Abstract: A guitar with improved releasable neck joint construction. The guitar (10) comprises a body (12) having a forwardly facing neck engaging surface (36), and a neck (18) having a proximal end portion (20) for being secured to the body (12). The proximal end portion (20) of the neck (18) defines a rearwardly facing body engaging surface (40) for engaging the neck engaging surface (36) of the body (12). At least one mortise/tenon coupling (42) is provided for interlocking the neck (18) and body (12) at the neck engaging surface (36) and body engaging surface (40), with threaded fasteners (48) being provided for releasably securing the coupling (42) in a coupled position.

Abstract: A guitar pick holder including a band removeably fitted around the arm of a guitar player generally at the wrist. A tether line having a first end and a second end opposite the first end is connected to the band at its first end and extends generally downwardly from the band. The length of the tether line extending down from the band substantially corresponds to the distance from the wrist to the fingertips of the guitar player. A guitar pick is connected to the second end of the tether line.

Abstract: A musical cow-bell is provided with a striking ridge of high impact plastic. The ridge provides versatility in playing, protection against damage to the bell or drumstricks and improved tone.

Abstract: A stainless steel reed is formed by cutting a strip of full-hard stainless. A rounded edge is formed at the tongue end of the strip which is then tapered toward the tongue end by friction extraction of material from the lower surface to form a wedge. Additional material is removed from the central portions of the lower side of the tongue end to create a generally concave depression. Material remaining around the perimeter of the depression acts as supports for the thin center section created by the concave depression, permitting harmonic vibration in the center section while maintaining adequate strength.A method of forming a stainless steel reed includes cutting strips of full-hard stainless steel to fit the mouthpiece of the instrument. The tongue end of the strip is rounded and the lower surface is tapered toward the tongue end by friction extraction. A concave depression is created in the tongue end by friction extraction.

Abstract: The present invention provide for a drumhead, or the head of any percussion or related instrument, such as a tambourine, which includes a layer in which a hologram image is formed which incorporates a thin metal coating conforming substantially to the contours of the hologram, and a dark colored synthetic substrate, to which the bottom surface of the layer of film incorporating the hologram is laminated. The thin metal coating, often aluminum as the metal alloy of choice, is applied utilizing a process commonly known in the art as "metalizing", wherein the molecules of the metal are dispersed relatively evenly over a given surface by the decomposition of the metal in its gaseous form. The coating is deposited to a thickness that allows approximately 65% light transmission through the hologram forming film layer and enables the dark colored substrate beneath to enhance the dramatic and colorful light effects ultimately achieved by the invention.

Abstract: A means for regulating cymbal pedal tautness includes an end block to which an end of a spring is attached. The spring extends downwardly and attaches at the other end to a coupling block. To one of the coupling block is attached a lower draw bar which extends downwardly to connect with the pedal by means of which the cymbals are operated. To the other end of the coupling block is attached an upper draw bar which extends up through the end block to connect with a top cymbal. A tap of the foot on the pedal subsequently causes the top cymbal to rapidly descend crashing on the bottom cymbal to produce the appropriate musical effect. The pedal and, consequently, the top cymbal are returned to their original positions by the restorative force in the spring. A tension in the spring is regulatable by means of a screw acceptor block provided on an inner surface with screw threadings within which set screws which protrude from the end block rest.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument, such as an electric guitar, having a solid body made of clay-based material. The body is made by shaping a greenware from a clay-based material, and firing the greenware to cause it to permanently harden. The body is then glazed to obtain a smooth, non-porous finish.

Abstract: A means for maintaining cymbol pedal tightness includes a fixed fitting to which both a cymbol pedal is attached and to either end of which a spring fitting is attached. The other end of each spring fitting is attached to an adjusting fitting. The adjusting fitting is fixably disposed directly above the pedal. A depression of the cymbol pedal pulls downwardly on the fixed fitting causing the springs in the spring fitting to extend. A subsequent release of the pedal releases the tension on the springs allowing the pedal to return to its original position. The tension in the springs is adjustable by means of gears disposed within the adjusting fitting.

Abstract: A tuning machine is provided with an adjustable bearing surface for eliminating mesh backlash and end play which gradually develope between the worm and worm gear over years of service. The worm is held against the worm gear by a pair of saddle bearings formed on a sliding retainer. When the bearing wear develops an unacceptable backlash or end play develops, the retainer is loosened and repositioned closer to the worm. In the new position the worm is returned to its original intimate engagement with the worm gear. Simultaneously, the worm, is axially centered due to opposed bevel surfaces on the worm and saddle bearings. The new worm to worm gear mesh is free of backlash and endplay.

Abstract: A tambourine which has a body which is annular in shape, has an uninterrupted outer rim and jingles disposed on posts inwardly of its inner rim. The body has a cross-section which is "C" shaped to form a resonating cavity and a solid portion to form a hand hold. The tambourine when grasped by a performer at the hand hold may be rolled on the outer rim upon a surface with back spin such that the tambourine will return to the performer when it decelerates.

