Abstract: A training aid for playing a stringed instrument of the type having a neck and a fingerboard for assisting an instrument player in the proper placement of the thumb on the back of the instrument neck while playing the instrument, said training aid comprising: (a) a solid piece positioned on the back of the neck of the instrument against which said instrument player's thumb will be positioned; (b) an attachment to the solid piece, wherein said attachment enables said solid piece to be added to the back of the instrument's neck or removed from the back of the instrument's neck. The instrument may be a guitar.

Abstract: The present invention extends to practice devices and systems for practicing to play stringed instruments. An electronic stringed instrument practice device can be configured to perform one or more of the following: detect when finger positions and/or string to fret contact on a finger or fret board forms an appropriate musical note or musical chord, visually indicate appropriate positions on a finger or fret board for forming a musical note or musical chord, and detect when strings have been selected (e.g., strummed). The electronic stringed instrument practice device can emit sound in the form of musical notes and chords. The electronic stringed instrument practice device can include communication modules for communicating with other computing devices, including mobile phones and tablets. The electronic stringed instrument practice device can interact with applications on other computing devices to further assist users in learning how to play a stringed musical instrument.

Abstract: An adjustable musical instrument neck stiffener includes a beam fabricated by embedding uni-directional material only at the upper portion of the beam, and constrained by braid or bias weave material. In a preferred embodiment, the uni-directional layers are preferably made from carbon fiber tow, cloth, or pultruded carbon fiber and the braid or bias weave material is made of carbon fibers. To reduce weight, the middle section of the beam is preferably hollow. A threaded rod and threaded sleeve provide a way to adjust the neck stiffener beam curvature so that it is straight while under string tension.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument with a base portion and neck portion with an inlaid fretboard snugly secured within a recess between an upper wall and a lower wall on the neck portion is disclosed. The geometry of the upper and lower walls maybe optimized and includes walls that are substantially perpendicular to the face of the instrument, walls that are angled with respect to each other to define a wedge-shaped slot for slidably receiving and securing the mating fretboard therein, and walls that are angled to define inwardly extending protrusions that allow the fretboard to be “snapped” in place on the neck portion of the instrument. The fretboard may be rigidly secured to the neck portion with glue or the like or it may be detachably secured within the slot thereby allowing fretboards to be changed as desired for aesthetic or performance purposes.

Abstract: The present invention is directed a retractable stringed musical instrument, and more particularly, to a stringed musical instrument having a tailpiece, a body coupled to the tailpiece, a neck coupled to the body and a fingerboard coupled to the neck. The fingerboard and the neck adjustably extendable and retractable relative to the tailpiece. The retractable stringed instrument further comprises a bridge coupled to the body where the bridge vertically movable upon retraction of the fingerboard and the neck to enable the fingerboard to move over the bridge.

Abstract: The inventive folding guitar comprises a guitar body and a guitar neck which includes a fretboard. A hinge connects the guitar neck to the guitar body. The hinge is configured to enable the guitar neck to pivot relative to the guitar body. A securing means for selectively securing the guitar neck to the guitar body that prevents the guitar neck from pivoting relative to the guitar body. A guitar neck angle adjusting means for adjusting an angle of the guitar neck relative to the guitar body is provided so that a height of a guitar string relative to the fretboard can be adjusted.

Abstract: A truss rod for use with a neck body of a musical instrument. The truss rod includes a first rod connected to a second rod. An adjustment member is connected to the first rod and configured to exert a longitudinally directed force on the first rod that causes the first rod to move longitudinally with respect to the second rod. This movement exerts a laterally directed force on the second rod that causes the second rod to exert a laterally directed force on the neck body to thereby change the curvature of the neck body. The adjustment member may threadedly engage the first rod and exert the longitudinally directed force on the first rod by threading into or out of the first rod. The adjustment member may also threadedly engage the second rod. Different thread pitches may be used to threadedly engage the adjustment member with the first and second rods.

Abstract: Stringed instrument having an elongated neck member optionally including a fingerboard, with a plurality of frets fixedly positioned at predetermined spaced locations along the neck. The frets include a tang and a mushroom shaped crown, each positioned and secured in a corresponding fret slot formed in the neck. The neck member includes a carbon fiber based support member that can be T-shaped. In its method aspects, the neck can be straight and of neutral strain or a desired backbow/underbow or curvature in the elongated neck member is created, such as by introducing a carbon fiber T-bar support member in the neck member in a “neutral” state while clamping the neck member in an underbow shape, or forming underbow directly into the finished neck in which a carbon fiber T-bar is already present, and then introducing crown bar style frets to wedge the neck back to an optimum playable shape.

