Abstract: A method includes obtaining multiple images of a driver of a vehicle using an imaging sensor associated with the vehicle, where the images of the driver capture the driver's head. The method also includes identifying, in each of at least some of the images, an orientation of the driver's head in the image. The method further includes identifying an average orientation of the driver's head based on at least some of the identified orientations of the driver's head. In addition, the method includes determining whether the driver is inattentive based on the average orientation of the driver's head. Identifying, in each of at least some of the images, the orientation of the driver's head in the image may include identifying a pitch angle and a yaw angle of the driver's head in the image.

Abstract: A bridge body for a bridge assembly for a stringed instrument. The bridge body includes a plurality of saddle regions arranged in the bridge body, each of the saddle regions configured to accommodate a saddle, two receiving passages that pass through the bridge body from an upper side of the bridge body to a lower side of the bridge body, and upper recessed contact surfaces respectively arranged at upper ends of the receiving passages.

Abstract: A bridge saddle assembly for a musical instrument has a channel member with a side rail. A bridge saddle is disposed within the channel member. The bridge saddle has a cylindrical, rectangular, triangular, thin blade, or rounded top and bottom with flat sides shape. A rocker cup is disposed under the channel member to allow the bridge saddle assembly to pivot. The bridge saddle is a homogenous material, such as brass, with a plurality of grooves adapted for receiving a plurality of strings. A bolt is disposed through an opening in the side rail and into a threaded opening in the bridge saddle. A spring is disposed over the bolt between the side rail and the bridge saddle. A tail assembly is mounted to a surface of the musical instrument. A plurality of strings is coupled to the tail assembly and extend through the grooves in the bridge saddle.

Abstract: A tremolo device with a movable bridge, an adjustment device, and a support frame is implemented on an acoustic guitar, with features that can also be employed on an electric guitar or other stringed instruments. The movable bridge holds strings of the musical instrument in tension. The adjustment device, such as a tremolo bar, moves the bridge to change the tension of the strings. The support frame engages the bridge at a first area and engages the musical instrument at a larger second area. When the tremolo device is used, the support frame receives a force over the first area and transmits a corresponding force to the musical instrument over the larger second area, reducing the pressure that would be experienced by the musical instrument. The support frame also transmits string vibration received through the bridge to the instrument body to produce proper acoustic tones.

Abstract: An improved adjustable bridge is described for a stringed musical instrument. The adjustable bridge has a pair of feet attached to the bridge body. A pair of legs is attached for the bridge body using adjustable rod pegs. These rod pegs are adjustable so that the bridge may be moved upwards and downwards to achieve the desired bridge height.

Abstract: The present invention concerns soundboard apparatus for a musical instrument, the apparatus comprising a soundboard substrate formed of composite fibrous resin bonded material having a thickness of between 0.75 mm and 3 mm; and an outer layer formed of ultra-violet light blocking material having a thickness of between 0.5 and 0.9 mm. Further, the present invention relates to a method of forming a soundboard apparatus, the method comprising the steps of: bonding multiple layers of woven or straight stranded fibrous material in a resinous matrix to form a soundboard substrate, wherein the soundboard substrate is formed such that it is oversized with respect to final soundboard substrate dimensions; and finishing the soundboard substrate to form the final substrate, the finishing process being constrained to ensure that the final substrate dimensions are not compromised.

Abstract: A travel guitar having a neck and/or body that may assume a reduced profile configured to house or otherwise receive or coupled to a tablet computer (e.g. iPad by Apple, Inc.) and/or a smart phone (e.g. iPhone by Apple, Inc.) having one or more applications (apps) for driving the operation, functionality and/or effects associated with the travel guitar, and a string assembly capable of retracting or otherwise housing the strings to enable or facilitate configuring the travel guitar into a reduced profile.

Abstract: A support is configured to support and apply a constant or near-constant tension onto a wire or string, such as a musical string of a stringed musical instrument. The wire is attached to a carrier that moves axially. One or more springs operate between the carrier and a point that is fixed relative to the carrier and apply a transverse spring force to the carrier. A spring angle is defined between a line normal to the axis and a line of action of each spring. The transverse spring force can have an axial force component and an axial spring rate that is a function of the spring angle. The carrier can be positioned so that the axial spring rate is zero, negative or positive. A primary spring can apply a primary force directed coaxial with the wire. If the wire changes in length the primary force will correspondingly change, as will the axial force component.

