Abstract: Embodiment apparatus and associated methods relate to adapting an actuator to adjust the tension of a musical instrument string, configuring a sensor to detect vibration propagated through the musical instrument body, configuring a noise removal filter to remove an undesired signal from vibration propagated through the musical instrument body, and automatically tuning the musical instrument based on adjusting the musical instrument string tension by the actuator while removing the undesired signal, until the fundamental frequency propagated through the instrument body by the vibration of the musical instrument string is within a predetermined tolerance of a reference frequency. In an illustrative example, the undesired signal may be actuator vibration. In some embodiments, actuator vibration spectral content may vary as a function of actuator torque, and, the noise removal filter may be adapted in real time.

Abstract: Methods and systems for stringing an instrument are disclosed, including coupling a string to a bridge; threading the string through a tuning member; providing a device comprising: a body having a proximal and distal end; and slots into the body located between the proximal end and the distal end; wherein distances between the proximal end and the slots correspond to predetermined string lengths beyond tuning members of the instrument; and wherein each of the slots comprises a marking edge; positioning the proximal end against the tuning member; inserting string threaded through the tuning member into one of the slots; pulling the string toward the bridge to mark the string; removing the device from the tuning member; pulling the string back through the tuning member towards the bridge until the mark is proximate the tuning member; and winding the string around the tuning member. Other embodiments are described and claimed.

Abstract: A string stretching apparatus, system and method are described. The string stretching apparatus may include lower and upper raised portions at an outer surface of a body of the stretching apparatus. A portion of the body of the string stretching apparatus may be placed in contact with a neck of a musical instrument. The lower and upper raised portions may be configured to extend outwardly to extend a distance between the neck of the musical instrument and at least one string of the musical instrument. The string stretching apparatus may be manipulable in a longitudinal direction of the neck of the musical instrument, and either or both of the lower and upper raised portions may be configured to rotate, in order to increase or decrease string tension.

Abstract: Systems and devices are arranged as tools for guitar maintenance and particular for removing bridge pins of an acoustic guitar and adjusting stream of pictures of guitars. Eight ‘clamshell’ arrangement of complementary half element form a clan particularly devised to couple with hardware used to mount strength of a guitar i.e. bridge pins. The coupling is such that it is easy to establish and easy to remove whereby superior control of the bridge pin removal is achieved. As bridge pins are removed from a bridge, the bridge pins remain captive with respect to the clamp device thus preventing them from being dropped and/or lost—a problem common in competing alternative systems known in the arts.

Abstract: A string stretching apparatus, system and method are described. The string stretching apparatus may include lower and upper raised portions at an outer surface of a body of the stretching apparatus. A portion of the body of the string stretching apparatus may be placed in contact with a neck of a musical instrument. The lower and upper raised portions may be configured to extend outwardly to extend a distance between the neck of the musical instrument and at least one string of the musical instrument. The string stretching apparatus may be manipulable in a longitudinal direction of the neck of the musical instrument, and either or both of the lower and upper raised portions may be configured to rotate, in order to increase or decrease string tension.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a multi-tool for a stringed instrument. The multi-tool has several tools, such as a puller, a tuning socket, a clipper, and a hexagonal tool, on a main body, so that it is unnecessary to separately carry respective tools in the case of replacing the string of the stringed instrument, thus affording easy portability and enhancing operational convenience. Further, the multi-tool is configured such that a receiving portion receiving a tuning handle therein is rotatably provided, thus enabling the tuning handle to be rapidly and conveniently rotated.

Abstract: A drum tuner is described. The drum tuner includes: (i) a hub gear; (ii) two or more differential gears communicatively coupled to the hub gear and at least one of the two or more differential gears capable of engaging a tuning mechanism of a drum; and (iii) wherein, during an operational state of the drum tuner, rotation of the hub gear rotates at least one of the two or more differential gears to activate the drum's tuning mechanism.