Abstract: A stringed instrument having a series of note references laser etched into a fingerboard. Each note reference is located respective to a position along a length of a respective string to generated the respective note. The note references are laser etched into the fingerboard using a laser wood removal system. The laser system is programmed to generate a series of recessions within the fingerboard in accordance with a programmed directive. The programming defines the location of each note reference adjacent to a respective fret and under the respective string. The programming accounts for the neck dimensions, fret locations (based upon the scale), string spacing, etc. The laser system can accommodate a neck (removed from the stringed instrument) or the entire instrument. The recessions can be left as formed or filled with a note reference filler to increase a contrast between the note reference and the fingerboard.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the neck for a stringed electronic musical instrument that is constructed of a pipe made of a steel alloy. The instrument has superior sound qualities, has optimal ergonomic properties that fit the natural grip of the human hand, maintains tune under conditions of environmental extremes and mechanical stress, and can be easily manufactured with a high degree of precision and accuracy on a mass scale.

Abstract: An attachment mechanism for selective attachment of a stringed instrument neck to a stringed instrument body includes a recess formed in the body with a first part of a latch mechanism. The neck includes a capture block at a forward end thereof adapted to fit snugly within the recess of the body and having a second part of the latch mechanism. With the neck seated in the recess of the body, the neck may be pressed down until the first part of the lock mechanism engages the second part of the lock mechanism to lock the neck into the body. A threaded bolt traversing the body may be included to engage a threaded aperture formed in the neck to further secure the neck to the body. A removable bridge and carrying case may be further included.

Abstract: In a stringed instrument such as a guitar, a fingerboard is slidably engaged with the instrument's neck, preferably by means of flanges that engage with corresponding grooves along the lateral edges of the neck.

Abstract: A sliding saddle system and a method of constructing a chordophone instrument comprising an underblock in slidable engagement with the bridge plate. A connector is located between the saddle and the underblock allowing the underblock to slide into position on the bridge plate until the connector is tightened, thereby locating the saddle on the sound board.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument has a molded sound box and neck where the sound box is formed of between 20% to 60% carbon fibers, or other suitable fibers, and a polymeric resin or binder. The composition of materials utilized in the sound box is selected to increase stiffness and to control the tone of the instrument. The sound box includes an adjustable attachment mechanism having a pivot which is used to secure the neck to the sound box. The sound box includes a molded bracing structure having a plurality of braces and a molded bridge having a plurality of pockets which are used to enhance the structure for the sound box and provide a desired tone quality for the stringed instrument. The neck may include a molded neck insert and a molded fingerboard which are used to enhance the stiffness and stability of the neck.

Abstract: The present invention extends to practice devices for practicing to play stringed instruments. More specifically, the present invention relates to a practice device that may assist a user in learning how to properly finger and play a stringed musical instrument. A user can hold an elongate handle and place one or more of his or her fingers on strings to practice fingerings that are used to play chords/notes. Real instrument strings can be used, helping to strengthen a user's fingertips and get the fingertips accustomed to holding/pinching the instrument strings. Further, the stringed instrument practice device can be portable and sized to fit within the user's hand. Accordingly, a user can realize advantages of the invention and utilize practice methods while the user is “on the go,” riding on a bus, watching television, waiting in line, etc.

Abstract: A tubular neck for a stringed instrument is disclosed. The neck includes at least one sound tube having a first end and a second end. The neck further includes at least one resonator tube having a first end and a second end, the at least one resonator tube in mechanical communication with the at least one sound tube wherein said first end of the at least one sound tube overlaps a first end of the at least one resonator tube.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument including a body connected to a neck and including a stress modification system for reducing bending stress in the neck. The stress modification system includes a first anchor and second anchor, each mounted at a proximal end of the neck on a top and bottom surface, respectively. The system further includes a diverter for guiding the string from the first anchor to the second anchor and for equalizing the tension along the string from the first anchor to the second anchor. The diverter may include one of a pulley, a roller, a wheel, and a low-friction pad. The first anchor or second anchor may include a tensioner for modifying the tension in the string. The bottom surface of the neck may include a recessed channel in which the string is disposed. In certain other embodiments, at least a portion of the neck is hollow.