Abstract: A magnetic pickup system comprising a magnetic pickup and a ferromagnetic tone shaper without electrical connections that is magnetically coupled and separately mounted from the pickup on a musical instrument with ferromagnetic strings.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides string support devices for string musical instruments, and in particular locking string support devices and methods of locking string support devices for string musical instruments. In some embodiments the locking string support devices and related methods include a string support member fixed to mounting posts that are coupled to a body of a string musical instrument. In some embodiments the string support devices and related methods include a fixing device that fixes the string support member to each of a plurality of mounting posts. In some embodiments the string support member is fixed to the musical instrument in at least one direction via the mounting posts, such as about a first direction that extends along the length of the musical instrument and/or about a second direction that extends through the of the musical instrument.

Abstract: In a conventional stringed musical instrument the nut, the bridge and the fingerboard are either all radius or all flat. Bowed instruments such as cellos and violins require radius structures so that single note melodies can be played on the middle strings. But for some players the radius fingerboards are a bit harder while playing melodies. Classical and flamenco guitars have flat nut, bridge and fingerboards for ease of plucking and strumming the strings close to the bridge. However, flat fingerboards are harder to bar for playing cords. [Delete paragraph mark and indent] Combinations of flat nut with radius bridge and radius nut with flat bridge can be used if the fingerboard surface is changed to have a specific 3-dimensional curvature and may be preferred for their playability by some players.

Abstract: Method for making light and stiff panels and structures using natural fiber composites. An improved composite material utilized in musical instruments. Bio-based industrial fiber such as flax, cellulose, hemp, bamboo, and jute combined with a core material such as foam, aramid honeycomb, carbon fiber or balsa wood, and a resin, serves as a replacement to traditional tone wood. In another embodiment, the bio-based composite has no core material but simply layers of fabric with resin. Another embodiment finds layers of the woven bio-composite as the core between outside layers of carbon fiber or aramid. In the case of a string instrument, bio-composites can be used to make a substantially hollow unitary body, neck and head as well as soundboard. Another usage is for the bracing material of the soundboard. In fact in its various forms, bio-composite can effectively replace all the old growth wood currently used.

Abstract: A tremolo device with a movable bridge, an adjustment device, and a support frame is implemented on an acoustic guitar, with features that can also be employed on an electric guitar or other stringed instruments. The movable bridge holds strings of the musical instrument in tension. The adjustment device, such as a tremolo bar, moves the bridge to change the tension of the strings. The support frame engages the bridge at a first area and engages the musical instrument at a larger second area. When the tremolo device is used, the support frame receives a force over the first area and transmits a corresponding force to the musical instrument over the larger second area, reducing the pressure that would be experienced by the musical instrument. The support frame also transmits string vibration received through the bridge to the instrument body to produce proper acoustic tones.

Abstract: A tremolo device for a stringed instrument is described in which a base plate is configured for surface mounting to a body of the instrument. A pivot plate is pivotally coupled to the base plate along an edge of the pivot plate. Each string is associated with a string seat. The string is threaded through the string seat receiving a terminal end of the string. The string seat includes a keyed portion that slidably attaches the string seat to the pivot plate in a keyed slot provided in a bottom surface of the pivot plate. A spring disposed between the base plate and the pivot plate maintains the pivot plate in a first position relative to the base plate until a user provides an action to pivot the pivot plate relative to said base plate. The spring returns the pivot plate to the first position when the user action is terminated.

Abstract: A reverse bridge tension configuration for a stringed instrument allows the stringed instrument to offset some of the tension felt by the bridge. For a typical stringed instrument such as a guitar, the tensioned strings are bound between the bridge and the headstock. However, the reverse bridge tension configuration loops the tensioned strings on a path that goes around the back of the instrument, through the body of the instrument, and back to the bridge. A reverse bridge is positioned on the corner of the soundboard and the back end so that the tensioned strings can loop around the back end without causing pressure damage to the outer surface of the instrument. Once the tensioned strings travel around the reverse bridge and into the body, channels are positioned within the body in order to guide the tensioned strings back to the bridge.

