Abstract: “Mitchel's Tone Ring Mate” is completely new to the banjo world. The “Mitchel's Tone Ring Mate” is a smaller tone ring in itself, sitting on top of the original raised head tone ring at 25 thousands higher and at opposite angles, thus converting the original raised head tone ring to a flat head tone ring. Being completely different than any other invention. This doing, by design, composition and development, unknown in manufacturing there into.

Abstract: The enhanced resonator for banjo, or similar types of musical instruments, increases the comfort of playing a resonator banjo as an open back banjo. In addition, the ‘open back’ banjo sound quality is improved by allowing more sound to escape from the back and sides of the banjo. Furthermore, the enhanced resonator acts as a resonating chamber, increasing the sound quality in much the same way as the reflections of sound in a concert hall increase sound quality, increasing the reverberation and sustain of the sound. Another feature of the enhanced banjo resonator is the embodiment that allows the banjo player to easily and very quickly change the sound of the banjo from an open back banjo sound to a resonator banjo sound.

Abstract: A new stringed musical instrument having an appearance somewhat similar to a banjo or guitar or related instrument and comprising a head portion and an elongated neck secured to the head portion and extending outwardly therefrom. A plurality of strings, which may vary in number, extend across and in overlying relation to an outer face of the head portion and continuously therefrom along the length of the neck, where they are adjustably attached by individual, rotatably mounted pegs. The head portion preferably comprises a tambourine having an exposed outer face and an inner face and a flexible material membrane stretched in a taut orientation across the exposed outer face and in underlying relation to the plurality of strings. The tambourine head portion also includes a plurality of metal disks or "jingles" movably mounted on the peripheral sidewall thereof.

Abstract: The stringed instrument includes an aluminum head formed of a stepped annular flange with a shoulder intermediate smaller and larger diameter flange portions. A groove is formed in the shoulder to enable the smaller diameter flange portion to vibrate relative to the larger diameter flange portion. A membrane is stretched over the smaller diameter flange portion. The arm of the instrument is secured solely to the larger diameter flange portion by neck mount brackets screw-threaded to the head. The brackets permit angular adjustment of the arm relative to the membrane of the head. A full fingerboard capo is slidably mounted to the neck underlying the fretboard and has an arm spring-biased to engage the strings and to maintain the capo in selected positions along the length of the arm. A fifth string capo is slidably mounted to the fretboard and has a spring to maintain it in selected longitudinal position along the fretboard.

Abstract: A stringed instrument construction including a neck attached to an annular housing and having its acoustic components such as soundboard and rim mounted concentrically in the housing. Rather than having multiple tensioning hooks and brackets to tighten around the perimeter of the soundboard as in a banjo, this instrument employs an annular threaded connection between the acoustic components and the housing. A gear and pinion aparatus is used to facilitate turning the inner threaded portion within the external housing. There is no need for coordinator rods therefore the acoustic components can resonate more freely, providing better sound. The neck is connected to the housing at a radiused interface which enables ample adjustment of the neck's angle. The neck features a track mounted self adjusting capo, and an optional track mounted single string capo.

Abstract: The two-in-one banjo tone ring is an improved banjo rim assembly, offering the banjo buyer a choice of a raised head or flat head tone with absoultely no additional investment, a development heretofore unknown in the area of banjo manufacturing. Merely by disassembling the rim assembly, flipping the tone ring one hundred eighty degrees (180.degree.), then reassembling, the banjo is converted from flat head to raised head or vice versa.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for mounting a head on a musical instrument, such as a drum, tambourine, banjo, or the like. A vibratile sheet is stretched across the opening in a first member, such as an annular hoop, having inner and outer rims defining a channel along the edge thereof which is at least partially filled with an adhesive. A plug member is preferably inserted into the channel such that the polymeric film is shaped and stretched flat over said inner rim as it is forced into the channel and contacts the adhesive. The channel of the first member is inserted into a cavity corresponding in shape thereto in a second member, such as an annular ring which forms the rim along the edge of the shell of the musical instrument such that the first member is firmly engaged therein.

Abstract: A banjo construction in which the banjo tone ring has a wedge fit with the banjo rim. The banjo tone ring has a pair of radially spaced tone ring portions. A banjo bracket flange has a wedge fit with the banjo rim.