Abstract: This invention relates to an acoustic stringed instrument having a resonance body, characterized in that an elongated opening is formed on the surface of a surface plate of the resonance body in its transverse direction, a bridge number to which one of the ends of each string is fixed and which has a protrusive sectional shape is fitted into the elongate opening in such a manner that only the protrusive portion of the lower bridge is exposed to the surface of the surface plate, and a step portion of the bridge number is bonded around the periphery of the elongate opening on the back of the surface plate.

Abstract: A tremolo bridge for an electric guitar has a fine tuning mechanism installed thereon. Fine tuning screw heads 43 have coplanar top surfaces 44 which do not rise or fall as tuning is effected. When actuated, heads 43 move screws 47 vertically to act on strings 29 through string securing levers 35. With this structure, the tuning heads form an essentially flat surface providing a seat or rest for the hand or forearm of the guitarist.

Abstract: A sound reverberator device for detachable connection to the strings of a string musical instrument which has strings tensioned over a bridge piece connected to the top wall of the sound box or the instrument. The reverberator comprises three spaced apart metal coil springs secured side-by-side at a common end to a spring support. A metallic string attachment member is secured to a free end of each of the springs. The attachment member has string engaging fingers for engaging a respective one of a pair of adjacent strings of the musical instrument. The attachment member further has a bridge abutment portion for contact with the bridge piece. When the reverberator is connected to the musical instrument, the springs are tensioned with the attachment member connected to the strings whereby vibrations imparted to the strings will be transmitted to the bridge piece and the associated spring.

Abstract: A machine head for use with a guitar or other stringed musical instrument has a rotatable peg with a string receiving transverse hole. An axial bore extends from the free end of the peg to the transverse hole and receives a clamping member movable axially in the bore into and out of clamping relation with the string in the transverse hole. Manual rotation of a part threaded onto the outer end portion of the peg produces the axial clamping or releasing motion of the clamping member.

Abstract: A peg box for a stringed instrument adapted to facilitate the introduction of the musical strings in the aperture of the tuning pegs. The peg box is made of a solid beam of material having a flat upper face and transversal channels for rotatably receiving the pegs. Bores extend from the upper face of the beam to the channels. Diametral apertures in the tuning pegs are aligned with the bores according to a predetermined reference mark. The musical strings are easily introduced into the bores and are automatically aligned with the apertures of the pegs. The threading of the musical strings is facilitated and made even easy for a blind person.

Abstract: A guitar having a vibrato bridge assembly and a string lock mechanism for locking the strings at the intersection of the head and neck is provided with a fine-tuning mechanism on the bridge assembly. The tuning mechanism includes tuning knob elevator screws which are generally perpendicular to the face of the body of the guitar and which are easily accessible. Rotation of the tuning knob screws is coupled via an L-shaped rocker element to cause translational movement of the guitar strings thereby to adjust their tension and pitch. Rocker mechanisms are disclosed which minimize vibrational interference between adjacent rocker elements.

Abstract: An even tuning tremolo system for a stringed musical instrument has a body, a neck extending from the body, and strings having a neck end, a body end, and a body end portion extending from the body end. A nut and bridge define the vibrating portion of the strings. A tremolo tail piece pivots about a pivot point and anchors one end of each string while varying the absolute pitch of the strings and maintaining the relative pitch of the strings during pivoting. The strings are anchored at different relative lever angles, the lever angle defined as the lever angle formed between the body end portion of the string and a line segment between the body end of the string and the pivot point.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument of a resonator guitar type, including an elongated, substantially horizontal, hollow body supporting pegs, a fret board, and a resonator in which each of the string members includes an elongated string, an elongated rigid string bar and a string cable, connected end-to-end. The strings extend over and lightly engage a transverse bridge, while the rigid string bars bear against a transverse support rod adjacent the bridge. The cables are connected to tuning lever members independently pivotally mounted upon a transverse tuning shaft at the tail end of the body. Operative members, such as pedals and/or knee levers are connected by linkages to the tuning lever members for controlling the tension in the strings.

Abstract: A guitar constructed for so-called "one-touch" tuning including a pivoted lever that is movable between string relaxing and string tensioning positions, and is held in the latter position by a releasable latch. The lever is secured to a string by a ball-like retaining member that is clamped to the string at a predetermined location near the tail end thereof. Preferably, this clamping takes place shortly prior to securing the string to the lever. The retaining member is provided with at least one groove through which the string extends. The retaining member is deformed by crushing same at portions thereof that defines at least one groove thereby collapsing the groove around the string to firmly clamp the retaining member to the string.