Abstract: A drum tuner is described. The drum tuner includes: (i) a hub gear; (ii) two or more differential gears communicatively coupled to the hub gear and at least one of the two or more differential gears capable of engaging a tuning mechanism of a drum; and (iii) wherein, during an operational state of the drum tuner, rotation of the hub gear rotates at least one of the two or more differential gears to activate the drum's tuning mechanism.

Abstract: A resonance tuner receives and digitizes an analog signal in response to a resonance of a structure thereby creating a plurality of time samples. A series of the time samples are buffered upon burst detection. A power spectrum is estimated by computing a Time-To-Frequency-Transform of the series of time samples and a magnitude of each of the resulting frequency samples is squared. At least one subset associated with at least one spectral peak is selected from the frequency samples. Each spectral peak has at least one sample with a sufficient magnitude and being spectrally adjacent to any other sample in another spectral peak by less than a threshold. A fundamental spectral peak is determined in a fundamental subset including a spectral peak with a sample at the lowest frequency greater than zero. The fundamental spectral peak has the sample with the largest magnitude within the fundamental subset.

Abstract: Disclosed may be a multi-tasking drum key and related methods. In one non-limiting embodiment, the drum key has a wrench with a pivot shaft extending therefrom, a handle that forms an elbow with the pivot shaft, wherein the handle has at least one twisted surface, and a lever and tooth on the elbow. Operably, the handle may be used to either (1) turn the wrench about the shaft or (2) pivot the lever on a fulcrum.

Abstract: Methods and systems for automatically tuning a drum are disclosed. In some embodiments, the methods and systems include the following: (a) exciting a drum head to cause it to resonate; (b) sensing a vibration frequency at one or more points relative to each tension rod; (c) determining a global average vibration frequency of the vibration frequencies for the points relative to each tension rod; (d) comparing the vibration frequencies of each of the points relative to each tension rod to the global average vibration frequency to determine a correction value for each point relative to the global average vibration frequency; (e) automatically turning each tension rod based on the correction value for the relative points; (f) automatically repeating steps (a)-(e) until each of the vibration frequencies of each of the points relative to each tension rod is substantially similar; and (g) automatically turning each tension rod in a uniform direction substantially simultaneously.

Abstract: A tool for setting an instrument sound post preferably includes a bent tube, one or more string or polymer lines, a cradle end that grasps the sound post, and an internal locking mechanism to hold the sound post against the tool. In one embodiment, a single line is used and a closed loop at the cradle end of the sound post setting tool holds the sound post in place. In this embodiment, a double-chamfer threaded tube construction is preferably used to facilitate line threading. In another embodiment, the cradle end includes a loop and a ball to grasp the sound post. In yet another embodiment, the cradle end includes two balls to grasp the sound post. The tool provides an improved way to install a sound post inside a stringed instrument.

Abstract: The present disclosure relates to musical instruments and devices. A system is provided which utilizes tonal visualization components incorporating color and/or shape to allow a person to “see” a note or group of notes sounded by an instrument to determine whether the instrument is in tune and make appropriate adjustments if necessary.

Abstract: A string changing device is disclosed. The device comprises an elongated socket that surrounds the tuner button of the instrument. A lever extends from the socket and is attached to a handle. The handle and lever combine as a crank to tension the strings to approximate pitch. The handle has a worm-gear cutter embodied within it. The handle is attached to the lever with a rotatable hinge that enables the handle to function as a winder when aligned axially. It also prevents the cutter body from turning during the cutting operation when aligned off axis. The quick release assembly is mounted on the lever in the preferred embodiment and is removed during winding and cutting operations.

Abstract: A tool for setting an instrument sound post preferably includes a bent tube, one or more string or polymer lines, a cradle end that grasps the sound post, and an internal locking mechanism to hold the sound post against the tool. In one embodiment, a single line is used and a closed loop at the cradle end of the sound post setting tool holds the sound post in place. In this embodiment, a double-chamfer threaded tube construction is preferably used to facilitate line threading. In another embodiment, the cradle end includes a loop and a ball to grasp the sound post. In yet another embodiment, the cradle end includes two balls to grasp the sound post. The tool provides an improved way to install a sound post inside a stringed instrument.

