Abstract: A pick of plectrum for a stringed musical instrument is characterized by an intermediate portion having a greater degree of flexibility than the top and bottom portions of a generally triangularly shaped body. The portions of the pick are gripped by the player between the thumb and index finger and the bottom portion is used to pluck the strings of the instrument. The player can alter the amount of flexibility of the pick by moving the thumb and index finger to grip a selected portion of the intermediate portion.

Abstract: String supporting apparatus for stringed musical instruments, such as guitars, comprises a plurality of saddles, each having a string supporting V-notch, a plurality of brackets, each configured for tightly holding one of the saddles; and spring means for flexibly mounting the brackets to the instrument so that the saddle V-notches support the strings at either or both the instrument head-end and body-end string break points. Thus, the apparatus may be mounted at either or both the instrument nut and bridge. Each bracket includes a clamp for fixing the string supported by the associated saddle V-notch adjacent to the support point. The spring mounting of the brackets enable tuning of the instrument without unclamping the strings, for example, by tensioning the strings by the machine heads when the apparatus is installed at the nut and by pitch tensioning screws when the apparatus is installed on the bridge.

Abstract: An improved fulcrum tremolo is disclosed, characterized by a unique mounting system and a novel adjustable bridge and fine turning assembly. A pair of screws having a blade-like heads are connected with the body of a musical instrument. The tremolo is arranged in a recess in the body of the instrument and includes in its forward edge tapered recesses to receive the screw head edges for pivotal movement thereabout. An adjustable bridge and fine turning assembly for the instrument strings is connected with the tremolo. For each string there is provided a body portion having a pair of rollers for supporting the string, and a tubular member for receiving the string. The tubular member is arranged in a recess within the tremolo. Harmonic tuning is adjusted by sliding the body portion and tube within its recess longitudinally, essentially without altering the tuning of the string. A string securing member is connected with the tremolo to vary the tension of each string.

Abstract: A manual string lock for clamping the strings of a musical instrument adjacent the nut is disclosed. The string lock includes an adjustable clamping mechanism for accommodating strings of different diameters. A unique cam-shaped lever and wedge combination is provided to lock and release the strings. The levers are rotatably connected with the string lock base for rotation about a horizontally and longitudinally offset axis. The cam surface of each lever abuts against a corresponding wedge. Manual rotation of the levers to an overcenter position displaces the wedges longitudinally which in turn vertically displaces the clamping screw and block assemblies, whereby the strings of the instrument are clamped between the clamping blocks and the string lock base.

Abstract: A combined bridge and tailpiece assembly for a stringed musical instrument such as a guitar is disclosed, characterized by a tailpiece member which is manually rotated to produce a vibrato effect. The assembly includes a tailpiece block which is secured to the body portion of the instrument and an elongate tailpiece member rotatably connected at its ends with the tailpiece block for rotation in one direction about an axis parallel with and eccentrically horizontally and vertically offset from the longitudinal axis of the tailpiece member to provide camming action. Adjustable string attachment devices are connected with the tailpiece member for attachment to the ends of the instrument strings which, when tensioned, normally bias the tailpiece member in one direction of rotation. A plurality of adjustable saddle rollers are connected with the tailpiece block and act as a bridge to guide the instrument strings to the string attachment devices.

Abstract: A combined bridge and tailpiece assembly for a stringed musical instrument such as a guitar is disclosed, characterized by a tailpiece member which is manually rotated to produce a vibrato effect. The assembly includes a tailpiece block which is secured to the body portion of the instrument and an elongate tailpiece member rotatably connected at its ends with the tailpiece block for rotation in one direction about an axis parallel with and eccentrically horizontally and vertically offset from the longitudinal axis of the tailpiece member to provide camming action. Adjustable string attachment devices are connected with the tailpiece member for attachment to the ends of the instrument strings which, when tensioned, normally bias the tailpiece member in one direction of rotation. A plurality of adjustable saddle rollers are connected with the tailpiece block and act as a bridge to guide the instrument strings to the string attachment devices.