Clifford Essex Tailpieces

[John Cohen]

Does anybody know a good source for older Clifford Essex parts?  I'm looking for the style of tailpiece that would have originally come with my incoming Concert Grand.

[John Cohen]

Someone responded to my Banjo Hangout ad and low and behold is shipping me an original adjustable Clifford Essex lyre tailpiece and armrest!

[thereallyniceman]

You are amazingly fortunate to find them. I searched for ages to find an armrest!

[Steve Harrison]

Does anyone have a picture of the armrest?,,,I'm sure it could be reproduced, not the best solution but better than nothing....Steve.

[thereallyniceman]

I assume that this is the armrest they used on the Concert Grand/Special XX. Here is an original one and the parts that I machined a while ago when I couldn't find one for sale. I must get round to finishing it some time!

but possibly it could be the all metal "Paragon" arm rest. 

[John Cohen]

I believe that the all metal one was used on the Concert Grands.  The armrest I just purchased is an all metal one.

[thereallyniceman]

My Special XX came fitted with the "Erinoid" plastic armrest... but it could have been a retro-fit, although I have not seen the Paragon rest fitted on the Special XX or Concert Grand.

[John Cohen]

You could be right.  Going back through the photos of Concert Grands I have, they have all sorts of arm rests on them, so I have no idea which are original (when writing my previous post I incorrectly recalled most of them having the Paragon armrest).

thereallyniceman said:

My Special XX came fitted with the "Erinoid" plastic armrest... but it could have been a retro-fit, although I have not seen the Paragon rest fitted on the Special XX or Concert Grand.