Abstract: The present invention relates to musical instrument tuners, more particularly to a tuner for providing tuning information regarding a musical instrument without making physical or electrical contact with the instrument. We describe a musical instrument tuner for providing tuning information for tuning a musical instrument, said musical instrument having a vibrating element, the tuner comprising: a light source for emitting light onto the said vibrating element; a light detector for detecting reflected light; an amplifier coupled to said light detector for amplifying a signal from said light detector; and tuning indication means coupled to said amplifier for providing tuning information responsive to said amplified signal.

Abstract: A peg cutter for the peg elements of stringed musical instruments, comprising a cutting-object receptacle, a blade with at least one cutting edge the position of which relative to the cutting-object receptacle is adjustable, and at least one contact element for the blade for defining the position of the at least one cutting edge relative to the cutting-object receptacle, wherein the cutting-object receptacle and the at least one contact element are formed in such a way that the at least one cutting edge lies on the envelope of a cone when the blade rests on the at least one contact element.

Abstract: An oboe reed gouge device has a carriage upon which a blade is carried at an angle to raw cane material from which a reed is formed. The carriage is rotatably and longitudinally slidable on a rod to move relative to the cane. The rod has opposing end segments with coincident axes that are offset from the axis of a central rod segment. By rotating the rod about the axes of the end segments, the carriage, which is mounted on the central rod segment, is moved laterally relative to the cane. By mounting a gauge finger against the central rod segment, the amount of lateral displacement can be measured and displayed. A groove is formed in the carriage, and the blade is mounted in the groove using a pin with a drive screw, and a second screw to lock the blade in position.

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: Disclosed is a musical accessory, equipped with a tuner for stringed instruments and/or a metronome, capable of generating power by itself, which is convenient to use. In an aspect, the musical accessory comprises a casing housing a sensor, an amplifier, an A/D converter, an indication unit, a microprocessor, and a power supply unit, wherein the power supply unit includes a driver pivotably installed on one side of the casing, a power generation module for generating electromotive force by receiving rotary power from the driver, and a charger connected to the power generation module and storing some amount of the electromotive force, wherein the musical accessory is operated by receiving power from the charger.

Abstract: A drum tuning key comprises a handle portion, a barrel portion defining an axis connected to the handle portion, the barrel portion having internal walls defining a cavity extending inwardly along the axis from an end of the barrel portion, the cavity being square in cross section and adapted to turn a drum tension rod. The tuning key further comprises an indicator member removably disposed on at least one of the handle portion and the barrel portion. The indicator member may comprises a single plug member removably disposed on said handle portion, or a pair of plug members disposed on opposite lateral ends of said handle portion. The plug members may be different colors, different materials, and/or different hardness to enhance the assembly and tuning operation as well as pitch adjustment.

Abstract: A guitar has a wrench tremolo bar thereon, replacing the standard tremolo bar, with the wrench tremolo bar having a desired wrench on at least one end of the wrench tremolo bar, to cooperate with the string fasteners on the guitar, which greatly facilitates tuning, changing or replacing of a guitar string.

Abstract: A pick-handle is attached to the to the “rear” edge of a conventional pick via a metal shaft. The handle portion is made to be comfortably grasped in the palm of the player's hand while the pick is held in the normal manner between the thumb and forefinger. Stringed instrument playing technique is enhanced by improved control over the pick and increased volume capability due to the increased mass effectively transmitted to the pick from the hand, wrist and arm of the player. Additionally, the invention reduces the strain on the thumb and forefinger by allowing the other fingers to supplement the grip, and also reduces the risk of the pick slipping out of playing position or totally escaping from the thumb/finger grasp. Attachment of the pick to the shaft may be implemented by a spring clip that allows easy removal of the pick and replacement by practically any commonly available pick of the player's choice.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for lifting and setting a piano string coil (16) is provided for improving tuning stability. Preferably, the apparatus (10) includes an internal slide hammer portion (12) and a string engaging portion (14) extending from the internal slide hammer portion (12). The string engaging portion (14) is intended to engage a piano string coil (16) wrapped around a tuning pin (18) and transmit an upward or downward force from the internal slide hammer portion (12) to the piano string coil (16).

