Abstract: A string attachment system for securing a string to a stringed musical instrument. The string attachment system includes a bridge pin having an elongate stem defining an outer surface formed for longitudinal mating insertion into a pin hole defined by the walls of a walled opening through a bridge assembly disposed on the body of an instrument. A passage is formed to extend transversely through the stem from a front entry point to a rear exit point. With this arrangement, the bridge pin can receive an end of a musical string through the front entry point, through the passage, and out through the rear exit point to enable the string to pass through the bridge pin and into the pin hole along with the stem of the bridge pin. A rear groove is formed in the outer surface by two planar walls intersecting to form a v-shaped groove for receiving the string.

Abstract: The invention is an expandable volume food preparation tool for precisely and quickly forming a quantity of dough into a plurality of uniform dough blocks having a predetermined volume and shape. Included therein is a base plate having a base opening disposed therethrough. The base opening is defined by a continuous substantially vertical interior base sidewall arranged to define a predetermined outline shape. A base volume is defined by the void enclosed by the base sidewall. To enable the user to manipulate the base plate, a handle is mounted to the base plate. Additionally, a removable primary extension plate is mounted to the base plate. The primary extension plate includes an extension opening defined by a continuous, substantially vertical, interior extension sidewall arranged to define an outline shape substantially identical to the outline shape of the base opening. An extension volume is defined by the void enclosed by the extension sidewall within the primary extension plate.