Gibson L-5 Tailpiece

**Dennis D** · 09-14-2015, 03:03 PM

Originally Posted by vinnyv1k

Dennis you are correct. Here is Calif. you can only buy water based paints now. You can't even buy a oil based wood stain. Auto body shops can only repaint your car with water base lacquer now. All the plating business that used to be in every city have disappeared. Calif. is the worst when it comes to strict regulations and anything that is remotely deemed toxic.

FYI

......We used to have American Motors - - Rambler, later Jeep fairly big-time as a Manufacturer in Kenosha, Wisconsin. When they finally went under and got sold to Chrysler, the entity considered the most valuable of the entire transaction was - neither the buildings, of which there were a lot, nor tools, nor land. Chrysler valued the paint exemptions as more valuable than any other company assets.

Chrysler / Jeep was allowed to continue painting as it had, w/ no mandated changes by any environmental entity.

**Ol' Fret** · 09-14-2015, 03:43 PM

The typical blue pencil... Silver platings, even the unfortunately now too common low micron electroplatings, should wear with smooth transitions. Flaking occurring after only one year playing, which can't ascribed to excessive wear, points to a deficient plating procedure - or to cheap nickel plating solutions.

Silver tarnishs soon and heavy, but it doesn't go south on you from the moment you take delivery. Some sax players, including myself, love their silver-plated horns from the 20s to the 60s. Not abused, well-made nickel-, silver- and gold-plated horns have not too much problem to cope with mechanical wear, sweat and saliva.

Someone tell the blinkered Gibson CEO there's still Quality Precious Electroplating Services in Elkhart, IN: Anderson Silver Plating !

For those who like to take matters into their own hands: Gold Plating Services - Chemicals - Kits - Supplies. 24K Gold Plating Solutions, Services and Accessories .
Personally, I'd not care about this TP issue, but I'd no longer pay a premium price for a subprime and third-class job.

**vinnyv1k** · 09-14-2015, 04:05 PM

Here is my big beef with Gibson and other guitar makers. You buy a car and you can go to the dealer and buy any replacement part for that car and yes they will gig you price wise but you can buy it. Just try and buy a replacement L5 silver tailpiece insert....IMPOSSIBLE. I understand Gibson doesn't want their parts ending up on other guitars but if you have proof of ownership of a L5 you should be able to order and buy replacement parts for it like a new pickguard or tailpiece or ebony bridge base.

**Danny W.** · 09-14-2015, 05:04 PM

This is a twenty-year-old L-5CES tailpiece on a guitar that I've played quite a bit:

The way to keep it looking like this is to wipe it down with a natural chamois after every use. The silver will still tarnish over time, so for the photo I cleaned it with a non-abrasive silver polish. If you do this, make sure the polish is also okay for gold, unless you plan to disassemble the tailpiece.

I do agree that the OP's problem looks like a plating problem. If the guitar is under warranty, contact Gibson about it.

Danny W.

**Dennis D** · 09-14-2015, 05:38 PM

Originally Posted by Ol' Fret

Someone tell the blinkered Gibson CEO there's still Quality Precious Electroplating Services in Elkhart, IN: Anderson Silver Plating !

No surprise at all that there's a plating company available, and they just happen to be in Indiana ! And I bet if you call you actually get a human being that answers the phone - -or takes a message - -and if someone weren't available, they'd still call you back !

Ah yes, progress.....

**Klatu** · 09-15-2015, 07:53 AM

Why has the L5 tailpiece's intellectual property been so successfully protected while most other classic Gibson and Epiphone tailpieces have been reproduced for years?

**Max405** · 09-15-2015, 08:22 AM

Originally Posted by Klatu

Why has the L5 tailpiece's intellectual property been so successfully protected while most other classic Gibson and Epiphone tailpieces have been reproduced for years?

That is a good question Klatu, I've wondered the same thing for a while. It would be nice if someone was able to replicate them, with better plating. I'd buy one and use it, while I save the original in my Curio cabinet, where its coating would probably last longer.

**Hammertone** · 09-15-2015, 11:14 AM

Originally Posted by Klatu

Why has the L5 tailpiece's intellectual property been so successfully protected while most other classic Gibson and Epiphone tailpieces have been reproduced for years?

The Japanese have been copying the L-5 tailpiece and using it on all sorts of guitars since the mid or late 1970s.

**Klatu** · 09-15-2015, 11:29 AM

If you're referring to the lawsuit guitars, they are good examples, but what I'm inquiring about are the replacement tailpieces available for sale at places like stewmac.com. I don't recall seeing L5 tailpieces sold individually as replacements.

**2bornot2bop** · 09-16-2015, 07:44 PM

No tarnishing, or patina on this '01 Hutchins TF - Maybe the "air" is better on the west coast?

**vinlander** · 09-17-2015, 07:54 AM

Hutchins Tal ? that sounds cool, was not aware they also were labelling some of these like they did on the L5

**Max405** · 09-17-2015, 08:16 AM

2B, Alright, that's enough. You are killing me (on my 1,000th post no less).
I cant believe there was a time where you didn't like the pickguard on that guitar. I am glad you came around.
And there is no doubt that the air is better up and out there compared to the mud that we have here in New Jersey.

Question, is that color Viceroy Brown or is it Teaburst? Dude everything about it is beautiful. The even-ness of the flame is like waves. Gorgeous. Mine doesn't have that. Even though they say the lesser amount of waves actually sounds better, I'd still like to have one like yours, Vinnys and Vinlanders..

Gorgeous.

Thanks, Joe D.

Originally Posted by 2bornot2bop

No tarnishing, or patina on this '01 Hutchins TF - Maybe the "air" is better on the west coast?

