Tailpiece sound, LP style and most Hamers.

[Saul Goodman]

I seem to have some bridges and tailpieces in my parts bin for some reason. There must be a reason, I just can't fetch it from my memory banks. I was talking to Billy at RSGW on my initial call for a LP harness. He told me I should look into a lightweight aluminum tailpiece. Can't remember why. Some of the parts in my bin are sets of Tone Pros. They are heavy. Why would they call themselves Tone Pro if heavy isn't good? I also have a lightweight tailpiece to compare weight. Don't remember why it's in there. Hard to believe a tailpiece has that much influence on tone when the bridge seems like a termination point. Or is it? I've always been in the school of, "Heavy equals sustain." Am I wrong? 

So what does the tailpiece contribute other than holding the balls of the strings?

[duncans]

I don't have a definitive answer but Ill relate my experiemce. Guitar, Hamer Eclipse, stock wraptail bridge was replaced with a Hipshot Baby Grand aluminum. The guitar became more "clear" sounding, not damped. I didn't really notice a change in sustain one way or another. I just noticed the tone was changed in a good way. Sorry I'm not good with terms most guitar palers usually use. Hope this helps a smidgeon.

[Jim85IROC]

Tailpieces can have a minor impact on tone. I feel that bridges, and especially saddle material have more impact, and even those tend to be somewhat subtle.

[velorush]

"Practice cures most tone issues." 

- John Suhr

 

ETA: ... but in practice I find I'd much rather buy stuff than practice!

Edited December 10, 2025 by velorush

[Disturber]

I bought a Monaco III on which someone changed out the Shaller bridge to a Callaham bridge. It's and expensive "upgrade". No fun at all to my ears. It also had Graph tech saddles. Off the bridge and the Graph tech saddles went and a Schaller bridge was put back on. Made me much happier. Got the grunt, balls and bottom back. No more thin ice pick tones.

 

[uOpt]

On bass I am very afraid of heavy bridges. I think classic Fender bridges are just right.

I did not compare a normal stop tailpiece with an aluminium one. I would expect it to sound different but not necessarily better.

I am kicking myself that I didn't shop the Callaham TOM and tailpiece when they were made.

[Saul Goodman]

24 minutes ago, uOpt said:

I am kicking myself that I didn't shop the Callaham TOM and tailpiece when they were made.

It's still on their website. 

[uOpt]

15 minutes ago, Saul Goodman said:

It's still on their website. 

If you click through they say "discontinued in 2024".

[Saul Goodman]

55 minutes ago, uOpt said:

If you click through they say "discontinued in 2024".

Well, if it's any consolation, Disturber (above) said it didn't jive well with him. Or, maybe he would move it along to you if you ask.  

[Disturber]

22 hours ago, Saul Goodman said:

Well, if it's any consolation, Disturber (above) said it didn't jive well with him. Or, maybe he would move it along to you if you ask.  

Might be good for a really dark and dull sounding Les Paul. On a brighter sounding guitar, meh! 
I sold it for a good profit already. My snake oil might have become someone elses tone treasure. Who knows.

[cynic]

1 hour ago, Disturber said:

Might be good for a really dark and dull sounding Les Paul. On a brighter sounding guitar, meh! 
I sold it for a good profit already. My snake oil might have become someone elses tone treasure. Who knows.

I love buying snake oil.  I bought a used GCS SG loaded with Tom Holmes pickups.  Sold the pickups and made back a third of my cost for the guitar.  Similar story with an American strat loaded with Fender Josefina winds but selling those paid for a little more than half the guitar.

For the record, the Holmes pickups in the SG were pure mush potatoes.  The set of Gravelins with Al-3s that replaced them were divine.  It was a big difference.  Some say it was one of the biggest differences ever.  It was far and away the most dramatic before and after from any pickup swap in human history.