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 tremolo device for a stringed instrument such as a guitar in which a reelable member is provided to which the ends of the instrument strings are connected. Said reelable device includes a tremolo arm for oscillating the reelable device in one direction and return springs for restoring the reelable device in the opposite direction to provide a tremolo effect under the control of the operator. The reelable device comprises a plurality of arcuate members, each individual to one of the strings with the radius of curvature of each arcuate member being smaller for the largest diameter spring and larger for the smallest diameter string and varying appropriately in between. Other effects may also be produced in that the arcuate curvature may be other than a simple arc.

Abstract: A tuner device for a string instrument such as a guitar including a conventional tuning machine such as one incorporating a worm gear drive for initially tuning a string by controllably rotating the output shaft which has mounted thereon a peg on which a string is wound. The tuning machine is mounted on a support plate assembly which is selectively arcuately rockable through a small angle from its rest position to its operative or detuned position.

Abstract: A tremolo mechanism for adjusting the spring tension of a stringed musical instrument, the instrument including a body, a neck portion, a plurality of strings each anchored at one end to the neck portion and extending over at least a portion of the neck portion and the body, the mechanism comprising a base for attachment to the body; a pivot plate mounted on the base for detuning the strings substantially evenly and for maintaining the strings in substantially the same pitch relative to each other when the pivot plate is pivoted with respect to the base, including a plurality of sliders for anchoring the other end of each of the strings; and a bridge positioned between the pivot plate and the neck. A method for rapid tuning of a stringed musical instrument, a string for a stringed musical instrument, and an improved stringed instrument are also disclosed.

Abstract: A musical instrument with a plurality of strings comprises a body assembly, a neck, and a headpiece, with the body assembly comprising a cylindrical body, a membrane covering the top of the cylindrical body, and a head rim extending along the circumference of the top of the cylindrical body holding the membrane over the cylindrical body, with a plurality of tuning lug assemblies secured into the side of the head rim.

Abstract: A device for setting the intonation of the individual strings of a fretted stringed instrument, such as a guitar, wherein the instrument bridge includes for each of the individual strings both an end restraining and a fine tuning apparatus, for instance, of the type disclosed in Rose U.S. Pat. No.

Abstract: The invention is a pitch raising system for a guitar providing mechanical means to produce musical techniques usually performed manually (tremolo, pitch raising and tremolo of raised pitches). The preferred mode of the system includes a pitch raising device, wear resistant links, wear resistant bridge elements and an upper stop. The E, B and G strings are attached to a pivoting structure pulling it taut horizontally to the surface of the body of the guitar.The parts of the pitch raising device are each designed so that when assembled, the points of string attachment are adjustable within a single geometric plane with the axis of the pivoting structure. The links are joined to the pivoting structure by U-shaped rods. The U-shaped rods are longitudinally adjusted to tune the strings in relationship with each other for when the device is in raised position. They are then clamped tightly in place. The bridge elements include a high wear resistant rod at the point of string contact.

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: 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 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: An electric bass guitar incorporating combination string-adjustment, fine-tuning, and bridge-elements. The bridge-elements are accurately adjustable to any position, and are so constructed and related that the lateral positions of the strings will be determined with great precision, regardless of the adjusted position of the saddles. Fine-tuning screws are interposed between the saddles and an anchor wall which both anchors the strings and anchors the ends of adjustment elements for the saddles. The strings are confined closely in vertical slots so that they may not move laterally but may move vertically as fine-tuning occurs. The fine-tuning screws engage the string portions in the slots.

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: An improved tuning device for mounting upon stringed musical instruments such as the guitar, banjo, mandolin and the like. The improvement relates to providing a construction wherein the winding spindle or drum upon which the string is attached may be selectively and independently rotated on a one to one basis or on a high multiple to one basis. The one to one turning ratio is designed to be used to initially wind the string from a relaxed condition to a pre-tuned degree of tension associated with replacing worn or broken strings. The multiple tuning basis is, in typical fashion, employed to fine tune the string tension to produce the appropriate musical note.

