Wrap around tail piece 1969 LP Goldtop

[767400]

I just purchased a 1969 Les Paul Goldtop and the only part in question on the entire guitar is the wrap around tail piece and studs. They are a little too clean and was told a little too heavy.

Is there a way to tell if they are original?

[mapleflame]

pics would help. You answered your question, too heavy. They should be low measurable ounces in weight. The studs are tough sometimes to tell.

[Mike60]

Originally Posted by mapleflame

pics would help. You answered your question, too heavy. They should be low measurable ounces in weight. The studs are tough sometimes to tell.

+1

[767400]

Sorry guys. I just got it, so here is the only picture I have so far. I will take a better picture tomorrow. Thanks for taking the time to look and for your opinions.

[Mike60]

what's the s/n on it?...


here's a pic from my '69 TP and bridge,which is very clean also.I believe the tailpiece is original to the guitar and is a lightweight one




I have an all original '78 Deluxe as well.The Tailpiece looks the same but is about twice as heavy.

[767400]

I guess I've got to find a scale calibrated in ounces. The Serial # is 84679X. Thank you for the picture of your 69 LP.

[767400]

Here is a picture of the bridge. Any ideas if it's original?

[Mike60]

bridge looks original to me.

[767400]

Thanks for looking. I hope your right. I still have to weigh it I guess to be sure. I was told by one source approximately 1.1 oz. Is there a certain weight when it would be pretty apparent that it was replaced with a new one?

[Mike60]

...don't know...I've never weighed tailpieces,but I can feel the difference in weight of a lightweight tail piece versus a non lightweight...

[767400]

I wish I had something to compare it to, but I don't. If it helps here are two more pictures with it removed.

[Mike60]

do you have another Gibson.

[Roman Rist]

It all looks good, you even have the nylon saddles

[767400]

I do, but it's a 1958 RI, so I don't know if it's zinc or a properly recreated aluminum alloy. I did look at the seam on the bottom of mine compared to yours. Mine looks thin and smooth. Yours looks ragged and wider. I don't know if that is tell tale or not, but I starting to think it's a newer tailpiece.

[Mike60]

if it is a newer R8,the R8 should have the lightweight tailpiece.

[767400]

It is a newer R8. I've ordered a vintage LP tail piece today. I will be able to compare them, but most likely mine is a replacement.

Thanks for all your advice and information.

[djd100]

I have the original lightweight TP from my early 69 GT off and it has a much smaller seam than yours.

Not sure if that means anything?

Originally Posted by 767400

I wish I had something to compare it to, but I don't. If it helps here are two more pictures with it removed.

[TM1]

You need to add into the mix that each tailpiece is hand shaped and filed after it comes out of the mould, so each one will be slightly different.

[mapleflame]

That's not an original tailpiece. The mold marks are wrong and the front face where the strings go through should be more rounded, but yours is flat. Correct ones can be had for 100 to 200. The bridge look right. I think you tailpiece is from a later 70's/80's Gibson

[767400]

Thanks guys. My new (1969 new) Tailpiece arrived today. Thanks to Randy Peterson for the sale and assistance with the vintage part. It is feather light compared to my old one. Also it is much rounder as described by Mapleflame.

Thanks again guys for all you help in answering my question.

[AtomEve]

Yep that tailpiece is not original. 1.1 OZ is the correct weight.


1.0 OZ for 50's generally......