Abstract: A hand exercise device comprising a base with a generally planar surface, and at least one string held at a substantial angle of inclination with respect to the planar surface of the base. The hand exercise device can be adapted to perform hand exercises that involve applying a pushing force to move the string such that the string is in contact with the planar surface of the base. The hand exercise device can be modified to include a plurality of strings of different thicknesses held at a substantial angle of inclination to facilitate variable exercise resistance. The hand exercise device can benefit patients by increasing grip strength, improving hand function, and/or alleviating joint pain.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a banjo bridge base plate, constructed of natural wood in a simple rectangle shaped form, or an irregular or fancy decorative shaped form, or constructed from various other materials, including synthetic wood, plastics, ebony, ivory, pearl and like materials, or combinations thereof, that will achieve the a similar operational effect, that effect being to confer upon a banjo so equipped with improved tonal quality.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to a banjo bridge base plate, constructed of natural wood in a simple rectangle shaped form, or an irregular or fancy decorative shaped form, or constructed from various other materials, including synthetic wood, plastics, ebony, ivory, pearl and like materials, or combinations thereof, that will achieve the a similar operational effect, that effect being to confer upon a banjo so equipped with improved tonal quality.

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

Abstract: An asymmetrical stringed instrument bridge incorporating, among other elements, an integral member, a string mounting edge, a foot edge, a treble edge, and a bass edge. The asymmetrical stringed instrument bridge is adapted to rest on a belly plate of a violin, or other stringed instrument, and support a plurality of strings. The asymmetrical stringed instrument bridge may include a plurality of tuning recesses along the edges and apertures in the integral member so as enable one to acoustically tune the bridge while taking into account the unique attributes of each string to optimize the energy transfer and movement of the bridge. The plurality of recesses may also form a treble foot, treble leg, bass foot, and bass leg.

Abstract: A vibrato apparatus for a stringed instrument, the instrument having a body and a neck extending from the body, the apparatus comprising, tuning elements on the neck and a bridge member on the body to demarcate a string plane and a vibrating portion of the strings which extend in a longitudinal direction in the string plane. A vibrato member is secured on and is pivotal about a pivot axis which is essentially parallel to but distanced from the string plane and transversely oriented in the longitudinal direction. A plurality of vertically pivoting rocker arms each securing the body end of a respective string and operably secured to a lever which is resistibly secured to a spring and to the vibrato member. A slug tuning element allows for vertical adjustments of the plurality of rocker arms so that by varying a lever moment of the lever the plurality of rocker arms are each selectively moved thereby altering the tuning of the strings.

Abstract: A bridge for a stringed musical instrument comprises a thin wooden body having a bottom base portion adapted to be supported upon a resonant body member of the instrument and a top crown portion that is formed with grooves for holding individual strings. The base and crown portions have opposed edges that are generally parallel with respect to each other. The crown is formed with baffle slits located adjacent the grooves that are oriented obliquely with respect to the crown edge for redirecting sound waves emitting from strings back to the grooves to produce a ringing tonal effect or to the base to reduce sound attenuation within the bridge.

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 floating bridge for string instruments arranged to generate a higher volume of responsive resonated sound, the floating bridge being mounted to a thin flexible wall of the instrument's resonant body, and the wall defining a flexible diaphragm. The bridge is secured to the associated strings and includes a bridge block having a clamping bar to hold each string in a fixed juxtaposed relation to the others, whereby the vibration of each string is transferred through the bridge and bridge-supporting post, or posts, so that the bridge is not subjected to the longitudinal tension of the strings, allowing the resultant vibrations therefrom to propagate to the hollow body of the instrument, without obstruction thereto.