Abstract: A mute for a bowed stringed musical instrument. A main body with a string glide opening receives an instrument string, and a three-dimensional array of cavities is encased within the main body. A clamping tongue establishes a channel between the clamping tongue and the main body, and a three-dimensional array of cavities is encased within the clamping tongue. The arrays of cavities are separated by an interior acoustic wall that can traverse generally in a longitudinal direction and that can have a portion contiguous with the channel. The arrays of cavities can be defined by matrices of material formed by plural layers of material, such as plural layers of filamentary material, joined through three-dimensional additive manufacturing. Plural different materials can be joined through three-dimensional additive manufacturing to form portions of the mute. The string glide opening can be teardrop-shaped and can receive a string through an S-shaped string insertion slot.

Abstract: An electronic device is provided. The electronic device includes an image sensor configured to sense a motion of a bow to the string instrument, a vibration sensor configured to sense a vibration generated by the string instrument, and a control module configured to determine a fingering position of a user with respect to the string instrument using the motion of the bow and the vibration.

Abstract: A three-position mute for use with a musical stringed instrument, such mute having an elongated body with two pairs of legs extending therefrom, a slot defined between each pair of legs, a pair of notches defined in the bottom of the elongated body, such notches for engagement with selected strings of the musical instrument in selected modes of use and the slots for engagement on the musical instrument's bridge in a selected mode of use, such modes of use including a bridge engagement position in a first mode of use, a bridge-contacting position in a second mode of use, and a resting position with the mute installed on the strings between the bridge and the tailpiece.

Abstract: A practice mute for string instruments includes a primary unit and at least one secondary unit. The primary unit is provided at a lower side with a groove in parallel with an axial direction of the primary unit, so that the primary unit may straddle a bridge of a string instrument with the groove engaged with a top of the bridge. The primary unit is also provided at the lower side with a plurality of recesses perpendicular to the axial direction of the primary unit, allowing strings of the string instrument to extend through the primary unit via the recesses. Part of the material of the primary unit at a predetermined position is removed to form at least one cavity for receiving the secondary unit therein. The primary and the secondary unit are made of different materials, so that the practice mute has reduced weight and provides improved sound-absorbing effect.

Abstract: A mute for stringed instruments such as banjos, guitars, and the like which allows the volume of the sound generated by plucking the strings to be varied without changing the pitch of the instrument. This device comprises a small, elongated cloth bag filled with tiny metallic balls. The bag is sufficiently long that when it is properly mounted on the bridge of the instrument, the bag extends past the points where the two outermost strings cross the bridge, the two outermost strings being disposed proximate opposite ends of the bridge. In use, the beg is mounted partially on the upper edge of the bridge and partially on the strings. The degree of muting, as well as the duration of individual notes once played, varies with the position of the bag on the bridge. The pitch of the strings, however, does not vary.

Abstract: A musical instrument having at least six strings tuned and fingered like an electric guitar, and having a symmetrically arched fingerboard (12 or 13), nut (31) and bridge (15 or 16) configuration to allow each string to be played individually with a violin bow. In addition, a transducer (26 or 29) is mounted at the bridge to pick up the bowed sound and the arched double coil pick-up (14) is mounted underneath the strings to pick up the plucked sound of the string. An adjustable support mechanism (20) allows the instrument to be held so that the bow passes over the shoulder or clavicle. The bridge position relative to the player's body allows a scale length equal to that of the guitar to be practical. The fact that this instrument is played with a bow allows the fingerboard to be extended to 40 frets or the equivalent.

Abstract: A magnetic mute system for violin family music instruments having at least one magnet and one magnetic attachment point whereby the mute is prevented from making noise when restrained in rest position by the magnet and in addition comprising two anti-rotation legs and a flaired foot for guiding the mute unaided by the eye between its working position and rest position.

Abstract: A mute made of a block of sound-deadening thermoplastic elastomer having a longitudinal slot for placing over the top edge and portions of the surface of a string musical instrument bridge. Cut-out portions are provided forming slots for passage over the strings, the end of the cut-out portions or slots following generally the contour of the top edge of the bridge. The mute dampens the bridge vibrations and deadens the sound transmitted from the strings to the musical instrument soundboard via the bridge.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an improved mute which is used for stringed instruments. The invention comprises a holder and a first engaging surface for engaging a major surface of the bridge of a stringed instrument such as a violin. At least one second engaging surface is provided which is movably positioned relative to the first engaging surface such that it may abut either the other engaging surface or the opposite major surface of the bridge. Means are provided for mounting the engaging surfaces to the holder so that they are generally in a facing, movable and pivotable relationship to one another. Means are also provided for biasing the first engaging surface toward the second engaging surface with sufficient force to retain the mute on the bridge.

Abstract: A bridge for an electric string bass or other stringed musical instrument includes a base adapted for attachment to the body of the instrument and a number of saddles for individually supporting the strings, the saddles being adjustably movable to different positions relative to the base, in the direction along the length of the strings, to adjust the string intonation. The saddles may include piezoelectric elements for providing electrical signals and, in this case, the base may further include a covered recess for housing a plurality of volume controls each associated with a respective one of the strings. The saddles are designed and arranged on the base to support the strings with a given curvature matching that of the fret board and an adjustment means is provided for raising, lowering and/or tilting the base relative to the body to bring the strings into proper height adjustment relative to the frets.

Abstract: A mute for a stringed instrument is provided by the present invention. A mounting plate is pivotally coupled with the framework of the instrument and in turn carries the muting element. The muting element is movable under a force exerted by a player of the instrument to apply a muting pressure to the bridge to mute the tone of the instrument. An arm rigid with the framework underlies the mounting plate and carries a camming plate. A pressure plate is pivotally coupled with the mounting plate and is engageable with the camming plate when moved in one direction to move the muting element away from the bridge and preclude any muting pressure from being applied to the bridge. Movement of the pressure plate in the opposite direction places the muting element in position for application of force to the bridge. A plurality of wedge members are engageable with the strings at a point behind the bridge to stretch the strings during muting of the instrument to compensate for the flatting effect of the muting element.