|
Quantity
|
Cost
|
||
|
|
|||
|
|
|||
Viola Tailpieces — Wittner, GEWA, Hill
A viola tailpiece holds the strings and affects instrument resonance. Viola tailpieces are larger than violin ones and have wider holes for thicker strings. The SoundsGood catalog features tailpieces for all viola sizes: from student 15" to concert 17". Composite Wittner Ultra, classic ebony Hill-style, and affordable plastic options available.
All Sizes — for 15"-17" violas
Top Brands — Wittner, GEWA, Hill
Fine Tuners — 0, 1, or 4
Free Shipping — orders over ₴4,000
🎻 Types of Viola Tailpieces
Viola tailpieces differ by material, fine tuner configuration, and design. The main difference from violin tailpieces is larger size and wider string holes.
🏆 Wittner Ultra (Composite)
The most popular choice for students and orchestral players.
- Material: high-tech composite
- Weight: ~25g (with 4 fine tuners)
- Options: with 4 fine tuners, without
- Advantages: lightweight, convenient, affordable
🎶 Hill-style (Ebony)
Classic English design for quality instruments.
- Material: ebony, boxwood
- Feature: white decorative fret
- Options: no fine tuners, with 1
- Best for: professionals, connoisseurs
🎹 French-style
French design with characteristic shape.
- Material: ebony, rosewood
- Feature: more rounded shape
- Options: without fine tuners
- Best for: baroque instruments
💫 Carbon Fiber
Modern ultra-lightweight tailpieces.
- Material: carbon fiber
- Weight: lightest on the market
- Advantages: maximum resonance
- Best for: modern performers
📏 Viola Tailpiece Sizes
Unlike violins, violas have different body sizes even for adults. Tailpiece size must match your viola size!
| Viola Size | Body Length | Tailpiece Length | For Whom |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15" (Junior) | ~38 cm | ~118mm | Children, petite adults |
| 15.5" | ~39.5 cm | ~120mm | Teens, petite adults |
| 16" (Standard) | ~40.5 cm | ~125mm | Most popular size |
| 16.5" | ~42 cm | ~127mm | Adults, orchestral players |
| 17"+ | ~43+ cm | ~130+mm | Large violas, soloists |
💡 How to Measure? Measure your viola body length from the bottom edge to the base of the neck (without neck). This is your viola size in centimeters. We'll match the right tailpiece!
Differences from Violin Tailpieces
| Parameter | Violin 4/4 | Viola 16" |
|---|---|---|
| Length | 108-112mm | ~125mm |
| Hole Width | Narrower | Wider (for thicker strings) |
| After-length | ~55mm | ~60-65mm |
| Wittner Ultra Weight | ~20g | ~25g |
🌳 Materials
Tailpiece material affects weight, sound, and viola aesthetics.
| Material | Weight | Sound | Price |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plastic | ~10g | Neutral | ₴ |
| Wittner Composite | ~12g (no), ~25g (w/4) | Open, resonant | ₴₴ |
| Ebony | ~14-16g | Classic, balanced | ₴₴-₴₴₴ |
| Boxwood | ~12-14g | Lighter, more overtones | ₴₴ |
| Rosewood | ~14g | Warmer timbre | ₴₴ |
| Carbon Fiber | ~8-10g | Bright, projecting | ₴₴ |
| Pernambuco | ~14g | Best resonance | ₴₴₴₴ |
Weight's Effect on Viola Sound
For viola, tailpiece weight is even more important than for violin due to the larger instrument size:
- Lighter tailpiece → more resonance, open sound
- Heavier tailpiece → less resonance, possible dampening
💡 Weight Comparison: Wittner Ultra with 4 fine tuners weighs ~25g. An ebony tailpiece (~14g) + 4 add-on metal fine tuners (~24g) = ~38g. That 13g difference significantly affects viola sound!
🔧 Fine Tuners
Fine tuners allow precise pitch adjustments without turning the pegs. For viola, this is especially important due to longer strings.
