I recently acquired a 1978(?) 'Artist' with vine inlay in need of an original 'Ibanez' imprinted 4-hump tailpeice. Obviously, a previous owner or so-called 'banjo luthier' disassembled the banjo and, not only reassembled it 1/3rd assed (less than half-a....), but damaged the original TP beyond repair. Anyone who may have such extra item of hardware please contact me either PM or by a link if there is one for sale.
I much appreciate your time to do so.
(And thanks to all the service members and veterans during this Memorial Day. The Indy 500 is tomorrow BTW.) (XVIIIABC here.)
Edited by - Texasbanjo on 05/24/2025 14:04:54
Good luck on the hunt.
If you want the same style tailpiece but unmarked in the meantime, they're still made.
Another eBay seller has the Allparts version in nickel, I believe for around $20. Others have clamshells for more.
Yes Ken.......you're totally correct - but my intent is to basically reinstate the 'original' hardware as installed at manufacturing - and as you likely know, the OEM tailpeice is embossed with 'Ibanez'. (Pretty much similar to folks that look for 'Gibson' embossed Prestos.)
(Although the 2 photos appear to show nothing out of sorts, it is the 'mounting' end, or back end, that was made ugly by, first a metal break then cannibalized and hybridized with a Waverly or Kerschner tailpeice. It's beyond being clobbered up but additionally, the plier jaw marks made by the 'fixer' cut through the plating.)
Thanks though Ken for your reply. b.
Edited by - banjoT1 on 05/24/2025 15:45:21
hope you ain't in no hurry,,, you may look years before you find one because there were so few. if you want to have a correct looking one until you can get a quality 4 hump and have a jeweler engrave it just show him the pic you have and he can copy.
good luck and kudos for putting one back to oem shape.
Edited by - 1935tb-11 on 05/24/2025 18:04:00
quote:
Originally posted by banjoT1Yes Ken.......you're totally correct - but my intent is to basically reinstate the 'original' hardware as installed at manufacturing - and as you likely know, the OEM tailpeice is embossed with 'Ibanez'.
I understood.
But the banjo needs a functional tailpiece if you want it to be playable until you find a genuine 70s Ibanez part. Not knowing whether you already have a tailpiece to use in the interim, I just wanted to point out that angle-adjustable clamshells are still available.
Back in 2018 I acquired a parts banjo with 70s Gibson neck, resonator and armrest. I acquired a 70s "Gibson"-stamped clamshell tailpiece and tuners. So I know what it's like to want to get model-correct parts.
Also: Have you posted a Want to Buy ad in the Hangout classifieds? I think there are plenty of people who read or get notices about ads who don't necessarily visit the forums.
Edited by - Old Hickory on 05/24/2025 18:29:42
Ken and Terry.....you both sprung me with an idea though, so thanks for not knowing until now that you did me a favor !
(so, whatwuzzit ?......the original I have is in good condition, top and bottom of body, to include the clamshell cover spring. What's the ugly part is the backside mounting part that attaches to the tension hoop and drawn tight downwards to the flange. So......., I could retain the original good parts but buy the $20 version and, assuming the mounting bracket configuration is the same, then cannibalize the new one. Or, if this fails then fabricate a new mounting bracket entirely and call it a close-enough day.)
Thanks guys......
glad we could help... sounds like a plan
This is exactly what I did when my original Ibanez tailpiece cracked. I looked at getting a jeweler to weld it and other options, but in the end just bought another 4 hump and swapped the cover. Works fine - can't tell the difference looking at it.
Get that Vine back up and playing!
quote:
Originally posted by banjoT1Ken and Terry.....you both sprung me with an idea though, so thanks for not knowing until now that you did me a favor !
(so, whatwuzzit ?......the original I have is in good condition, top and bottom of body, to include the clamshell cover spring. What's the ugly part is the backside mounting part that attaches to the tension hoop and drawn tight downwards to the flange. So......., I could retain the original good parts but buy the $20 version and, assuming the mounting bracket configuration is the same, then cannibalize the new one. Or, if this fails then fabricate a new mounting bracket entirely and call it a close-enough day.)
Thanks guys......
I bought a Vega V-76 last year. The chrome plated brass Waverly tailpiece had broken but the engraved cover was intact. I figured it would take years to find a correct replacement till I remembered that I had bought a couple of tailpieces for my Kay banjos in 1969—turned out that they had the correct chrome plated brass Waverly bodies. The spring assembly/cover was riveted and Frank Ford had installed the engraved cover onto my other body in a couple minutes—he even used chrome plated rivets.
ya Mike......nearly same as my situation......sometimes we have to surmise, cannibalize and hybridize, then finish off with a bit of tie wire to make things work good and be purdy-looking.
I have a 76 lbanez artist from new. The original clamshell bridge always vibrated and rested on the head, so I took the cover off to stop the vibration. I replaced it about 10 years ago with a presto that is lifted up off of the head and I have to say that this one little change improved the sound dramatically. I keep the original in the case and hope to do what you are talking about doing some day.
Edited by - eric fuls on 05/28/2025 17:24:14
