Abstract: A string instrument headstock and headstock-neck region brace apparatus. Such an apparatus may be used to strengthen, protect, and brace the region on a string instrument, guitar, violin, mandolin, banjo, etc. where the headstock meets the neck. The apparatus cradles the underside of the string instrument with a relatively strong material. Simultaneously, the apparatus applies a force to the instrument headstock countering the stress and strain produced by the tension in the instrument strings; and the apparatus secures, braces and holds the headstock in the relatively strong brace.

Abstract: A guitar is provided which has a guitar neck. At least the fretboard of the neck is made of a high-density bamboo, that is, a compressed grass, instead of a wood. The guitar may be an electric guitar. In an alternative, the entire neck can also be made of high-density bamboo. The high-density bamboo is planed from compressed raw strips horizontally or vertically glued together and pressed to form high-density bamboo, known as HDG bamboo or strand woven bamboo. The frets on the fretboard are inserted into milled grooves in the fretboard in the usual manner. The curvature between the guitar neck and the guitar head can be produced by bending a single-piece wooden workpiece after steaming so that the wood fibres running along the guitar neck run continuously into the guitar head.

Abstract: The invention is directed to a percussion system to be attached to a stringed instrument in a way that allows a player to drum the percussion system while plucking the strings of the stringed instrument using a single hand. The percussion system includes a percussion device including: a body and at least one static percussion surface located over the body, the percussion surface having a batter side. The percussion system further includes a connecting element for connecting the percussion device to a stringed instrument such that when the percussion system is connected to the stringed instrument the percussion surface is substantially perpendicular to the stringed instrument's front side and is directed towards strings of the stringed instrument.

Abstract: A stringed instrument, such as a semi-acoustic electric guitar, can employ a resonance system that consists of a body having at least one internal cavity accessed by a soundhole continuously extending from a top cover. The soundhole may have a continuously curvilinear transition from the top cover and a length corresponding with an altered resonance frequency of the instrument body.

Abstract: A component mounting stud assembly including a lower portion having an upper externally-threaded portion and a socket, an upper cap portion having an internally-threaded portion configured for engagement with the upper externally-threaded portion, and a through-hole structured and arranged to provide access through the upper cap portion to the socket when the upper cap portion is attached to the lower portion.

Abstract: A hammer pick that provides a musician the ability to strum a string instrument with a pick and smoothly switch to striking the strings of the instrument with a hammer. A pick and a hammer are coupled in the device such that the musician can pluck or strike the strings by repositioning a hand holding the hammer pick. The pick is held in a pick holder that connects to the hammer by a spring and an adjustable post. The musician plucks with the pick between a thumb and index finger and slightly rotates the hand allowing the hammer to strike one or more strings to produce a different tone from the instrument.

Abstract: A Bohemian Instrument may be a musical instrument, acoustic or electric, with a metallic semi-hollow or hollow body. The Bohemian Instrument may comprise a neck extending from the body. In various embodiments, the Bohemian Instrument may comprise, but not be limited to, for example, a through-body neck, extending from the head of the neck into the body of the instrument. Within the body, the Bohemian Instrument may comprise a frame reinforcing at least one inner-edge of the body. In various embodiments, the frame within the body may be comprised of wood and be connected to, or comprise a part of, the through-body neck. By reinforcing the body, the frame also serves to improve a resonation quality of the hollow or semi-hollow metallic body. In turn, the Bohemian Instrument's unique and distinct sound is further articulated.

Abstract: A decorative panel for a guitar and a manufacturing method of the decorative panel. The decorative panel can be applied to a head, a body, a neck or a pick guard of the guitar to enhance an aesthetic sense of the guitar. The manufacturing process is simplified to reduce the manufacturing period thereby increasing productivity and reducing the failure rate of the guitar. The decorative panel for the guitar includes a base plate; and a binding disposed at the edge of the base plate in a band type by a binding line. The binding line is integrally formed such that one or more binding grooves formed on the periphery of the base plate are filled with epoxy resin paint.

Abstract: The conventional musical instrument top and back plates are supported with straight and scalloped braces. These braces tend to dampen vibrations along the length direction of the brace. Kerfed braces are introduced to mitigate the damping. If glued with their kerfed edge to the top or back plates they mitigate damping without much compromise in their strengthening properties.

Abstract: The conventional musical instrument top and back plates are supported with straight and scalloped braces. These braces tend to dampen vibrations along the length direction of the brace. Kerfed braces are introduced to mitigate the damping. If glued with their kerfed edge to the top or back plates they mitigate damping without much compromise in their strengthening properties.