Abstract: Some or all, of the surface area of the back neck of a guitar is reduced to for a continuous geometric pattern, with spaced depressions or raised ridges, leaving less surface area for the palm of the hand and/or thumb to contact, thereby reducing or eliminating tackiness so that the grip on the neck can be better controlled.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument comprises a neck and a cavity formed in the neck. The cavity includes a curved bottom surface and a chamfer in a sidewall of the cavity. An island is formed in the cavity. A fretboard is formed comprising a veneer and adapted to fit the cavity. The fretboard includes an opening adapted to encompass the island in the cavity. The cavity or fretboard is formed using a computer-controlled or numerically-controlled milling machine, router, water jet, or laser. The fretboard is mounted within the cavity, and the island in the cavity is disposed within the opening in the fretboard. Mounting the fretboard within the cavity includes flexing a sidewall of the cavity. An edge of the fretboard contacts a sidewall of the cavity without a visible gap.

Abstract: The present invention extends to handheld practice devices for practicing to play stringed instruments. More specifically, the present invention relates to a practice device that may assist a user in learning how to properly finger and play a stringed musical instrument. A user can hold an elongate handle and place one or more of his or her fingers on strings to practice fingerings that are used to play chords/notes. Real instrument strings can be used, helping to strengthen a user's fingertips and get the fingertips accustomed to holding/pinching the instrument strings. Further, the stringed instrument practice device can be portable and sized to fit within the user's hand. Accordingly, a user can realize advantages of the invention and utilize practice methods while the user is “on the go,” riding on a bus, watching television, waiting in line, etc.

Abstract: This invention pertains to the neck for a stringed electronic musical instrument that is constructed of a pipe made of a steel alloy. The instrument has superior sound qualities, has optimal ergonomic properties that fit the natural grip of the human hand, maintains tune under conditions of environmental extremes and mechanical stress, and can be easily manufactured with a high degree of precision and accuracy on a mass scale.

Abstract: A metal block that connects the bridge to the neck of a guitar. The block fits into a routed area of the body. The increased strength of the neck joint created by the metal block allows the heel portion of the lap joint where the body overlaps the neck to be considerable thinner then a conventional guitar. The thinner neck joint allows better access to the upper fret registers. Connecting the bridge to the neck joint with the metal body allows for better sustain.

Abstract: A neck for a string instrument is provided with a shape that varies along the length of the neck to facilitate an appropriate hand posture at various longitudinal positions on the neck. The neck has a heel end for receiving a body of a string instrument, a head end relative to the heel end, and a fingerboard surface. Adjacent the fingerboard surface, the bass side of the neck is chamfered, relative to the treble side of the neck, from an intermediate position between the heel end and the head end of the neck toward the heel end of the neck, for accommodating a user's thumb when fretting in an upper register portion of the neck.

Abstract: A guitar neck joint routing system. The system includes a probe and router assembly comprising a gantry, a probe, and a plurality of routers, and a guitar neck and body nest comprising clamps and vacuum grips for holding a guitar neck and guitar body in place for taking measurements and routing a dovetail joint.

Abstract: A combination stringed musical instrument, such as a four string electric bass and a six string electric guitar, is described. The combination stringed musical instrument includes a single neck portion with opposed fret boards formed or disposed on either side or major face of the neck portion. Accessibility to either stringed musical instrument may be accomplished by neck portion rotation, relative to the body portion, facilitated by an ergonomically placed and designed handle assembly. User initiated neck portion rotation may be facilitated by an internal shaft and bearing set, interconnecting the neck portion and the body portion. Manipulation of the handle may cause a positive neck portion position placement and neck portion fixation via retention hardware. The combined instrument presents a conventional-appearing electric guitar/bass guitar.

