Abstract: A string instrument tailpiece system, a retrofit kit, and method for control of an off-instrument signal processor are disclosed. The system includes a tailpiece and a control bar having an end portion configured to be received in a socket on the stringed instrument and rotatable about an axis of rotation. A magnet is attached to the end portion of the control bar. A sensor chip in or adjacent the socket is spaced from the magnet by a gap sufficiently small to enable the sensor chip to detect a change in the magnetic field due to a rotation of the control bar. A sensor circuit outputs a control signal based on a change in the magnetic field resulting from rotating the control bar, where the control signal is separate from the audio signal of the instrument.

Abstract: A vibrato tailpiece system for a stringed instrument includes a tailpiece, a vibrato bar operable with the tailpiece and having an end portion rotatable about an axis of rotation, and a magnet attached to the end portion of the vibrato bar. A sensor chip is spaced from the magnet by a gap sufficiently small to enable the sensor chip to detect a change in the magnetic field due to a rotation of the vibrato bar. The sensor chip outputs a control signal based on the change in the magnetic field. A sensor circuit uses the control signal from the sensor chip to adjust or modify the pickup output signal based on the position of the vibrato bar and deliver an adjusted output signal to an output connector of the stringed instrument.