Abstract: Wirelessly programmed and controlled switching system for use with stringed musical instruments (e.g., guitars) to enable a user to seamlessly change pickup coil settings without having to adjust the physical connections between the switch and the pickups.

Abstract: For battery-operated guitars and other stringed musical instruments, a coaxial battery-access cover cap mounts an audio phone jack that delivers the instrument's audio output. For battery access, the cover cap, which has a knurled rim for easy finger-gripping, can be removed from an attachment collar secured to the instrument with simple rotation of less than a half turn. As an option to enable the cap assembly to be installed in the instrument in place of an existing strap-peg, a strap-peg may be formed integrally on the cover cap around the jack opening. Extended embodiments can include an integral battery compartment with provision for mounting an electronic module enabling features including amplification, buffering, DSP and other effects in a self-contained system that requires only a single round opening for mounting in the instrument. The invention can be incorporated in original manufacture or as an after-market upgrade to practically any stringed instrument.

Abstract: A humbucker pickup for creating electrical signals indicative of the string vibrations of an electric guitar includes a matched pair of elongated coil assemblies and a transversely polarized permanent magnet disposed between and parallel to the coils. Each coil assembly includes a flat vertically oriented core plate which is reduced to partial height in one portion of its length. The core structures are disposed parallel to each other but with the partial height portions of the core plates at opposite ends of the respective core structures. Under each string of the instrument the full-height portion of one core plate forms a tall pole piece adjacent the string for concentrating the magnetic field through the string, while the reduced-height portion of the other core plate forms a short pole piece spaced away from the string.