Where to buy upgrade tailpiece for Ibanez PM2-AA

**deke** · 03-10-2019, 11:51 AM

I recently got a 2017 PM2-AA for a couple hundred bucks out of pocket after a banjo trade in (of all things). I set it up and it plays nicely. Since I have so little into it, and it sounds fun, I'd like to upgrade it a bit. Despite Google I am not having luck finding a nice upgrade tailpiece that will be the right size and also fit the Ibanez screw pattern (I read it is somewhat not standard). The wood tailpiece for the higher end PM Ibanez seems ideal, but where the heck can you buy that?

I'm also not very happy with the bridge. It is very hard to adjust the intonation screws (with no strings or tension) and that also seems like an easy cheap upgrade. Any preferences out there?

I will leave pickup discussions for another day!

**helios** · 03-10-2019, 03:17 PM

Hello,
Try contacting Oregon luthier Stephen Holst. His prices are reasonable.
luthier stephen holst ordering information
I didn't like the tailpiece on my Ibanez AF200, so Stephen made a replacement. He can do any kind of design you want (I'm pretty sure).
Gotoh makes reasonably priced quality (made in Japan) TOM bridges.

**Cunamara** · 03-10-2019, 03:58 PM

Forum member Matt Cushman can make you a tailpiece, of the Benedetto cello style. You can buy one from Stewart McDonald, too.

And I love that Holst tailpiece on helios's guitar, too- and the matching knobs and pickguard.

**rob taft** · 03-10-2019, 04:13 PM

You can buy the PM200 tailpiece from any Ibanez dealer. The part number is 2TP00A0001 but it is ridiculously expensive. Your best bet is to use either of the two resources listed above.

**Peter C** · 03-10-2019, 05:38 PM

The thumbwheels are too small to get any grip under string tension. Lever the bridge up momentarily with a something like a lollipop/popsicle stick to take the tension off.

Good luck with the tailpiece.

**deke** · 03-11-2019, 11:54 AM

Thanks everyone. Stew Mac it will be.

Sorry for not not explaining- it is the saddle screws that are super hard to adjust even without any string tension. That bridge will be gone too.

**Peter C** · 03-11-2019, 01:00 PM

My bad, you actually did say intonation screws - it didn't register because I don't recall any problems when I adjusted mine.

Have you found a suitable replacement tailpiece? Please report back when you have made the changes!

**deke** · 03-27-2019, 07:50 PM

Hey everyone, I am getting back to this. I am following the leads here, and am ordering a tailpiece from Holst!

Since we are here, what do you like for tuners? Ideally, I would not like to have to drill new holes.

Can I ask a dumb question about a new bridge? Should I buy a bridge with a base like this: Tune-o-matic Bridge For Archtop Guitar | stewmac.com or are the post distances standard so I can just buy a bridge and use my current base? Sorry, I am pretty comfortable working on strats and les pauls, but arch tops intimidate me to some degree.

If a new base is recommended, does it need to be shaped to fit the guitar? Also, rosewood or ebony... I thought it was bad enough choosing this for fretboards (I like both).

**deke** · 07-07-2019, 09:51 PM

Update. I went with a Steve Holst tail piece and it is a fantastic upgrade. Call me crazy, but I’m certain the tone upgrade is much more than the new strings. I am really loving this guitar now. Steve was super to work with. Answered all my dumb questions and the piece is gorgeous. If you have this guitar or any with a flimsy metal tail piece this is a great upgrade. Also put in new gotoh tuners and they are absolutely fantastic too.

**Jabberwocky** · 07-08-2019, 04:36 AM

Show a photo of the new Holst tailpiece mounted on your Ibanez PM2AA, deke, if you don't mind.

**deke** · 07-08-2019, 06:59 AM

Here you go, a quick poorly lit phone pic:

Where to buy upgrade tailpiece for Ibanez PM2-AA-pm2_tp-jpg

**helios** · 07-08-2019, 10:15 AM

Looks fantastic!

**Jabberwocky** · 07-08-2019, 12:32 PM

F-Awesome! Far far far better than that factory original chicken coop wire tailpiece!

**deke** · 07-08-2019, 02:05 PM

Originally Posted by Jabberwocky

F-Awesome! Far far far better than that factory original chicken coop wire tailpiece!

It does class it up doesn’t it? The “chicken coop” (perfect description) seemed to buzz or vibrate, but barely audible, though I could swear it was always here in the background.

**deke** · 07-08-2019, 09:40 PM

Originally Posted by helios

Hello,
Try contacting Oregon luthier Stephen Holst. His prices are reasonable.
luthier stephen holst ordering information
I didn't like the tailpiece on my Ibanez AF200, so Stephen made a replacement. He can do any kind of design you want (I'm pretty sure).
Gotoh makes reasonably priced quality (made in Japan) TOM bridges.

FYI took your advice almost to the letter so thanks! I can actually live with the bridge for now, but went with Gotoh tuners along with the Holst tailpiece. Thanks again!

**Cunamara** · 07-08-2019, 10:59 PM

Man, that tailpiece looks tons better than the original.

As for the bridge top, measure the distance between the posts. TOMs are pretty standardized and it's likely you could find a new top with saddles to fit. I like the sound of wood, myself, rather than metal; I also like the GraphTech string saver saddles as being sort of half-way between wood and metal. ISTR you can get a bridge top with those saddles installed, or buy the saddles and install them yourself. And didn't those come with both a TOM and wood bridge top?

**jpnut** · 09-30-2019, 03:10 PM

Did you change the bridge? If so, what bridge(s) did you find compatible with the base? I agree, that bridge is slightly better than terrible, with the saddles not wanting to move for me either. I would like to swap it with the same bridge as the PM-200, but not sure if it will fit.