Abstract: A very efficient guitar design, light weight and having a body-mounted tuning system to assist with performance is disclosed. The guitar comprises two main components: an acoustic body and a housing. This separation is intended so that the acoustic body is isolated from the housing and free to vibrate. The guitar further optionally comprises seven strings, twelve-strings, a vibrato system and a retractable built-in stand attached to the back of the housing.

Abstract: A non-electrical stringed instrument sound effects device includes a crosspiece, having a string interface, and a strapping system that is configured to removably fasten the crosspiece, including the string interface, around a plucking or strumming hand of a player of the stringed musical instrument. A method of creating a sound effect using the device includes attaching the device to a plucking or strumming hand of a player of a stringed musical instrument such that the strapping system extends around the hand and the crosspiece is disposed adjacent the outside of the hand, positioning the hand in a conventional plucking or strumming position such that the string interface of the crosspiece extends across at least one of the strings, and manipulating the string interface of the crosspiece against the strings while plucking or strumming to achieve a desired sound effect without use of electrical power.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an ornamental purfling strip which has sufficient flexibility to be placed within a curved configuration. The ornamental purfling strips are sufficiently flexible to be placed, as a single unit, in curved channels which require the strip to bend. The flexibility results from a laminated structure comprising a layer of binding material overlain by an ornamental layer, with an adhesive or bonding agent attaching the layers together. The ornamental layer comprises a plurality of precisely placed breaks along its length. The binding material retains the individual fragments of the ornamental layer in the strip, but because the binding material comprises a flexible material, the layer of binding material is sufficiently flexible to allow the purfling strip to flex longitudinally and transversely. The ornamental layer may comprise organic shell material or synthetic materials such as synthetic opal.

Abstract: The present invention concerns modifications intended to improve the sound quality of stringed musical-instruments through modification of stiffness/flexibility, vibration/resonance-transmitting properties and weight-reduction of the fingerboard, neck, tailpiece, the upper- and lower block, sound post or sound pegs, bass bar or sound bars, and the upper and lower saddle rod using combined lightweight materials and specific construction principles.

Abstract: A stringed instrument and a ramp which including a flexible plate and a plurality of rotatable elements or screws for flexing the plate to adjust the curvature of the plate with respect to the strings with the rotatable elements or screws rotatably disposed in the flexible plate for flexing the plate to adjust the curvature of the plate along at least two axes with two spaced screws operably disposed in the plate for flexing the plate in relation to the adjacent string, so that the distance between each string and the flexible plate is adjusted to the desired specifications of the musician.

Abstract: A percussion attachment for a musical instrument. The attachment includes a body having at least one aerating hole formed therein. A clamp is mounted to the body that attaches the body to the musical instrument. The body may be struck and/or scraped by the stick of a bow to produce percussion as well as functioning simultaneously as a protector as the musical instrument is being played. The body may include ribs that are spaced along an outermost curved edge of the body such that contacting the ribs with the stick of a bow to produce a percussion sound. The body may also include pits spaced on a top surface of the body such that contacting the pits with the stick of a bow to produce a percussion sound.

Abstract: A hand tool for removing frets associated with guitars, banjos and other string instruments. The tool has a handle with a blade extending therefrom. At a distal end of the blade is a slot wider than a tang of a fret and smaller than a top of the fret. The tool is slid under the fret, thereby providing pressure both to raise the fret and at the same time also against the wood surrounding the tang to prevent undue breakage of the wood during removal of the fret.

Abstract: An apparatus for a guitar comprising a tremolo anchor, an upper post portion, a lower post portion, and a compressible material. The compressible material is compressible enough to allow for the tightening of the upper post portion but not compressible enough to loosen a guitar string.

Abstract: A device for mounting a sensor on a musical instrument comprises at least a first sensor held by a first arm so that a user can place the first sensor at a desired first distance measured normal to the first string and can place the first sensor at a desired first position anywhere in a first range along the first string, the first range being at least seventy percent of a least distance between termination of a fingerboard and a bridge, where the user can change the first distance during normal playing and can also change the first position during normal playing, and where the first sensor stays at the first distance during normal playing unless changed by the user and the first sensor stays at the first position during normal playing unless changed by the user.