Abstract: A clamping device for the strings of a musical instrument includes a base with stationary clamping plates and a threaded shank, movable clamping plates in opposed relation to the stationary clamping plates, nuts threaded on the shank, actuators interposed between a threaded nut and a movable clamping plate for selectively applying clamping pressure to a movable clamping plate by engaging and rotating with a threaded nut while rotating relative to a movable clamping plate for clamping a string between the movable clamping plate and the stationary clamping plate.

Abstract: A string instrument particularly such as a guitar is provided with an improved vibrato assembly to obtain a vibrato/tremolo effect, and further including improved tuning adjustment mechanisms for maintaining the guitar in tune and for rapid adjustment to one of several preset tuning configurations. The vibrato assembly comprises an improved tuning machine and an improved bridge unit respectively on the head and body of the guitar with the guitar strings extended therebetween. The tuning machine and bridge unit support the guitar strings independently with each string under selected tension at a primary tuning set position. At the bridge unit, the strings are supported by individual rocker arms engaged by respective cams which are movable together by a manual spring-loaded control lever to achieve the vibrato/tremolo effect with raised or lowered pitch, as desired, with the cams displacing the rocker arms and thus altering tension individually for each guitar string.

Abstract: A vibrato device for guitars which is easily omnidirectionally adjustable by a clamp screw and a pivot screw concentric therewith, both conveniently accessible from the rear of the device, and by elevation screws mounted in the string-supporting saddles and conveniently accessible from the top of the device. The brass saddles are provided with a steel block insert for improved resonance and damping, and the control lever can be conveniently either locked in one position, or allowed to swing freely, at any time during play. The device is provided with self-centering straight knife-edge bridge pivots. The free ends of the strings are clamped to the bottom of a steel sustain block depending from the bridge of the device, and the clamp screws for both the strings and the lateral saddle position adjustment are turnable with coins.

Abstract: A linear movement tuning key for the peg head of a stringed musical instrument. A key includes a generally cylindrical body portion having a radially extending flange at the upper end, upon which is mounted a guide roller having its axis generally coplanar with the body of an instrument string. The roller is adapted for receiving the string thereacross and rotating therewith for direct orthogonal transfer of string tensioning forces. A tuning piston is mounted within a central axial opening in the cylindrical body portion of the key with the lower inner portion of the axial opening being threaded to receive a screw actuation ram. The lower, outer portion of the key body is also threaded to receive a cylindrical mounting sleeve, the upper edge of bears against the under surface of the peg head to rigidly secure the key body portion within the peg head.

Abstract: A tremolo mechanism for a guitar provides a tremolo effect. The mechanism is provided with a device against which the strings are pressed, and which is rotatable round a rotary shaft located between the bridge and the string-fixing part of the guitar, the device being capable of changing the tension, in each string by rotating about the rotary shaft and thereby changing the distance from the axis of the rotary shaft to the point at which each string presses against the device.

Abstract: A tuning mechanism for harmonically tuning and pitch tuning guitar strings. The mechanism is part of the bridge. It includes a base and a plurality of saddles which are mounted on the base and are slidable longitudinally back and forth to adjust the effective length of the strings of the guitar. Each saddle is mechanically connected to a guide member which is located in a groove in the base. A tuning screw through the guide member slides the guide member and the saddle back and forth to tune a guitar string. A securing bolt is then tightened to fix the saddle in place on the base. The mechanism also includes a pivotable pitch tuning member which pivots back and forth in response to a pivoting force applied by a pitch tuning screw to adjust string tension. The string receiving end of each saddle can be raised or lowered to adjust the height of the string above the base.

Abstract: A tuning apparatus for a stringed musical instrument includes a bridge base, a plurality of bridges, a plurality of anchor members of the same number as that of the bridges, and tuning bolts of the same number as that of the bridges or anchor members. The bridge base is fixed on a body. Each bridge is mounted on an upper surface of a front end portion of the bridge base and is movable along vertical and back-and-forth directions with respect to the body. Each bridge supports one end portion of a string at a top surface thereof. Each anchor member is mounted on an upper surface of a rear end portion of the bridge base and is movable along the back-and-forth direction. Each anchor member locks a bead coupled to one end of the string. Each tuning bolt is rotated to move the corresponding anchor member along the back-and-forth direction.

