Abstract:
Disclosed herein are improved tailpieces for use with a stringed instrument. In some embodiments, the improved tailpieces provide for a better and adjustable sound quality. In other embodiments, the improved tailpieces provide for facile removal and attachment to a tailgut. In other embodiments, the tailpiece connection to the tailgut is adjustable. In further embodiments, the tailpiece has a detachable weight that is associated with a back face thereof.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    The invention relates to a novel tailpiece to enhance sound characteristics of a string instrument. 
         [0002]    String instruments, such as a cello, are typically made from wood, although other materials such as carbon fiber or aluminum may be used.  FIGS. 1A-1B  depict a traditional cello  10  with a top  20  made from spruce wood, and a neck  15 , back  17  and sides  19  made of maple wood. Other woods, such as poplar or willow, are sometimes used for the back  17  and sides  19 . Less expensive cellos frequently have tops  20  and backs  17  made of laminated wood. The top  20  and back  17  are traditionally hand-carved, though less expensive cellos are often machine-produced. The sides  19 , or ribs, are made by heating the wood and bending it around forms. A main body  11  of the cello  10  has a wide top bout, narrow middle formed by two C-bouts, and wide bottom bout, with a bridge  26  and F holes  24  just below the middle. 
         [0003]    Above the main body  11  is the carved neck  15 , which leads to a pegbox  13  and a scroll  12 . The neck  15 , pegbox  13 , and scroll  12  are typically carved out of a single piece of wood, such as maple wood. A fingerboard  18  is glued to the neck  15  and extends over the main body  11 . A nut  16  is a raised piece of wood that is fitted where the fingerboard  18  meets the pegbox  13 , in which strings  22  rest in shallow slots to keep them the correct distance apart. The pegbox  13  houses four tapered tuning pegs  14 , one for each string  22 . The pegs  14  are used to tune the cello  10  by either tightening or loosening the strings  22 . 
         [0004]    The tailpiece  28  and endpin  30  are found in the lower part of the cello  10 . Tailgut  31  is used to secure a base of the tailpiece  28  to an end button  33  at the base of the cello  10 . The tailpiece  28  is traditionally made of ebony or another hard wood, but can also be made of plastic or steel. The tailpiece  28  attaches the strings  22  to the lower end of the cello  10 , and can have one or more string puller arms  29 , to adjust an after length  27  of the strings  22  (i.e. a length of the strings  22  between the tailpiece  28  and the bridge  26 ). The endpin  30  supports the cello  10  in the playing position. 
         [0005]      FIG. 2A  is a rear view of a tailpiece  28  used in the conventional cello  10  of  FIG. 1A . The tailpiece  28  is made from ebony wood. The tailpiece  28  includes a top end  42 , a bottom end  44 , a left side  46  and a right side  48 . The tailpiece also has a back face that faces toward the stringed instrument and a front face that faces away from the stringed instrument. Four openings  41  are provided in the tailpiece  28  to receive and secure one end of the four strings  22  of the cello  10 . The tailpiece  28  also includes a pair of spaced apart openings  64  to receive opposing ends of the tailgut  31 . A cavity  40  is formed in an upper half of the tailpiece  28 .  FIG. 2B  is a cross-sectional view of the tailpiece of  FIG. 2A  taken along the line  2 B- 2 B and confirms that the cavity  40  does not extend beyond the upper half of the tailpiece  28 . 
