Abstract: A file for use in forming a groove in a nut or bridge of a string musical instrument. The file includes a filing edge that is rounded to the same radius as the string to be fitted in the groove it forms in the nut and bridge. A spine or rib is formed along the upper edge of the file to provide stiffening and permitting the file to not bow or flex when being used.

Abstract: Disclosed is a locking nut assembly that includes a baseplate mounted on the head of a musical instrument, such as a guitar. The baseplate includes channels configured to receive strings of the musical instrument and at least one locking plate to secure the strings in the channels. A bracket couples a truss rod positioned in a neck of the musical instrument to the baseplate.

Abstract: A string-bridge interface system includes a plurality of string-bridge interface units to provide coupling between strings of a musical instrument and one or more sound bridges of the musical instrument, which are further coupled to the sound board of the musical instrument. Such coupling provided by the string-bridge interface units allows for reduced loading of the sound board and more direct routing of the strings.

Abstract: A string-bridge interface system includes a plurality of string-bridge interface units to provide coupling between strings of a musical instrument and one or more sound bridges of the musical instrument, which are further coupled to the sound board of the musical instrument. Such coupling provided by the string-bridge interface units allows for reduced loading of the sound board and more direct routing of the strings.

Abstract: A detachable and portable top pickup for a musical stringed instrument, comprising a clamp having an open end for attaching a top pickup on a pickup holder to a section of a guitar and a connector coupling the top pickup to an elongated bar, the connector allowing the top pickup to slide along the length of the elongated bar. A second clamp can be used to attach to another section of the guitar to get a stronger and more balanced hold for the top pickup. The clamps allow the top pickup to be removed, transferred or reinstalled without causing any damage on the surface of the guitar.

Abstract: A plurality of strings are stretched over a frame, constituting an overall framework of a body of a piano, with their respective rear-end engaging rings engaged by corresponding pins provided on the frame. There is also provided a string-bounding preventing member that, in case any one of the strings snaps or breaks, prevents the broken string from disengaging from the corresponding pin to bound violently away from the pin. The string-bounding preventing member is, for example, a strap member that is passed through the respective engaging rings to thereby connect together the strings. The string-bounding preventing member allows the broken string to be left connected with the other strings and hence stay in place on the frame without bounding.

Abstract: The string securing apparatus for string instrument of this invention arranges a plurality of saddle-attaching members on the top face of a bridge base in correspondence with strings, and secures them to the bridge base so that they can be movably adjusted in the front-rear direction. A bridge saddle is attached to each saddle-attaching member so as to rotate up and down. The string is inserted through a pipe section in the bridge saddles and led above the bridge saddles by a lever attachment hole; the string is curved forward to a string supporting section. A cam lever is inserted in the lever attachment hole of the bridge saddles so as to freely rotate, and a spring presses the cam lever forward. A cam section of the cam lever pushes the string and secures it by tightening it to the string supporting section.

Abstract: A gas turbine engine includes an exhaust flow guide attached to the engine exhaust end. The exhaust flow guide is made of a piece of sheet metal curved about the central longitudinal axis of the engine to form a partial portion of a nozzle having curved leading and trailing edges, and side edges. The exhaust flow guide asymmetrically affects the downstream jet noise contribution volume of the exhaust gases discharged from the engine exhaust end to change the jet noise directivity and reduce its power level. The exhaust flow guide can further include additional features such as perforations, corrugated surfaces, reinforcing strips and irregularly shaped trailing edges to further improve the mixing of exhaust gas flow with surrounding fluid flow to further reduce the downstream jet noise contribution volume, thereby resulting in jet noise reduction. The exhaust flow guide according to the present invention also improves attenuation of engine noise generated in the engine and emitted from the engine exhaust end.

Abstract: An improved string arrangement for coupling one or more of strings to a sound radiating member, such as a soundboard, is provided having a bridge structure with a rib with a bridge face and a bearing point edge. Associated with each string and disposed at least tangent to the bearing point edge and substantially perpendicular to the bridge face is a first bridge pin. A second and/or third bridge pin may also be provided axially behind the first bridge pin for retaining each string against the bridge face. This invention provides enhanced tone quality by improving sustain and amplitude of fundamental frequencies in a convenient and simple structural arrangement for pianos and other stringed devices.

Abstract: A concert harp including a mechanism for shortening the vibrating length of the strings for setting the instrument tuned scale up.According to the invention, the stress which is immobilizing a point of string (11) in order to modify the vibrating length thereof is provided by a powered element displaceable perpendicularly to the string along a path intersecting the string substantially at the pinching point, particularly a hydraulic micro-jack (1a, 1b).The invention simplifies the mechanism and provides a silent operation.

Abstract: A finger operated locking nut assembly for a stringed instrument is provided including a baseplate for separating and maintaining the strings over the fretboard, a locking block for pressing the strings against the baseplate and a cam action lock screw. The lock screw provides a first, unlocked position for allowing the strings to slide for tuning of the instrument and a second, locked position for maintaining the tune of the instrument during play. The preferred lock screw includes a threaded body to allow rough adjustment and a transverse head bifurcating a pivoting lever tab to define spaced cams. These cams provide spaced contact points across the block for even pressure and secure locking of the strings.

Abstract: An electric guitar is provided with a string clamping mechanism comprised of a planar base plate and one or more planar top members for clamping the strings between the base plate and top members. The clamp is secured to the guitar on an inclined surface between the top of the neck and the head of the guitar and is of shallow design to avoid interference with the playing of the guitar. A separate nut is provided which may be filed to achieve the desired string clearance at the first fret. The configuration of the clamp is such that the strings will provide a force which tilts the top members forward and down at the front edge to provide improved clamping action. The simple design facilitates the provision of truss rod adjustment at the top of the neck of the guitar.

Abstract: The nut of a guitar includes several separate string-clamping blocks forming a row extending laterally of the guitar strings with each string being fitted between adjacent blocks. A bolt extending through the blocks has an enlarged head engaging the block at one end of the row and is threaded into the block at the other end of the row. Turning of the bolt in one sense tends to move the end blocks toward each other, thereby clamping the strings between the blocks and preventing movement of the strings across the nut as the guitar is played. The bridge of the guitar includes a movable bridge mounting plate which can be manipulated so as to produce a tremulous tone effect. The low friction pivot mounting for the bridge mounting plate consists of a sharpened end of the plate received in a transverse groove of a mounting flange. Alternatively the bridge mounting plate can be locked in fixed position relative to the remainder of the guitar body.

Abstract: An apparatus is presented for use with stringed musical instruments which replaces both a bridge and a tailpiece. The apparatus provides enhanced coupling between the string which it contacts and the body of the musical instrument by terminating the string at a point coincident with the desired speaking length, thereby virtually completely eliminating the energy loss and extraneous vibrations that occur in conventional nodal point forming systems. The apparatus includes provision for longitudinally adjusting the position of the string relative to the body of the musical instrument to obtain the proper location thereof with regard to the original octave point position of the strings over the frets.

Abstract: A finger operated locking nut assembly for a stringed instrument is provided including a baseplate for separating and maintaining the strings over the fretboard, a locking block for pressing the strings against the baseplate and a cam action lock screw. The lock screw provides a first, unlocked position for allowing the strings to slide for tuning of the instrument and a second, locked position for maintaining the tune of the instrument during play. The preferred lock screw includes a threaded body to allow rough adjustment and a transverse head bifurcating a pivoting lever tab to define spaced cams. These cams provide spaced contact points across the block for even pressure and secure locking of the strings.