Abstract: A string instrument, such as a violin, is made of graphite fiber cloth and unidirectional graphite fiber sheets and epoxy resin. The instrument includes a unitary body, including a back, a rib, a neck, and a pegbox, all molded as a single or unitary element. A belly and a soundboard are separately molded of the same material and they are appropriately secured to the body. A string assembly is secured to the body and disposed over the belly. A pair of reinforcing struts are secured to the neck and to the rib. A sound post is disposed between the back and the belly, and a bridge is disposed on the belly, and strings of the string assembly are secured to pegs extending through the pegbox, over the bridge, and to a tail piece. The tail piece is in turn secured to the rib by an end pin remote from the neck.

Abstract: A sound attenuating drum head that comprises a support ring, a synthetic membrane carried by the ring, a thin coating extending in an annular direction on the membrane, and acting to attenuate vibration of the head, when struck.

Abstract: A composition and method of making bodies and necks for stringed musical instruments is provided. The composition is basically an unsaturated compound poly-urethan resin and an inorganic filler, or components comparable thereto, which are combined with a hardener and then molded to form a guitar body, neck or other component of a stringed instrument. The method of making a body or neck of the present invention generally includes the steps of preparing the composition mixture, adding a hardener to the mixture, delivering the mixture and hardener to a mold, and molding the composition. Various appropriate actions may be undertaken upon completion of the molding process including machining, finishing, etc., although the molding process tends to obviate the need for further machining.

Abstract: A keyboard music instrument includes a keyboard, key action mechanisms functionally connected to keys of the keyboard, strings assigned notes of a scale and hammer assemblies for striking the strings. The hammer assemblies have respective hammer heads formed of metallic powder containing synthetic resin so as to exactly regulate the weight to target values.

Abstract: A process for the manufacture of a material for making a wind musical instrument and for making the instrument includes the steps of providing a wood powder, incorporating into the powder fibers chosen to adjust the modulus of elasticity of the mixture to the desired value for the instrument, placing the mixture into a heated mold to melt the natural resins in the wood while maintaining the mixture under pressure between 50.times.10.sup.5 Pa and 700.times.10.sup.5 Pa, and cooling the mixture under the pressure.

Abstract: A light weight guitar neck construction and associated method of manufacture involves the use of a wood core with a strengthening layer, preferably of carbon fiber, and a finish layer, preferably a fiberglass sheet, both impregnated with a high temperature resin. A tensioning wire is provided in the neck, and is non-braided with a diameter of less than 0.100 inches.

Abstract: A drumstick body and method for fabricating the same, the drumstick body having resin coated fibers and a filler material. The method includes the steps of coating at least one fiber with resin, wrapping a length of the fiber around a roller, placing the length of fiber into a mold, and curing the resin to form a solid drumstick body.

Abstract: A key for keyboard instruments includes a molded key body and a perspiration-absorbing sheet. The molded key body is pivotally secured to a supporting member of the instrument and formed of a synthetic resin. The perspiration-absorbing sheet is provided over the surface of the key body so that the perspiration-absorbing sheet serves as a top, playing surface of the key.

Abstract: The invention is a guitar pick guard, for mounting on a guitar having a guitar body, a neck, and a bridge. The guitar pick guard is mounted to the guitar body between the neck and the bridge. The guitar pick guard has a top layer, a bottom layer and a middle layer. The top layer is made of fabric. The bottom layer is made of a soft felt material. The middle layer is made of a flexible rubber, plastic or vinyl material.

Abstract: An electric guitar has a body part and a neck part made of medium-density fiberboard, with the density of about 0.5 g/cm.sup.3, formed by heating and pressing wood fibers of single whitish conifer chips together with an adhesive, processed to be of a predetermined configuration. On each of the surfaces of the body part and the neck part, a printed layer with a grain pattern transferred from a sheet is formed. A medium-density fiberboard is inexpensive and has good processing characteristics. In addition, in the manufacturing process of the body part of the guitar, it requires no joining of plate materials or drying. Therefore, an electric guitar looking attractive can be produced at a low price.

Abstract: A slide bar for use with stringed instruments, such as the guitar or the dobro, includes two longitudinal halves with each half having a semi-cylindrical configuration. The two halves are made of different materials and are joined to form a hollow cylinder or tube. In an alternative embodiment of the invention, three members each made of different materials are joined to form a hollow cylinder.

