Abstract: An electric musical string instrument, particularly an electric guitar, has a body structure carrying fret assemblies and at least one string extending lengthwise over the fret assemblies. Each fret assembly includes at least one resistive element which is associated with a string contact surface of that fret assembly. The effective resistance of the resistive element changes in dependence upon transverse deflection of the string, when in contact with the string contact surface, to effect bending of the note being played. Preferably the string contact surface is formed by the resistive element.

Abstract: An electric string instrument, e.g. an electric guitar, has one or more resistive elements associated with each fret whereby sideways deflection of a string while in contact with a fret creates a change in the effective resistive value of that fret. This may be used to provide "blending" of a note. Each such fret has one conductor, thus enabling a 144 wire harness in the neck of a guitar to be reduced to 24 conductive paths, which may be provided on a printed circuit board. Preferably both the strings and the frets are electrically scanned. The instrument may be employed as a MIDI guitar controller or an audio guitar or simultaneously as a combination of both. A guitarist can use a normal playing style, without special adaptation, to obtain a full range of expression, including pick velocity.