Retractable tail on a stringed instrument body

Abstract

A solid instrument body of a stringed musical instrument is provided with a tail, disposed at the body end of the instrument, which can be extended or retracted. The tail is held in place by adjustable fastening means that allow it to extend up to about ten inches beyond the body portion for purposes of balanced feel and design, or to retract to a concealed location, to reduce the instrument to a compact size such that its total length is only slightly greater than the string length. For playing in a standing position a support strap is attached to the end of the tail. The tail may be shaped to have a slight taper and squared-off end so as to balance and complement a similar but more elongated design of the 'headless' neck portion. The instrument can be made to be played using a two-handed string tapping technique while supported in a predominantly upright position as with the Chapman Stick (registered) family of stringed instruments, or can be played in the predominantly horizontal position using conventional technique. For a seated player position, the tail serves as a height-adjustable stand or pedestal that carries the weight of the instrument in the manner of the spike on a string bass or cello.