I don't mind spending a little more money and get something that looks classy.

Cheers

Alan

I am intrigued by Josh House's bridge made from brass stock, he makes it look easy
http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid= ... =1&theater

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