Abstract: A bridge and means for mounting the rear end of each of a plurality of strings on said bridge, the bridge including a plurality of saddles to which strings are individually attached wherein each saddle is adjustable longitudinally of the string in order to vary the effective length of the string for harmonious tuning and the saddle is adjustable without varying the effective length of the string in order to provide a fine tuning variation in tension for pitch. The invention relates to the specific means of mounting the end of the string on its individual saddle of the bridge wherein a substantially tubular member is provided with a groove extending downwardly, substantially normal to the body of the instrument to which the bridge is secured. The string passes through said groove and a bead on the end of the string initially anchors the string with respect to the groove.

Abstract: A device on a string tightener for string instruments, comprising a fixing peg for the string which may be attached to the neck of the instrument. The fixing peg is rotatably mounted by means of a self-locking worm. The free end of the peg is provided with a threaded section, which works in conjunction with a screw or a nut. A plane section running radially has been provided for clamping down the string, said plane section working in conjunction with a corresponding section on the screw or nut, or with a part working in conjunction with these. This part may be a distance bush, mounted on top of the plane section of the peg.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a stringed musical instrument of the type commonly known as a bass but particularly structured to have a reduced and variable overall dimension so as to facilitate transporting of the instrument and allow expansion of certain effective dimensions thereof such as the height (length) and width of the instrument to facilitate playing of the instrument in conventional positions such as standing and/or sitting and using conventional techniques.

Abstract: A tremolo apparatus with tuning function for an electric guitar including a bridge base disposed on a body of the guitar in such a manner as to freely tilt vertically, a plural number of octave tuning members disposed on the bridge base corresponding to respective strings and movable in a stretching direction of the strings for effecting octave tuning, a plural number of octave tuning screws which independently move and adjust respective octave tuning members in a stretching direction of the strings, a plural number of string holding members disposed respectively in the octave tuning members in such a manner as to freely move in the stretching direction of the strings for holding one end of each string, a plural number of tensile force control mechanisms serving to independently move and adjust respective string holding members in a stretching direction of the strings, and a balance spring providing the bridge base with a balancing movement acting in the direction opposite to the direction of the movement giv

Abstract: An anchoring and tuning mechanism for the strings of a stringed musical instrument employing plug-ended strings slidably insertable into slots and cut-outs and tensioned by retraction of anchor members slidable in channels aligned with the strings.

Abstract: A tremolo unit mechanism for electric guitar comprising bridge bodies respectively provided on a bridge base which correspond to respective strings, each of the bridge bodies having a slanted top surface and a string inserting hole. A rocker arm is mounted on the bridge body which pivotally moves in a vertical direction to firmly press the string with the front end portion of the slanted top surface of the bridge body when a locking screw is screwed into the rear end of the rocker arm and press the rear end of the bridge body. An octave tuning screw is connected to the bridge body, which moves the bridge body in the length-wise direction of the string to effect harmonic tuning of the string. A string locking device is provided between the nut and the tuning pegs. The string locking device includes a height adjusting spacer and a string locking block which is provided on the spacer and has front and rear walls with a space in between.

Abstract: A string attachment device having a sleeve encompassing a cam, an aperture in the sleeve to position a string therebetween and means to rotate the sleeve and cam relative to each other to grasp the string therebetween.

Abstract: An electric guitar comprising a body (1) in which the strings (11) are tuned by means of adjustment keys or knobs (4) located along one side edge of the guitar body (1). The knobs (4) adjust tuning machines (3) located at the rear of the body to which the strings are guided from the front over guide pulleys (5) mounted in the base edge of the body.

Abstract: A string locking assembly is provided for mounting on the headstock of a guitar or the like between a string nut and tuning pegs. The assembly includes a baseplate that is mounted directly to the headstock. The baseplate includes an outwardly disposed surface for supporting the guitar strings and outwardly extending posts at spaced intervals. The posts separate the individual strings and are sufficiently spaced to allow a wide range of string spacings to pass from the string nut to the tuning pegs through the assembly without interference. The assembly also includes a locking block overlying the strings and the baseplate and an associated cam action lock screw. The lock screw provides an unlocked position to allow quick tuning of the guitar and a locked position to provide clamping pressure between the locking block and the baseplate so as to prevent slippage of the strings over the string nut during play.