Abstract: A shell purfling strip has sufficient flexibility to be placed within a curved configuration. The purfling strips are sufficiently flexible to be placed, as a single unit, in curved channels which require the strip to bend. The flexibility results from a laminated structure comprising a layer of binding material overlain by an organic shell layer, with a bonding agent attaching the layers together. The organic shell layer comprises a plurality of precisely placed breaks along its length. The binding material retains the individual fragments of the shell layer in the strip, but because the binding material comprises a flexible material, such as rubber, the layer of binding material is sufficiently flexible to allow the purfling strip to flex longitudinally and transversely. The shell purfling strips may be attached in parallel relationship to other perfling components such that the perfling components can be installed as a unit.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument may include various features, including any of a soundboard designed for efficient production of acoustic tone, a removable cover for easy access to the instrument's interior, a tailpiece mounted to receive and tension strings, one or more transducers to record and amplify musical tones, a dampening device that further improves operation of the transducers, a detachable thumbrest, an overbrace to strengthen supporting cross members that embody openings, and a rigid overlay that may be placed over an original fretted fingerboard to create a fretless surface for the strings to contact.

Abstract: The invention is a stringed instrument having string vibrations transmitted through a bridge directly to an interaction region of a soundboard, to the exclusion of vibrations via other paths.

Abstract: A musical instrument having a body shaped like a traditional stringed instrument such as a guitar and a sounding piece for strumming. The sounding piece, which is made of a material sufficiently stiff as to emit a sound when strummed, has a plurality of corrugations. The sounding piece is mounted within or on the body so that the corrugations run parallel to the longitudinal axis of the body. The sounding piece is also mounted sufficiently loosely within or on the body that it is able to vibrate sufficiently freely as to make a sound.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a guitar, which includes a chest rest formed on a back plate of a main body so that the guitar can be gripped in a stable manner and can be played with a comfort of chest. The guitar further includes an arm rest formed on a top plate of the main body so that so that the guitar can be gripped in a stable manner and can be played with a comfort of chest and arm. A method of manufacturing the chest and arm rest is also disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides in combination, an intonated string nut and string locking mechanism for a musical string instrument with a fretted fingerboard where the combination intonated string nut and string locking mechanism includes a string nut fulcrum and a string locking means, where each string nut fulcrum may have a varying linear position in relation to each individual string in order to provide the optimum compensation amount for improving the consistency and production of in-tune musical notes during play for musical string instruments with fretted fingerboards.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods of decorating guitars and other stringed musical instruments are disclosed. In one aspect, a method may include UV printing a first portion of a decoration over a first region of at least part of a guitar using a first ink drop size, and UV printing a second portion of the decoration over a second region of said at least part of the guitar using a second ink drop size. In another aspect, a method may include UV printing a mask layer over a surface of at least a portion of a guitar using a first amount of image constriction and a first amount of feathering, and UV printing a decorative layer over at least a portion of the mask layer using a second amount of image constriction and a second amount of feathering.

Abstract: A collapsible stringed instrument having a body with a soundboard, a back face, a neck, and a spacer. The perimeter of the soundboard is connected to the perimeter of the back face by the spacer. The volume between the spacer, the soundboard, and the back face define a sound chamber. The neck is pivotally and laterally coupled to the body which has a door in the back face. The neck is able to pivot and slide through the door and into the sound chamber.

Abstract: The present invention is a hollow body stringed musical instrument that utilizes a low mass, soundboard having a 12 to 25 foot radius dome configuration. The soundboard is made of a three ply torsion box design utilizing a honeycomb stiffening layer as the central core. Linear adjustable tuning braces are incorporated in the hollow body. The side and back of the instrument are also of a three ply construction having a polymer ir inorganic foam as the central layer. (Preferably this will be a closed cell foam.) The back also has a domed configuration with a 12 to 15 foot radius. All structural braces are eliminated from the interior of the instrument's body.

Abstract: A musical instrument case comprising a body which defines an outer and inner surface, first and second members, and a support layer affixed within the inner surface of the body and a microfiber layer affixed to the support layer.

Abstract: A moving jaw (20) is spring-urged (45, 55) against a fixed jaw (10, 110), to capture picks (70) and other like stringed musical instrument accessories therebetween. The fixed jaw (10, 110) is configured for either adhesive mounting (60) onto and extending exterior to a stringed instrument surface, or embedding interior to and coupled (118, 131) with the surface (80) of the stringed instrument. Picks (70) or other accessories are oriented perpendicular to the instrument surface (80), and one or a plurality of picks (70) may be inserted into and removed from between the jaws (10, 20, 110).

Abstract: A single stringed instrument comprising a tapered cylindrical wood body having a pair of thin flexible aluminum arms extending therefrom the joined together at a head which carries a tensioner bar. A single string extends between the tensioner bar and the bottom or base of the body. The instrument is played by plucking the string and squeezing the arms together to vary the pitch of the tone produced by the string.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument having a profile to which may be removably attached one or more components at various positions on the profile so that instruments of various scales may be configured on the profile.

