Violin Forum/Message Board

Tomasito · Junior Member Joined: 27 Aug 2008 Posts: 2

Dear all,

I apologise if this is a typical 'newbie' question. I ran a few searches but couldn't find the answer.

I would like to change my own violin tailpiece if possible, and wondered if there was a trick to keeping the soundpost in place with the strings off? If you don't think it's a DIY job, I'll happily take it to my luthier, but I can't believe he'd risk resetting a soundpost *just* to replace a tailpiece. Would he? Smile

I know bass luthiers will use something heavy to hold the top down, but I don't know how 'heavy' my 'something' would have to be for my violin.

Your guidance is much appreciated.

Tomasito

MANFIO · Posted: Wed Aug 27, 2008 9:08 pm Post subject:

Hummm.... your soundpost may fall or not, it's difficult to say what will happen. Changing the tailpiece seems an easy thing but there are somethings you have to bear in mind, such as that the string afterlength (distance from the bridge to the tailpiece fret) is an important part in the set up. You may also damage the instrument.... Anyway, if your instrument is a good one, I would take it to a luthier, just my two cents...
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Tomasito · Junior Member Joined: 27 Aug 2008 Posts: 2

Thanks, MANFIO.

Yes, I was thinking as I posted that it may not be such a simple operation, and a change in the afterlength might even necessitate a soundpost tweak in the first place...

Perhaps I had better hold off and take it to my luthier. Thank you.