Abstract: A universal capo for use with a variety of stringed instruments and with a variety of gauged strings has an upper rigid arm extending longitudinally. A core block made from an elastomer with a first durometer is mounted to the rigid arm. A wrap layer made from an elastomer with a second durometer cradles the core block on the bottom and lateral sides and can extend over the top of the rigid arm. The second durometer hardness is at least 1.5 times the first durometer hardness and the core and wrap have thicknesses collectively contributing to a substantially even pressure on strings of varying gauges to effectively clamp the strings to the neck of an instrument without application of undue pressure.

Abstract: A wooden drumstick that is treated by direct heating by exposure to a flame to improve hardness characteristics by altering the state of fibers in an outer layer of the drum stick relative to inner fibers below the outer layer. A method of manufacturing a treated drumstick includes selecting a wooden starting material, forming a drumstick profile from the wooden starting material, and exposing the drumstick profile directly to a flame.

Abstract: An automatically actuating strap lock mechanism for use on instruments is disclosed. The multiple embodiments disclosed herein use an automatically actuating retaining mechanism to allow a user to attach the end of a strap to a strap button on an instrument without having to manipulate a lever or knob. The retaining mechanism is capable of being moved into the open position using the head of a strap button, allowing a user to slide the mechanism over a strap button. Once a strap button is seated in the strap lock mechanism, the retaining mechanism is automatically released, locking the strap button in place.

Abstract: A string for a musical instrument, comprising a liquid crystal aromatic polyester fiber. Incorporating a synthetic material having a high modulus of elasticity into a musical instrument string substantially increases the torsional stiffness of the string without causing undesirable property changes such as increasing bending stiffness. This is especially useful when used in conjunction with a multifilament synthetic core.

Abstract: A music string for a fretted instrument with extended life of initial tonal characteristics has a central core wire having a wrapped wire wound around it. The wrapped wire is coated with a metal or metal alloy. The metal coating may be nickel or tin or alloys of nickel or tin. The coating may be applied on the wrapped wire by a process of electroplating.

Abstract: An automatically actuating strap lock mechanism for use on instruments is disclosed. The multiple embodiments disclosed herein use an automatically actuating retaining mechanism to allow a user to attach the end of a strap to a strap button on an instrument without having to manipulate a lever or knob. The retaining mechanism is capable of being moved into the open position using the head of a strap button, allowing a user to slide the mechanism over a strap button. Once a strap button is seated in the strap lock mechanism, the retaining mechanism is automatically released, locking the strap button in place.

Abstract: A bracket for mounting a tuning device on a headstock of a string instrument and a bracket-mountable tuning device are disclosed. A primary arm with a plate attaches to a spring arm with a clamping arm by a releasable ratchet engagement. The clamping arm is reciprocable to the plate. A tuner attaches in a rotatable engagement to the plate opposite a mounting surface. An instrument headstock can be positioned between the plate mounting surface and clamping arm and the clamping arm moved toward the plate to a clamping position with the headstock trapped therebetween with substantially constant pressure on the headstock. The tuner is substantially hidden from the front view of the headstock. The clamping arm is maintained in the clamping position by the ratchet engagement until the ratchet engagement is released.

Abstract: A drumhead and a method for coating a drumhead membrane comprising applying a coating having cross linkable polymeric material to the membrane and applying energy to cross link the polymeric material and thereby permanently adhere the material to the membrane as a play surface. The cross-linking not only hardens the coating to improve durability, but also improves the adhesion of the coating to the base film. Actinically cured coatings can completely harden in a matter of 3 to 5 seconds, with UV cured inks being especially desirable.

Abstract: An end pin has a composite shoulder with a fixed lower half and a rotatable upper half. The halves are alignable in a first, installation mode of minimal footprint relative to the hole and slit in the end piece to permit the pin to be easily inserted through the hole in the end piece. The upper half is rotated into a second, locking mode that increases the footprint of the pin over the hole and slit, thereby preventing inadvertent disengagement of the strap from the pin.

Abstract: A drumhead comprising a circular membrane having a flat central play region, a collar extending outwardly and downwardly from the play region, and an outer edge region extending from the collar. A hoop defines a circular channel in which the outer edge region of the membrane is retained. The collar has a convexly curved region having upper and lower ends spanning an included angle, with the upper end transitioning tangentially into the play region and a frustoconical skirt region flaring outwardly from the lower end of the curved region and transitioning into the outer edge area. The included angle of the convexly curved region is about 90 deg., and the skirt and outer edge region of the membrane frustoconically extend from the lower end of the curved region to the channel of the hoop, at a substantially uniform angle in the range of about 10 to 30 deg.

Abstract: A drumhead and a method for coating a drumhead membrane comprising applying a coating having cross linkable polymeric material to the membrane and applying energy to cross link the polymeric material and thereby permanently adhere the material to the membrane as a play surface. The cross-linking not only hardens the coating to improve durability, but also improves the adhesion of the coating to the base film. Actinically cured coatings can completely harden in a matter of 3 to 5 seconds, with UV cured inks being especially desirable.

Abstract: A drumhead comprising a circular membrane having a flat central play region, a collar extending outwardly and downwardly from the play region, and an outer edge region extending from the collar. A hoop defines a circular channel in which the outer edge region of the membrane is retained. The collar has a convexly curved region having upper and lower ends spanning an included angle, with the upper end transitioning tangentially into the play region and a frustoconical skirt region flaring outwardly from the lower end of the curved region and transitioning into the outer edge area. The included angle of the convexly curved region is about 90 deg., and the skirt and outer edge region of the membrane frustoconically extend from the lower end of the curved region to the channel of the hoop, at a substantially uniform angle in the range of about 10 to 30 deg.

Abstract: A bracket for mounting a tuning device on a headstock of a string instrument and a bracket-mountable tuning device are disclosed. A primary arm with a plate attaches to a spring arm with a clamping arm by a releasable ratchet engagement. The clamping arm is reciprocable to the plate. A tuner attaches in a rotatable engagement to the plate opposite a mounting surface. An instrument headstock can be positioned between the plate mounting surface and clamping arm and the clamping arm moved toward the plate to a clamping position with the headstock trapped therebetween with substantially constant pressure on the headstock. The tuner is substantially hidden from the front view of the headstock. The clamping arm is maintained in the clamping position by the ratchet engagement until the ratchet engagement is released.