Abstract: A system, method, and computer program product for administering a distribution channel for the promotion and sale of products and services. Content from vendors is maintained in a central repository and administered by the distribution channel manager. Tools are provided for members of the distribution channel to build their own customized web sites for providing consumers access to the content in the central repository as well as their own proprietary information. Sales leads are generated and tracked and routed to the consortium member agencies.

Abstract: A method by which many identical wooden necks for solid-body electric guitars are manufactured, these being of the conventional type wherein the inner neck ends are connected to the solid bodies by screws. Edge regions of the undersides of at least some of the necks are then routed-out to form a tongue on each routed neck, the tongue extending longitudinally of the neck. Solid wooden bodies are provided for the routed necks, and there are formed in such bodies tongue pockets that correspond generally to the tongues and are shaped to receive them. The tongues are then mounted in the respective tongue pockets and adhesively secured there.

Abstract: A set-neck guitar in which the inner neck end has a tongue that seats in and is glued in a pocket in the body and in a protuberance on the body. Corresponding sidewalls of the tongue and pocket are parallel to the center line of the body, while other sidewalls are at an angle thereto so as to create a wedge relationship. A cam and bearing element is provided to force the wedge surfaces together and improve the connection. The underside of the protuberance on the body is carved back, as is part of the neck, to create a generally integral-seeming joint. Crush points are provided to facilitate the operation and enhance esthetics.

Abstract: A tremolo bridge for an electric guitar has a fine tuning mechanism installed thereon. Fine tuning screw heads 43 have coplanar top surfaces 44 which do not rise or fall as tuning is effected. When actuated, heads 43 move screws 47 vertically to act on strings 29 through string securing levers 35. With this structure, the tuning heads form an essentially flat surface providing a seat or rest for the hand or forearm of the guitarist.

Abstract: A tremolo plate is pivotally mounted on the guitar body, and a plurality of a combination bridge saddles and lever systems are mounted on such plate, there being one such saddle-lever system for each string of the guitar. The combination systems include saddles adapted to be pivoted by set screws to change string height. They further include levers adapted to be adjusted by screws to effect fine tuning of the strings. The heads for the fine tuning screws are captured by ears. The pivot means for the tremolo plate have a pivot axis so related to the string saddles that the intonation points of the saddles may be adjusted between positions closer to the guitar neck than is such axis, and positions farther from the guitar neck than is such axis.

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: The pivoted bridge and string securing assembly (26) of a stringed guitar is operated to produce a vibrato sound by means of a handle (96) that is both detachable and rotatably adjustable. A hollow bolt (66) is rotatably mounted to a bridging plate (30) of the bridge assembly and provided with a controllably adjustable frictional restraint (80) against rotation. The vibrato handle has a mounting leg (100) received within the bore of the hollow bolt, is keyed (78, 102) to the bolt for frictionally restrained rotation therewith, and is detachably latched to the bolt by a latching spring (106).

Abstract: The economy of manufacture of electric guitars and electric bass guitars is improved, with no loss of quality, by providing an anchor flange in integral relationship with a metal pickguard of the guitar or bass guitar. Extended through the anchor flange are adjustment screws which connect adjustably to bridge barrels over which the strings extend. The adjustment screws and bridge barrels are preassembled to the anchor flange, and all electric components are preassembled to the pickguard, prior to mounting of the pickguard on the body of the guitar or bass. Thus, the ultimate in economy is achieved, yet the anchor flange has very strong support from the pickguard and is located accurately thereby.