Abstract: A device for assisting winding a string around a tuning post of a tuning machine of a stringed instrument, is disclosed. An enclosure has an exterior surface, a base, a cap, and a central bore passing through a base aperture. A string ingress aperture passes between the enclosure exterior surface and the central bore. A slot passes through the enclosure exterior surface extending from the ingress aperture to the base, and string egress aperture passes through the enclosure between the enclosure surface and the central bore. The enclosure is configured to substantially enclose the tuning post within the central bore.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are exemplary embodiments of methods, systems, and apparatus for improving pianos and like musical instruments. For example, in certain embodiments, the improvements are in the structures of the piano (or like musical instruments) that affect the vibratory relationships between the struck string and other segments of said string. The improvements affect how these vibratory relationships of the string segments interact with the bridge, soundboard, the plate of a piano, the string rests, and/or the string terminations. For example, in embodiments of the disclosed technology, the vibratory relationships of the string segments involve transient transverse (T) and longitudinal (L) frequencies as well as sustained transverse, longitudinal, and horizontal (H) modes carried by said string segments and their support structures. Embodiments of the disclosed technology also affect how these relationships are defined across the compass of the standard piano keyboard.

Abstract: A string assist apparatus and method (10) includes a support (12) and a resilient extension (14) connected to the support (12). When placed in position on an instrument (20), one end (18) of a string (16) is connected to a bridge (22). The string (16) is passed over the top of resilient extension (14) and connected to tuning post (26). As string (16) is wound around tuning post (26) tension is applied by resilient extension (14) keeping the end (18) of string (16) in place on bridge (22) and freeing both user's hands to attend to the winding process. A connector (42) for removably attaching the invention to the instrument (20) and a height adjuster (62) for adjusting the height of the resilient extension (14) are also provided.

Abstract: The improved musical string includes a prior art core wire assembly including a core wire and a terminal end. The cover wire has an end portion that is bent around the terminal end portion of the core wire, and the cover wire is then wound the core wire to form the musical string. The improved cover wire winding machine includes a headstock with a rotatable spindle and a core wire terminal end mounting hook. A cover wire mounting sleeve is slidably and rotatably engaged to the spindle and functions to mechanically engage an end of the cover wire and to bend it into engagement with the core wire terminal end following engagement, the cover wire is wound around the core wire to produce the improved musical string.

Abstract: The plastic material called PBT (Polybutylene terephthalate) in polymeric chains in the form of continuous monofilaments or multifilaments is used for making the strings of plucked and bowed musical instruments.

Abstract: The invention relates to a modular frame construction for string instruments. Instead of making the frame of the string instrument in one piece, the frame according to this invention is assembled from a number of modules which each comprise a longitudinal tubular member of square cross-section on which strings are supported under tension.

Abstract: Wrapped strings for musical instruments having a predetermined speaking length, wherein the wrapping wire is wound on the core wire to provide uniformly spaced helical convolutions spaced from each other by a distance at least as great as the diameter of the wrapping wire, the wrapping wire having a diameter smaller than the diameter of the core wire, said wrapped strings being so wrapped only within the speaking lengths of the strings.

Abstract: A holder or cassette in the form of a spool having wound thereon a string for a musical instrument, is disclosed. The free end of the string is secured to the spool, while the opposite end utilizes the traditional "ball" or loop which is affixed to the tailpiece or bridge of the instrument.The spool has an axial opening so that it can be mounted over a correspondingly shaped tuning machine shaft, and the spool can also have an internal bar which slips into a slot in the shaft. Musicians can quickly change strings using the invention without the need to actually thread the string through the tuning machine and then cut off the excess as is currently done. Instead, the ball end of the string is inserted into the bridge or tailpiece and a cassette is mounted over the shaft; the tuning machine or peg is then turned in conventional fashion to take up the slack in the string and the instrument is once again ready for use.

Abstract: An apparatus is presented for use with stringed musical instruments which replaces both a bridge and a tailpiece. The apparatus provides enhanced coupling between the string which it contacts and the body of the musical instrument by terminating the string at a point coincident with the desired speaking length, thereby virtually completely eliminating the energy loss and extraneous vibrations that occur in conventional nodal point forming systems. The apparatus includes provision for longitudinally adjusting the position of the string relative to the body of the musical instrument to obtain the proper location thereof with regard to the original octave point position of the strings over the frets.