Because the standard length strings are too short to use with the ZMT tailpiece, you must use an extra long 4th string for violin, viola, cello and some large double-basses. These elongated strings are not available anywhere else in the market, so we offer custom-made elongated 4th strings with every tailpiece ordered. You can also buy spare strings separately from our products page.

Every instrument is a story of its own, so it is impossible know exactly. We encourage you to try and see (or rather, listen) for yourself. If you are not satisfied with the result, we offer full money back guarantee for the tailpiece so the risk is minimal.

So far, we have received nothing but great feedback and we have had no returns yet!

Most 3/4 double basses do not require the custom 4th string, because standard strings accommodate the extra length required. If you are not sure, measure the length of the string from nut to bridge and we will be happy to assist you.

You receive a full set of step-by-step instructions in the package, but we still strongly encourage you to visit a luthier (instrument builder / repairman) for a proper setup. Tailpiece replacement requires some knowledge and experience and should not be taken lightly. If you do decide to do it yourself, please take your time and follow each step of the instructions exactly.

For violin and viola, you have the possibility of using the 1st and 2nd finetuner, but it is not required. If you plan to use just one or none, you should replace the finetuner component with the small composite string saddle you also receive in your package.

Cello tailpieces are shipped with all four finetuners.

We also make Baroque-style tailpieces without finetuners upon request.

We produce and ship our own finetuners, which are specialized for use with ZMT.

No, you do not have to replace any other parts of your instrument. On the contrary – you should try to leave your current setup as unchanged as possible to feel the exact differences in sound.

The only exception is the elongated 4th string, which you also receive in the package.

Yes, ZMT works with any type of strings. We currently do not supply the elongated gut/steel strings, but we can help you find manufacturers who are capable of producing elongated strings.

ZMT is suitable for use with all standard types of tailguts (tailcords).

Our tests and experience with hundreds of setups have both shown that Kevlar tailguts offer best sound quality and return most vibration back towards the tailpiece and bridge. This is why all ZMT tailpieces are pre-equipped with Kevlar tailguts.

We have made extra effort during development to ensure that ZMT is suitable for all standard and many non-standard instrument measures. All 4/4 instruments are suitable and also 3/4 double basses.

Can I use the standard tailcords with your tailpiece or are the tailpiece’s holes too small to accommodate only a Kevlar one?
I don’t have any experience with Kevlar tailcords, so the possibility to use a ‘sacconi’
type tailcord would be very welcomed, although I am open to experimentation.
Kind regards,
Socrates Stathoulopoulos

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ZMT accommodates most standard types of tailguts (or tailcords), including Sacconi/Wittner adjustable tailguts. We ship all our tailpieces with a prepared Kevlar tailgut because we found them to provide the best combination of tension and torsion flexibility when combined with ZMT, thus giving best sound results. To minimize the amount of moving parts in a setup, we always use a knotted tailgut and we developed the ZMT endpin to provide the ability of adjustment for violin and viola.