Abstract: A reverse-pull and double-down pressure bridge configuration for a stringed instrument is used to integrate a set of retrofit strings into the instrument. The retrofit strings are tethered between the bridge plate of the instrument and the back end of the instrument so that the retrofit strings are able to apply a reverse pull on a soundboard of the instrument and compress the saddle, the bridge, and the soundboard of the instrument. The retrofit strings are configured to counteract the forward pull applied on the soundboard by the original strings of the instrument.

Abstract: An open-string damper for stringed musical instruments, especially those played with a string-tapping technique, utilizes an elongated rectangular metal shift bar mounted in a transverse channel running across the fretboard of the instrument, located between the first fret and the nut. The shift bar, fitted with a pad of damping material on its top side facing the underside of the strings, is mounted in a constrained manner extending to both sides of the fingerboard so that it can be grasped between a thumb and finger and shifted by the user between two stable locations: an engaged location wherein the damping material is urged upwardly against the strings and a disengaged location wherein the damping material is held away from the strings.

Abstract: A practice device (10) that allows a musician to practice the specific skills of picking and plucking strings without producing any significant level of sound, such that the user can practice his or her playing technique without being distracted or concerned with the sound produced. The device (10) generally includes a solid, nonresonant body (12) having a front surface (14), an oppositely-disposed rear surface (16), and a short handle (38) that enables the device (10) to be firmly held and stabilized with one hand while being picked with the other hand. A pair of blocks (18, 20), roughly equivalent to a guitar bridge and headstock, are spaced apart on the front surface (14) of the device (10), and strings (28) extend in parallel between the blocks (18, 20) across the body (12) of the device (10). The strings (28) are spaced apart and securely held above the front surface (14) of the device (10) substantially identically to a conventional guitar.

Abstract: A dampening bar assembly comprised of a pair of support blocks held in parallel spaced-apart relationship by a pair of transverse frame members attached between the support blocks at each end of the support blocks forming a rigid rectangular frame. A number of dampening bars including string vibration dampening pads mounted to the bottom side of each dampening bar are slideably mounted parallel to each other transversely between the support blocks in vertical slots formed in the opposing support block sides. Compression springs mounted in cavities formed in the bottom of each slot provide an upwardly urging force on each end of the dampening bars. Each support block includes a lengthwise aperture therethrough for receiving a square hardwood rod to retain the compression springs in a compressed configuration to provide for assembly and disassembly of the dampening bar assembly. The dampening bar assembly is designed to be used with a stringed instrument such as an auto harp.

Abstract: A new autoharp allowing greater versatility of sounds by allowing individual control of the strings of an octave is disclosed. This invention is for use with string musical instruments such as the autoharp having a resonating box (12) which has a multiplicity of strings (14, 16, 18, and 20) adapted for vibration running transverse to the resonating box (12). Improvement to the autoharp comprises a pair of support means (40) and (42) mounted to the resonating box (12) parallel to the multiplicity of strings. The support members (40) and (42) are further located such that the multiplicity of strings are located between the pair of support members (40) and (42). A multiplicity of octave bars such as octave bar (62) is supported by and extends between each of the pair of support members (40) and (42) such that the octave bar (62) is above and perpendicular to the vibrating strings. Each of the octave bars such as octave bar (62) is associated with a selected note in each of a plurality of octaves.