A shoulder rest for a stringed instrument with a support element extending in a longitudinal direction for resting on the shoulder and/or chest of the player is intended to enable a particularly high tonal quality of the ensemble of instrument and shoulder rest. For this purpose, the support element is provided according to the invention with a number of opening slots extending in the longitudinal direction and completely penetrating the support element in its thickness.

A stringed instrument tailpiece includes an elongate body that is top/bottom and left/right symmetrical. Openings are formed at a bridge-end of the elongate body to engage a musical instrument's one or more strings. An opening at the gut-end of the elongate body is configured to engage a gut, which attaches to an instrument endpin.

A simulated musical string instrument formed of plural shaped sheets of rigid material, such as cardboard. There is a top sheet forming a top surface of the simulated string instrument body, and a bottom sheet forming a bottom surface, and multiple sheets between. A simulated fingerboard is attached to the top surface. The top sheet and fingerboard gets stickers that show parts of the simulated string instrument body including openings and notes. There is also a simulated bow guide and a simulated bow.

Described herein is cushioned guarding device configured for removable receipt onto a side wall of a musical instrument for providing a padded surface for contact between the instrument and the body side of a user. The cushioned device is generally sided with a first side utilizing a tackified surface or indent to adhere to the instrument and the second side including a projection that is generally comfortable and soft and provides a cushioned contact point between the instrument and a player.

The case for a string instrument and a bow can comprise a base shell that defines a first compartment that is configured to receive the string instrument. The first compartment can have an inner surface that is complementary to the shape of the string instrument and is configured to restrict movement of the string instrument along the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis. The base shell can further define a second compartment that is configured to receive the bow. The second compartment can have an inner surface that is complementary to the shape of the bow and is configured to restrict movement of the bow along the longitudinal axis and the transverse axis. A cover can be pivotably coupled to the base shell. In a closed position, the cover and the base shell can cooperate to fully enclose the string instrument and the bow within the case.

An ergonomic harness system for hands-free support of violins and violas that incorporates two partly overlapping concave/convex shaped plates with attached rib tabs on each end that secure the plates to the instrument in a cross-pattern at the C-bouts and bottom edge of the instrument body. Mechanisms for expanding and contracting the plates allows the harness to accommodate instrument size variations and provides an adjustable binding force. A telescoping chest pad is secured to one end of the concave plate for supporting the instrument using the body.

A method of producing and assembling carbon composite based stringed musical instruments. The assembled stringed musical instrument is relatively inexpensive, extremely sturdy, light weight and simulates tones as deep and resonant as obtained by any other wood based instruments. The method also provides for manufacturing geometrically identical stringed musical instruments and the method being adaptable for producing and assembling any stringed musical instrument.

A method of producing and assembling carbon composite based stringed musical instruments. The assembled stringed musical instrument is relatively inexpensive, extremely sturdy, light weight and simulates tones as deep and resonant as obtained by any other wood based instruments. The method also provides for manufacturing geometrically identical stringed musical instruments and the method being adaptable for producing and assembling any stringed musical instrument.

Improved endpin block apparatus for stringed instruments are provided. The endpin block apparatus comprises an endpin support for securing and connecting an endpin to a stringed instrument. The endpin block apparatus may be fixedly attached to the instrument or may be able to rotate about an attachment location, allowing for adjustment of the angle of the instrument relative to the axis defined by the endpin and the musician. The endpin block apparatus provides one or more endpin insertion locations, allowing for one or more angles of the endpin relative to the axis of the instrument, which angle may be adjustable, and may allow for more of the instrument's weight to be borne by the endpin. The adjustable endpin angle and the adjustable endpin block apparatus rotation allow for a greater range of instrument location and angle, and more support of the instrument by the endpin, removing weight from the musician.

A string instrument is disclosed having a body with an air cavity defined by a top plate, a bottom plate, and one or more ribs, a bass bar being secured to an inside surface of the top plate, the bass bar comprising a layup of a plurality of laminates constructed from western red cedar and comprising particular dimensions and placement on the top plate relative to the length of the instrument body.