Abstract: Wirelessly programmed and controlled switching system for use with stringed musical instruments (e.g., guitars) to enable a user to seamlessly change pickup coil settings without having to adjust the physical connections between the switch and the pickups.

Abstract: For battery-operated guitars and other stringed musical instruments, a coaxial battery-access cover cap mounts an audio phone jack that delivers the instrument's audio output. For battery access, the cover cap, which has a knurled rim for easy finger-gripping, can be removed from an attachment collar secured to the instrument with simple rotation of less than a half turn. As an option to enable the cap assembly to be installed in the instrument in place of an existing strap-peg, a strap-peg may be formed integrally on the cover cap around the jack opening. Extended embodiments can include an integral battery compartment with provision for mounting an electronic module enabling features including amplification, buffering, DSP and other effects in a self-contained system that requires only a single round opening for mounting in the instrument. The invention can be incorporated in original manufacture or as an after-market upgrade to practically any stringed instrument.

Abstract: A two-coil pickup having a magnetic flux shield configuration which shields an upper coil from magnetic flux variations caused by unwanted noise and concentrates this noise flux in a lower coil. The magnetic flux shield also concentrates magnetic flux generated by magnets and which envelopes strings of a stringed instrument in the vicinity of the upper coil. The upper coil and lower coil are coupled so that the noise signal generated in the lower coil is subtracted from the signal generated in the upper coil so as to cancel noise therefrom. The resulting output signal has substantially less noise than a one coil pickup. The shield also allows the lower coil to be smaller such that the overall size of the two coil pickup can be small enough to fit into the cavities formed for traditional one coil pickups.

Abstract: A two-coil pickup having a magnetic flux shield configuration which shields an upper coil from magnetic flux variations caused by unwanted noise and concentrates this noise flux in a lower coil. The magnetic flux shield also concentrates magnetic flux generated by magnets and which envelopes strings of a stringed instrument in the vicinity of the upper coil. The upper coil and lower coil are coupled so that the noise signal generated in the lower coil is subtracted from the signal generated in the upper coil so as to cancel noise therefrom. The resulting output signal has substantially less noise than a one coil pickup. The shield also allows the lower coil to be smaller such that the overall size of the two coil pickup can be small enough to fit into the cavities formed for traditional one coil pickups.

Abstract: A pole piece for an electric string instrument comprised of a block of ferrous material having a slot formed therein. The string of the string instrument passes over the pole piece in aligned relationship with the slot thereby allowing vibration in a zone which is substantially free of any intense magnetic flux lines.