Gibson/Epiphone Maestro Trem Part

TDubs

I have a ‘65 Epiphone Silver Fox that is missing the trem arm

I’ve been looking for a replacement for a while but they’re crazy money for an original and I understand they’re not great in terms of tuning and stability so I don’t want to spend a load of money. It may be more for a visual thing.

Crazyparts have the teaspoon arm for little money

https://www.crazyparts.de/tremolos--vibrolas/vibrolas-aged/vibrola-parts/maestro-teaspoon-arm-nickel.php

But they don’t have the part that holds the teaspoon arm onto the main trem part. See pictures 2, 3 & 4 for the part.

https://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/1960s-Gibson-Maestro-Horse-Show-Vibrola-Tailpiece-Nickel-VG-/154894087925?mkcid=16&mkevt=1&_trksid=p2349624.m46890.l6249&mkrid=711-127632-2357-0

Anyone know where I could find one or something else I could use to attach the teaspoon arm onto the main trem on my silver fox?

WezV

Some clear pics of the part here
https://reverb.com/item/23655044-gibson-maestro-vibrola-tailpiece-horseshoe-1964-60s-vibrato-firebird-sg-junior

I would be looking to make something similar in brass, shouldn't be too difficult 

TDubs

WezV said:

Some clear pics of the part here
https://reverb.com/item/23655044-gibson-maestro-vibrola-tailpiece-horseshoe-1964-60s-vibrato-firebird-sg-junior

I would be looking to make something similar in brass, shouldn't be too difficult 

Excuse my ignorance, but how would you go about this? Something a Luddite like me with basic tools could achieve?

WezV

Brass or aluminium can be worked mostly with hand tools. 

I would start with a rectangular block roughly the right size and cut it into a P shape.  Then you have 3 holes to drill, and one to tap.

First hole on the stem on the P should allow the trem arm bolt to pass through.

Second hole goes right in the eye of the P.  This should be the same size as the pin coming out the side of the tailpiece.

You have a choice on the third hole.  Vintage correct needs a hole right on the top corner of the P, then tapped for a small bolt.   You then need to saw a kerf so this bolt will tighten the eye of the P and hold it onto the pin. Should be obvious where this goes from the pics. 

The alternative is to move this hole round the curve of the P and drill straight through to the hole of the P. then tap for a grub screw holds the block onto the tailpiece pin


In terms of finishing.  Getting it plated would be a pain in the ass, but brass can be aged with vinegar and aluminium with bleach.  It wouldn't be vintage correct, but wouldn't stand out as being wrong either.

TDubs

I think the phrase goes 'the right tool for the job.' I think in this instance it might be 'the right tool(s) for the job' My access to the right equipment for crafting this is limited.