Abstract: A fretboard for a stringed musical instrument, the musical instrument, and a method of manufacturing the fretboard. A unitary body serves as the fretboard and lies underneath a plurality of tensioned strings, extending in a longitudinal direction. The unitary body is elongated in the longitudinal direction. The unitary body includes a plurality of ridges extending transverse to the longitudinal direction and arranged in succession in the longitudinal direction to define separate frets. Each ridge is associated with a plurality of notes corresponding to the plurality of strings and is composed of a plurality of ridge segments corresponding to the plurality of strings. The plurality of ridge segments are disposed adjacent to each other and are shaped relative to each other to correct intonation of the plurality of notes. The method of manufacturing includes forming the plurality of ridges in unitary construction with the unitary body.

Abstract: A tuning machine for a stringed instrument comprising an input shaft having an eccentric at an end and being rotatable by a user, a gear member with a central axial bore to receive the eccentric to move the gear member though an eccentric circular motion as the input shaft rotates, the gear member having external teeth, a ring gear having internal teeth positioned around the external teeth of the gear member, the ring gear accommodates the gear member such that at least one of the external teeth meshes with and drives at least one of the internal teeth as the gear member moves through its eccentric circular motion to rotate the ring gear about its central axis, and a string post driven by the ring gear to wind or unwind a string of the instrument as a result of rotation of the input shaft.

Abstract: A plectrum for striking a stringed instrument is planar so as to define a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The plectrum has a wide end a narrow end opposite the wide end. The plectrum includes: (a) a gripping portion disposed at the wide end, the gripping portion having a first thickness and a first flex; and (b) a thicker portion disposed at the narrow end, the thicker portion having a second thickness that is at least 10% greater than the first thickness and having a second flex that is less than the first flex, the plectrum defining a tip having a thickness greater than the first thickness.

Abstract: A tuning machine for a stringed instrument comprising: an input shaft having a first end, and an opposite second end having an eccentric, the input shaft being rotatable in response to an input from a user; a gear member or rotor with a central axial bore to receive the eccentric to move the rotor though a circular motion as the input shaft rotates, the rotor having a first or upper gear portion with external first lobes, and a second or lower gear portion with external second lobes; a first or upper ring gear having internal first teeth positioned around the first lobes of the first gear portion; a second or lower ring gear separate from the upper ring gear and having internal second teeth positioned around the second lobes, said upper and lower ring gears being larger than the rotor to accommodate the circular motion of the rotor within said ring gears such that at least one of the first lobes meshes with at least one of the internal first teeth, and at least one of the second lobes meshes with and drives a

Abstract: A plectrum for striking a stringed instrument is planar so as to define a first side and a second side opposite the first side. The plectrum has a wide end a narrow end opposite the wide end. The plectrum includes: (a) a gripping portion disposed at the wide end, the gripping portion having a first thickness and a first flex; and (b) a thicker portion disposed at the narrow end, the thicker portion having a second thickness that is at least 10% greater than the first thickness and having a second flex that is less than the first flex, the plectrum defining a tip having a thickness greater than the first thickness.

Abstract: A tuning machine for a stringed instrument comprising an input shaft having a first end, and an opposite second end having an eccentric, the input shaft being rotatable in response to an input from a user; a gear member with a central axial bore to receive the eccentric to move the gear member though a circular motion as the input shaft rotates, the gear member having external teeth; a ring gear having internal teeth positioned around the external teeth of the gear member, the ring gear being larger than the gear member to accommodate the circular motion of the gear member within the ring gear such that at least one of the external teeth meshes with and drives at least one of the internal teeth as the gear member moves through its circular motion to rotate the ring gear about its central axis; and a string post driven by the ring gear to wind a string of the instrument as a result of rotation of the input shaft in one direction and unwind the string as a result of rotation of the input shaft in an opposite di

Abstract: A hand powder composition, particularly useful for musicians of necked stringed instruments, comprising a fine moisture absorbing powder in an amount from about 90%-99% by weight of the total composition and a fine polytetrafluoroethylene powder in an amount from about 1%-7% by weight of the total composition. The polytetrafluoroethylene powder may have average particle sizes of about 18-22 ?m. The moisture absorbing powder may be talcum powder or corn starch, or a combination thereof. A fine alkaline powder may be included to neutralize acidity of perspiration. A fine powdered colorant may be included for approximately matching the color of the composition to a desired color.

