Aluminium tailpieces - they make a difference!

[Twinfan]

As some of you may already know, I have a Gordon Smith SG-1 with a tune-o-matic bridge.  This particular guitar was a wedding present from my wife so it has huge sentimental value to me.  It's on the left in the pic below:



Much as I loved it, the top E string never really rang out properly.  I changed string gauges and did a setup myself but it was never quite right.  It always sounded dull and it didn't sustain properly.  I then sent it off to a pro for a setup and it came back better than ever, but still duller on the top E than any other string.  It annoyed me.

In a flash of brilliance on Monday, I decided to invest in a lightweight tailpiece to see if that helped.  I've already fitted one to my Gibson Les Paul to brighten the tone a touch, so I wondered if it would help the Gordon Smith's problem.  I ordered the chrome finish Gotoh aluminium tailpiece (£26.95) from WD Music yesterday around 1pm and it was on the doormat when I got home from work today - that's top service!

I did a quick test of the guitar as stock so the problem was fresh in my mind, then I swapped the tailpieces over and re-fitted the same 11 gauge strings.  The new tail is significantly lighter than the old one, so things were looking good.  A quick tune up and an open G chord - kerrrrrannnng!  Result!  The top E rang out like a bell, as did all the other strings!  I can't believe something so simple cured the problem.  I was almost resigned to the fact that it was a dull piece of wood used in either the neck or the body that was absorbing the higher frequencies.

So to all you doubters, different tailpieces DO make a difference to the sound of your guitar!

P.S.  This guitar, with it's Mississippi Queen, sounds awesome through the Little Rock - beefy as a 14oz T-bone  :D

[indysmith]

P.S.  This guitar, with it's Mississippi Queen, sounds awesome through the Little Rock - beefy as a 14oz T-bone  :D

I'd KILL to try that setup. 8)
congrats on the solved problem dude! your guitars are beautiful (especially the SG-1!)

[FELINEGUITARS]

Great news there Twinfan
the other thing that will work well with the ali tailpiece is the locking studs that TonePros do

Unlike the regular tailpiece studs these ones split so the top can come off
When you put them back together with the tailpiece in place they lock solid on the tailpiece - lets a bit more resonance etc transfer through .
All good stuff though

[Twinfan]

Cheers Feline I have that setup on my Les Paul.  You should know that, you sold me the parts  

I might get the locking studs at some point.

Oh, and cheers Indy  :)  The SG-1 loves the Little Rock with a low gain setting and the master up   :twisted:

[Dane]

I am also thinking of changing my SG tailpiece but to a Brass and my bridge as well. But What brand is good other than Tone Pro as i don't think they have brass.

[dave_mc]

cool!

I think the bridge/tailpiece (it's a wraparound all-in-one) on my eggle is aluminium, and it sounds really good. EDIT: just checked, it's an alloy of aluminium, magnesium, silicon and titanium.

:drink:

[808]

Cool!

I've been thinking about changing my tailpiece on my LP but wasn't sure about it but after reading your thread, I will definately be ordering one.

[FELINEGUITARS]

Cheers Feline I have that setup on my Les Paul.  You should know that, you sold me the parts  

I might get the locking studs at some point.

yep - I do remember - just couldn't help sharing with the others though

Did you find that you could hear the difference?
I know i sold you the tailpiece and the locking studs together- so it may be hard to suss if it was just the tailpiece doing good stuff or whether it was also the studs - it all helps I guess!

[Twinfan]

Yeah, it's a bit of everything on my Les Paul.  I fitted unpotted Mules, the alu tailpiece and the locking studs all at the same time.  Certainly livened up the tone!