         [0006]      FIG. 3A  is a rear view of a tailpiece  28 ′ used in the conventional cello  10  of  FIG. 1A . The tailpiece  28 ′ is made from plastic material. The tailpiece  28 ′ includes similar features as those discussed above with respect to the tailpiece  28  of  FIG. 2A . Additionally, the tailpiece  28 ′ of  FIG. 3A  includes the string puller arm  29  in each opening  41 , to adjustably vary the length of each string  22 . The tailpiece  28 ′ includes a cavity  40 ′ that extends from the top end  42  to the tailgut openings  64  located between the top end  42  and the bottom end  44 .  FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional view of the tailpiece  28 ′ of  FIG. 3A  taken along the line  3 B- 3 B. As shown in  FIG. 3B , the tailpiece  28  has a thickness  62  and forms the cavity  40 ′. Additionally, the cavity  40 ′ has a depth  56  which varies along the length of the cavity  40 ′ from the top end  42  to the tailgut openings  64 . 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0007]      FIG. 1A  is a front view of a conventional cello; 
           [0008]      FIG. 1B  is a side view of the conventional cello of  FIG. 1A ; 
           [0009]      FIG. 2A  is a rear view of a conventional tailpiece used in the cello of  FIG. 1A ; 
           [0010]      FIG. 2B  is a cross-sectional view of the tailpiece of  FIG. 2A  taken along the line  2 B- 2 B; 
           [0011]      FIG. 3A  is a rear view of a conventional tailpiece used in the cello of  FIG. 1A ; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional view of the tailpiece of  FIG. 3A  taken along the line  3 B- 3 B; 
           [0013]      FIG. 4A  is a rear view of a tailpiece according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4B  is a front view the tailpiece of  FIG. 4A ; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4C  is a side view of a string puller arm for use with the tailpiece of  FIG. 4A , according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4D  is a front view of the string puller arm of  FIG. 4C  used in the tailpiece of  FIG. 4A , according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0017]      FIG. 4E  is a cross-sectional view of the tailpiece of  FIG. 4A  taken along the line  4 E- 4 E; 
           [0018]      FIG. 4F  is an end perspective view of the tailpiece of  FIG. 4B , according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0019]      FIG. 4G  is a partial side view of a bridge of the conventional cello of  FIG. 1A ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of a tailpiece according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0021]      FIG. 6A  is a side view of a string puller arm for use with a tailpiece according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0022]      FIG. 6B  is a perspective view of a relative position of multiple hooks of the string puller arm of  FIG. 6A  in a tailpiece according to one embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0023]      FIG. 7  is a top view of a plurality of tailpieces and adjustable weights according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0024]    As previously discussed, conventional tailpieces are only made from certain types of materials, including ebony or another hard wood, plastic or steel. As appreciated by one skilled in the art, the type of material used to make the tailpiece has an effect on one or more sound characteristic of the cello. For example, to achieve more sound and brighter sound, tailpieces made of light material (in weight) and hard material are used. In another example, to achieve quieter and darker sound, tailpieces made of heavy material (in weight) and soft material are used. Additionally, a response rate of sound from the cello (i.e. a measurement of how fast the cello responds to plucking or bowing the cello) is affected by the type of material used to make the tailpiece. The inventor of the present invention recognized that existing materials used to make conventional tailpieces are limited in their ability to enhance one or more of these sound characteristics. The inventor of the present invention also recognized that the dimensions and/or shape of conventional tailpieces limit their ability to enhance one or more sound characteristics of the cello. Thus, the inventor developed an improved tailpiece made from a different material (carbon fiber) than existing tailpieces, to enhance one or more of these sound characteristics. Additionally, the inventor developed an improved tailpiece with different dimensions and/or shape than existing tailpieces, to enhance one or more of these sound characteristics. 
         [0025]      FIGS. 4A-4B  are back face and front face views of a tailpiece  28 ″ according to one embodiment of the present invention. The tailpiece  28 ″ can replace the conventional tailpiece  28  of the cello  10  of  FIGS. 1A-1B . However, the tailpiece  28 ″ is not restricted to use with the cello  10  and can be used with any string instrument, including a violin, a viola, a double bass, a guitar, a sitar, an electric bass, a harp, a rebab, a banjo, a mandolin, a ukulele and a bouzouki. 
         [0026]    The tailpiece  28 ″ includes a cavity  40 ″ that extends from the top side  42  to the bottom side  44 . In contrast, the cavity  40  of the conventional tailpiece  28  of  FIG. 2A  is restricted to the upper half of the tailpiece  28  and thus does not extend from the top side  42  to the bottom side  44 . Additionally, in contrast, the cavity  40 ′ of the tailpiece  28 ′ of  FIG. 3A  extends from the top side  42  to the tailgut openings  64  positioned between the top and bottom side  42 ,  44  and thus does not extend from the top side  42  to the bottom side  44 . In one embodiment, the larger cavity  40 ″ of the tailpiece  28 ″ enhances one or more sound characteristics of the cello  10 . In an example embodiment, the larger cavity  40 ″ enhances a duration of a ringing tone from the cello  10 . In one example, the duration of the ringing tone is increased by 30%. 
