The present invention is directed to a capo, or a fretpad for a capo, for use with a stringed musical instrument. The fretpad is manufactured from a pliable material that mimics the compression of a human finger, and which prevents the instrument from going out of tune prematurely. The fretpad insert is radiused and configured to be insertable into a frame, which may be detachably connected to a capo body.

A capo for a musical instrument includes a yoke with a center section and two opposed branches. A clamping bar, pivotally connected to one yoke branch, includes an engaging boss which fits into a machined notch of a second yoke branch, to releasably lock the clamping bar between the branches of the yoke. A resilient, string-contacting member is located on the main body of the clamping bar. The yoke's center section has a central bore therein with a non-circular cross section which may be X-shaped, and also has a hollow passage extending in a direction which is perpendicular to an axis of the central bore. A saddle member has a central stem extending through, and configured to slidably fit into the yoke's central bore, and a seat is attached to the stem. An adjustment member is provided for adjusting a position of the saddle member on the yoke.

A capo for a musical instrument includes a yoke with a center section and two opposed branches. A clamping bar, pivotally connected to one yoke branch, includes an engaging boss which fits into a machined notch of a second yoke branch, to releasably lock the clamping bar between the branches of the yoke. A resilient, string-contacting member is located on the main body of the clamping bar. The yoke's center section has a central bore therein with a non-circular cross section which may be X-shaped, and also has a hollow passage extending in a direction which is perpendicular to an axis of the central bore. A saddle member has a central stem extending through, and configured to slidably fit into the yoke's central bore, and a seat is attached to the stem. An adjustment member is provided for adjusting a position of the saddle member on the yoke.

A playing aid for a stringed musical instrument comprised of an elastic member attached to a capo at one end and near the bridge at the other end. The elastic member has marks along its length indicating a certain number of frets between that mark and the capo. When the capo is attached in different locations along the neck, the elastic member stretches such that the number of frets between the capo and each marker is constant regardless of the capo position.

A playing aid for a stringed musical instrument comprised of an elastic member attached to a capo at one end and near the bridge at the other end. The elastic member has marks along its length indicating a certain number of frets between that mark and the capo. When the capo is attached in different locations along the neck, the elastic member stretches such that the number of frets between the capo and each marker is constant regardless of the capo position.

A pitch adjusting device, such as a capo, and a method for adjusting the pitch for a stringed instrument that comprises a neck. The capo comprises at least one string actuating member that is an elongated member held to the capo by a biasing means such that the string actuating member extends along the extension direction of the neck when the capo is attached to the stringed instrument. The string actuating member is adjustable in a linear direction along said extension direction at the biasing means.

A pitch adjusting device, such as a capo, and a method for adjusting the pitch for a stringed instrument that comprises a neck. The capo comprises at least one string actuating member that is an elongated member held to the capo by a biasing means such that the string actuating member extends along the extension direction of the neck when the capo is attached to the stringed instrument. The string actuating member is adjustable in a linear direction along said extension direction at the biasing means.

Method and apparatus for a capo for a fretted instrument with a plurality of strings. The capo base having been bent into a u-shape, with a barrier of Velcro on the bottom side where the capo contacts on the strings, protecting them, also said Velcro will not let the strings move laterally, out of tune. Having also Velcro on the inside of the rear of the capo to protect the finish on the instruments' side. The capo covers two adjacent frets, pressing the body of the capo to the frets and not to the fretboard, eliminating excessive string sharpness. The capo having a thumbnut on the bottom to tighten the capo down on the strings.

Method and apparatus for a capo for a fretted instrument with a plurality of strings. The capo base having been bent into a u-shape, with a barrier of Velcro on the bottom side where the capo contacts on the strings, protecting them, also said Velcro will not let the strings move laterally, out of tune. Having also Velcro on the inside of the rear of the capo to protect the finish on the instruments' side. The capo covers two adjacent frets, pressing the body of the capo to the frets and not to the fretboard, eliminating excessive string sharpness. The capo having a thumbnut on the bottom to tighten the capo down on the strings.

Disclosed is a locking tool for guitar strings and associated use methods. One embodiment provides a string locking device having a base affixed to a neck of the guitar. The base includes a compression bed bordered by proximal and distal sets of string channels, where the strings enter through the proximal channels, extend across the compression bed, and exit through the distal channels. The locking device also includes a press that is rotatively coupled to the base and a fastening mechanism configured to secure the press in a closed position relative to the base. The press may pivot between an open position in which the press is offset from the base and a closed position in which the press is secured against the compression bed such that the strings are secured between the press and the compression bed, preventing the strings from detuning during play. Other embodiments are disclosed.