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How does one do this? All the photos Ive been finding dont show the underside, so i cant see how those string fasteners work to hold the tailpiece in place. Id much rather use a hinged one but im not sure i can make one. Victor Baker makes a really pretty one i would buy.....but im sure building it would be far cheaper. Any suggestions or photos on how you made yours. Ive been searching for days with no real result.

thanks for any help guys/girls.

i plan on making wood tailpieces when i get around to arch tops. i would make the tailpiece and use the hinge method, to attach the tailpiece to the hinge i would use screws and an epoxy. the contact point of hinge to tailpiece will be somewhat thick but think of the string tension. and to keep the string in place you have a few options such as string ferrules or even just a small metal plate with 6 string holes inserted into the tailpiece. you have alot more options these are just a few look around the net these are the options i would use but there are many more.

heres one from stew-mac, its violin style, non hinged... but there is a pic of the underside

http://www.stewmac.com/shop/Bridges,_ta ... es#details

Here's a couple of pictures with sheet brass used underneath. Helps for grounding the strings too. Edit: You don't have to do the hinge. You can bend the brass to the right angle at the tail and then cover with wood on the end. This one isn't mine, but on the ones I have done, I inlay the brass flush with the wood.

If you look at Bob Benedetto's book on building an archtop guitar, he shows step by step how he makes ebony tailpieces for his guitars. No metal, except for the nuts on the cello tailgut.