         [0027]    In one embodiment, the tailpiece  28 ″ is made from carbon fiber material, which enhances a volume and brightness of sound from the cello  10 . In an example embodiment, the tailpiece  28 ″ is made entirely from carbon fiber material.  FIG. 4C  is a side view of a string puller arm  29 ″ used with the tailpiece  28 ″ of  FIG. 4A , according to one embodiment of the present invention. In some embodiments, the string puller arm  29 ″ is made of a material with a reduced thickness, relative to a thickness of a string puller arm made of plastic material.  FIG. 4C  depicts a first embodiment of the string puller arm  29 ″ with an exterior surface  39 . In some embodiments, the string puller arm  29 ″ with the exterior surface  39  is based on a thickness of the string puller arm made of plastic material.  FIG. 4C  also depicts a second embodiment of the string puller arm  29 ″ with a reduced thickness based on an exterior surface  39 ′ formed by removing excess material from the string puller arm  29 ″ with the exterior surface  39 . In an example embodiment, the second embodiment of the string puller arm  29 ″ is made of titanium material. As appreciated by one skilled in the art, a first end  35  of the string puller arm  29 ″ engages the string  22  and a second end  37  of the string puller arm  29 ″ engages a tuning adjuster screw  33 ″.  FIG. 4D  is a front view of the string puller arm  29 ″ of  FIG. 4C  used in the tailpiece  28 ″ of  FIG. 4A , according to one embodiment of the present invention. In an example embodiment, the string puller arm  29 ″ and the tuning adjuster screw  33 ″ are made of titanium material, which enhances the duration of the ringing tone from the cello  10 , and thus increases a volume and brightness of sound from the cello  10 . In another embodiment, the tailgut  31  is made from braided Kevlar® material. However, the tailgut  31  is not limited to any specific material. 
         [0028]    As shown in  FIG. 4A , the top side  42  of the tailpiece  28 ″ is an arcuate surface  50  that extends from the left side  46  to the right side  48 . Additionally, the arcuate surface  50  extends in a direction towards the bottom side  44 , such that a trough  54  of the arcuate surface  50  between the left and right sides  46 ,  48  is positioned more proximate to the bottom side  44  than the arcuate surface  50  at the left and right sides  46 ,  48 . In an example embodiment, the trough  54  is positioned at least 1 centimeter more proximate to the bottom side  44  than the arcuate surface  50  at the left and right sides  46 ,  48 . 
         [0029]    In an example embodiment, the arcuate surface  50  has a radius of curvature that is less than 20 centimeters. In another example embodiment, the arcuate surface  50  has a radius of curvature that is approximately 8 centimeters. In contrast, the top side  42  of the tailpieces  28 ,  28 ′ are not arcuate surfaces that extend in a direction towards the bottom side  44 . In one embodiment, the arcuate surface  50  of the tailpiece  28 ″ enhances one or more sound characteristics of the cello  10 . In an example embodiment, the arcuate surface  50  enhances the duration of the ringing tone of sound from the cello  10 , such as an increased duration of 30%, for example. 
         [0030]      FIG. 4E  is a cross-sectional view of the tailpiece  28 ″ of  FIG. 4A  taken along the line  4 E- 4 E. As shown in  FIG. 4E , the tailpiece  28 ″ has a thickness  62 ″ and forms the cavity  40 ″. Additionally, the cavity  40 ″ has a depth  56 ″ which varies along the length of the cavity  40 ″ from the top end  42  to the bottom end  44 . In one embodiment, the depth  56 ″ along the length of the cavity  40 ″ is greater than the depth  56  along the length of the cavity  40 ′ in the conventional tailpiece  28 ′ ( FIG. 3B ). In another embodiment, the thickness  62 ″ of the tailpiece  28 ″ is less than a thickness  62  of the conventional tailpiece  28  ( FIG. 3B ). In an example embodiment, a maximum value of the depth  56 ″ of the cavity  40 ″ between the top side  42  and the bottom side  44  is at least 1 centimeter. In another example embodiment, the maximum value of the depth  56 ″ is approximately 1.5 centimeters. In an example embodiment, a minimum value of the depth  56 ″ of the cavity  40 ″ between the top side  42  and the bottom side  44  is at least 0.5 centimeter. In another example embodiment, the minimum value of the depth  56 ″ is approximately 1 centimeter. In an example embodiment, the thickness  62 ″ of the tailpiece  28 ″ is less than 0.2 centimeters and preferably 0.1 centimeters. In an example embodiment, a ratio of the maximum value of the depth  56 ″ to the thickness  62 ″ is at least 7. 
