Abstract: An improved capo for use with various stringed instruments is provided. The capo comprises a frame having a top arm to contact the strings and a side arm, with a jaw member and a lever member both pivotally attached to the side arm. The jaw member contacts the back of the instrument neck when the capo is closed. Mounted on the lever member is a flexible member, having a follower surface that contacts the lower surface of the jaw member during the closing action of the capo and while the capo is closed. An adjustable stop passes through the lever member such that one end of the adjustable stop contacts the lower surface of the flexible member to urge the follower surface into contact with the lower surface of the jaw member. The improved capo of the invention is easier to attach and remove than capos of the prior art, maintains better alignment between the jaw member and the lever member, is less subject to frictional wear, and optimizes the degree of dropoff along the entire useable range of the capo.

Abstract: An electric pickup device for a banjo includes a piezoelectric element located in a recess in the bottom of one foot of the bridge for the instrument, so as to be located at the interface of the bridge and the head. The pickup element can be oriented so that its axes form an angle with the plane of the head, to thereby provide improved results. The pickup enables the banjo to be played in either an acoustic or an electronic amplification mode without affecting the inherent acoustic properties of the instrument.

Abstract: An adjustable, positive locking capo for use with stringed instruments such as banjos and guitars is disclosed. The capo comprises a frame (19) having a top arm (25) that bears against the strings when the capo is in operation and a side arm (26) that extends laterally of the instrument neck and carries a pivotally attached jaw member (22) that extends under the back of the instrument neck and engages same when the capo is in operation, and a pivotally attached lever member (23) located below the jaw member. An adjusting screw (24) extends through the lever member and bears against the underside of the jaw member when the lever member is pivoted toward the jaw member thereby closing the jaw member on the back of the neck and forcing the fingerboard against the top arm whereby the strings are depressed. The adjusting screw may be advanced or backed off to vary the extent to which the jaw member closes and thus, the pressure exerted on the strings.