Top 5 best selling cello fine tuners

by Charles Laux · November 15, 2022

Fine tuners are super handy for making those micro adjustments to a violin, viola, or cello string. They also allow beginners to learn to tune without too much fear of breaking strings. Using the pegs can be somewhat difficult for beginners and it is very simple to overturn and break strings.

Sometimes fine tuners need replacing because the adjusting screws break, become bent, or the threads become stripped. I’ve also seen the adjusting screw become off center from the tuning arm and therefore become useless. Another problem is that fine tuner, especially cheap ones can be difficult to turn. The video featured at the bottom of this page shows how to replace a broken fine tuner.

To lubricate a fine tuner requires only the smallest amount of lubricant, and just about anything that qualifies as a lubricant can be used, even pencil graphite works well. Simply remove the adjusting screw, add a tiny drop of oil, soap, or pencil graphite and replace the adjusting screw.

The parts of a fine tuner are the tuning arm, the set screw, and the adjusting screw.

I highly recommend purchasing high-quality fine tuners or using an instrument with a tailpiece that has built-in fine tuners. My favorite fine tuners are Wittner brand. You can find them for purchase here. Wittners are made in Germany and are higher quality than the generic or off brands. While they are more expensive, they are definitely worth it and will hold up for the long haul.

Wittner Stable-style Black Fine Tuner for 3/4-4/4 Violin

For 3/4-4/4 violin
Can be used with ball or loop end strings
For use with steel or rope core strings
Double prong

It is important that you differentiate violin and viola fine tuners. Viola fine tuners have a longer arm and work well for the larger tail pieces. See the image below for the difference. The chrome fine tuner is for violin, and the black fine tuner is for viola. The color/finish is personal preference.

Some of my violin students have the Goetz or Hill style fine tuners for their E strings. These fine tuners are usually equipped with a loop end E string and I have found that the loops often break on these style fine tuners, so I do my best to avoid them. There is a plastic piece available for these style fine tuners, but it seems to me that this is an extra step and it would be easier to simply remove the fine tuner and install a new one. Some people like this style of fine tuner, as linked below.

Goetz ZF6807G Violin, Black/Gold Screw

Original GÖTZ Fine tuner: BLACK with GOLD SCREW E-Strings Adjuster with Loop-End for Violin, Model ZF6807G
Large screw-head (0.31 inch) for maximum tuning accuracy
Precision screw thread for optimal tuning stability
Straight prong design for frequency stability
100% Made in Germany

Tailpieces with built-in fine tuners

Some violins and violas will have metal or composite tailpieces that have built-in fine tuners. These often work well for me and are very convenient. The most frustrating part of a tailpiece like this is when one of the fine tuners breaks or an adjusting screw gets bent. It can be difficult or expensive to find replacement parts, so one must usually replace the entire tailpiece.

WITTNER 918131 tailpiece for full size violin (4/4 size), incl. 4 string adjuster, Made in Germany

Made of space-age composite material, light Alloy Tailpiece
Includes a Wittner nylon tail gut – tail cord
Manufactured in Germany

Wittner, 4-String Viola Ultra Composite Tailpiece, Wood, 15-15 1/2 (TPLWP15)

ULTRA-LIGHTWEIGHT COMPOSITE – The Wittner Ultra Composite Series Viola Tailpiece is made of an ultra light high tech composite material, combining classic design with sophisticated material technology.
ADJUSTABLE NYLON TAILGUT – Wittner’s Ultra Composite Series Viola Tailpiece also includes an adjustable nylon tailgut, making it easy to fine-tune your viola’s sound.
QUALITY CONSTRUCTION – This Wittner Ultra Composite Series Viola Tailpiece is made with the utmost quality, precision, and care. It features a rounded contact surface design that protects the strings while the ball end is securely held in place, preventing any slipping.
CLASSIC DESIGN – Combining classic design with sophisticated material technology, this Wittner Viola Tailpiece is perfect for any musician looking for a reliable piece of equipment. The four built-in string adjusters make tuning corrections easy, and the included nylon tailgut ensures a secure fit.
EFFORTLESS TUNING ADJUSTERS – With four built-in string adjusters, this tailpiece makes tuning corrections quick and easy. No more struggling to get your viola in tune – the Wittner Ultra takes all the frustration out of the process!

