Abstract: A saddle for a string instrument includes a string contact surface comprising a first material, a saddle end surface, generally opposite the string contact surface, comprising the first material, and two opposing side surfaces comprising a vibration-absorbent material different than the first material.

Abstract: Nosecone and tailfin designs for aerodynamic systems are disclosed. The designs increase the usable volume within the fuselage of the aerodynamic system while still maintaining the same length for the aerodynamic system. In an example, the nosecone is truncated and includes a blunted tip compared to standard nosecone designs, which allows for more useable space along the length of the aerodynamic system. A tailfin structure is fabricated as a separate piece (separate from the fuselage of the aerodynamic system) and slips over a portion of one end of the fuselage, thus allowing useable volume within the fuselage beneath the tailfin structure. The tailfin structure also includes a hollow cavity for holding componentry (e.g., an RF transmitter, receiver, or transceiver device) with wires that feed through the tailfin structure and into the fuselage of the aerodynamic system.

Abstract: A vibrato mechanism for a string instrument. Embodiments include a bar with a plurality of segments, each respective segment of the plurality of segments being configured to connect to a respective string of a plurality of strings of a string instrument. In some embodiments, a first segment of the plurality of segments has a first size and is configured to connect to a first string of the plurality of strings having a first tension, and a second segment of the plurality of segments has a second size that is different than the first size and is configured to connect to a second string of the plurality of strings having a second tension that is different than the first tension. Embodiments include an actuator arm that is operatively connected to the bar such that the actuator arm, when engaged, causes the bar to rotate about its longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A guitar comprises a body having a bottom and sides and a top. An outer perimeter of a top is attached to an upper rim of the sides, wherein an upper surface of the top is in tension due to bending of the top into a substantially domed shape and wherein the thickness of the top is thinner in the area of the outer perimeter than a central portion, thereby reducing the tension in the upper surface of the top in the area of the outer perimeter.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relates to a string instrument, such as a guitar, having a neck support-fingerboard brace unit. The neck support-fingerboard brace unit is formed as a unitary unit or formed by fixedly attaching a neck support to a fingerboard brace before attaching the fingerboard brace to a guitar top. The solid connection between the neck support and the fingerboard brace allows the fingerboard brace, which rests on a guitar side, to provide support to the guitar neck, thus, reducing deformation in the guitar neck and the fret board.

Abstract: A saddle for a string instrument includes a string contact surface comprising a first material, a saddle end surface, generally opposite the string contact surface, comprising the first material, and two opposing side surfaces comprising a vibration-absorbent material different than the first material.

Abstract: A guitar comprises a body having a bottom and sides and a top. An outer perimeter of a top is attached to an upper rim of the sides, wherein an upper surface of the top is in tension due to bending of the top into a substantially domed shape and wherein the thickness of the top is thinner in the area of the outer perimeter than a central portion, thereby reducing the tension in the upper surface of the top in the area of the outer perimeter.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relates to a string instrument, such as a guitar, having a neck support-fingerboard brace unit. The neck support-fingerboard brace unit is formed as a unitary unit or formed by fixedly attaching a neck support to a fingerboard brace before attaching the fingerboard brace to a guitar top. The solid connection between the neck support and the fingerboard brace allows the fingerboard brace, which rests on a guitar side, to provide support to the guitar neck, thus, reducing deformation in the guitar neck and the fret board.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relates to a string instrument, such as a guitar, having a neck support-fingerboard brace unit. The neck support-fingerboard brace unit is formed as a unitary unit or formed by fixedly attaching a neck support to a fingerboard brace before attaching the fingerboard brace to a guitar top. The solid connection between the neck support and the fingerboard brace allows the fingerboard brace, which rests on a guitar side, to provide support to the guitar neck, thus, reducing deformation in the guitar neck and the fret board.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure relates to a string instrument, such as a guitar, having a neck support-fingerboard brace unit. The neck support-fingerboard brace unit is formed as a unitary unit or formed by fixedly attaching a neck support to a fingerboard brace before attaching the fingerboard brace to a guitar top. The solid connection between the neck support and the fingerboard brace allows the fingerboard brace, which rests on a guitar side, to provide support to the guitar neck, thus, reducing deformation in the guitar neck and the fret board.

Abstract: A stringed instrument includes a body; an elongated neck; and a headstock, wherein the neck has a fingerboard on a top side with spaced-apart frets disposed perpendicularly along its length and extending from a first to a second side of the fingerboard. A top surface of the frets forms a fret plane having a first and second convex radiused surface, the first surface extending from an upper edge of the plane towards a center thereof and the second surface extending from a lower edge of the plane to a center thereof. In one embodiment, the first surface forms a smaller radius and the second surface forms a larger radius.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a spectrophotometer instrument that includes an arm that can swing between a closed position and an open position which is upward and backward of the lower position and wherein the display is moveable between a position behind the arm to a position to a side of the arm. Thus, the features herein provides the instrument user with positioning features to allow for a superior human factors user experience.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a spectrophotometer instrument that includes an arm that can swing between a closed position and an open position which is upward and backward of the lower position and wherein the display is moveable between a position behind the arm to a position to a side of the arm. Thus, the features herein provides the instrument user with positioning features to allow for a superior human factors user experience.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a spectrophotometer instrument that includes an arm that can swing between a closed position and an open position which is upward and backward of the lower position and wherein the display is moveable between a position behind the arm to a position to a side of the arm. Thus, the features herein provides the instrument user with positioning features to allow for a superior human factors user experience.

Abstract: A guitar top includes a sound hole, a neck end that is configured for attachment to a guitar neck with a longitudinal axis, a heel end, a transverse axis normal to the longitudinal axis, and a bottom surface. The bottom surface of the guitar top includes a pair of longitudinal braces that are attached to the surface. The pair of longitudinal braces extend primarily along the longitudinal axis from the heel end toward the neck end and terminate at a point beyond the sound hole toward the neck end. Each of the longitudinal braces is positioned on an opposing side of the sound hole such that a distance between the longitudinal braces exceeds the diameter of the sound hole.