Abstract: An electric pickup for stringed musical instruments for installation on a bridge that includes height-adjusting wheels for adjusting string height. The pickup includes three piezo-electric sensing elements symmetrically arranged around the adjuster stud, and the entire downward force generated by the strings and coupled to the instrument face through the bridge is borne by the piezo-electric elements.

Abstract: A spring operated capo that includes two jaws with graspable handles and a spring that urges the two jaws to close on the neck of a stringed musical instrument. The spring exerts a force on the two jaws with a lever arm that decreases as the jaws open.

Abstract: A detachable (portable) electrical pickup for musical instruments, such as basses, that includes a clamp to secure the pickup to the bridge of an instrument, a piezo crystal sensor, an integral audio jack, and a volume control. Also included are musician removable and interchangeable weights that are used to alter the response characteristics and to control any deleterious feedback.

Abstract: A potentiometer control for use as a volume or tone control for a musical instrument, such as a guitar, that includes a switch which switches out the resistive element when the control is set to its most clockwise position so as to not load the instrument pickup when desired and so permit maximum volume to be achieved.

Abstract: A combination of a capo with attached tuner having a sensor that picks up vibrations through the capo. The capo and tuner are connected together as a unitary accessory that is attachable along the neck of the guitar, in the manner of a conventional capo, but with the significant advantage of automatic and continuous visibility of the tuner display while tuning at a particular capo position and while pausing between songs.

Abstract: A combination of a capo with attached tuner having a sensor that picks up vibrations through the capo. The capo and tuner are connected together as a unitary accessory that is attachable along the neck of the guitar, in the manner of a conventional capo, but with the significant advantage of automatic and continuous visibility of the tuner display while tuning at a particular capo position and while pausing between songs.

Abstract: A positioning aid for a stringed musical instrument of the lute family that includes a pair of arms frictionally attached to the instrument and adapted to fit diagonally across the front of a player's body, in such a way so as to maintain the attitude of the instrument with respect to the body without the instrument being held.

Abstract: A string clamping and tuning mechanism for stringed instruments is disclosed. String tension, through lever action, provides the clamping force on the string to anchor the string. A screw adjusted stop causes a change in the position of the lever system to increase or decrease the tension in the string.

Abstract: A string clamping and tuning mechanism for stringed instruments is disclosed. String tension, through lever action, provides the clamping force on the string to anchor the string. A screw adjusted stop causes a change in the position of the lever system to increase or decrease the tension in the string.

Abstract: A tuning post for a stringed musical instrument which includes an integral string severing mechanism which automatically severs the excess length of a string while the string is being tensioned. A sharp edged aperture in the string post through which the excess string protrudes cooperates with a stationary sharp cutting edge to sever the string while the post is being turned during the initial tuning operation.

Abstract: A sliding Capo for a musical instrument of the lute family which rides in a track in the neck of the instrument. The Capo includes a rigid cross piece holding elongated flanges which ride in the track. A cylindrical elastomeric roller runs in bearings carried by the cross piece, and adjustment means are provided for adjusting the height of the roller above the fingerboard. In the case of curved fingerboards, the shaft on which the roller runs is flexible and springy, so that it can bend and the cylindrical roller can press all strings to the fingerboard.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument having an instrument body and an elongated neck along which the strings are stretched. A spring-loaded clamping device is provided by securing the neck to the body while permitting limited pivotal movement of the neck relative to the body. The clamping device includes a spring arranged to provide a biasing force for urging the neck toward a neck seating position on the body, and an adjustment member is moveably mounted on either the neck or the body so as to move in a direction opposing the biasing force of the spring in order to cause the neck to pivot away from the neck seating position, to thereby adjust the angular position of the neck relative to the body to adjust the action of the instrument. An intonation adjustment mechanism is also provided for adjusting the intonation of the instrument, and which advantageously provides for rigidity enhancement by urging the neck against a side of the neck recess to provide a firm, rigid and stable mounting of the neck to the body.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument having an instrument body and an elongated neck along which the strings are stretched. A spring-loaded clamping device is provided by securing the neck to the body while permitting limited pivotal movement of the neck relative to the body. The clamping device includes a spring arranged to provide a biasing force for urging the neck toward a neck seating position on the body, and an adjustment member is moveably mounted on either the neck or the body so as to move in a direction opposing the biasing force of the spring in order to cause the neck to pivot away from the neck seating position, to thereby adjust the angular position of the neck relative to the body to adjust the action of the instrument. An intonation adjustment mechanism is also provided for adjusting the intonation of the instrument, and which advantageously provides for rigidity enhancement by urging the neck against a side of the neck recess to provide a firm, rigid and stable mounting of the neck to the body.

Abstract: A musical instrument of the violin family which has a piezo-electric pickup installed under the foot of the bridge which is supported by the bass bar. The forces generated in the bridge by the vibrating strings are transmitted through the pickup to the top of the instrument. The pickup is comprised of a sandwich including a small piezo-electric sensor covered by conductive foils on the outside which serve as the ground of the pickup and an electrostatic shield.

Abstract: A Capo comprised of two hingedly connected jaws with a torsion spring which urges the jaws toward a closed position, and a hand operated toggle type of linkage operating against said spring to open the Capo. The force needed to be applied to the toggle linkage drops as the Capo is moved toward the open position reducing the effort required to maintain the Capo open while moving it to a new position.

Abstract: A rigid neck joint for a stringed musical instrument. In one embodiment angled screws urge the neck of the instrument toward a side of the neck recess in the body as well as toward the bottom of the recess. In other embodiments, an angled piece in the neck engages a stop to force the neck against a side of the neck recess as the neck is tightened to the body.