Abstract: A bridge for a string instrument, which has a simple structure and is easily processed, is provided, whereby the material cost of the saddle is decreased and superior vibrancy of sound is provided. The bridge has a saddle body 50 that is formed with string grooves 55 at two ends thereof. The string groove 55 has a uniform portion 56 and deep groove portions 57. The deep groove portion 57 is formed into an arc shape in cross section and has a larger curvature radius than that of the uniform portion 56. The uniform portion 56 and the deep groove portion 57 cross with each other at a predetermined portion, and the vicinity of the predetermined portion has a chevron shape in vertical cross section. The chevron shapes of the deep groove portions 57 have peaks P that are arranged at different position in the circumferential direction.

Abstract: A stringed instrument bridge assembly for a stringed instrument having a plurality of strings of different gauges, the bridge assembly including a stringed instrument bridge; and a plurality of string-specific saddles arranged within the stringed instrument bridge. Each of the plurality of string-specific saddles includes a respective notch structured and arranged for accommodating therein a respective string of the plurality of strings. Each of the respective notches is configured in a string-specific manner to accommodate therein a string at least one of: configured to produce a particular note, having specific string gauge, and within a range of string gauges configured to produce a particular note.

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: A tone control device is provided. The tone control device includes a weight assembly including at least a first magnet and a second magnet magnetically attracted to the first magnet, wherein the first magnet is positionable on a first surface of the bridge and the second magnet is positionable on a second surface of the bridge such that the weight assembly is securely coupled to the bridge.

Abstract: A stringed instrument bridge assembly for a stringed instrument having a plurality of strings of different gauges, the bridge assembly including a stringed instrument bridge; and a plurality of string-specific saddles arranged within the stringed instrument bridge. Each of the plurality of string-specific saddles includes a respective notch structured and arranged for accommodating therein a respective string of the plurality of strings. Each of the respective notches is configured in a string-specific manner to accommodate therein a string at least one of: configured to produce a particular note, having specific string gauge, and within a range of string gauges configured to produce a particular note.

Abstract: A reverse bridge tension configuration for a stringed instrument allows the stringed instrument to offset some of the tension felt by the bridge. For a typical stringed instrument such as a guitar, the tensioned strings are bound between the bridge and the headstock. However, the reverse bridge tension configuration loops the tensioned strings on a path that goes around the back of the instrument, through the body of the instrument, and back to the bridge. A reverse bridge is positioned on the corner of the soundboard and the back end so that the tensioned strings can loop around the back end without causing pressure damage to the outer surface of the instrument. Once the tensioned strings travel around the reverse bridge and into the body, channels are positioned within the body in order to guide the tensioned strings back to the bridge.

Abstract: A bridge assembly having a saddle plate with a first aperture, and a tremolo block with a second aperture aligned with the first aperture. The tremolo block is attached to the saddle plate, and it has a plurality of arcuate string apertures therethrough configured to receive the strings therein while maintaining contact between the string and the tremolo block along substantially the entire length of the respective string aperture.

Abstract: An under bridge system is provided having a bridge designed to be secured under the top surface of a guitar and at least one female threaded insert in a top surface of the bridge. The bridge may be adapted to be operationally connected to a saddle on the top surface of the guitar. Each of the at least one threaded inserts is coupled with male threads of a corresponding stud extending downward from the bottom of the saddle through the top surface of the guitar. Each stud is turnable to adjust the height of the saddle above the top surface of the guitar.

Abstract: A tremolo device for static retention of a plurality of musical instrument strings in a stringed instrument. The tremolo device has a body with an upper surface, a neck portion, and a plurality of strings anchored at a first end of the neck and extending over at least a portion and secured to the tremolo device at the other end of the neck portion and the body and possesses an inertia block mechanism with substantially solid construction disposed to receive and securely retain a plurality of raw instrument strings without removal of a ball end from each string. The inertia block has an upper portion, a lower portion, and a plurality of internal, longitudinally displaced, cylindrically shaped, string retaining chambers designed to pass through an entirety of the block mechanism. The string retaining chambers have an upper and lower portion corresponding with the upper and lower portions of the block.