         [0031]    As shown in  FIG. 4A , the bottom side  44  is a lower extremity of the tailpiece  28 ″ and includes a pair of openings  64  to receive tailgut  31 . Additionally, the bottom side  44  includes a pair of intersecting surfaces  68 ,  70 , where each intersecting surface  68 ,  70  has a tailgut opening  64 . In an example embodiment, an angle between the intersecting surfaces  68 ,  70  is in a range of 70-110 degrees. In another example embodiment, the angle between the intersecting surfaces  68 ,  70  is approximately 90 degrees. As depicted in  FIG. 4A , the pair of intersecting surfaces  68 ,  70  converge along a central longitudinal axis  74  of the tailpiece  28 ″. However, the intersecting surfaces  68 ,  70  need not converge along the central longitudinal axis  74 . 
         [0032]    As shown in  FIGS. 4B and 4F , in some embodiments, the tailpiece  28 ″ features an asymmetrical design, where a peak height  53  of the tailpiece  28 ″ between the left and right sides  46 ,  48  is laterally offset from the central longitudinal axis  74 . In an example embodiment, the peak height  53  of the tailpiece  28 ″ corresponds to the opening  41  in which the string puller arm  29 ″ is located in  FIG. 4B . In an example embodiment, a lateral offset  49  between the peak height  53  and central longitudinal axis  74  is 1 centimeter (cm) or in a range of 0.5-2 cm. However, the lateral offset  49  is not limited to any specific value or range of values. As shown in  FIG. 4G , the bridge  26  of the conventional cello  10  includes a peak height  23  that is laterally offset from a center  21  of the bridge  26  by a lateral offset  47  of 1 centimeter (cm) or in a range of 0.5-2 cm. However, the lateral offset  47  is not limited to any specific value or range of values. In some embodiments, the lateral offset  49  of the tailpiece  28 ″ is determined based on the lateral offset  47  of the bridge  26 . In an example embodiment, the lateral offset  49  is adjusted so that a drop angle at the bridge  26 , defined as a slope of the bridge  26  surface at a respective string, is approximately equal to a drop angle at the tailpiece  28 ″, defined as a slope of the tailpiece  28 ″ surface at the respective string. 
         [0033]    As previously discussed, the tailpiece  28 ″ enhances one or more sound characteristics of the cello  10 , when the tailpiece  28  is replaced with the tailpiece  28 ″. In one example embodiment, the tailpiece  28 ″ is configured to enhance a volume and brightness of a tone quality from the cello  10 . In another example embodiment, the tailpiece  28 ″ is configured to enhance the duration of the ringing tone from the cello  10 , such as an increased duration of 30%, for example. For example, the carbon fiber material used to make the tailpiece  28 ″ enhances the volume and brightness of sound from the cello  10 . In this example embodiment, the carbon fiber material of the tailpiece  28 ″ increases a vibration of the strings  22 , since the stiffness of the carbon fiber material transmits vibrations from the string  22  to the tailgut  31  at a faster rate which increases the volume and ringing tone duration of the sound. 
         [0034]    In another example embodiment, the tailpiece  28 ″ enhances a quietness and darkness of sound from the cello  10 . In an example embodiment, the quietness and darkness properties are enhanced, since an overall vibration of the cello  10  is less trapped with the tailpiece  28 ″ as compared to the conventional tailpiece  28 , due to weight and stiffness properties of the carbon fiber material of the tailpiece  28 ″. In another example embodiment, the quietness and darkness properties are enhanced based on a faster travel rate of vibrations of the cello  10  from the bridge  26  to the tailgut  31 . In another example embodiment, the tailpiece  28 ″ enhances one or more of a fundamental pitch, a vibrato, harmonics, glissandro, double stops and pizzicato sound characteristics of the cello  10 . In an example embodiment, the carbon fiber material of the tailpiece  28 ″ enhances harmonic vibrations, since the response rate is faster. In another example embodiment, the carbon fiber material of the tailpiece  28 ″ makes playing double stops much easier and clearer. 
