Abstract: A pivoting electromagnetic pickup device is provided. The invention generally is comprised of an elongated support structure, an electromagnetic pickup, a pivoting means, and an angular position locking means. The extremity of the elongated support structure is pivotally attached to the front face of an electric guitar or electric base body, between the front face and the strings, restricting its movement to a curvilinear path substantially normal to the axis of rotation and substantially parallel to the plane of the strings. The pickup is mounted to the elongated support structure, between the elongated support structure and the strings. Attaching the elongated support structure to the guitar body in a pivotal relationship is the pivoting means. The angular position locking means can be engaged to continuously vary the resistance to angular motion, from no resistance to maximum resistance, where the elongated support structure is substantially locked to a chosen angular position.

Abstract: A stringed instrument system is disclosed, which consists of an array of modular parts, which can be assembled in a variety of ways, enabling the user to configure the instrument according to his needs and desires. Core of the system is a mounting platform which offers means of attachment for a neck, a bridge, an electronic pickup system and extensions made of wood or some other appropriate material intended to facilitate holding or resting the instrument against the player's body, designed to be adjusted accordingly, and which can be routed to accept various configurations of controls for manipulation of the signal. A number of individual designs can be combined in a “plug and play” fashion according to the tastes and requirements of the player.