Abstract: There is provided an electric guitar including a tremolo unit and first and second string fixing devices. The first string fixing device is adapted to be mounted on the head of the guitar and includes a base and a fixing member for pressing a group of strings onto the surface of the base. The tremolo unit includes a tremolo block rockingly supported by the body of the guitar and having a plurality of through-holes for receiving therein the ends of the strings. The second string fixing device includes a base section integral with the tremolo block and slidingly supporting a plurality of bridges each carrying the corresponding one of the strings and adapted to be moved to adjust tensions developed in respective strings. The second string fixing device further includes means for fixing the strings at the intermediate portions thereof.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument has separate members commonly mounted at the head of the instrument for providing individual support and adjustment for each of the strings. Each fastening and tuning member comprises an elongated support piece carrying a clamping member that engages and clamps the string. The clamping member comprises a lever member releasably moved to a locked position for providing positive engagement with the string. The tension in the string is adjusted for tuning purposes by longitudinally displacing the elongated support piece.

Abstract: A stringed bender attachment for selectively changing the tension imposed on a selected string of a string instrument of the guitar family including a frame attached to the instrument body opposite the neck of the instrument having mounted thereon a rod having an axis transverse to the axis of a selected string and a rocker arm pivotally mounted on the rod and having the end of the selected string anchored thereto. Pivotal movement of the rocker arm slightly changes the tension imposed on the selected string, and actuating means are provided including an extended arm actuable by body movement of the performer during play for bending or changing the tension on the selected string. A second bender means may be mounted on the rod for changing the tension of a second string by digital movement by the performer. Selectively adjustable means are provided for limiting the amount of change of tension.

Abstract: A tremolo tailpiece and bridge device for use with a guitar or similar stringed instrument includes a plurality of string anchors, forming the tailpiece, to which the lower ends of the strings of the instrument are attached, and an associated bridge unit located ahead of the tailpiece in the direction toward the instrument neck. Both the string anchors and the bridge are rotatable about axes extending transversely of the strings. A tremolo arm operable by the player is connected with the string anchors for rotating them back and forth in unison to obtain a tremolo effect, and the bridge unit is drivingly connected with the string anchors or tremolo arm so that it is rotated back and forth in synchronism with the motion of the string anchors, thereby avoiding any tendency of the strings to move relative to the bridge.

Abstract: A plastic damper for attachment to a vibrating piano wire, the damper consisting of a single piece part having an end slot for turning by a screwdriver, and communicating peripheral slits for receiving the piano wire. One end of each peripheral slit has a slightly greater width than the rest of the slit, so that the piano wire can be inserted through this end of the slit, and locked against the damper by rotating it with a screwdriver, so that the relatively narrow major part of the slit "twist-locks" against the wire; the slight resiliency of the plastic facilitating the "twist-lock" action.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument comprises a body (1) over which are stretched substantially parallel strings (4). Each string is stretched between a tuning key (3) and a bridge-tailpiece assembly (7). This assembly comprises a plate (8) attached to the body (1) and a respective adjustment member for each string mounted on the plate (8). Each adjustment member comprises a peg (15) movable in translation relative to the plate (8) parallel to the corresponding string and a bridge member (18) pivoted to the peg. The bridge member (18) may be oriented relative to the plate (8) of the bridge-tailpiece assembly (7) by a positioning device (22). The bridge-tailpiece assembly (7) comprises a bore (20) through which the corresponding string (4) passes, this string being hooked on to the body (1) at a point such that it bears on the bridge member (18) over substantially the entire length of the bore (20) and that the positioning device is pushed on the body by the string tension.

Abstract: The fine tuning apparatus functions as the bridge element (20) of a stringed instrument. The fine tuning apparatus includes a base element (22) and a series of fine tuning elements (40), one for each string. Each fine tuning element (40) includes a forward block element (42) and a rear block element (52) which is rotatable relative to the forward block element. A string of the musical instrument makes critical contact with the fine tuning apparatus at point (59) on the rear block element (52) and maintains surface contact with the rear block element (52) as the surface slopes downwardly and rearwardly from the bridge critical contact point (59), until the point where the string is clamped against surface (60). Means (64, 70) are provided for adjusting the rotatable position of the rear block element (52) relative to the forward block element (42), which results in a change in the tension of the string and hence the fine tune of the string.