Wittner Replacement Screw for Tailpiece Violin/Viola

Original screws
Black
For violin 4/4 to 1/2 and for viola

About the video:

This video shows teachers or students how to change a fine tuner on a violin or viola, although the process is the same on a cello. It shows the differences between violin and viola fine tuners. The fine tuners I recommend are Wittner brand lever-style. They are made in Germany and have always been most durable and reliable for me. Don’t settle for knock offs! I’ve found that the metal isn’t as good. They come in chrome, black, gold, or fancy black and gold.

Be sure to get VIOLA fine tuners for violas! Violin fine tuners will not work well on a viola. If you prefer a tailpiece with fine tuners built in, I recommend these violin Wittner tailpieces in Black or Rosewood or for Viola.

For resources and more information, visit contact Dr. Charles Laux via email at Charles {at} orchestrateacher.net

Top 5 best selling violin fine tuners

Bestseller No. 1

KAIY Violin Fine Tuners for 4/4-3/4 Violin, Stainless Metal String Spinner Adjuster, Nickel Plated Anti Rust, 4 Pcs Black/Gold

COMPATIBLE WITH: Suitable for 4/4 – 3/4 acoustic violin, also work for electric violin that has a tailpiece similar to an acoustic violin’s tailpiece.
EASY TO INSTALL: These fine tuners for violin are very easy to install, no tools are required. 4 metal string adjusters are enough to accommodate E, A, D, G string, Or it can be used only for E string.
HIGH QUALITY: Made of durable metal and brass, smooth and tidy. Nickel-plated, rust-proof, anti-bending and twisting, strong and can be used for a long time.
SENSITIVE & ACCURATE: These violin fine-tuners can be used with loop or ball end strings, steel or rope core strings. They are very sensitive and can easily adjust the violin again for accurate tuning, saving time and energy.
The fine tuners ensure that the violin strings are in the correct position when tuning, great for violin stability and string vibration, great adjust parts and replacement.

Bestseller No. 2

TIMESETL 4Pack Violin Fine Tuners for 4/4-3/4 Violin Metal String Adjuster Nickel Plated Anti Rust (Black + Gold)

[Quality Materials] Made of durable metal and brass, smooth and clean, nickel plated, anti rust, anti bend and twist, strong and durable
[Compatible] Fit 4/4 – 3/4 acoustic violin, also work for electric violin that has a tailpiece similar to an acoustic violin’s tailpiece
[Easy To Install] No more pegs, no tools necessary, with 2 prongs, these fine tuners for violin are very easy to install, 4pcs metal string adjuster enough for E, A, D, G cord, or you can use for E string only
[Sensitive & Accurate] These fiddle fine tuners can be used with loop or ball end strings, steel or rope core strings, very sensitive to adjust, easily adjust the violin in accurate tunes again, save time and effort
[Good Choice] Gold screws with black housing modern design, make a great decoration, great for beginner, amateur and band player, great for violin stability and string vibration, great adjust parts and replacement

SaleBestseller No. 3

Jiayouy 4Pcs Violin Fine Tuners 3/4-4/4 String Adjuster Fine Tuner Violin Parts Silver

Adopting premium alloy, Violin Fine Tuners is anti-rust, outstanding durability and stability.
Easily adjust the violin in accurate tunes, save time and effort.
Special and good-looking, non-discoloring and easily matched for your instrument.
These fiddle fine tuners can be used with loop or ball end strings, steel or rope core strings.
For 3/4 4/4 size violin. Includes 4 violin adjusters/tuners in a package.

Bestseller No. 4

Wittner Stable-style Black with Gold-plated Screw Fine Tuner for 3/4-4/4 Violin

For 3/4-4/4 violin
Can be used with ball or loop end strings
For use with steel or rope core strings
Double prong

Bestseller No. 5

Wittner Stable-style Black Fine Tuner for 3/4-4/4 Violin

For 3/4-4/4 violin
Can be used with ball or loop end strings
For use with steel or rope core strings
Double prong