Abstract: A neck construction for a stringed instrument such as a guitar has an asymmetric, preferably trapezoidal, profile of the neck. The asymmetry is opposite at the distal end, depicted in FIG. 9, and proximal end, depicted in FIG. 10. As the musician plays the instrument, the hand will move between the proximal and distal ends of the neck, using the thumb and palm as a support to press the fingers against the front portion of the neck. By changing the angles of the surfaces denoted as (15) and (19), and (16) and (20) from the proximal to the distal end, the musician's wrist is encouraged and guided to move in a comfortable and relaxed angle throughout the playing range of the instrument, while the musician's muscles and tendons are supported, thereby reducing the risk for the musician to develop repetitive strain injuries and allowing the musician to play better.

Abstract: Provided is a stringed instrument using frets, in which a low-pitched sound range is extended without changing the size of the main body and the sound range before the low-pitched sound range has been extended can be restored by using a capotasto.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a musical instrument comprises a neck, a pickup socket, and a bar coupled between the neck and the pickup socket.

Abstract: Adjustable neck-angle joint for stringed musical instrument, directed to the technique and the way of joining the neck (12) and the body (13) of a stringed musical instrument. The two parts are joined together with the use of screws. At their contact points they include a convexo-concave formation (15), (14) which provides absolute contact between the instrument's body (13) and the neck (12) with the ability to rotate laterally in a predetermined manner. Thus making possible to change the angle between the longitudinal axis of the neck (12) and the longitudinal axis of the instrument's body (13). The neck (12) is changing its angular position relative to the instrument's body (13) regulating the space between the strings and the upper surface of body, as well as the asked force on the top an acoustic musical instrument or the body of an electric musical instrument, by its strings.

Abstract: This design is a fingerboard with an integrated neck adjustment mechanism to correct both up bow and back bow of a stringed instrument neck with the added ability to eliminate additional bulk associated with conventional guitar neck construction. It includes a metal plate as the fingerboard. Attached to the underside of the plate is a neck adjustment mechanism. By integrating the neck adjustment mechanism with the fingerboard a shallower depth for a routed truss rod channel is achieved. The metal plate reduces fingerboard bulk yet provides the stability needed to resist the string tension. This design also provides the ability of three characteristics to be used in one instrument that current designs and construction methods cannot achieve: thin necks, full scalloped fret boards and dual action truss rod functionality.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a method and apparatus for adjustably associating two components such as two components of a stringed instrument. Such invention is particularly well suited for adjusting the action of a guitar and for allowing any one of a plurality of guitar necks to be quickly and easily associated with a guitar body. One embodiment of the invention includes associating a body-plate with a body interface defined by guitar body and configured for being mechanically associated with a neck-plate associated with a guitar neck wherein the body-plate in the neck-plate are movably associated with each other so that the action of the guitar maybe easily adjusted. Another embodiment of the invention utilizes a pintle block and pillow block configuration for providing the same function.

Abstract: This invention is a combination stringed musical instrument like a banjo, bass, and guitar. The invention can be either acoustic or electric. A combination banjo, bass, and guitar and method of playing is provided in which the sixth string is set as a bass string, the fifth string is setup as a banjo fifth string, and the remaining four strings are configured as guitar strings which can be plucked substantially simultaneously by a player, resulting in the simultaneous playing of banjo, bass, and guitar by a single player. Various combinations of string diameters for each part of the combination are disclosed along with options for using a capo or “tunneling” the fifth string at the fifth fret.

Abstract: A guitar neck made as a unitary part, including its frets and nut, is provided with a coating of sufficient hardness to resist string wear. Slots arrayed longitudinally along the back of the neck permit the neck to be light in weight, while being made of a material rigid enough to resist warping from string tension. Due to this integral configuration, the neck does not require a trussrod.

Abstract: The present invention extends to practice devices for practicing to play stringed instruments. More specifically, the present invention relates to a practice device that may assist a user in learning how to properly finger and play a stringed musical instrument. A user can hold an elongate handle and place one or more of his or her fingers on strings to practice fingerings that are used to play chords/notes. Real instrument strings can be used, helping to strengthen a user's fingertips and get the fingertips accustomed to holding/pinching the instrument strings. Further, the stringed instrument practice device can be portable and sized to fit within the user's hand. Accordingly, a user can realize advantages of the invention and utilize practice methods while the user is “on the go,” riding on a bus, watching television, waiting in line, etc.

