Abstract: An exemplary system includes first and second controllers each configured to selectively operate in a master state and a standby state, a first watchdog timer associated with the first controller, and a second watchdog timer associated with the second controller. Each watchdog timer is configured to be either unexpired or expired. Selectively, the first controller operates in the master state and the second controller operates in the standby state when the first watchdog timer is unexpired and the second watchdog timer is expired, the first controller operates in the standby state and the second controller operates in the master state when the first watchdog timer is expired and the second watchdog timer is unexpired, and the first and second controllers both operate in the standby state when both the first and the second watchdog timer are expired or when both the first and the second watchdog timer are unexpired.

Abstract: A compound headstock for use with a guitar-like instrument. The headstock has a major surface to which posts of a majority of the headmachines mounted on the headstock project. The headstock also preferably incudes first and second surfaces disposed at elevations different than the elevation of the major surface. Through the first and second surfaces are disposed the posts of headmachines associated with the lowest and highest tuned strings used on the guitar-like instrument. As such, the string associated with the lowest tuned note makes an angle with respect to the plane in which the strings set between a nut on the guitar-like instrument and a bridge on a guitar-like instrument which is much greater than the angles made for the majority of the strings. Similarly, the string associated with the highest tuned note makes an angle with respect to said plane which is much less than the angles associated with the stings associated with the majority of the headmachines.

Abstract: A stringed instrument comprising a body and a neck, the neck having a fingerboard and a headstock and being mounted on the body and also including relatively high frets on the fingerboard. Tuning machines are mounted on the headstock and a vibrato bridge unit is mounted on the body. Strings urge the vibrato bridge unit into a quiescent, non-vibrato position. Strings are mounted between the tuning machines and the vibrato bridge unit. Strings are mounted between the tuning machines in the vibrato bridge unit, the neck having approximately a fourteen inch scale length and the strings being tuned like a violin to the notes G, D, A and E. A pick-up arrangement is mounted on the body, preferably having pole pieces which confront the strings.