Configuration Options
| Configuration | Best For | Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|---|---|
| No fine tuners | Professionals | Lightest, best resonance | Requires good pegs |
| 1 fine tuner (A) | Advanced, professionals | Balance of weight & convenience | Other strings via pegs |
| 4 fine tuners | Beginners, students | Easy tuning | More weight (if add-on) |
Built-in vs Add-on
Built-in (Wittner Ultra)
- Weight: ~25g (entire tailpiece with 4)
- Advantages: light, integrated
- Best for: students, orchestral players
Add-on Metal
- Weight: ~6g each (24g for 4)
- Disadvantages: heavy, shortens after-length
- Recommendation: avoid 4 add-on tuners!
🏆 Viola Tailpiece Brands
🇩🇪 Wittner (Germany)
Market leader in composite tailpieces.
- Ultra: with 4 fine tuners
- Ultra-Classic: without fine tuners
- Multi System: adjustable after-length
- Sizes: for 15"-17" violas
🇩🇪 GEWA / Teller (Germany)
Wide range of wooden tailpieces.
- Pure: ebony, boxwood, rosewood
- Hill-style: classic English design
- French-style: for baroque instruments
- Quality: hand-finished
🇬🇧 Hill (England)
Legendary premium brand.
- Materials: select ebony, boxwood
- Feature: white bone fret
- Best for: luthier instruments
- Price: premium segment
🇨🇭 Bois d’Harmonie (Switzerland)
Exclusive tailpieces from rare woods.
- Materials: pernambuco, snakewood
- Feature: built-in fine tuners
- Best for: soloists
- Price: top segment
🎯 How to Choose a Viola Tailpiece?
Step 1: Determine Viola Size
Measure body length in centimeters or specify size in inches (15", 16", 16.5", etc.).
Step 2: Assess Fine Tuner Needs
| Your Level | Recommendation |
|---|---|
| Beginner (1-2 years) | Wittner Ultra with 4 fine tuners |
| Music school student | Wittner Ultra or ebony + 1 fine tuner |
| Advanced amateur | Ebony/boxwood + 1 fine tuner (for A) |
| Professional | Hill-style ebony without or with 1 |
Step 3: Choose Material
- Budget under 600 UAH: plastic, Wittner Ultra
- Mid-range: ebony GEWA, Teller
- Premium: Hill, Bois d’Harmonie
💡 Expert Tip: Don't put 4 add-on metal fine tuners on a wooden viola tailpiece! This adds 24g of weight and significantly reduces resonance. If you need 4 fine tuners — choose Wittner Ultra.
❓ Frequently Asked Questions
How to choose viola tailpiece size?
Size depends on viola body: 15" → ~118mm, 16" → ~125mm, 16.5" → ~127mm. Measure your body length!
Will a violin tailpiece fit a viola?
No! A violin tailpiece is too small (108-112mm vs 118-130mm). You need a specific viola tailpiece.
How many fine tuners do I need?
Beginners — 4. Advanced — 1 (for A). Professionals — 0 or 1.
Does the tailpiece affect viola sound?
Yes! Lighter tailpieces produce more resonance. Avoid 4 add-on metal fine tuners.
Wittner or ebony?
Wittner — for students (light, with tuners). Ebony — for professionals (classic look).
What is after-length?
Distance from bridge to tailpiece. For viola, optimal is ~60-65mm (1/6 of playing length).
Can I replace the tailpiece myself?
Technically yes, but you need to set after-length correctly. For expensive violas — consult a luthier.
How much does a viola tailpiece cost?
Plastic: 150-300 UAH. Wittner Ultra: 600-900 UAH. Ebony: 500-1500 UAH. Hill: from 2000 UAH.
🎯 Why Choose SoundsGood?
🛠 Authentic Products
Official distributor of Wittner, GEWA in Ukraine.
🎓 Selection Help
We'll help you choose a tailpiece for your viola and level. Free!
📦 Fast Shipping
Same-day dispatch. Free for orders over ₴4,000.
💰 Great Prices
Direct imports. Pay in installments via PrivatBank, monobank.
📞 Contact Us
🌏 Showroom: 15 Olzhycha St., Kyiv, 04116, Ukraine
📞 Phone:
- Kyiv: +380 (73) 060-01-01
- Lviv: +380 (97) 667-14-43
📧 Email: info@soundsgood.kiev.ua
🕑 Hours: Mon–Fri: 11:00–18:00