Abstract: A a reinforced musical drum rim including a drum rim in which: a concavity is cut out of the underside of said drum rim; in said concavity is established a honeycomb-like reinforcement structure comprising a chain of hexagonally shaped reinforcements; a plurality of equally spaced screw hole units through which respective clamping screws are passable are disposed within the reinforcement structure so that deformation occuring in the drum rim due to the tightening of the clamping screws is prevented.

Abstract: A rotary valve assembly incorporated in a brass instrument for changing a pitch of a tone comprises a rotary valve housed in a valve casing having two groups of aeroports, and the rotary valve is provided with two air passages, one of which interconnects the aeroports in the first group and the other of which interconnects one aeroport of the first group and one aeroport of the second group, so that various arrangements are possible for the aeroports.

Abstract: A string cutting and clamping apparatus for a stringed instrument which includes an axial bore in the string winding shaft and a screw threaded cutting and clamping stem mounted therein. The wall of the shaft is provided with aligned openings adjacent the bottom of the bore for reception of a string to be cut and clamped. The stem is advanced by turning in the bore and the bottom edge surface of the stem severs the string by shearing action against the inner edge of one of the openings. Continued advancing of the stem clamps the severed end of the string against the flat bottom surface of the bore. The bottom surface of the bore is spaced a distance below the cutting edge of the opening so that the string is completely severed as the stem passes the cutting edge of the opening.

Abstract: A mouthpiece plate for a flute-type wind instrument is disclosed. One embodiment of the mouthpiece plate or a portion thereof is pivotable or movable to provide incremental adjustments of the movable portion to asist the flutist in establishing the optimum embouchure for his or her facial skeletal and muscular characteristics. In an alternative embodiment, the mouthpiece plate is fixed but has a shape which provides stability for the instrument and aids in establishing optimum embouchure. In another alternative embodiment of the invention a mound-like projection element is integrally or releasably affixed to the mouthpiece plate to provide further support for the lower lip.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a mechanism capable of simply making a low sound volume performance on the piano, and more particularly to a muffler for pianos, which includes a flat muffler member of a cushioning material provided slidably on a damper guide holder, and which is adapted to make a low sound volume performance on the piano by striking strings by hammers with the flat muffler member of a cushioning material advanced to a position between the hammers and strings, and a regular sound volume performance thereon by striking the strings by the hammers directly with the muffler member slidingly retreated to its normal position.

Abstract: The musical scale indicator according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention is composed of two cooperating parts. A base is provided having thereon printed information pertaining to a particular musical instrument and which, in addition, has printed thereon fingering patterns for playing tones on that instrument arranged in a predetermined sequence indicative of any number of desired musical scales. A slidable, clear overlay is slidably connected with the base. The overlay has printed thereon the letter designations for the musical tones arranged in a predetermined sequence so as to cooperate with the fingering patterns indicated on the base in order to selectively indicate to the user the finger positions on the subject musical instrument that will produce the tones of a selected musical scale and simultaneously the finger positions on that instrument that will produce those tones.

Abstract: A soundboard for an acoustic guitar is made of a composite-materials plate having an area density matching that of wooden soundboards while having a bulk density exceeding the bulk density of wooden soundboards. The soundboard is preferably made of a lay-up of woven polymer (preferably aramid) fabric and a layer of unidirectional graphite fibers followed by a layer of decorative fabric (e.g., silk), all embedded in a resin matrix. The side and back are made of at least one layer of woven fabric embedded in a resin matrix. The neck is made of a foam plastic core preferably covered with a woven fabric layer and a decorative fabric layer embedded in a resin matrix. The head is preferably cast of fiber-filled thermoplastic covered with a fabric layer embedded in a resin matrix. The head and neck are channelled to receive a composite-materials reinforcing rod, a fret board of similar material being bonded thereto.

Abstract: A pitch changing device or slide bar for a guitar. The device is tubular and the outer surface tapers from an enlarged midportion toward the opposite ends so as to provide a generally convex exterior which allows the player to selectively engage only a single guitar string at a time or any two adjacent strings at a time.

Abstract: A drum having a top head ring, a top head across the top head ring, a tensioning ring above the top head ring and having a downwardly directed annular flange inward of the top head ring and contacting the top head, and tensioning bolts for adjustable positioning of the tensioning ring with respect to the top head ring is disclosed. There is also a bottom head ring, a bottom head across the bottom head ring, a shell beween the top head and the bottom head, and tensioning rods for pulling the bottom head ring towards the tensioning ring to thereby tension the bottom head across the bottom edge of the shell, and at least one snare mechanism positionable under each head, the snare mechanism including snare wires positionable from edge to edge of the heads.

Abstract: A guitar support apparatus which supports a guitar in the playing position while the guitarist is in the sitting position, consisting of a leg support strap supporting three legs hinged together and having guitar support means opposite the strap.