Westone rainbow II replacement tailpiece
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Westone rainbow II replacement tailpiece
Hi yesterday my rainbow II tailpiece broke.
Can anyone please tell me if I can find a spare one or if there are on the market other tailpieces that would fit that measures?
Thank you
Can anyone please tell me if I can find a spare one or if there are on the market other tailpieces that would fit that measures?
Thank you
Mitinite- Registered Member
- Number of posts : 4
Registration date : 2022-01-24
Re: Westone rainbow II replacement tailpiece
Sorry to hear of your misery, and you are not alone
The Rainbows and one of the Thunder models use this beautiful but weak stop tail which was created from some sort of pot metal rather than something more substantial.
Over time the string tension stretches the metal to the breaking point as you've discovered.
Unfortunately, the mounting holes are non-standard which means nothing 'off the shelf' will fit, so the only real solution is to plug the holes and re-drill. You could also have a custom piece made from solid brass but that can be expensive.
Of course the finish needs to be restored locally too, and depending on whether you have a solid colour or a burst/trans finish that could be tricky to match.
Some folks have tried using a trapeze tailpiece with some success, but aside from not suiting the guitar aesthetically it does not really put enough downward pressure on the bridge so sustain is affected.
The Rainbows and one of the Thunder models use this beautiful but weak stop tail which was created from some sort of pot metal rather than something more substantial.
Over time the string tension stretches the metal to the breaking point as you've discovered.
Unfortunately, the mounting holes are non-standard which means nothing 'off the shelf' will fit, so the only real solution is to plug the holes and re-drill. You could also have a custom piece made from solid brass but that can be expensive.
Of course the finish needs to be restored locally too, and depending on whether you have a solid colour or a burst/trans finish that could be tricky to match.
Some folks have tried using a trapeze tailpiece with some success, but aside from not suiting the guitar aesthetically it does not really put enough downward pressure on the bridge so sustain is affected.
_________________
"A little song. A little dance. A little seltzer down your pants." -Chuckles the Clown
GUITARS : https://legend.barryeames.com
MUSIC/PIX/VIDEOS: https://getback.barryeames.com (including Spectrum ST)
Re: Westone rainbow II replacement tailpiece
First of all thanks for your answer!
I mainly play jazz so the trapeze tailpiece could be the only reasonable solution
I mainly play jazz so the trapeze tailpiece could be the only reasonable solution
Mitinite- Registered Member
- Number of posts : 4
Registration date : 2022-01-24
Re: Westone rainbow II replacement tailpiece
It may be a way to get it playable but ultimately it is not really a "solution".
It is a dis-service to the guitar's sonic design. On any other guitar it would be OK but IMHO the Prestige is worth the expense to restore it to proper function. I think that should be the ultimate goal.
Good luck.
It is a dis-service to the guitar's sonic design. On any other guitar it would be OK but IMHO the Prestige is worth the expense to restore it to proper function. I think that should be the ultimate goal.
Good luck.
_________________
"A little song. A little dance. A little seltzer down your pants." -Chuckles the Clown
GUITARS : https://legend.barryeames.com
MUSIC/PIX/VIDEOS: https://getback.barryeames.com (including Spectrum ST)
Re: Westone rainbow II replacement tailpiece
I own the Weston rainbow II, as far as I see drilling new holes doesn't seem a good option so I think I'll go through the trapeze.
Thx Barry
Thx Barry
Mitinite- Registered Member
- Number of posts : 4
Registration date : 2022-01-24
Re: Westone rainbow II replacement tailpiece
Hey, it's your guitar, your choice eh?
One other variation I've seen is a Bigsby style vibrato.
Not sure if I like it because of the extra weight, but it is one way to at least put some stability on the strings at the bridge. But, you might then be into changing the saddles for a roller style if that's even possible.
One other variation I've seen is a Bigsby style vibrato.
Not sure if I like it because of the extra weight, but it is one way to at least put some stability on the strings at the bridge. But, you might then be into changing the saddles for a roller style if that's even possible.
_________________
"A little song. A little dance. A little seltzer down your pants." -Chuckles the Clown
GUITARS : https://legend.barryeames.com
MUSIC/PIX/VIDEOS: https://getback.barryeames.com (including Spectrum ST)
Re: Westone rainbow II replacement tailpiece
Don't like a bigsby, I own an epiphone 135 with a trapeze and until now it works very well
Mitinite- Registered Member
- Number of posts : 4
Registration date : 2022-01-24
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