Wilkie Jimmy Bruno Model

[nevershouldhavesoldit]

Photos of the tailpieces on my ‘90 Benedetto with floating pickup; and recent Wilkie acoustic archtop. No metal in either.

Those are absolutely magnificent! Thanks for responding.

[Stringswinger]

I think the wood tailpiece is part of the D'Aquisto philosophy to use more wood and less metal, sea-shell and plastic on an archtop.

D'Angelico, as was his custom, mostly followed Gibson's lead. I think his philosophy was "if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Just make it fancier".

[Hep To The Jive]

Sorry, that working class looking Gibson TP is is listed on Ebay for $495!

haha not in China it ain't, I can get one for $20. In US I'm sure you can get one for just a bit more on StewMac or something. Unless the orginal Gibson one made out of gold or platinum, there is no magic dust in it, the design is the same. That's the beauty of simplicity.

[Hep To The Jive]

I think the wood tailpiece is part of the D'Aquisto philosophy to use more wood and less metal, sea-shell and plastic on an archtop.

D'Angelico, as was his custom, mostly followed Gibson's lead. I think his philosophy was "if it ain't broke, don't fix it. Just make it fancier".

I'm not a Gibson fanboy, but when it comes to acoustic archtop, those old L5s are still THE golden standard to me, in sound and aesthetics. I want a guitar just like that... but new, and cheaper lol.

[AKA]

Apologies for derailing this thread. It’s a beautiful instrument for a very talented musician!
Just sorry it ends up so hard for artists like Jimmy Bruno to make a decent living.

Over the years I’ve sometimes bemoaned the reality that I would never be accomplished enough to earn my living as a professional guitarist. Most of the time, however, I’ve counted my blessings.

AKA

[SierraTango]

No ground wire on my 90 Cremona. Sacconi/Wood tailpiece is totally stable. No hum or static from the Bartolini floater.

[Stringswinger]

I'm not a Gibson fanboy, but when it comes to acoustic archtop, those old L5s are still THE golden standard to me, in sound and aesthetics. I want a guitar just like that... but new, and cheaper lol.

Labor costs today (combined with higher tonewood costs) make producing a 30's style L-5 at a price similar (adjusted for inflation) to the 1930's not possible in the USA or Europe. But as we have seen with Loar, China can do it. Perhaps the right fully carved Loar is what you are after?

[Hep To The Jive]

But as we have seen with Loar, China can do it. Perhaps the right fully carved Loar is what you are after?

Exactly! And since I'm there already might as well.

[Stringswinger]

Exactly! And since I'm there already might as well.

Play before you buy. My experience has been that the quality of the Loar guitars varies quite a bit.

[garybaldy]

haha not in China it ain't, I can get one for $20. In US I'm sure you can get one for just a bit more on StewMac or something. Unless the orginal Gibson one made out of gold or platinum, there is no magic dust in it, the design is the same. That's the beauty of simplicity.

I don't think you'll get a genuine early 30s TP as used then by Gibson for $20! I have a spare left handed one (genuinely no kidding!). It must be rare as hen's teeth. Isn't an original switch tip for a 59 LP around $500? may be and the rest.