Abstract: A rod secured across the width of the guitar peghead by a plurality of spaced apart fasteners, the rod having a roller disposed thereon for each guitar string, with each roller receiving a string between the roller and the peghead, and means for securing the rollers to the rod, such that when strings are pressed down above the string nut and released they will easily slide back to their original position, thereby allowing the playing of special effects above the fretboard.

Abstract: An acoustic guitar having a plurality of strings each individually secured by a bridge pin at the bridge. Each pin has an enlarged head positioned on a stem secured to the guitar body through the bridgepiece. A bore extends through the head of the pin in the drection of the strings and has an enlarged counterbored portion at the tail-end. The anchoring element of each string is positioned within the counter-bored portion while the remainder of the string passes through the smaller bore and thence over the bridge nut. In one embodiment the side of the head has a slot that opens into the bore. In various embodiments the stem of the pin is secured to the guitar body by a nut threaded onto the stem, by a rib cooperating with grooves in a sleeve secured to the guitar or by a press fit.

Abstract: A bridge pin for guitar or the like is formed of a heavy metal, such as brass to materially increase the presence and the sustain of the instrument.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument such as an electric guitar or an electric bass guitar is balanced to render the instant comfortable to play, supported by a support plate at its center of gravity. The tuning machines are on the body for the purpose of balance. The neck should be of proper weight and rigidity to sustain greater tone and brilliance.

Abstract: A metal string for a fingerboard type stringed musical instrument has a core wire, or wires, and a first part of the length of the string is loaded in known manner while a second part of the length of the string remains non-loaded, the respective lengths of the loaded and non-loaded portions being such that, when the string is fitted to a musical instrument having two string supports such as the conventional "nut" and "bridge", the string may be arranged with the loaded portion supported by the nut and with the non-loaded portion supported by the bridge, but with the vibrating portion between the nut and bridge (the "speaking length" of the string) constituted substantially wholly by loaded string.

Abstract: The bridge or tailpiece is fastened to the butt end of the sounding box of a stringed instrument, with a portion thereof projecting above the uppermost surface of the box, and with strings of the instrument being secured to the elevated portion. The tailpiece is adjustable for height relative to the upper surface of the box. The tailpiece may include adaptations which secure the strings at various levels above the box.

Abstract: This is a method and apparatus for performing the method, for the use of tremolo devices complimented by string restraining assemblies for guitars which are designed in such manner that the tremolo device can be used without altering the basic tuning when the tremolo device returns to the normal, inactive, position. The method and device incorporate the use of a tremolo device base plate anchoring means anchoring the tremolo device base plate to the face of the guitar at a tilt point in such manner that there is no movement allowed other than the normally desired tremolo tilting movement. This is accomplished by utilization of special anchoring means, string restraining assemblies, and means to return the tremolo device to its original starting position when being inactivated.

Abstract: Strings attached at one end to the body of a musical instrument are each attached by adjustable means at the other end to a rockshaft so that the other end is secured to a point of attachment on a line through the axis of the rockshaft. The rockshaft has at least one cavity and the point of attachment may be varied through the axis of the rockshaft along the line so that a turning of the rockshaft simultaneously increases or decreases or leaves unchanged the tension in each of the strings and, thus, increases, decreases or leaves unchanged the pitch of each of the strings. The adjustable means may take the form of an adjusting screw that is in threaded engagement with the rockshaft and that is provided with means for securing the end of the string thereto; and the rockshaft may have a cavity for each string, including a slot portion for access of the string and a bore for the associated screw.

Abstract: This method and apparatus prevents improper string return by restraining an end portion of a string of a stringed instrument, such as a pedal steel guitar, free of longitudinal movement with changes in tension of the string from a predetermined level of string tension. The invention also involves applying tension force to the string operatively collinearly with a linear projection of an end portion of the string while maintaining an end portion of the string free of longitudinal movement with changes in string tension from a predetermined level of string tension.

Abstract: Disclosed are guitars having quick attach, quick release string securing mechanisms for use with string sets of measured lengths. A first embodiment of strings has loops formed on both ends, while a second embodiment of strings has a loop formed on one end and an anchor ball secured on the other. Each guitar disclosed has tuning mechanism including transversely extending string holding posts over which the string loops may be hooked. Guitars utilizing the first string embodiment have crosspiece structure carrying upwardly projecting posts around which the loops of the other strings ends can be hooked. The guitar utilizing the second string embodiment has crosspiece structure defining slotted rearwardly opening sockets for receiving the anchor balls secured on the other string ends. The string holding ends of each of the string holding posts are preferably formed as ball-shaped members and may be formed by screwing a ball on a treaded shaft.

Abstract: A musical instrument tuning system disposed and displayed upon a string instrument. The tuning system includes a first indicator displayed upon the surface of the string generally having three indicia zones representing a pitch alignment zone, a string tension load warning zone, and a zone indicating that the string is below pitch. The first indicator may take the form of a coating applied to the external surface of the string providing a plurality of visually discernable bands. A second indicator is displayed upon the instrument to provide a visual reference for the string markings. Rotatable displacement of a peg to which the string is fixedly secured provides for linear displacement of the bands with respect to the second indicator. Thus, rotation of the peg resulting in alignment of the tension load warning zone with the second indicator alerts the user that the string may rupture upon the addition of further tension.