         [0035]    One noticeable drawback of conventional tailpieces  28  is that in order to adjust a length of the tail gut  31  and vary the after length  27  (see  FIG. 1A ), the tailpiece  28  must be removed from the cello  10 . As appreciated by one skilled in the art, removing the tailpiece  28  from the cello  10  eliminates all tension in the strings  22  and arbitrarily flexes the cello  10  (made of wood). Consequently, even if the same tailpiece  28  and strings  22  are placed back on the same cello  10 , the sound of the cello  10  may change drastically. Thus, the inventor of the present invention recognized that it would be advantageous to develop a method to adjust the after length  27  of one or more of the strings  22  without removing the tailpiece  28  from the cello  10 . 
         [0036]      FIG. 5  is a rear perspective view of a tailpiece  128  according to one embodiment of the present invention. Opposite ends of the tail gut  131  are fixedly mounted to a lever  184  such that the ends of the tail gut  131  move with the lever  184 . An adjustment screw  178  is passed through an opening in the lever  184  and is mounted in a bracket  180  with a nut  176 . As a tool (e.g. Allen® wrench) adjusts a head  186  of the adjustment screw  178 , the adjustment screw  178  rotates and translates within the bracket  180  (e.g. up/down in the perspective of  FIG. 5 ). As the adjustment screw  178  moves up/down in the bracket  180 , the tail gut  131  correspondingly moves up/down. In another embodiment,  FIG. 7  depicts that opposite ends of the tail gut  131  are fixedly mounted to a lever  284  of a tailpiece  228   a.  The tail gut  131  is passed through openings (not shown) in a plate  285  and openings (not shown) in the lever  284  of the tailpiece  228   a.  An adjustment screw with a head  286  is mounted in an opening (not shown) in the plate  285  and a threaded end of the adjustment screw is received in a threaded opening (not shown) of the lever  284 . As a tool (e.g. Allen® wrench) adjusts the head  286  of the adjustment screw, the adjustment screw moves the lever  284  up and down within the tailpiece  228   a.  As the lever  284  moves up and down in the tailpiece  228   a,  the tail gut  131  correspondingly moves up and down. 
         [0037]    In an example embodiment, to increase the after length  27  of the strings  22 , a length of the tail gut  131  between the tailpiece  128  and the end button  33  ( FIG. 1A ) is shortened. In this example embodiment, the adjustment screw  178  is moved upward which causes the tail gut  131  to move upward into the tailpiece  128  thereby causing a reduced distance between the tailpiece  128  and the end button  33 . 
         [0038]    In another example embodiment, to decrease the after length  27  of the strings  22 , a length of the tail gut  131  between the tailpiece  128  and the end button  33  ( FIG. 1A ) is increased. In this example embodiment, the adjustment screw  178  is moved downward which causes the tail gut  131  to move downward out of the tailpiece  128  thereby causing an increased distance between the tailpiece  128  and the end button  33 . 
         [0039]    In some embodiments, the tailpiece  128  is positioned on the cello such that a minimum gap of is provided between the tailpiece  128  and the cello, such that a tool can be fitted in this gap to adjust the adjustment screw  178  without removing the tailpiece  128  from the cello. 
         [0040]    In some embodiments, the tailpiece  128  provides macro-adjustment of the after length  27  of more than one string  22  without removing the tailpiece  128  from the cello. In an example embodiment, where all four strings  22  are connected using the tailpiece  128 , the tailpiece  128  provides macro-adjustment of the after length  27  of all four strings  22  without removing the tailpiece  128  from the cello. An advantage of the tailpiece  128  is that is adjusts the after length  27  of the strings  22  without the noted drawbacks of removing the tailpiece from the cello (i.e. affecting the acoustic properties of the cello). 
