Its player takes a bow (4)
I believe the answer is:
viol
'its player takes a bow' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)
This is all the clue.
(Other definitions for viol that I've seen before include "Precursor of the violin" , "something from the past to play" , "Early fiddle" , "Double bass relative" , "Old consort instrument" .)