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Vintage style tail-pieces There is an enormous variety of tailpieces that suit all the floating bridge family of instruments, from the mandolin to the bouzouki. When choosing a tailpiece, the key factors for me are the style of the mandolin and personal preference. However, there is animated discussion in some circles about the effects of different tails on the sounds of the mandolin. Some wish to opt for heavier tails that transfer more of the string vibration to the body of the instrument; others for lighter ones, bowing to the old Italian masters, whose tailpieces were often minimal. Your choice! Perhaps my ears are not what they once were, but changing the tail seems to me to alter the sound not one bit. |
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| Main types | |||
| 1. German kidney-shaped tail. | 2. Italian style | 3. American style | 4. Large Bouzouki tail |
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| 8 string hooks and sometimes a strap hook. Inbuilt sleeve guard. Slightly curved. The metal in this piece is 0.5mm thick. |
8 string hooks. Slightly
curved. The metal in this piece
is about 0.8mm thick and 49mm wide.
Distance between top 2 screw holes: approx 20mm (centre to centre) |
8 string hooks with inbuilt sleeve guard. Slightly curved. The metal in this piece is 0.75mm thick. |
8 string posts, curved plate, 70mm wide and 40mm tall.
Made in 0.6mm chromed steel.. |
| 5. German kidney-shaped tail with detachable sleeve guard | 6. German cloud-shaped tail with detachable sleeve guard | ||
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| 8 string hooks. Detachable sleeve guard. Slightly curved endpiece. The metal in this piece is about 0.5mm thick. | 8 string hooks. Detachable sleeve guard. Slightly curved endpiece. The metal in this piece is about 0.5mm thick. | ||
| Others sometimes available | |||
| 7. 6-Post Italian | 8. Large 4 Post Tail | 9. bandurria or 12 string tail | 10. Solid brass mandolin tail |
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6 string posts, lightly curved, 50mm wide and 55mm tall.
Made in 0.8mm thick steel. |
4 string posts, lightly curved, 60mm wide and 40mm tall, with
inbuilt sleeve guard.
Made in 0.75mm thick steel. |
Gold coloured 12 string tailpiece, with detachable cover
and screw in end-pin. 70 x 35mm. Originally for a fado
instrument.
Made in steel approx 0.9mm thick |
Good solid steel tailpiece with integral sleeve guard. Chinese made. Very slightly curved. 55 wide x 40mm and 0.9mm thick. |
| Solid Brass tailpieces. | |||
| 11. Gibson F5 and A style tailpiece | 12. Solid Brass Mandolin/bouzouki Tailpiece | ||
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| Gold-effect steel, 8 string hooks (left), with detachable cover (centre). With cover fitted, (right). The metal in this piece is 0.75mm thick. | New design in brass, 8 string posts, and sleeve guard. The brass in this piece is now only around 1.5mm thick. | ||
| Waldzither and Mandriola tails | |||
| 13. Mandriola tailpiece (also suitable for 9 and 10 string instruments) | 14. Waldzither 9 string tailpiece | ||
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| 12 string posts and a strap post. Inbuilt sleeve guard. The metal in this piece is 0.5mm thick. | I now have a few more tailpieces with 9 string posts and a strap post. Inbuilt sleeve guard. The metal in this piece is 0.5mm thick. | ||