tailpiece

musical instrument

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Last updated

July 14, 2026

Quick Summary

A tailpiece is a component of a stringed instrument that anchors the strings, allowing them to be stretched to the tuning pegs. In instruments like the violin family, which includes the violin, viola, cello, and double bass, the tailpiece is crucial for maintaining string tension and is connected to a tailpin set in the instrument's end block. This device helps reduce the length of unused string behind the bridge and ensures the strings pull radially inward on its top edge.12

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stringed instrument
Morphology
…are held by the long tailpiece below the bridge, whose function is to reduce the length of unused string behind the bridge and to keep the strings pulling radially inward on its top edge. The lower end of the tailpiece is anchored by a loop of gut to an ebony…
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…are held by the long tailpiece below the bridge, whose function is to reduce the length of unused string behind the bridge and to keep the strings pulling radially inward on its top edge. The lower end of the tailpiece is anchored by a loop of gut to an ebony…
Read More