Abstract: A method of treating an instrument string comprising the steps of: (a) securing both ends of the string, while the string is not on an instrument, to an apparatus that can apply tension to the string, the string having a longitudinal axis; (b) applying sufficient tension to the string with the apparatus along the longitudinal axis of the string to elongate the string by at least 0.3% without breaking the string; and (c) releasing at least part of the tension of step (b), wherein at least part of the elongation from step (b) remains.

Abstract: A musical instrument switching system includes a) a control circuit controllable for combining and routing the analog audio, the control circuit comprising a plurality of instrument pickups for transmitting analog audio, and a controller connector for allowing connection of the control circuit to a computing device, and b) a software program, installable in the computing device, for modifying the characteristics of the musical instrument.

Abstract: A musical instrument switching system includes a) a control circuit controllable for combining and routing the analog audio, the control circuit comprising a plurality of instrument pickups for transmitting analog audio, and a controller connector for allowing connection of the control circuit to a computing device, and b) a software program, installable in the computing device, for modifying the characteristics of the musical instrument.

Abstract: A string for a musical stringed instrument includes (a) a core wire and (b) a wrap wire coiled tightly around the core wire. The wrap wire is an aluminum-copper alloy having between about 2 wt % and about 10 wt % aluminum.

Abstract: A string for a musical stringed instrument includes (a) a core wire and (b) a wrap wire coiled tightly around the core wire. The wrap wire is an aluminum-copper alloy having between about 2 wt % and about 10 wt % aluminum.

Abstract: An adjustable bridge for a stringed instrument has a saddle housing defining a plurality of saddle slots and a saddle disposed within each saddle slot. Each saddle is axially adjustable within a saddle slot parallel to its instrument string and is firmly retained within a saddle slot by friction and/or by a tautly drawn instrument string disposed across the saddle. The adjustable bridge employs no springs, set screws, detents, removable screws or other removable fasteners.

Abstract: A musical instrument string is made of maraging steel and has a tensile strength greater than 430 ksi.

Abstract: The invention is a string for a musical instrument comprising (a) a core wire, and (b) a wrap wire coiled tightly around the core wire, the wrap wire comprising a magnetic cobalt-containing alloy.

Abstract: The present invention involves a solid compensated nut for a stringed musical instrument which improves the intonation of each string of the instrument. The compensated nut includes one or more intonation portions on a face of the nut and the intonation portions have different dimensions according to the desired pitch or intonation of the instrument. Desirably, the number of intonation portions is equal to the number of strings of the instrument, and each particular intonation portion is dimensioned to improve the intonation of a particular string. Advantageously, the nut is compensated different amounts according to the desired pitch of a particular string and the compensated nut is especially effective in improving the intonation of the strings near the nut.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a pick-up device for an electric musical instrument having strings. The pick-up device has a primary coil for sensing the vibration of the strings, and a secondary coil for noise cancellation. The secondary coil is isolated from the primary coil by, for example, an operational amplifier. The primary coil operates in a primary circuit, while the secondary coil operates in a noise cancellation circuit. The impedances of the primary circuit are selected to optimize the frequency response of the primary coil. The impedances of the noise cancellation circuit are selected to match the frequency response of the secondary coil to the frequency response of the primary coil.

Abstract: A musical instrument string includes a core wire, preferably round in cross section, and is bent a short distance from one end thereof to form a loop. The end segment of the core wire is twisted together with a second segment of the core wire that is adjacent the loop to form a looped end on the musical instrument string and a twisted segment adjacent the looped end. A wrap wire wound tightly around the twisted segment of the core wire reinforce the string against breakage at the twisted segment. The length of the wrapped section of the core wire is small fraction of the overall length of the core wire and musical instrument string so that when the string is installed on the instrument the wrapped portion does not extend beyond the bridge.

Abstract: There is disclosed a device for adjusting tension of an elongated filament having one end thereof coupled to a supporting structure, the device having a lever arm adapted to be pivotally attached to the supporting structure, a tuning peg having ratchet notches therein and being rotatably attached to the lever arm and being adapted to engage and adjustably wind the elongated filament therearound, a spring stop attached to the lever arm for engaging the ratchet notches of the tuning peg and an adjusting screw attached to the supporting structure and engaging the lever arm for pivotally positioning the lever arm with respect to the supporting structure whereby the tension of the elongated filament is coarsely adjusted by rotating the tuning peg and finely adjusted by pivoting the lever arm.