How do you ID an original tailpiece?

[ptate]

How do you ID an original lightweight tailpiece?

Bought a 70 Deluxe that was already fitted with a lightweight, nickel part when I bought it.

The tails finishing is uneven in places (i.e. a little bit out of square in places)and has grind marks on the base of the feet. It doesn't look particularly new, or really old, but seems to fit the criteria that I've seen dotted about the place.

Any info from the tech-heads would be appreciated.

[BCRGreg]

Pix.

[ptate]

If I must

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It's also got casting marks in the foot hooks.

[ptate]

Oh, it's also got:

A centre seam (not as pronounced as some others).
Slight differences in shape when compared with other sections of the unit.
Finally, its a really tight fit on the 70's bolts; almost as if it's just a bit too narrow (?)

Cheers

[Mitchell]

Most of the early Deluxes had lw tp's.

However, that one does'nt look original on the bottom to me.
If it fits good n snugg?

Then I'd run w/it..

[ptate]

Originally Posted by Mitchell

Most of the early Deluxes had lw tp's.

However, that one does'nt look original on the bottom to me.
If it fits good n snugg?

Then I'd run w/it..

Cheers Mitchell.

I've got a 1970 burst Deluxe as well and that has the Chrome, Zinc piece on it to match the rest.

The one above is Nickel, whereas the rest of the guitar is chrome???????????

[ptate]

Here's another showing the front and highlighting the uneven edge sanding (bit difficult to see) and mould marks in the hooks.

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Finally, another good shot of the base.

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[plaintop]

Looks real.

[ptate]

Originally Posted by plaintop

Looks real.

Cheers PT.

That's my thoughts. There's a very similar one in the BOTB book (P.190) that looks almost identical.

I know it isn't one of the more common "fakes" as I already own them for comparison and it is certainly not a zinc Gibson part as they are more angular.

Interesting..........Let's hope it's a real one....

[plaintop]

Well, it has the mold marks and it looks hand worked on the top. Might have been altered a bit and replated at some point.

[mapleflame]

Hate to burst your bubble, but thats an after market tailpiece. It's not from a 50's;60's or 70's. Looks like a pretty good knock off. The hump shows it all.

[ptate]

Cheers MP.

After researching the bridges, I agree with the "not an early Gibson tail" school. But it is definitely a Gibson unit. Apparently, some of the 68,69 and 70 Les Pauls had lightweight units as standard anyway. It looks like this is one of them.

Cheers everyone for the help.