Abstract: A method of treating a nylon or other non-ferromagnetic musical instrument string so that its movement is detectable by a ferromagnetic pickup includes applying ferromagnetic material to a portion of the string when the string is mounted to an instrument. The preferred method is to paint the string with a fluid material comprising a suspension of nickel particles in a solvent, and permitting the solvent to evaporate to leave a residue of nickel particles on the string.

Abstract: A stringed instrument having a neck coupled to a hollow body portion, the hollow body portion being constructed primarily utilizing synthetic resin laminate sheets.

Abstract: A tuned musical handbell has been devised which has a surprisingly excellent musical tone quality. A bell casting made from aluminum is sized and tuned by metalworking processes to frequencies below 196 Hertz. Aluminum alloys, such as numbers 319, 356, and Precedent 71 are suitable. The aluminum handbells are produced as individual elements of a complete set which include the use of aluminum for frequencies below 196 Hertz, and bronze for frequencies above 196 Hertz.

Abstract: A titanium reed is formed by cutting a hardened sheet of high-grade titanium into a strip where length and width are determined by the standard sizes and lays of mouthpieces of various musical instruments in the woodwind family. The titanium sheet stock from which the strip is cut may be hardened prior to cutting, or hardening processes may be preformed on the cut strips after shaping has occurred. Where the sheet stock is prehardened, the techniques involve heating to a high temperature and thinning out a portion of the sheet to form a taper. Where hardening is required after the strip is cut and formed, heat treatment is applied to achieve a strength in the titanium corresponding to the desired tone of the reed. In all processes, material is removed from the bottom of the reed from the approximate center toward the tongue end to relieve stress in the metal at the tongue end.

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: The mixture includes between 300 and 600 ml. of isopropyl alcohol, 100 to 199 ml. of tincture of green soap, 100 to 199 ml. of glycerin and between 21 and 43 grams of violin rosin. These ingredients are mixed until an amalgamated and homogeneous solution is obtained.

Abstract: A guitar is provided with a soft pillow-like body or cushion instead of the large sound box of a Spanish-type guitar or the substantially flat non-yielding body of an electric guitar. The soft cushion avoids uncomfortable localized contact between the body of the musician and parts of the guitar, and it promotes more secure holding by the musician for better performance on the instrument. Also, the cushion is sufficiently flexible so that the stem and neck of the guitar may be suitably positioned for playing by a musician in either standing or sitting position.

Abstract: A laminate soundboard for a piano or the like having a metal core of a modulus of elasticity and an inherent damping factor corresponding to steel of at least a grade St 34, and at least one outer cover layer of wood or plastic bonded thereto in full surface contact on each side thereof. The outer cover layers have a damping characteristic corresponding to that of wood.

Abstract: An improved fret, nut and/or, bridge saddle for stringed instruments comprises a polished aluminum oxide ceramic. The ceramic of this invention is long lasting and provides improved tonal clarity, and can increase greatly the ease with which a strummed instrument can be played.

Abstract: A piano case or frame includes a laminated key bed and side arms joined with the bed at each end. The key bed supports the keyboard and associated portions of the piano action, and is assembled with each side arm of the frame by means of a rabbet joint. Fastening screws extending through the laminated bed into barrel nuts within each of the side arms develop significant pressure in the rabbet joints to hold the key bed and the supported keyboard in a level, undistorted position.

Abstract: A bowl-shaped body formed in a single piece of graphite, fiberglass or impregnated fabric and having a waist separating a smaller upper bowl portion from a larger lower bowl portion. The lower bowl portion has a circular bout and is substantially deeper than the upper bowl portion. Preferably, the upper bowl portion also has a cutaway portion adjacent the fretboard, for fingering at the higher positions, and a more deeply curving waist portion on the same side to allow the guitar to be more easily held during playing.

Abstract: This application discloses a grand piano with a transparent lid or cover, and a special hinge structure mounting the lid for pivotal movement into open and closed positions.

Abstract: A guitar neck which is cast of epoxy resin and a powdered filler, preferably of aluminum metal. This guitar neck, when fastened to a conventional guitar, is of greater strength than conventional laminate wood guitar necks and may be consequently formed of thinner construction, simplifying the playing and fingering of the guitar strings fitted on the neck.