Abstract: This invention applies to a bolt-on neck guitar or similar instrument or device. The mechanism of this invention, a multiple section hinge with one end flap attached to the neck and the other end flap attached to the body while the center section stays sandwiched between the neck and the body in normal use, allows the removal of the neck screws with the strings under tension by the hinge absorbing the horizontal stress produced by the tension of the strings. The neck is then rotated 180 degrees to rest on top of the body where it can be secured with a clamp or a strap for transportation or stowage. The neck holding screws can be replaced with a large single one, reducing the time required to loosen the neck, while still maintaining the possibility of using the normal four screws in addition to or in lieu of the single one if so desired, since the tone of the guitar is improved when the pressure of the neck-body junction is increased and distributed over a larger area.

Abstract: Described herein are fingerboards and neck assemblies for use with stringed musical instruments. The neck assembly can include a light-system disposed therein. The light system has a light matrix of light elements. The fingerboard is adapted to conceal the presence of the light elements when the light elements are not illuminated and to allow the passage of at least some illumination from the light elements when the light elements are illuminated.

Abstract: A musical instrument neck stiffener includes a beam fabricated by embedding uni-directional material only at the upper and lower portions of the beam, and constrained by braid or bias weave material. In a preferred embodiment, the uni-directional layers are preferably made from carbon fiber tow, cloth, or pultruded carbon fiber and the braid or bias weave material is made of carbon fibers. To reduce weight, the middle section of the beam is preferably hollow. An angle neck stiffener includes a hollow tube connected to a cradle, which is bonded within an instrument neck. The angle neck stiffener bridges the connection between the instrument neck and a preferably D-shaped neck stiffener.

Abstract: Some or all, of the surface area of the back neck of a guitar is reduced to for a continuous geometric pattern, with spaced depressions or raised ridges, leaving less surface area for the palm of the hand and/or thumb to contact, thereby reducing or eliminating tackiness so that the grip on the neck can be better controlled.

Abstract: A self aligning folding guitar comprises a neck portion, and a body portion. They hinge it is mounted to the neck portion and the body portion. A first alignment member is secured to the neck portion. The second alignment member is secured to the body portion, the second alignment member meeting with the first alignment member at a substantially fixed position. A securement member secures the first alignment member to the second alignment member.

Abstract: An instrument comprising a neck-to-body junction including a solid upper body portion to which the instrument's neck and fingerboard are attached forming a neck member. The neck member is then engaged with a hollow cavity representative of the lower body an acoustic or semi-acoustic stringed instruments. The upper body portion of the neck member extends into the hollow cavity of the lower body to create a uniform body structure. A carve-out feature is then formed in close proximity to the base of the neck and extends into the underside of the upper body portion. The carve-out comprises a smooth and continuous surface that enables a player's hand to comfortably access higher positions on the instrument's neck when the instrument is played in the normal playing position.

Abstract: A dual-inline neck truss system in a stringed musical instrument is disposed uniformly along the instrument neck, generally toward the rear side, opposite the front side that forms or supports a fingerboard or fret-board. The truss system may be a two-portion single member or two separate in-line members, and is enclosed close to the rear surface of the neck or else with a surface exposed along its full length and made flush with the rear neck surface, smooth to the touch. The truss system is secured to the neck at a designated intermediate location so as to form two substantially co-linear truss portions, either of which can be adjusted for tension independently via manual adjustment hardware for applying pressure against opposite end regions of the neck, thus enabling special desired instrument setup for optimal string-to-fretboard/fingerboard spacing, e.g.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a guitar neck for a string instrument includes: a) creating slots in a fretboard; b) assembling the fretboard thus obtained with a neck (16); c) inserting in at least certain of the slots, a guide mark element (18, 20) for positioning the player's finger, the guide mark elements (18, 20) being transparent or semitransparent, each including a sign (20), placed at distance d from the upper face of the guide mark element (18, 20); and d) making the guide mark elements (18, 20) thus fixed flush with the outer surface of the fretboard, the distance d being such that the sign (20) is not flush at the end of this phase.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument that is convertible between fretted and fretless playing configurations includes a body, a neck connected to the body at one of its ends, a fingerboard disposed on the neck, a plurality of movable frets spaced apart at positions along the fingerboard, a plurality of strings disposed above the frets, and, according to one aspect of the invention, at least one rod that extends through the frets, wherein the at least one rod is configured to function both as a spring and as a device for retaining the frets in the fingerboard. According to another aspect of the invention, at least one strip of material separates a metallic component of a fret adjustment device from another component of the instrument that is formed from metal, wherein the at least one strip of material is configured to provide permanent dry lubrication for the metallic component of the fret adjustment device.