Abstract: A novel display and storage hanger for a musical instrument, and particularly, a guitar which provides for user unobtrusive, secure mounting at a selected angular rotation to achieve a desired display or storage position.

Abstract: A wood support member for attaching a first wood member to a wood side structure defining an interior peripheral edge, the wood support member is attachable to the peripheral edge, comprising a top, a bottom, a first end, a second end, a front face and a rear face. The wood support member can comprise a first plurality of kerfs in the front face and a second plurality of kerfs in the rear face, the plurality of kerfs each extending from the top to the bottom. The kerfs in the first plurality of kerfs can be spaced equidistant from each other and the kerfs in the second plurality of kerfs can be spaced equidistant from each other, and each kerf in the first plurality of kerfs can be spaced equidistant from each kerf in the second plurality of kerfs. The wood support member can have an uninstalled state, in which each kerf in the first plurality of kerfs is parallel to the other kerfs, and an installed state, in which each kerf in the first plurality of kerfs is not parallel to the other kerfs.

Abstract: A multifunctional headstock support for stringed instruments; guitars, banjos, and the like, comprises a first constituent defining an anchorage base and a hingedly-coupled second constituent forming a sub-support appendage. The anchorage base comprises an integral mounting plate made from a substantially resilient material such as spring metal or a plastic, predetermined dimensions and geometrical shape sufficient to permit direct attachment to a predetermined back side portion of a string instrument's headstock. The sub-support appendage comprises an elongated support member which may employ a plurality of elongated support legs or a singular elongated support leg. Support leg(s) being sufficiently dimensioned to impart an increased planar surface-to-tuning machine knobs clearance under the headstock, and of sufficiently robust construction to support the headstock and associated weight of a string instrument when instrument is placed in either a reclined or inclined position.

Abstract: A bridge for an acoustic guitar including a body and a neck extending outward from the body. The bridge includes a base fixed to the body, and a saddle support for supporting a saddle. The saddle support has a support surface for supporting a side surface of the saddle that is closer to the neck. The saddle is supported with its upper surface protruding from an upper surface of the saddle support. The saddle support has a plurality of grooves extending in the direction of the corresponding strings. The strings are supported by the upper surface of the saddle in the corresponding grooves.

Abstract: A D-Tuner for mounting on the peghead of a banjo. The D-Tuner has keyed cam pegs, adjustable stops for limiting the extent of rotation of the cam pegs, and linear flexible members attached to the cam pegs. The flexible members are suitable for attachment to the second B string and third G string of a banjo for tuning the banjo when the keyed cam pegs are turned.

Abstract: A string replacement assistance apparatus is used when the strings of a stringed instrument equipped with a tremolo unit are replaced. The tremolo unit makes a pivotal movement in arm-up and arm-down directions by an operation of a tremolo arm connected thereto. The string replacement assistance apparatus includes a base section which is to be put on the body of the stringed instrument and a holding section which is elongated from the base section and holds the tremolo arm to prevent the tremolo unit from the pivotal movement.

Abstract: A method of protecting musical instrument strings comprising the steps of applying a fluorochemical acrylate polymer coating carried in a hydrofluoroether solvent to the strings of a musical instrument, so as to leave a low surface energy film covering the strings at a thickness of less than one micron which is resistant to oils and dirt, and provides virtually no interference with the sound generating properties of the string. The polymer coating is non-toxic, non-ozone depleting, non-flammable and contains not volatile organic compounds. The polymer is insoluble in solvents including heptane, toluene and water, however it is soluble in fluorinated solvents.

Abstract: A method of assembling a musical instrument such as an acoustic guitar. The instrument includes at least one major panel and a side wall. The major panel has a groove or rebate cut into the panel according to a predetermined pattern, which may extend substantially around the periphery of the panel. A first assembly jig supports the panel whilst a second assembly jig holds the side wall in a configuration corresponding to the groove/rebate. The side wall is placed into the second jig such that a free edge of the side wall follows the groove/rebate. Adhesive is applied and the jigs are brought together such that the free edge of the side wall is inserted into the groove/rebate. A compression force is applied across the jigs to urge the side wall into the groove/rebate.

Abstract: The present invention teaches an electro-acoustic guitar having an isolated resonant soundboard with or without an integrated transducer attached to the soundboard. The soundboard/transducer assembly fits into an aperture of the guitar body frame and has structure allowing it to be adjusted in multiple axes to provide the best playing action. The soundboard may also be interchangeable with other soundboards to further alter sound quality. String vibration energy is conducted by an acoustically pure bridge to the soundboard/transducer assembly. The large magnetic transducer is integrated by having one portion, a magnet structure, secured to a magnet support and another portion, the voice coil and mounting hub, secured to the soundboard spaced and opposed above the magnet support thus creating a truly integrated electro-mechanical soundboard transducer assembly with tonal qualities modified by an internal chamber defined by the space between the soundboard and the magnet structure support.

