"Jack-less"? Is that a word?... In any case, I have always and reflexively used an endpin jack with my tailpieces. Until that is one failed spectacularly. The cheap mystery pot metal from China just snapped at the weak spot where the plastic sleeve inside ends and its just a tiny amount of metal holding everything together. I've decided having a jack in the back is just not a great solution anyway and moved the jack to the treble rim like most Gibson Archtops have. That left me with the question of what to put in its place to hold the tailpiece.
For now I just shoved a piece of 1/2" Aluminum rod to hold everything together. But of course now I'm nervous about what I should get to replace it that will be strong enough to hold up to the tailpiece pulling on it. I have seen the "No Jack" retrofits:
http://www.stewmac.com/Hardware_and_Parts/Endpins_and_Bridge_Pins/NoJak_Endpin.html
Of course I can plug the existing hole with a wood dowel and drill for a traditional endpin:
http://www.stewmac.com/Hardware_and_Parts/Endpins_and_Bridge_Pins/Waverly_Ebony_Endpin.html
After having the heart stopping experience of having what sounded like an explosion in my lap when this thing broke, everything looks suspect. I need a solution for this guitar and future guitars. Can't have this happen on a guitar I sell. That normal ebony pin seems very small suddenly.
This guy sells beefy ones meant as a retrofit, but at his prices I could buy my own mini-lathe and turn it myself:
http://www.guitarsaddles.com/plugs.asp
Has anyone else had a problem of failing endpins? Will a basic wood endpin hold up to the pull of 185lbs worth of strings? I asked this question on "another" forum and got some Captain Obvious answers. I'm hoping some of the people here who tend to be more repair oriented will have experience to share (Hesh... I'm talking to you
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