At least some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to necks for use in a string instrument having a proximal end, a distal end that opposes the proximal end, and an elongated neck shaft extending from the proximal end to the distal end so as to define a frontside disposed proximate a fingerboard and a backside that is opposite the fingerboard. A thickness of the elongated neck shaft is defined between the fingerboard and a backmost portion of the backside. The elongated neck shaft may include distal end portion having a distal end portion thickness that is larger than a proximal end portion thickness of the proximal end portion of the elongated neck shaft.

At least some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to necks for use in a string instrument having a proximal end, a distal end that opposes the proximal end, and an elongated neck shaft extending from the proximal end to the distal end so as to define a frontside disposed proximate a fingerboard and a backside that is opposite the fingerboard. A thickness of the elongated neck shaft is defined between the fingerboard and a backmost portion of the backside. The elongated neck shaft may include distal end portion having a distal end portion thickness that is larger than a proximal end portion thickness of the proximal end portion of the elongated neck shaft.

A pitch changer system for a string musical instrument, including a lever assembly, a rotating saddle assembly, a swing plate, and a lever tensioning assembly. Applying force to move the lever in a first direction forces a bell crank matingly coupled to the lever into rotation such that a coupling system of the lever tensioning assembly causes the swing plate to force a rotating saddle of the rotating saddle assembly into rotation to elongate and thereby temporarily change the pitch of a string coupled to the rotating saddle.

A pitch changer system for a string musical instrument, including a lever assembly, a rotating saddle assembly, a swing plate, and a lever tensioning assembly. Applying force to move the lever in a first direction forces a bell crank matingly coupled to the lever into rotation such that a coupling system of the lever tensioning assembly causes the swing plate to force a rotating saddle of the rotating saddle assembly into rotation to elongate and thereby temporarily change the pitch of a string coupled to the rotating saddle.

A fretboard for a stringed musical instrument, the musical instrument, and a method of manufacturing the fretboard. A unitary body serves as the fretboard and lies underneath a plurality of tensioned strings, extending in a longitudinal direction. The unitary body is elongated in the longitudinal direction. The unitary body includes a plurality of ridges extending transverse to the longitudinal direction and arranged in succession in the longitudinal direction to define separate frets. Each ridge is associated with a plurality of notes corresponding to the plurality of strings and is composed of a plurality of ridge segments corresponding to the plurality of strings. The plurality of ridge segments are disposed adjacent to each other and are shaped relative to each other to correct intonation of the plurality of notes. The method of manufacturing includes forming the plurality of ridges in unitary construction with the unitary body.

A fretboard for a stringed musical instrument, the musical instrument, and a method of manufacturing the fretboard. A unitary body serves as the fretboard and lies underneath a plurality of tensioned strings, extending in a longitudinal direction. The unitary body is elongated in the longitudinal direction. The unitary body includes a plurality of ridges extending transverse to the longitudinal direction and arranged in succession in the longitudinal direction to define separate frets. Each ridge is associated with a plurality of notes corresponding to the plurality of strings and is composed of a plurality of ridge segments corresponding to the plurality of strings. The plurality of ridge segments are disposed adjacent to each other and are shaped relative to each other to correct intonation of the plurality of notes. The method of manufacturing includes forming the plurality of ridges in unitary construction with the unitary body.

A modular and customizable construction for a guitar is disclosed. The construction may include a substantially flat metal guitar base plate that couples to interchangeable guitar components, such as a guitar body, a fretboard, and guitar string tuners. Further provided is a moveable nut that is used to adjust guitar string scale length via nut blocks that are separately adjustable relative to one another. Even further provided is a computer program product that allows for development of custom fingerboards that cater to a specific player's requirements and are optimized for alternative tunings and temperaments.

A modular and customizable construction for a guitar is disclosed. The construction may include a substantially flat metal guitar base plate that couples to interchangeable guitar components, such as a guitar body, a fretboard, and guitar string tuners. Further provided is a moveable nut that is used to adjust guitar string scale length via nut blocks that are separately adjustable relative to one another. Even further provided is a computer program product that allows for development of custom fingerboards that cater to a specific player's requirements and are optimized for alternative tunings and temperaments.

The retainer for securing a musical instrument string to a body of a musical instrument includes a first casing portion defining a first opening and a ball-end chamber therein. The first opening is located at a proximal end of the retainer and a second casing portion is located at a distal end of the first casing portion. The second casing portion defines a passageway from the ball-end chamber to a second opening located at a distal end of the retainer. The passageway length is greater than the ball-end chamber length, and the ball-end chamber width is greater the passageway width.

The retainer for securing a musical instrument string to a body of a musical instrument includes a first casing portion defining a first opening and a ball-end chamber therein. The first opening is located at a proximal end of the retainer and a second casing portion is located at a distal end of the first casing portion. The second casing portion defines a passageway from the ball-end chamber to a second opening located at a distal end of the retainer. The passageway length is greater than the ball-end chamber length, and the ball-end chamber width is greater the passageway width.