Abstract: A structure for a musical instrument body that limits vibration of various components or parts of the body while controlling and providing for overall resonance of the instrument. The structure is suitable for use with a musical instrument, specifically an electric guitar. The structure includes a support member or block positioned in a chamber created between a top plate and bottom plate of the guitar body and a structural element, spaced from the top and bottom plates, that engages the block to provide additional support and stiffness enabling further control of the overall vibration and thus resonance of the instrument. Varying the design of the structure along with the various body components provides an apparatus for uniquely tuning the acoustic characteristics of the guitar body.

Abstract: A musical instrument, having a monitor therein, contains a musical instrument body having a body cavity therein, and the monitor having a front face and a back, where the monitor fits within the body cavity of the musical instrument body. A screen cover is situated above the front face of the monitor and a cover plate positions the screen cover above the front face of the monitor, where the cover plate covers at least a portion of the screen cover. A bridge is located on a front face of the screen cover, where the bridge contains a pickup that does not use electromagnetic induction, and that senses vibrations of strings, suspended on said bridge, above the monitor, and translates the vibrations into audio signals.

Abstract: A thin flat body of clear plastic with a key pad (20) on the inside back base (12), and a chord scale (22) on the outside front of the base (10). The chord scale is fitted with braille nodules (24) for guiding the proper placement of the fingers on the EZ chord. On the bottom or lower side of the base (10) (12) is a gripping angle (14) for the learning chord device. On the top or upper side, and bottom or lower side of the base (10) (12) are gripping angles (14) (16) for the universal chord device. One EZ chord is a device that when manipulated by a human hand, or an artificial hand, is pressed and positioned onto the guitar neck, fret and strings to form and sound guitar chords and/or notes. The EZ chord devices can be used by mentally, physically, or visually handicapped people as well as non-handicapped people, to play and/or learn to play the guitar.

Abstract: A musical instrument apparatus has the ability to interchange from acoustic to electric string instrument embodiments; both the acoustic and electric string embodiments share a common hollow modular body assembly.

Abstract: A stringed instrument microphone which is particularly optimized for many players of stringed instruments is disclosed. Uniformity and faithfulness of the electrical output is provided by employing a high-quality microphone mounted by a fraction to the sound box at a fixed position in which it does not interfere with the playing of the instrument. At the same time gone variation of this position is accommodated with a structure which maintains position rigorously. This is important because infinitesimally small variations in position will produce clearly audible distortions. In accordance with the invention it has been discovered that such variations may be caused, among other factors, by vibration of the sound box, a flexible or otherwise displaceable bracket structure and resonance in the bracket.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument includes a string which, when vibrated, produces sound. Both ends of the vibrating portion of the string touch glass.

Abstract: The present invention is a hollow body stringed musical instrument that utilizes a low mass, soundboard having a 12 foot radius dome configuration. The soundboard is made of a three ply torsion box design utilizing a honeycomb substrate as the central core. Linear adjustable tuning braces are incorporated in the hollow body. The side and back of the instrument are also of a three ply construction having a closed cell, resilient polymer foam as the central layer. All structural braces are eliminated from the interior of the instrument's body.

Abstract: A support for a body of a stringed instrument includes a brace structure having a plurality of legs radially disposed about a central body. The brace structure has a substantially flat first surface. A portion of the plurality of legs conforms to a soundhole opening which is integrated into the body of the stringed instrument. A brace for a body of a guitar includes a unitary structure adapted to mount to a soundboard of the guitar. The unitary structure has a plurality of arms radially disposed about a central body. A method of assembling a guitar includes mounting a brace structure to a soundboard of the guitar. Again, the brace structure has a plurality of legs radially disposed about a central body.

Abstract: A support for a body of a stringed instrument includes a brace structure having a plurality of legs radially disposed about a central body. The brace structure has a substantially flat first surface. A portion of the plurality of legs conforms to a soundhole opening which is integrated into the body of the stringed instrument. A brace for a body of a guitar includes a unitary structure adapted to mount to a soundboard of the guitar. The unitary structure has a plurality of arms radially disposed about a central body. A method of assembling a guitar includes mounting a brace structure to a soundboard of the guitar. Again, the brace structure has a plurality of legs radially disposed about a central body.