**pingu** · 09-17-2015, 10:22 AM

Originally Posted by Klatu

If you're referring to the lawsuit guitars, they are good examples, but what I'm inquiring about are the replacement tailpieces available for sale at places like stewmac.com. I don't recall seeing L5 tailpieces sold individually as replacements.

i'm after one ....
if anyone knows where they're available

**vinnyv1k** · 09-17-2015, 10:41 AM

it's Viceroy Brown bro.

**wintermoon** · 09-17-2015, 10:52 AM

is that what they're calling it?
looks like a tangerine burst to me.
this is the viceroy brown I know.....

**vinlander** · 09-17-2015, 10:58 AM

The RI Viceroy Brown sometimes appears like orange/tangerine/ice tea color on some pictures.
Maybe related to the flash or ambient light. Mine is also doing that on some pictures but in reality it doesn't look orange at all.

**Max405** · 09-17-2015, 11:12 AM

I like it bright like that.
With all the flame... Its HOT!

**Max405** · 09-17-2015, 11:14 AM

BooBoo is not fully on fire like that.
But like I said, they are supposed to sound better without all that flame stuff going on.
I'll have BooBoo back in 2 weeks. Getting anxious!!
JD

**vinlander** · 09-17-2015, 11:40 AM

Originally Posted by Joe DeNisco

BooBoo is not fully on fire like that.
But like I said, they are supposed to sound better without all that flame stuff going on.
I'll have BooBoo back in 2 weeks. Getting anxious!!
JD

To be honest I am not really convinced about that tone vs figuring of the wood on a laminate.
Booboo will not only sound great, it will be a survivor, a testimony of a fight against all the odds. A
very special instrument in any case, can't wait your NGD

**Max405** · 09-17-2015, 11:50 AM

Originally Posted by vinlander

To be honest I am not really convinced about that tone vs figuring of the wood on a laminate.

Actually, I made that shit up, I was just trying to get a rise out someone. I'm glad all that effort didn't go to waste!
Thanks for catching that Vinlander. That was great!

**2bornot2bop** · 09-17-2015, 05:07 PM

Originally Posted by vinlander

Hutchins Tal ? that sounds cool, was not aware they also were labelling some of these like they did on the L5

Yep. I'd seen several on the used market, but I must admit this one caught me by surprise once I got it home. I didn't know it was a 'Hutch' when I bought it.

Originally Posted by Joe DeNisco

2B, Alright, that's enough. You are killing me (on my 1,000th post no less).
I cant believe there was a time where you didn't like the pickguard on that guitar. I am glad you came around.
And there is no doubt that the air is better up and out there compared to the mud that we have here in New Jersey.

Question, is that color Viceroy Brown or is it Teaburst? Dude everything about it is beautiful. The even-ness of the flame is like waves. Gorgeous. Mine doesn't have that. Even though they say the lesser amount of waves actually sounds better, I'd still like to have one like yours, Vinnys and Vinlanders..

Gorgeous.

Thanks, Joe D.

Congrats to my good brother on his 1000th post!!! Now, how many of those were NGD's?

Given the drought conditions we've been facing out here we deserve a winter edge.

No kiddin' man, I resisted a TF for several years because every time I'd look at the guitar I'd have to cover my eyes and try to peak through to avoid the pickguard

But after playing a TF it was like, I don't even look at the pickguard when I'm playing it, so SO WHAT!

I've seen ads most everywhere labeling this shade as "Viceroy Brown"...but that doesn't work for me...Gibson only made one Viceroy Brown....personally I refer to this shade as Viceroy Sunburst....works for 2b.

**vinnyv1k** · 09-17-2015, 05:27 PM

2bop, you sure do know how to take a nice pic ! I need to get a nice SLR. What do you do to get the nice black background ? ATH & JZ takes great pics too. Nothing like a awesome pic of a great archtop.

**2bornot2bop** · 09-17-2015, 05:46 PM

Originally Posted by vinnyv1k

2bop, you sure do know how to take a nice pic ! I need to get a nice SLR. What do you do to get the nice black background ? ATH & JZ takes great pics too. Nothing like a awesome pic of a great archtop.

Thank you Vinny. I'm new to photography. Prior to this pic I only used my iPhone6, which btw takes very decent close up pics.

I'm not using a DSLR. I'm using a modern day spin on the old Leica 35mm range finder camera's of the 60's 70's...currently one made by Fuji. I acquired a Fuji model X100S. I was indeed motivated by ATH's indoor guitar shoots. I only shoot indoors, and lighting has always been a challenge, as I never wanted to use a flash indoors...due to the flash glare and washout on the reflective surface of any guitar.

So I've been doing a little reading...retirement has it's privileges...So I rolled up my sleeves and have begun the study of using indoor photography lighting, rather than being dependent upon natural room light, which is very inconsistent.

It's easy to get setup. I converted a spare bedroom into a photo studio...blacking out the single window of that room. Then I hung several backdrops to the short wall in the room. The result you're seeing in those pics is the black muslim backdrop that came with my studio kit, similar to this one in the link, which consisted of 2 continuous "softbox" lights, a boom light complete with "softbox" and 5 adjustable lighting stands.

Photography Studio Lighting Pop Up Softbox Light Kit GLC185 | eBay

I desired to experiment with the black backdrop first to attempt to recreate shots I've seen listed on ads like the Music Zoo, etc.

2014 Gibson Custom Shop Citation Archtop Electric Guitar Natural | eBay

I've a long way to go, but I'm having fun learning a new hobby, and I've already discovered shooting guitars taps into ones creative impulses much like playing them. Hey, you can do this Vinny! Don't kid yourself.