Abstract: The present invention is a bridge truss that alleviates tensile and compressive stresses applied to an acoustic stringed instruments soundboard from the bridge. These tensile and compressive stresses are transferred through the bridge truss to chamber of the acoustic stringed instrument instead. The bridge truss allows the support brace of the acoustic stringed instrument to be reduced or eliminated. The bridge truss provides the soundboard with the ability to produce longer sustained vibrations, and vibrations of greater amplitude—increasing performance and tone. Also, the relative height of the soundboard can be altered for greater playability, at a user's discretion. A user only needs to reposition threaded adjustment rods from atop the bridge of the acoustic stringed instrument in order to transfer more or less stress to the bridge truss.

Abstract: An adjustable bridge for a stringed instrument has a saddle housing defining a plurality of saddle slots and a saddle disposed within each saddle slot. Each saddle is axially adjustable within a saddle slot parallel to its instrument string and is firmly retained within a saddle slot by friction and/or by a tautly drawn instrument string disposed across the saddle. The adjustable bridge employs no springs, set screws, detents, removable screws or other removable fasteners.

Abstract: A stringed instrument, for example an electric guitar, is arranged to produce a tremolo effect by providing the tailpiece with a number of saddles corresponding to the number of strings, each saddle having a slot for anchoring its string. The tailpiece is pivotable about an axis substantially perpendicular to the strings in order to change the tension in the strings to produce the desired tremolo effect. The tailpiece includes a housing in which the saddles are provided with a screw adjustment which varies the off-set of the saddle from the axis of the pivot. The greater the off-set of the saddle from the pivot, the greater the extension or release of the string on activation of the tremolo lever to turn the tailpiece. Thus, the position of the saddles relative to each other can be made so that on activation of the lever which pivots the tailpiece, the strings whose tension is changed remain in harmony.

Abstract: An under bridge system is provided having a bridge designed to be secured under the top surface of a guitar and at least one female threaded insert in a top surface of the bridge. The bridge may be adapted to be operationally connected to a saddle on the top surface of the guitar. Each of the at least one threaded inserts is coupled with male threads of a corresponding stud extending downward from the bottom of the saddle through the top surface of the guitar. Each stud is turnable to adjust the height of the saddle above the top surface of the guitar.

Abstract: A stringed instrument bridge assembly for a stringed instrument having a plurality of strings of different gauges, the bridge assembly including a stringed instrument bridge; and a plurality of string-specific saddles arranged within the stringed instrument bridge. Each of the plurality of string-specific saddles includes a respective notch structured and arranged for accommodating therein a respective string of the plurality of strings. Each of the respective notches is configured in a string-specific manner to accommodate therein a string at least one of: configured to produce a particular note, having specific string gauge, and within a range of string gauges configured to produce a particular note.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument is provided that includes a brace disposed within the hollow chamber of the musical instrument such that the first end of the brace is in contact with the inner side of the soundboard of the musical instrument at a point longitudinally at or above the bridge saddle toward the top end of the instrument. At the second end, the brace is in contact with an inner side of the body at a point longitudinally below the bridge saddle toward the bottom end of the musical instrument. The strings pass over the bridge saddle, through at least one hole in the bridge, and at least one of the strings attaches to the brace directly or indirectly at a point on the brace. The brace receives tension from the at least one string attached to the brace and transfers the tension from the strings to at least the contact point of the first end of the brace.

Abstract: The present invention provides a bridge for a stringed instrument with improved structure design which allows the bridge to be made of light-weight acoustically resonant material. The bridge comprises a plurality of adjustable saddles that are always in contact with the adjacent saddles, the internal bottom wall, and/or the end walls of the first chamber of the bridge. The constant contacts enable these plurality of parts to be unified by pressure allowing for excellent transmission of the string vibrations. The compressive load provided by these constant contacts enables the instant bridge to withstand even the heaviest load of strings. In addition, the bridge comprises thin walls facilitating resonance. The bridge may also comprise internal piezoelectric elements. The bridge is able to produce authentic acoustic sounds for an electric guitar without the need for pre-amplification or signal conditioning.

Abstract: Pyrocarbon components have been found to create richer, clearer sound when employed as bridges (19), saddles (1), nuts (2), frets (3), tuning heads (4), pegs (9) and other components which contact the strings in guitars (6, 16), violins (11) and like stringed musical instruments. Bridges/saddles and nuts of stringed instruments produce a marked difference in the sound when pyrocarbon components are used compared with currently used materials. There is a significant increase in sound volume for a given intensity of string movement, along with richer harmonics and a clearer, less muddy sound. The crystalline structure of pyrolytic carbon minimizes the damping of string vibration as it is transferred to the sound-amplifying portion of acoustic instruments, producing a rich, pleasing and higher volume sound. The useful life of strings is increased in contact with pyrolytic carbon components before they go “dead” or break.