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: 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: A combined guitar and bass guitar employing a common body, neck and finger board and more significantly employing two common strings to provide both instruments employing a total of eight strings.

Abstract: A combined bridge and tailpiece assembly for a stringed musical instrument such as a guitar is disclosed, characterized by a tailpiece member which is manually rotated to produce a vibrato effect. The assembly includes a tailpiece block which is secured to the body portion of the instrument and an elongate tailpiece member rotatably connected at its ends with the tailpiece block for rotation in one direction about an axis parallel with and eccentrically horizontally and vertically offset from the longitudinal axis of the tailpiece member to provide camming action. Adjustable string attachment devices are connected with the tailpiece member for attachment to the ends of the instrument strings which, when tensioned, normally bias the tailpiece member in one direction of rotation. A plurality of adjustable saddle rollers are connected with the tailpiece block and act as a bridge to guide the instrument strings to the string attachment devices.

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 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: The specification discloses a tone changer for a guitar (12) having a multiple pull actuator mechanism (14). One or more of the guitar strings are tightened in response to pulling a lever arm (22) away from the guitar (12), or by pushing the lever arm (30) towards the guitar (12), or by pulling the lever arm (26) upwardly in a rotational plane parallel to the rear side of the guitar (12). Straps (16) and (18) are connected between the lever arms (22) and (26), respectively, and are connected at their other end to the performer for selectively imparting an appropriate force on the lever arms. An extension arm (32) is connected to the lever arm (30) for engaging the performer to push the lever arm inwardly towards the guitar (12).

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 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 string holder for a string instrument comprises a support which is secured for the string instrument and formed with a plurality of generally parallel longitudinal guides in each of which a respective support block can be displaced through a relatively long longitudinal distance. This block can be locked at any location along the respective guide. Each of the blocks carries a two-arm lever one of whose arms is secured to the respective string and the other of whose arms is acted on by a screw for displacement of the one arm through a relatively short distance for fine tuning of the distance between bridge and anchor point for the respective string.

Abstract: The present invention provides a new and improved device for adjusting and maintaining the tension in a string of a musical instrument. The string may be tuned to a first pitch by turning a first knob. This actuates a string post through a series of reduction gears to achieve extremely precise tuning of the first pitch. Then the string may be tuned to a second pitch using a second knob. When adjustable stops have been locked in place, the instrument's tuning may be conveniently and repeatably changed from the first pitch to the second pitch and back again. The reduction gearing provides a smaller change in string tension when the first input knob is turned a given amount than when the second knob is turned the same amount. The device is housed in an aluminum housing which is formed from extruded metal bar stock. A pin projects from the housing to secure the device against rotation with respect to the instrument.

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: An adapter system for a stringed musical instrument having a tuning key and a string connected to the tuning key for adjusting the pitch of sound rendered by striking the string attached to said key. A limit stop is operatively mounted on the instrument along with a,rotational stop mounted on the key for interacting with the limit stop to confine the rotational movement of the tuning key to a certain predetermined arc. The limit stop can be adjusted to selectively change the angular arc. An internal adapter cylinder is operatively mounted on the shaft of the tuning key where the tuning key shaft is of a non-circular configuration. An upper cylinder and a lower cylinder are operatively mounted with respect to the internal adapter cylinder. The adapter cylinder is provided with a recess which accommodates a cylindrical insert used when the tuning key is not provided with a shoulder portion.

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 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 musical instrument tuning system adapted to be mounted on a string instrument. The tuning system provides a visual indication to repeatedly aid in the proper tuning of a set of strings. Additionally, the tuning system gives a visual indication when a string is tension loaded to or near the rupture point. Further, the tuning system indicates when a string is below pitch after a reference point is set to provide proper tuning of a particular string. The tuning system mounted on the instrument pegboard includes a first decalcomania having three indicia zones representing a proper tuning zone, a string tension load warning zone and a zone indicating the appropriate string is below pitch. A second decalcomania mounted on a peg has indicia which is aligned with the first decalcomania tuning zone. Rotation of the peg resulting in alignment of the peg indicia with the tension load warning zone indicates a warning to the user that the string may rupture.