Abstract: A musical instrument stringer/tuner device for replacing the tuning pegs on guitars. The musical instrument stringer/tuner device includes a housing member being adapted to be attachable to a musical instrument and having top, side, end, and bottom walls with a plurality of openings being disposed through the top wall and a plurality of holes being disposed through the side walls through which is adapted to receive strings of the musical instrument; and also includes string holding/releasing assemblies including string clamping members being movably disposed in the housing member; and further includes drive assemblies for moving the string clamping members.

Abstract: The present invention is an apparatus tuning and adjusting pianos. It maybe attached to the existing hammer shank and simulates a piano hammer. The present invention's dimensions and angles are adjustable. As the present invention is moved into strike position on the hammer shank, the multiple adjustments allow the piano technician to measure the characteristics needed to achieve the optimal strike point of the string. These measurements can then be used to correctly install the piano hammer and tune the piano.

Abstract: An apparatus (10) for lifting and setting a piano string coil (16) is provided for improving tuning stability. Preferably, the apparatus (10) includes an internal slide hammer portion (12) and a string engaging portion (14) extending from the internal slide hammer portion (12). The string engaging portion (14) is intended to engage a piano string coil (16) wrapped around a tuning pin (18) and transmit an upward or downward force from the internal slide hammer portion (12) to the piano string coil (16).

Abstract: A guitar bridge-pin removal tool has a solid body sized to fit in a users hand and opposite surfaces that can be gripped between the thumb and fingers. A channel is disposed across one end of the solid body. Such channel has a main cross section that approximates that of a head of a bridge pin that retains a string in a guitar. A necked outer edge runs along the longitudinal lips of the channel and captures the head of said bridge pin along any portion. At least one side end in the channel is open to allow the head of the bridge pins to be slipped in and out.

Abstract: A tool for use with a guitar for establishing a proper degree of pre-tightening slack in each of a plurality of guitar strings attached to respective head and rear locations of the guitar and prior to final tightening and wrapping of the strings. A substantially planar and elongate extending body includes a lower end having first and second locating feet extending from the body for locating the tool in substantially upwardly extending fashion relative to a selected one of the frets of the guitar neck. The tool also includes an upper end having a plurality of individually stepped shoulders corresponding to each of the plurality of guitar strings to be installed. A removal portion is integrally defined in the body and is adapted to remove pegs installed at the rear location of the guitar. Tuning spindles are located on a head of the guitar and each further includes a locking nut portion rotatably associated with an upwardly extending pintle.

Abstract: A string assist apparatus and method (10) includes a support (12) and a resilient extension (14) connected to the support (12). When placed in position on an instrument (20), one end (18) of a string (16) is connected to a bridge (22). The string (16) is passed over the top of resilient extension (14) and connected to tuning post (26). As string (16) is wound around tuning post (26) tension is applied by resilient extension (14) keeping the end (18) of string (16) in place on bridge (22) and freeing both user's hands to attend to the winding process. A connector (42) for removably attaching the invention to the instrument (20) and a height adjuster (62) for adjusting the height of the resilient extension (14) are also provided.

Abstract: A guitar bridge-pin removal tool has a solid body sized to fit in a users hand and opposite surfaces that can be gripped between the thumb and fingers. A channel is disposed across one end of the solid body. Such channel has a main cross section that approximates that of a head of a bridge pin that retains a string in a guitar. A necked outer edge runs along the longitudinal lips of the channel and captures the head of said bridge pin along any portion. At least one side end in the channel is open to allow the head of the bridge pins to be slipped in and out.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for stretching the strings on a musical instrument such as the guitar are disclosed. A device for stretching the strings of a musical instrument comprises a handle, the handle having two ends, a base, and a tip; an axle, defining an axis, the axle being connected to the handle; and a wheel, the wheel revolving around the axle, and the wheel including a groove, the groove being adapted to receive a string of a musical instrument.