Abstract: A support bridge includes a support platform having a top surface and a bottom surface and a holder attached to the top surface of the support platform. The holder includes a first set of support members separated by a first gap, a first material free region, in the first support member, that provides access from outside of the first member through the first member to the first gap, and a first securing member on a surface of the first support member bounding the first material free region, and a first plug configured to physically engage the first securing member to secure a first object disposed between the first members in the first gap to the holder and the support platform.

Abstract: According to the present invention, there is provided a floating bridge apparatus adapted to be mounted on a guitar having strings, the floating bridge apparatus including: a base element and a top element operatively connected to one another for relative movement therebetween which causes vibrato or like pitch-change in the strings, the base element mountable to a deck of the guitar; and a suspension apparatus for controlling the relative movement between the base and top elements, wherein the suspension apparatus is accessible from a position above the deck.

Abstract: A tone control device is provided. The tone control device includes a bridge configured to be mounted to an instrument. The bridge includes a body and an adjustment area located within the bridge. The adjustment area and the body define at least one recess in at least one surface of the bridge. The tone control device further includes a weight assembly configured to be movable within the at least one recess.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument is provided that includes a brace disposed within the hollow chamber of the musical instrument such that the first end of the brace is in contact with the inner side of the soundboard of the musical instrument at a point longitudinally at or above the bridge saddle toward the top end of the instrument. At the second end, the brace is in contact with an inner side of the body at a point longitudinally below the bridge saddle toward the bottom end of the musical instrument. The strings pass over the bridge saddle, through at least one hole in the bridge, and at least one of the strings attaches to the brace directly or indirectly at a point on the brace. The brace receives tension from the at least one string attached to the brace and transfers the tension from the strings to at least the contact point of the first end of the brace.

Abstract: A tremolo mechanism having a novel roller mounted beneath a tensioned string of a stringed musical instrument is described. During oscillatory movement, the tensioned string exerts both a static and a vibratory force on the roller. The roller rotates in relation to the tensioned string such that the static force is generally greater than any component of the vibratory force. The novel roller may be a saddle roller with a saddle block having two opposing block walls which form a roller cavity. The block walls each have a roller bore aligned along a roller axis. The saddle roller includes a cylindrical body attached to a roller pin and a circumferential seat receiving a tension string. The roller pin is rotatably disposed such that the saddle roller is in the saddle block cavity. The roller axis extends obliquely to define an oblique roller angle.

Abstract: A tremolo device with a movable bridge, an adjustment device, and a support frame is implemented on an acoustic guitar, with features that can also be employed on an electric guitar or other stringed instruments. The movable bridge holds strings of the musical instrument in tension. The adjustment device, such as a tremolo bar, moves the bridge to change the tension of the strings. The support frame engages the bridge at a first area and engages the musical instrument at a larger second area. When the tremolo device is used, the support frame receives a force over the first area and transmits a corresponding force to the musical instrument over the larger second area, reducing the pressure that would be experienced by the musical instrument. The support frame also transmits string vibration received through the bridge to the instrument body to produce proper acoustic tones.

Abstract: A compact tool for removing guitar bridge pins is disclosed, which includes a housing and an active swing arm having a metal capture notch at the free end for receiving the head of the pin requiring removal. The tool is preferably made of machined steel, and the capture notch has a three-sided configuration with a lip which is configured and dimensioned to be easily positioned beneath the head of the pin, while the head of the pin sites within a recessed cavity adjacent the lip. The user conveniently grips the housing to apply the requisite force to remove the pin from the bridge of the guitar. While the three-sided lip is preferably made of a strong metal such as steel, hardened aluminum, zinc or the like, other materials are contemplated, provided they are strong and durable. Alternatively, the tool can be constructed in a T-Shaped configuration, incapable of folding.

Abstract: The present invention provides a reliable, easily adjustable bridge for a string instrument and preferably a guitar and even more preferably a six-string electric guitar. The adjustable bridge of the present invention allows for adjustment of string length using only four intonation adjustment screws.