Abstract: A wraparound bridge or tailpiece for a stringed musical instrument such as guitar, banjo, and the like, comprising an elongate body having top and bottom surfaces, and front and back edges, and a mounting means for mounting to the instrument such that the bottom surface faces the instrument and the front edge faces the neck of the instrument, and a plurality of string channels defined in the bottom surface, each string channel extending from the front edge toward the back edge and including a narrow portion open to the bottom surface to receive a string and a wider front cavity open on the front edge to receive and capture the ball end of the string. Hence the end of a string with the ball end may be slid underneath the body in a fore direction and once the ball end clears the front the string may be moved upwards until it is received within the string channel, and then drawn rearwards until the ball end abuts the narrow portion of the string channel.

Abstract: Devices and methods for mounting a tuning machine with locator pins to a stringed instrument having a mounting configuration with receiving holes that are misaligned with the tuning machines locator pins. A mounting element is provided having top and bottom surfaces and a post aperture to receive the tuning machine's post. Tuning machine alignment apertures in the top surface are in alignment with and adapted to receive the locator pins when the post is located within the post aperture, and instrument alignment elements in the bottom surface are in alignment with the receiving holes on the instrument when the post is located within the post aperture on the mounting element and the first post aperture on the instrument. The top surface complementarily receives the base of the tuning machine, and the bottom surface complementarily fits with the mounting configuration of the instrument such that the tuning machine can be secured to the mismatched instrument.

Abstract: Improved pickups for stringed instruments, such as guitars, ukuleles, banjos and the like. The pickup system includes a housing with a transducer element and a first magnetic means, and a distinct second magnetic means that cooperates with the first magnetic means to grasp a part of the instrument there between and thereby releasably mount the pickup on the instrument. Thus the pickup system can be easily mounted, removed or moved to other locations on the stringed instrument to produce the most desirable effect.

Abstract: String tuning devices for stringed musical instruments, such as guitars or the like, comprising of tuning pegs or machine heads that provide equal or practically equal tuning sensitivity for the strings employed on the same instrument such that a unit of rotation of each tuning peg or machine head produces an equal or practically equal tonal shift in its associated string.

Abstract: Improved pickups for stringed instruments, such as guitars, ukuleles, banjos and the like. The pickup system includes a housing with a transducer element and a first magnetic means, and a distinct second magnetic means that cooperates with the first magnetic means to grasp a part of the instrument there between and thereby releasably mount the pickup on the instrument. Thus the pickup system can be easily mounted, removed or moved to other locations on the stringed instrument to produce the most desirable effect.

Abstract: String tuning devices for D stringed musical instruments, such as guitars or the like, comprising of tuning pegs or machine heads that provide equal or practically equal tuning sensitivity for the strings employed on the same instrument such that a unit of rotation of each tuning peg or machine head produces an equal or practically equal tonal shift in its associated string.

Abstract: A saddle for a stringed instrument comprising an elongate member having a string support surface for supporting strings of the instrument and a base for connecting to the stringed instrument. The elongate member has at least one internal cavity and an insert made from a resonant material is received in the internal cavity. The insert may be formed from a material having the same or a different density than the material of the elongate member. At least one piezo electric crystal is embedded in the insert to faithfully and reliable capture the vibrational energy of the strings. The saddle provides a compact and simple apparatus for reliably and accurately amplifying the sound of a guitar, particularly an acoustic guitar. The piezo-electric crystal relies on vibration of the strings to generate a signal, but not on downward pressure as with conventional under the saddle pickups.

Abstract: A saddle for a stringed instrument comprising an elongate member having a string support surface for supporting strings of the instrument and a base for connecting to the stringed instrument. The elongate member has at least one internal cavity and an insert made from a resonant material is received in the internal cavity. The insert may be formed from a material having the same or a different density than the material of the elongate member. At least one piezo electric crystal is embedded in the insert to faithfully and reliable capture the vibrational energy of the strings. The saddle provides a compact and simple apparatus for reliably and accurately amplifying the sound of a guitar, particularly an acoustic guitar. The piezo-electric crystal relies on vibration of the strings to generate a signal, but not on downward pressure as with conventional under the saddle pickups.