Abstract: A method of sterilizing musical instruments is provided. More particularly, a method of sterilizing musical wind instruments is provided for sterilizing, or at least sanitizing, musical wind instruments without damaging or degrading components of such instruments constructed of cloth, wood, plastic, rubber or fibrous materials. The method of the invention uses a gas diffusion process and a gas sterilant, such as ethylene oxide. A musical wind instrument is placed in a gas diffusion bag and a sterilizing atmosphere is created within the gas diffusion bag by releasing ethylene oxide into the gas diffusion bag at a sufficient concentration to act as a sterilant. Ethylene oxide is heated to an appropriate temperature and maintained at such temperature for a sufficient time to achieve sterilization, or at least sanitization, of the musical wind instrument contained therein.

Abstract: A string winding device for winding and unwinding the string on a peg of a stringed instrument has a generally cylindrical body with a slot extending inward from one end thereof. The slot has a plurality of sections, which are configured to engage different size and shape pegs on stringed instruments. The slot has a shallow and wide section, a deep and narrow section and a middle section of medium depth and width. A fourth section is located perpendicular to the other three sections and is configured for specialty tuning pegs. Extending from the top of the string winder body is a hexagonal shaft for engagement with a cordless screwdriver, drill or one of the hubs or cranks disclosed herein. A manual hub or crank with a handle may be used to turn the string winder body. The hub of the crank for the manual hub may utilize a flexible tab within the hub to interlock with a recess in the hexagonal shaft to hold the parts together during use.

Abstract: A woodwind instrument reed maintenance device that extends the life of a used reed by removing the tip of the reed by burning. The device achieves extended life, and a brighter or a more projected sound from a used reed due to the cauterization of the woody longitudinal fibers called vascular bundles, running vertically the entire length of the reed. The device holds the reed securely and is designed to retain the burned tip at the precise angles or arc of the cut of the tip so as to maintain a working relationship with the woodwind mouthpiece. In addition, the top portion utilizes an angled tip to not only secure the reed in the device, but to prevent back burn to playable areas of the reed surfaces.

Abstract: A device for winding and trimming the strings of a musical instrument is disclosed, the device having an elongated head with an open receptacle on one side and at one end for interengaging the tuning buttons of the instrument. The other end of the head is rotatably attached to an elongated handle which is offset from the long axis of the head on the side opposite to the open receptacle. To wind a string, the receptacle is interengaged with a tuning button on the instrument, and the handle is moved back and forth in a circular path causing the head to turn and rotate the tuning button. A shear is mounted on the end of the handle for trimming the strings. The shear is formed from two relatively moveable blade portions defining planar surfaces which meet in a common plane. Shearing edges, formed by apertures through each blade portion, traverse the common plane upon relative movement of the blade portions to shear a string extending through the plane between the shearing edges.

Abstract: A musical instrument open hole cup plug, a plug removal/storage tool, and a kit which includes the tool and a number of the open hole cup plugs. Each plug includes spaced upper and lower circular plates and the upper plate has a lower seating surface for aesthetically positioning the upper plate over the open hole in the cup. An elastomeric member is disposed between the upper and lower plates for sealing the open hole. The plug removal/storage tool has a body including on a distal end thereof a protrusion, and a plurality of orifices in the body along the length thereof for storing the open hole cup plugs therein.

Abstract: A hammer shaping tool is designed with two parts: a piano hammer template and a sanding strip. The template's face surface is a mirror of an desirably shaped piano hammer with side walls forming a channel along the face surface of the template. The width of the face surface, and consequently the channel, is generally the same as the width of the striking edge of the hammers. The sanding strip likewise has the same width as the striking edge of the hammers. The sanding strip is placed, cutting side against the hammer, on the striking edge of the hammer. The template is then placed against the low friction side of the sanding strip and a portion of the hammer. The sanding strip is pulled through the template channel, the low friction side of the sanding strip sliding against the face surface of the template, and the cutting surface of the sanding strip engaging the surface face of the piano hammer, cutting the hammer facing surface to the desired shape.