Abstract: The present invention extends to handheld practice devices for practicing to play stringed instruments. More specifically, the present invention relates to a practice device that may assist a user in learning how to properly finger and play a stringed musical instrument. A user can hold an elongate handle and place one or more of his or her fingers on strings to practice fingerings that are used to play chords/notes. Real instrument strings can be used, helping to strengthen a user's fingertips and get the fingertips accustomed to holding/pinching the instrument strings. Further, the stringed instrument practice device can be portable and sized to fit within the user's hand. Accordingly, a user can realize advantages of the invention and utilize practice methods while the user is “on the go,” riding on a bus, watching television, waiting in line, etc.

Abstract: The present invention extends to handheld practice devices for practicing to play stringed instruments. More specifically, the present invention relates to a practice device that may assist a user in learning how to properly finger and play a stringed musical instrument. A user can hold an elongate handle and place one or more of his or her fingers on strings to practice fingerings that are used to play chords/notes. Real instrument strings can be used, helping to strengthen a user's fingertips and get the fingertips accustomed to holding/pinching the instrument strings. Further, the stringed instrument practice device can be portable and sized to fit within the user's hand. Accordingly, a user can realize advantages of the invention and utilize practice methods while the user is “on the go,” riding on a bus, watching television, waiting in line, etc.

Abstract: A folding guitar comprising a guitar body and guitar neck is disclosed. A hinge connects the guitar body to the guitar neck. The hinge is disposed on one side of the guitar body and guitar neck. A latch plate is secured to the other side of one of the guitar body or guitar neck. A catch member is secured to the other side of the other one of the guitar body or guitar neck. The catch member defines a catch member catch surface. A latch arm is pivotally mounted to the latch plate. A hitch arm is pivotally mounted to the latch arm. A securement member mounted on the hitch arm, the securement member think configured to engage the catch member catch surface. The latch arm, hitch arm and latch plate are configured to vary the distance between the securement member and the catch member catch surface.

Abstract: A stringed instrument such as an acoustic guitar in which the proximal end of the body of the stringed instrument and the distal end of the neck are configured so that the body and neck are completely interchangeable with other pre-manufactured bodies and necks is described. In one preferred embodiment, the configuration at the proximal end of the body includes a recess which is configured to receive different types of necks whose distal end is in turn configured to fit into the recess. In one embodiment, the necks differ in length as well as in the length of scales on the necks. Also included are kits as well as assemblies of the various components used to construct a stringed instrument according to the different embodiments of the invention.

Abstract: A folding guitar comprising a guitar body and guitar neck is disclosed. A hinge connects the guitar body to the guitar neck. The hinge is disposed on one side of the guitar body and guitar neck. A latch plate is secured to the other side of one of the guitar body or guitar neck. A catch member is secured to the other side of the other one of the guitar body or guitar neck. The catch member defines a catch member catch surface. A latch arm is pivotally mounted to the latch plate. A hitch arm is pivotally mounted to the latch arm. A securement member mounted on the hitch arm, the securement member think configured to engage the catch member catch surface. The latch arm, hitch arm and latch plate are configured to vary the distance between the securement member and the catch member catch surface.

Abstract: A metal block that connects the bridge to the neck of a guitar. The block fits into a routed area of the body. The increased strength of the neck joint created by the metal block allows the heel portion of the lap joint where the body overlaps the neck to be considerable thinner then a conventional guitar. The thinner neck joint allows better access to the upper fret registers. Connecting the bridge to the neck joint with the metal body allows for better sustain.

Abstract: A headblock and fingerboard support assembly for a stringed instrument includes a fingerboard support assembly for mounting to a neck and fingerboard of the stringed instrument. The fingerboard support assembly further includes a plate having an integrated rail structure. A headblock has an integrated channel for receiving the integrated rail structure. The headblock is adapted to secure to the fingerboard support assembly. A method of assembling a stringed instrument includes mounting a plate structure to a neck and fingerboard of the stringed instrument, where the plate includes an integrated rail, and mounting a headblock to an interior surface of a body of the stringed instrument, where the headblock has an integrated channel structure for receiving the integrated rail of the plate structure.