Abstract: There is provided a novel stringed musical instrument for direct attachment to an electronic transducer. An elongated member is mounted on a frame on which is also mounted an upright bridge having string gripping means for positioning, gripping and passing the vibrations of a plurality of strings connected on one side of the bridge to the elongated member and on the other side of the bridge to string holding means for holding and tensioning the strings. An electronic transducer is mounted at the bridge means, which passes vibrations received from the plucked strings to the transducer, from which the sounds are amplified and sent to speakers. In addition, hand grips on the frame are disposed proximate to the bridge means, which configures the gripping means so as to position the strings within finger reach of the hand grips.

Abstract: The invention relates to a modular frame construction for string instruments. Instead of making the frame of the string instrument in one piece, the frame according to this invention is assembled from a number of modules which each comprise a longitudinal tubular member of square cross-section on which strings are supported under tension.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument, e.g. a bow instrument or an electric guitar, is disclosed comprising a substantially rigid body and a plurality of strings attached at one end to a tailpiece. A flexible soundboard of acoustic material bears through one edge against the instrument body and through an opposite edge against the tailpiece. The soundboard freely extends between the one edge and the opposite edge and the tailpiece is fulcrumed on the instrument body. Upon tensioning the strings the soundboard is arched between the instrument body and the tailpiece. Preferably, the soundboard is of arcuate shape with its convex side facing the strings.

Abstract: A kit for converting a single-stringed instrument to a double-stringed instrument including a unique combined bridge/tuning mechanism (50) which replaces the bridge assembly of the single-stringed instrument. The combined bridge/tuning mechanism (50) includes a bridge assembly over which both the original strings (20) and the additional strings (40) pass, and an integrally mounted tuning assembly (54) for adjusting the tension in (i.e., tuning) the additional strings. The bridge/tuning mechanism (50) includes a base or mounting plate (60) from one end of which perpendicularly extends a flange (62). The tuning keys (86) which comprise the tuning assembly (54) are pivotally mounted to the upper end of the flange (62), the additional strings (40) passing through apertures (68) formed in the flange (62). The flange (62) also serves as a means for terminating one end of the original strings (20) whose other ends are terminated in other tuning keys (18) located, for example, on the head (16) of the instrument.

Abstract: Musician controlled relative motion between a generally standard stringed musical instrument (such as a Spanish guitar) and a false body hinged to the generally standard stringed instrument permits versatile control by the musician of the tension in one or more strings to produce both vibrato sounds and/or sustained pitch changes (both higher and lower pitches). The invention eliminates limitations of prior art which employed relative motion between neck and body of an otherwise generally standard stringed musical instrument.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument has separate members commonly mounted at the head of the instrument for providing individual support and adjustment for each of the strings. Each fastening and tuning member comprises an elongated support piece carrying a clamping member that engages and clamps the string with the clamping action increasing as the string is tensioned. The tension is adjusted for tuning purposes by longitudinally displacing the elongated support piece. In the preferred embodiment, the clamping member is a slidable button operating on a forced wedge principle.

Abstract: A neck and tailpiece are detachable together with the strings from the body of a banjo for storage and transportation. The banjo can easily be reassembled with very little adjustment. The strings pass through holes in a nut and in a bridge removable with the strings. The neck is attached by screws passing through a heel thereon. Adjustable members are provided for initially setting the angle of the neck relatively to the body. The tailpiece has a screw device that reacts against a slotted bracket. The body comprises a hoop reinforced by an L-shaped flange member.

Abstract: A holder or cassette in the form of a spool having wound thereon a string for a musical instrument, is disclosed. The free end of the string is secured to the spool, while the opposite end utilizes the traditional "ball" or loop which is affixed to the tailpiece or bridge of the instrument.The spool has an axial opening so that it can be mounted over a correspondingly shaped tuning machine shaft, and the spool can also have an internal bar which slips into a slot in the shaft. Musicians can quickly change strings using the invention without the need to actually thread the string through the tuning machine and then cut off the excess as is currently done. Instead, the ball end of the string is inserted into the bridge or tailpiece and a cassette is mounted over the shaft; the tuning machine or peg is then turned in conventional fashion to take up the slack in the string and the instrument is once again ready for use.

