Abstract: An electromagnetic pickup for a stringed musical instrument has a plurality of magnet and coil signal generating units each associated with a respective one of the strings, and the housing which contains the signal generating units also contains an associated plurality of adjustable potentiometers whereby the contribution of each generating unit to a composite output signal may be varied. A fixed resistance connected to each potentiometer prevents each generating unit from being turned entirely off, and another fixed resistance in the main output line assures an acceptable input impedance to a tone control and amplifier, or other utilization circuit, to which the pickup is connected.

Abstract: A bridge for an electric string bass or other stringed musical instrument includes a base adapted for attachment to the body of the instrument and a number of saddles for individually supporting the strings, the saddles being adjustably movable to different positions relative to the base, in the direction along the length of the strings, to adjust the string intonation. The saddles may include piezoelectric elements for providing electrical signals and, in this case, the base may further include a covered recess for housing a plurality of volume controls each associated with a respective one of the strings. The saddles are designed and arranged on the base to support the strings with a given curvature matching that of the fret board and an adjustment means is provided for raising, lowering and/or tilting the base relative to the body to bring the strings into proper height adjustment relative to the frets.

Abstract: A mute mechanism for an electric string bass or other stringed musical instrument is permanently mounted on the body of the instrument and includes a rubber faced mute movable into and out of engagement with the instrument's strings by a manually shiftable slide readily accessible by a performer playing the instrument.

Abstract: A neck for a guitar or other stringed musical instrument includes a body of wood, structural foamed plastic or the like and at least one reinforcing member strengthening and stiffening the body. This reinforcing member is one having a high modulus of elasticity and is spaced from the neutral axis of the remainder of the neck so as to effectively resist bending of the neck under string tension.

Abstract: A guitar or similar stringed musical instrument includes an electrical pickup located beneath the strings for transforming the string vibrations into electrical signals subsequently amplified to provide an electronically enhanced reproduction of the string sound. The pickup is of the magnetic induction type having no direct mechanical connection with the strings. The system for mounting the pickup from the body of the instrument inhibits the transmission of vibrations from the instrument body to the pickup to minimize extraneous noise in the output signal, and it is also one which is of relative simplicity and low cost and which provides for easy adjustment of the pickup relative to the strings.

Abstract: A magnetic induction type electrical pickup for a stringed musical instrument has two coils each having an opening receiving one or more permanent magnet elements. The magnet elements establish a magnetic circuit through the two coils the reluctance of which is varied by the vibration of a string to induce signal voltages in the coils. The arrangement and polarities of the permanent magnet elements, and the arrangement, winding direction and interconnection of the two coils is such as to minimize the effect of stray magnetic fields, having any random direction, on the output of the pickup. That is, the pickup is one which is highly effective in suppressing noise arising from ambient magnetic fields generated by nearby electrical devices. Also, microphonics or squeals are inhibited by construction features which repress resonant vibration of internal parts of the pickup.