Abstract: The clamping apparatus includes a row of clamping elements, each two adjacent elements having one of the guitar strings disposed therebetween. An adjustable-length bolt extends through the clamping elements to create string-clamping pressure determined both by the rotated position of a bolt head and the position of a cam, the latter being mounted at the end of the adjustable-length bolt remote from the head. In accordance with the method, the head is hand-turned to cause seating of the clamping elements on the strings, this being while the cam is in a predetermined position. Subsequently, the cam element is shifted to another predetermined position that generates a large clamping pressure on the elements to clamp the guitar strings against longitudinal shifting despite the presence of large forces such as are created by tremolo action and by bending of the strings. An adjustable-height zero-fret element is provided adjacent the clamping elements to determine string height.

Abstract: A guitar body is provided having a bridge plate pivotally mounted thereon, for example, by knife elements. Thus, when the bridge plate is pivoted in response to operation of a tremolo arm there will be a tremolo action in the guitar strings. The guitar body has a recess therein, which contains springs extending generally longitudinally of the guitar strings. One end of each spring is connected to the bridge plate, while the other end is connected to a yoke that is rotatably associated with a shaft extending generally longitudinally of the guitar strings. The shaft extends through the guitar body to one end thereof, so that it can be rotated in response to operation of a wrench. Upon turning of the wrench, the yoke moves along the shaft to adjust the spring tension of springs and thus the resistance to pivotal movement of the bridge plate.

Abstract: A guitar neck incorporating truss rod apparatus, in which a bowed truss rod sufficiently strong and rigid to withstand large compressive and tensile stresses is inserted through an anchor affixed centrally of the neck. One end of the truss rod is clamped for prevention of rotational or axial movement. The other end of the truss rod is threaded into an elongated adjustment nut the inner end of which bears against a shoulder in the neck body, and the outer end of which bears against a stop block located below and concealed by the topnut of the neck. The stop block is apertured to permit entrance of a wrench to adjust the nut, and thus effect either compressive or tensile loading of the truss rod for flexing of the neck in either direction. The means for securing the anchor are concealed below one of the face dots present on the finger board of the guitar neck.

Abstract: An electric bass guitar incorporating combination string-adjustment, fine-tuning, and bridge-elements. The bridge-elements are accurately adjustable to any position, and are so constructed and related that the lateral positions of the strings will be determined with great precision, regardless of the adjusted position of the saddles. Fine-tuning screws are interposed between the saddles and an anchor wall which both anchors the strings and anchors the ends of adjustment elements for the saddles. The strings are confined closely in vertical slots so that they may not move laterally but may move vertically as fine-tuning occurs. The fine-tuning screws engage the string portions in the slots.