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: The invention relates to a device for tuning a stringed musical instrument by a simplified procedure.Every time stringed instruments are to be played, all the strings, which are loosened while not in use, must usually be tuned one by one. This imposes a heavy burden on the player. The invention provides a device by which strings in an initially tuned state can be loosened all at the same time by a single action and can thereafter be restored to the previous tuned tensioned state at the same time for use.The device comprises a movable support (4) carrying string winding assemblies (5) and reciprocally movably supported by the head (10) of a stringed instrument, and a reciprocating assembly (6) for forcibly moving the support (4) to loosen the strings from a tuned state or tension the strings to the original state all at the same time.

Abstract: A string instrument, such as a guitar, has a resonance body and a bridge provided with a string-contacting surface. A string-supporting element is provided on the body and a string-securing device is also provided on the body but is separate from and spaced from the bridge and has a second string-contacting surface. One or more sound openings are provided in the resonance body and surround a center region of the bridge. A string-deflecting element is also provided on the center region of the bridge spaced from and opposite the first string-contacting surface.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument, of the type in which the strings extend over a bridge which rests on the table of the instrument and are secured to a tailpiece, is provided with a tone improving device for maximising the tone production whatever strings are fitted to the instrument. The device is clamped to the table of the instrument and incorporates a nut to which the tailgut is attached. The nut is mounted on a threaded cylindrical member so as to be movable upwardly or downwardly on rotation of the member to modify the angle between the table and the part of the strings extending from the bridge to the tailpiece thereby to control the force exerted by the bridge on the table due to the tension in the strings without substantially varying the tension in the strings.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument having a plurality of strings stretched over the sounding board of a sounding box includes a corresponding bridge for each string. Each bridge rests on the sounding board and may be translated along the corresponding string to thereby change the functional vibrating length of the string and hence change the pitch of the musical tone produced when the string is set into vibration. Each string passes through a bore extending through the corresponding bridge so that the bridge does not disengage from the corresponding string (and possibly become misplaced or lost) when the bridge is translated, when the string is in a non-stretched condition, or when the instrument is jolted.

Abstract: A guitar having a split level top of its sound box which thus is formed at two different (vertically separated) levels and connected by an angular cross bridge to which one end of the strings is anchored so as to directly vibrate the chamber. The result is an increased sound volume and resonance persistance which is achieved without the distortion that may result from electronic amplification when applied to conventional guitars or other stringed musical instruments.

Abstract: A counter pressure system for use in a stringed instrument of the type played with a bow for improving the tone of the instrument in both volume and in quality. The system includes the main or melody producing strings and one or more counter pressure strings that are arranged to accept at least part of the pressure from the main strings and transfer it away from the main bridge. The relieved pressure is redistributed by the counter pressure system in a manner that extends the quality of sound produced by the instrument. In practice, part of the total string pressure is translated to the sound box via the main bridge while the remaining pressure is imparted to the box via an auxiliary bridge located forward of the main bridge. A sounding post is located under one foot of each bridge which, in the case of a violin, would be the foot on the E string side of the instrument.

Abstract: A clamping device for oscillatory or vibratory strings including a massive clamping head gripping one end of a string and secured to the frame or load receiving member by a flexurally and/or torsionally resilient neck which extends into the clamping head such that the clamping point of the string substantially aligns with the connecting area between the neck and the clamping head.

Abstract: An integrated carrier/saddle structure for securing strings to an acoustic guitar which eliminates structural loading that inhibits the motion of the sounding board and provides adjustable coupling of the string vibrations to the diaphram formed by the guitar sounding board. The carrier member, to which the strings are attached, is mounted independently of the sounding board and is incorporated into the saddle structure through an aperture with an adjustment means being provided to vary the height of the carrier with respect to the saddle to optimize the coupling force between the strings and sounding board. A removable cover, attached to the saddle, is provided to enclose the aperture formed around the extension of the carrier member through the saddle structure and the adjustment mechanism.

Abstract: There is provided a stringed instrument in which an outer peripheral frame surrounds an open area, and in which a sounding board extends across the open area attached to the frame. Anchoring means for strings are centrally located in the open area, and pegs are distributed around the edge of the frame. Strings are provided between the anchoring means and the pegs, and due to the symmetrical nature of the structure, the high tension forces exerted by the strings on the center anchoring means are largely balanced out, so that particularly heavy bracing structure for the anchoring means is not required. The instrument is suitable for being played by a plurality of players, approaching the instrument from several directions, this being a departure from typical stringed instruments which are designed to be played only by one person at a time.