         [0041]      FIG. 6A  is a side view of a string puller arm  129  for use with a tailpiece according to one embodiment of the present invention. The string puller arm  129  can be used with any tailpiece, including but not limited to the tailpieces disclosed in the embodiments of the present invention. The string puller arm  129  has a second end  137  that is similar to the second end  37  of the string puller arm  29 ″ which engages the tuning adjuster screw  33 ″. The string puller arm  129  also includes a plurality of hooks  135   a,    135   b,    135   c  that are spaced apart. In some embodiments, the string puller arm  129  is used during a testing phase to determine which of the hooks  135   a,    135   b ,  135   c  is optimal for each string on a particular cello. Once the optimal hook  135   a ,  135   b,    135   c  is determined, a string puller arm  129 ′ ( FIG. 6B ) is manufactured with a single hook  135   c ′ at the position of the determined optimal hook in the string puller arm  129 . In one example embodiment,  FIG. 6B  depicts a string puller arm  129 ′ that is manufactured with the single hook  135   c ′ positioned based on a determined optimal hook  135   c  of the string puller arm  129  during the testing phase. In these embodiments, the string puller arm  129  is used during the testing phase and the manufactured string puller arm  129 ′ is used during a subsequent playing phase of the cello. An inner surface of the hooks  135   a,    135   b  are spaced apart by a distance  134   a , whereas an inner surface of the hooks  135   b,    135   c  are spaced apart by a distance  134   b . Each of the hooks  135   a,    135   b,    135   c  are configured to engage the string  22 . 
         [0042]    In some embodiments, to reduce the after length  27  of the string  22 , the string  22  is released from the puller arm  129  and moved from the hook  135   a  to the hook  135   b,  from the hook  135   a  to the hook  135   c  or from the hook  135   b  to the hook  135   c . In other embodiments, to increase the after length  27  of the string  22 , the string  22  is released from the puller arm  129  and moved from the hook  135   c  to the hook  135   b , from the hook  135   c  to the hook  135   a  or from the hook  135   b  to the hook  135   a . Although  FIG. 6A  depicts that the string puller arm  129  features three hooks, the embodiment of the present invention is not limited to this arrangement and the string puller arm may feature less than three or more than three hooks that are arranged in a similar manner as depicted in  FIG. 6A . 
         [0043]    In some embodiments, the string puller arms  129 ,  129 ′ provide micro-adjustment of the after length  27  of one or more strings  22  without removing the tailpiece  128  from the cello. In an example embodiment, the micro-adjustment of the after length  27  of one or more strings  22  with the string puller arm  129  is provided in addition to the macro-adjustment of the after length  27  of all strings  22  using the adjustment screw  178  of the tailpiece  128 . For example, the adjustment screw  178  is used to perform an overall macro-adjustment of the after length  27  of all strings  22 , after which the string puller arm  129 ,  129 ′ of one string  22  can be used to perform a micro-adjustment of the after length  27  of the one string  22 . An advantage of the string puller arm  129 ,  129 ′ is that it adjusts the after length  27  of one or more strings  22  without the noted drawbacks of removing the tailpiece from the cello (i.e. affecting the acoustic properties of the cello). 
         [0044]      FIG. 7  is a top view of a plurality of tailpieces  228   a,    228   b,    228   c  and adjustable weights  202   a  according to one embodiment of the present invention. The tailpieces each include a slot  204  with internal threads. A weight  202  with external threads is secured in the slot  204  by engaging the external threads of the weight  202  with the internal threads of the slot  204 . In other embodiments, other means for securing the weight  202  in the slot  204  are provided, such as a magnetic means or any other means appreciated by one of ordinary skill in the art. Additionally, although  FIG. 7  depicts one slot  204  to receive one weight  202 , the embodiment of the invention is not limited to this arrangement and includes more than one slot on the tailpiece to receive more than one weight. 