Abstract: The woodwind cleaning sleeve is designed to encase a rigid rod or dowel (20) that assists in pushing the cleaning sleeve through the inside of a musical instrument (22) in order to remove the moisture. The sleeve itself is made of a soft fabric, which protects the inside surface of the instrument as it is being cleaned. The sleeve is designed to be stored outside of the instrument's case (24) to provide for quick drying.

Abstract: Clamping tool especially suitable for guitar repair which can be inserted into the sound hole of a guitar, with tensioning means spaced from the point at which force is applied to the instrument.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus determine tuning frequencies for an instrument, such as a piano, by sounding at least three musical notes of the instrument. The sounded notes are recorded and digitally filtered to generate directly partial ladders representative of the sounded notes. The partial ladders are equalized with respective to a reference frequency or one another to determine tuning frequencies for the sounded notes. Tuning frequencies for the remaining notes of the instrument are then determined from the equalized partial ladders. Tone generators which produce the musical notes, such as strings on a piano, are then adjusted to conform the musical notes which they generate to the tuning frequencies. Preferably, the tone generators are adjusted using a display which provides highly accurate macro and micro tuning information in a single display by graphically and dynamically displaying pitch differences of the musical notes generated by the tone generators relative to pitches of the tuning frequencies.

Abstract: The present invention is an improvement in the way a sound post is installed into a violin or viola. The present device secures the sound post to the device by using a cradle and wire loop. The sound post is attached to the device and then inserted through the F hole in the violin or viola and installed in the exact location. After, the sound post is set in the exact location the device releases the sound post and is removed from the violin or viola.

Abstract: A return spring regulator incorporated in a drum beater has a regulating nut rotatable with respect to a frame and a regulating bolt screwed into the regulating nut, and a player regulates the tension of a coil spring stretched between an arm member fixed to a rotatable shaft and the regulating bolt by simply rotating the regulating nut.

Abstract: A piano tuning system having an electronic control circuit which receives sound through a microphone for a piano key. Based upon a comparison of this sound with stored piano fundamental frequencies, signals are sent to a drive unit. An electrically driven drive unit has a push/pull solenoid with an actuator which can move an internal drive shaft along a spline shaft. Movement of the drive shaft with respect to associated clutches moves any of three worm gears, each having dependent tuning head wrenches which turn the piano's tuning pins. Adjustments may be made to the spacing between worm gears to squeeze or expand their relative positions with respect to each other by an external housing thumb wheel. A method for implementing the tuning of piano notes is also set forth.

Abstract: The invention relates to an acoustic piano having a fretbase on which at least one fret node is supported by a fret and an adjacent node spaced from the fret node. Selected piano strings press downwardly upon the nodes and define between the nodes a duplex scale portion of the piano strings. A plate is located beneath the fretbase and is pressed downwardly by the fretbase due to pressure of the strings. The invention provides a method of moving the fretbase portion relative to the plate in a direction parallel to the piano strings. The method includes the steps of providing a force-applying tool including a mandrel portion, and a force-transmitting head having a force-transmitting surface and a surface for sliding on the plate. The tool is oriented so that a main axis of the mandrel portion angles downwardly towards a plane of the piano strings, with the force-transmitting surface abutting a force-receiving surface of the fretbase, and with the sliding surface abutting the plate.

Abstract: A tuning knob and tuning knob system for a stringed instrument such as a guitar replaces the existing tuning knob. The present tuning knob is a cylindrical knob with exterior knurls and a central bore therethrough. At one end, the bore is adapted to be received over the tuning stem while the other end of the bore is configured to receive a crank. The crank provides additional leverage for instrument tuning.

Abstract: A drum adjustment apparatus (60) is disclosed which retains a drum key (50) on the clothes of a user for ready access in adjusting the tension of drum heads. An envelope (64) mounts the drum key to a rotatable yoke (72) of a spring loaded snap (80) which may be attached to a belt loop of the user and left there while making fine drum head tuning adjustments.