Abstract: Improved bridges and tailpieces for stringed instruments, such as guitars and banjos. The bridge and tailpiece each include a void at each end of their respective base pieces, near the vertical hole or slot, into which is fixedly set a permanent magnet. The magnet attracts to the ferromagnetic metal bridge posts or tailpiece posts to retain the bridge or tailpiece on the posts and keep them from falling off when the strings are removed from the instrument.

Abstract: A bridge mechanism for keeping at least one string on a musical instrument at a desired tension, having: a first body having a string contact point located at an intonation harmonic; at least one other string contact point located at one of said intonation harmonic and between intonation harmonics wherein the string anchor point is located independently of the soundboard; and a string arranged between said string contact points, wherein the string changes longitudinal direction at least once.

Abstract: A harp is disclosed. The harp that allows for more simplified pitch change. The harp allows for the creation of a pitch bend effect, similar to the sound of the twang of a guitar. The harp also allows for rising half tones in the strings, wherein the pitch of a string is raised by exactly one semitone. Because of the various ways to change the pitch, each string in the harp is capable of playing up to three different notes.

Abstract: An integral saddle and bridge for stringed musical instruments, such as the electric guitar, having a bridge piece comprised of a bar with a slot formed in the top to receive a saddle piece. By pressure or adhesive the bridge and saddle are made solid and therefore, and by their materials, acoustically superior. The bridge is formed to mate with common mountings and the saddle is carved to achieve intonation.

Abstract: An apparatus for a guitar comprising a first compressible member, one or more spacers and a second compressible member. The second compressible member may be configured to receive the one or more spacers and engage the first compressible member when a force is applied to the first compressible member.

Abstract: A bridge system for acoustic guitars which utilizes a string anchor rigidly attached to the under-side of the bridge plate, with provisions in the bridge, soundboard, and bridge plate to allow the guitar strings to pass from the bridge saddle to the string anchor untouched. The attachment of the guitar strings to the string anchor is also rigid. These features assure increased efficiency at which the string vibratory energy is utilized to vibrate the guitar soundboard, and also that the attenuation problems of current guitar bridge configurations are diminished.

Abstract: A quick-release tremolo lock device for installation into a tremolo recess, and for mounting to a movable bridge or a tremolo block of a stringed instrument such as a guitar. The tremolo lock device includes a spring mount that is adapted to be fixedly attached to at least one wall of the tremolo recess and configured to capture an end of at least one tremolo spring. A slide key is also incorporated into the device, which is connected to the spring mount about a proximate portion of the slide key. The device also includes an adjustable quick release slide receiver that is adapted to receive and to releasably capture a distal portion of the slide key to fix the position of the receiver relative to the slide key. The device further includes a tail piece joined to the quick release slide receiver and configured to be mounted in a spring hole of the tremolo block.

Abstract: A guitar bridge includes bridge plate having a slot-shaped aperture formed therein. A saddle holder attached to an upper surface of said bridge plate supports a post-shaped saddle. A sustain block having a bore formed therethrough is joined to said bridge plate in a position that aligns the bore with the slot shaped aperture. The guitar bridge is configured to support a guitar string such that a string anchor passes through the bore of the sustain block and rests against the bridge plate without the guitar string contacting any surface of the bridge plate or the saddle holder.

Abstract: Marching band string instruments and wearable string instruments are described that include a stiff waist band to prevent excessive side to side movement during use, while providing easy doff and don of the string instrument. String instruments also are provided with adjustable chest braces to allow accommodation for different player sizes and for minimization of back strain when playing the electric string instrument for extended time periods. Electric string instruments optionally have soft material interposed between bridge feet and a string instrument body, to allow a more resonant sound detection from a pickup located between the bridge feet and the body. Other advances include generation of a stereo signal from bridge vibrations, and electronic processing of sound that enhances the electric string instrument playing and learning experience.

Abstract: An optimally coupled stringed musical instrument bridge having an individual bridge assembly supporting and retaining each string. Each assembly comprises an action (height) and intonation (length) adjustable string support assembly and string retention assembly integrally incorporated into the instrument body. The bridge minimizes acoustic energy lost to friction, thereby increasing sustain, minimizes fundamental or harmonic interaction between strings, and maximizes acoustic energy transmitted to the instrument body, thereby allowing the natural instrument resonances to emanate. The bridge and its attributes are especially suited for use with bass guitars.