Abstract: A unitary tailpiece is disclosed which supports a bridge assembly and which has top accessed sockets and slots adapted to anchor and hold the strings in proper position on a stringed instrument.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument is disclosed which includes a body, a first bridge transversely mounted to the body adjacent one end thereof, and a second bridge mounted to the body in the vicinity of the opposite end. First and second string mounting means are positioned longitudinally outward of the first and second bridges, respectively, which tautly suspend a plurality of strings between said bridges. Lever means are provided for raising and lowering at least one of the strings at said first bridge to raise and lower the pitch of the strings.

Abstract: A stringed musical device for teaching purposes in which a sound chamber is provided with an aperture therein; a plurality of longitudinally extending spaced-apart strings are maintained in tension over the aperture. A finger board is removably stored in the sound chamber and in use is positioned intermediate the strings and the surface of the sound chamber to enable left-hand practice. The sound chamber may be utilized for right-hand practice without the finger board or with the finger board in the storage position thereof.

Abstract: A string instrument, such as a guitar, includes an instrument body, a neck portion, pivotably coupled to the body by means of a joint, to permit pivotal movement of the neck portion between an operative and a folded position, a string mount moveably mounted on the body, at least one string, one end portion of which is secured to the string mount and the other end portion of which is secured to the neck portion, and drive means for moving the spring mount, which is coupled to the spring mount and the joint. The drive means moves the spring mount in direct response to pivotal movement of the neck portion about the joint, so as to maintain the original length and tension of the at least one string, when the neck portion is moved between the operative and folded positions thereof.

Abstract: Apparatus for varying the pitch of at least one of the strings of a stringed instrument, comprising a rotatable shaft means, to which one or more of the strings of the stringed instrument may be connected, and a lever arm attached to the rotatable shaft means for providing rotation of the shaft.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument such as a member of the viol family, in particular a bass viol, having a string with a length longer than the classical length and hence an extended lower range. An extended neck and fingerboard are provided and a clamp at the end of the standard fingerboard releasably clamps the extended string at its classical length when the extended range is no longer needed.

Abstract: This invention is directed to a ukelele that is relatively simple yet sturdy in construction, produces a superior tone, is easy to hold and play, easy to tune, remains in tune for extended periods of time, and is useful in teaching people to play stringed instruments of the type where the strings are plucked to produce a musical tone. The sound box, in plan view, is constructed in the shape of a right angle triangle. The sound box has three circular sound openings positioned in a triangular pattern on the top surface of the sound box. The neck of the ukelele extends a substantial distance into the sound box. The strings of the ukelele pass through two sets of holes in the tuning head before being wound onto the tuning pegs.

Abstract: A metal string for a fingerboard type stringed musical instrument has a core wire, or wires, and a first part of the length of the string is loaded in known manner whilst a second part of the length of the string remains non-loaded, the respective lengths of the loaded and non-loaded portions being such that, when the string is fitted to a musical instrument having two string supports such as the conventional "nut" and "bridge," the string may be arranged with the loaded portion supported by the nut and with the non-loaded portion supported by the bridge, but with the vibrating portion between the nut and bridge (the "speaking length" of the string) constituted substantially wholly by loaded string.

Abstract: Ball-ender apparatus for securing an annular ball to a wire musical instrument string. A carriage reciprocable between front and rear positions carries a rotatable ball support spindle. An upstanding ball feed tube receives a column of balls from an oscillating hopper and has retractable gating pins for dropping a ball at a time on the forward end of the ball support spindle. Wire is fed behind the ball and past a substantially L-cross-section guide plate. The length of wire fed is determined in proportion to rotation of a timing wheel. A de-reeling device leads the wire from a supply reel in a serpentine path and reduces starting tension on the wire. Upon rearward movement of the carriage, spindle and ball, which severs the fed wire length upstream of the ball and forms the wire length into a U-shape about the ball, clamp actuator cones cause clamp members to engage the legs of said wire U-shape forward of the ball tightly.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument particularly a ukelele employing simple rotatable friction pegs in the machine head, is provided with a tension-receiving member for the strings disposed between the instrument nut and the machine head. Each string is looped in a circle about the member and it is found there is a marked reduction in the tendency for the instrument to detune under the string tension. The member may be constituted by a screw or a rod mounted by the instrument neck and about which the respective string is looped. With a wooden-necked instrument each member may be constituted by a wood screw screwed directly into the neck.

Abstract: This invention relates to musical instruments, more particularly the invention has reference to stringed instruments, primarily the amplified guitar. The main object of this invention is to provide an instrument of the character described, which will permit a musician to play bass and guitar simultaneously, by operation of an upright lever device. It is a object of the invention in this regard to so design the instrument, so that while both hands are occupied, either by strumming or plucking while chording, he is able to pull the lever with his arm to achieve a tone as described in the instructions of operation of the arm operated musical string tensing device, hereinafter referred to as the Pace Bace.