         [0045]    A plurality of weights  202  of incremental weight are provided. In an example embodiment, the weights  202  have 5 gram increments between 5 grams and 40 grams. However, the weights  202  are not limited to any specific weight increment or range of weight. The weights  202  have an outer diameter of 22 mm or in a range of 10-30 mm and the slot  204  has an inner diameter of 20 mm or in a range of 10-30 mm, for example. The slot  204  is positioned and the weights  202  are sized such that a tool can be positioned between the tailpiece  228  and the cello to remove and replace the weights  202  while the tailpiece  228  is attached to the cello. In an example embodiment, a tool is used to remove the weights, such as a Scotty Cameron® Pivot Tool, for example. In an example embodiment, the weights  202  have a height not more than 10 mm so to fit in a gap between the tailpiece  228  and the cello. In an example embodiment, the height of the weights  202  is approximately 7.5 mm or in a range of 5-10 mm 
         [0046]    The tailpieces  228   a,    228   b,    228   c  are made of material of different weight. In an example embodiment, the tailpiece  228   a  is made of Aluminum, the tailpiece  228   b  is made of Titanium and the tailpiece  228   c  is made of Brass or Copper. However, the tailpieces  228   a,    228   b,    228   c  are not limited to any specific type of material, such as Aluminum, Titanium, Brass or Copper. Additionally, the tailpieces are not limited to three materials of different weight and can include less or more than three materials of different weight. 
         [0047]    One or more sound characteristics of the cello can be adjusted by varying a weight of the tailpiece. In some embodiments, a user begins with a tailpiece  228   a  of light weight (e.g. Aluminum) and positions a weight  202  of minimum weight (e.g. 5 grams) in the slot  204 . In an example embodiment, an Aluminum tailpiece has a weight in a range of 85-100 grams. The user then uses the tool to replace the weight  202  with incremental weights (e.g. 10 grams, 15 grams, 20 grams, 25 grams, 30 grams, 35 grams, 40 grams) until a heaviest weight  202  is positioned in the slot  204 . 
         [0048]    If a desired sound characteristic is not achieved while replacing the weights  202  in the tailpiece  228   a,  the user replaces the tailpiece  228   a  with the tailpiece  228   b  of medium weight (e.g. Titanium) and positions the weight  202  of minimum weight (e.g. 5 grams) in the slot  204 . In an example embodiment, a Titanium tailpiece has a weight of approximately 185 grams. The user then uses the tool to replace the weight  202  with incremental weights (e.g. 10 grams, 15 grams, 20 grams, 25 grams, 30 grams, 35 grams, 40 grams) until a heaviest weight  202  is positioned in the slot  204 . 
         [0049]    If a desired sound characteristic is not achieved while replacing the weights  202  in the tailpiece  228   b,  the user replaces the tailpiece  228   b  with the tailpiece  228   c  of heavy weight (e.g. Brass or Copper) and positions the weight  202  of minimum weight (e.g. 5 grams) in the slot  204 . The user then uses the tool to replace the weight  202  with incremental weights (e.g. 10 grams, 15 grams, 20 grams, 25 grams, 30 grams, 35 grams, 40 grams) until a heaviest weight  202  is positioned in the slot  204 . 
         [0050]    In some embodiments, a lighter tailpiece provides a more focused tone whereas a heaver tailpiece provides a warmer tone. In some embodiments, the combination of adjusting the tailpieces  228   a,    228   b,    228   c  and weights  202  within the tailpieces permits an adjustment of the tailpiece weight within a range, such as from 90 grams to 500 grams, for example. However, the weight range of the tailpiece is not limited to this numerical range and includes any numerical range based on the material of the tailpiece and incremental size of the weights  202 . 
         [0051]    As with the adjustment screw  176  and string puller arm  129 , the replacement of incremental weights  202  permits a user to adjust one or more sound characteristics of the cello without removing the tailpiece from the cello. Although replacement of the tailpiece  228   a,    228   b,    228   c  with a tailpiece of another material involves removing the tailpiece from the cello, the removal and replacement of the incremental weights  202  within the slot  204  of each tailpiece does not involve removing the tailpiece from the cello and thus advantageously avoids the notable drawbacks of removing the tailpiece from the cello (i.e. drastic altering of the sound characteristics of the cello). 
         [0052]    Finally, while various embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described herein, it will be obvious that such embodiments are provided by way of example only. Numerous variations, changes and substitutions may be made without departing from the invention herein. Accordingly, it is intended that the invention be limited only by the spirit and scope of the appended claims. The teachings of all patents and other references cited herein are incorporated herein by reference to the extent they are not inconsistent with the teachings herein.