Apparatus and methods for securing a string to an acoustic, stringed instrument are disclosed. Example apparatus include string anchors secured to a bridge of the stringed instrument. The apparatus provide components enabling selective tensioning of the string. A seat arrangement provided by string anchors receives an anchor end of string and the string passes from the seat arrangement through a base arrangement and towards a headstock of the acoustic instrument.

Apparatus and methods for securing a string to an acoustic, stringed instrument are disclosed. Example apparatus include string anchors secured to a bridge of the stringed instrument. The apparatus provide components enabling selective tensioning of the string. A seat arrangement provided by string anchors receives an anchor end of string and the string passes from the seat arrangement through a base arrangement and towards a headstock of the acoustic instrument.

Certain embodiments of the present invention are directed to a device for shaping and/or adjusting the shape and/or height of a guitar saddle. The present invention allows for the radius and/or height of the guitar saddle to be shaped and adjusted accurately using dial indicators coupled to mechanical positioning apparatus that provide for positioning of a saddle or saddle material for removal of a prescribed amount of material from the top of the guitar saddle while maintaining the radius.

Certain embodiments of the present invention are directed to a device for shaping and/or adjusting the shape and/or height of a guitar saddle. The present invention allows for the radius and/or height of the guitar saddle to be shaped and adjusted accurately using dial indicators coupled to mechanical positioning apparatus that provide for positioning of a saddle or saddle material for removal of a prescribed amount of material from the top of the guitar saddle while maintaining the radius.

The invention relates to an attachment arrangement for the strings of a stringed instrument, especially a guitar. To the body of the stringed instrument is attached a bridge body, first restraining means for restraining the strings from the first end area, second restraining means, which are arranged in conjunction with the bridge body for restraining the strings from the second end area. Lever means are arranged in conjunction with the bridge body in order to move the second restraining means for temporarily loosening and/or tightening the strings by means of a lever part included in the lever means. The lever means are provided with moving means comprising at least one moving mechanism, which is a mechanism separate from the lever means. One or more second restraining means are arranged to move with respect to the bridge body. The moving means are arranged to transmit the movement of the lever means into the desired movement of one or more restraining means.

The invention relates to an attachment arrangement for the strings of a stringed instrument, especially a guitar. To the body of the stringed instrument is attached a bridge body, first restraining means for restraining the strings from the first end area, second restraining means, which are arranged in conjunction with the bridge body for restraining the strings from the second end area. Lever means are arranged in conjunction with the bridge body in order to move the second restraining means for temporarily loosening and/or tightening the strings by means of a lever part included in the lever means. The lever means are provided with moving means comprising at least one moving mechanism, which is a mechanism separate from the lever means. One or more second restraining means are arranged to move with respect to the bridge body. The moving means are arranged to transmit the movement of the lever means into the desired movement of one or more restraining means.

Disclosed is a torsion based tremolo apparatus that includes a moving plate rotatably coupled to a mounting plate. A torsion device imparts torsional force to the moving plate relative to the mounting plate around an axis of rotation. The mounting plate is used to attach the tremolo apparatus to a guitar or other string musical instrument. Adjustable bridge clamps and tuning plates coupled to the moving plate may be used to set the tension on the instrument strings as desired. Rotation of the moving plate relative to the mounting plate alters the tension on the instrument strings.

Disclosed is a torsion based tremolo apparatus that includes a moving plate rotatably coupled to a mounting plate. A torsion device imparts torsional force to the moving plate relative to the mounting plate around an axis of rotation. The mounting plate is used to attach the tremolo apparatus to a guitar or other string musical instrument. Adjustable bridge clamps and tuning plates coupled to the moving plate may be used to set the tension on the instrument strings as desired. Rotation of the moving plate relative to the mounting plate alters the tension on the instrument strings.

A foldable stringed instrument, for example in the form of a travel guitar that folds mid-neck to assume a reduced profile is described. The mid-neck folding is accomplished in a symmetrical manner about a three-part hinge located in the neck to configure the travel guitar into a reduced profile. The bridge assembly can be translated longitudinally relative to the head of the guitar to allow sufficient detensioning of the guitar strings to enable an upper portion of the neck to be folded away from a lower portion of the neck and/or body to assume a reduced profile. To deploy the travel guitar for playing, the upper portion of the neck is unfolded into alignment with the lower portion of the neck and/or body, and the bridge assembly translated longitudinally relative to the head and locked in position to allow the guitar to be tuned for playing.

A foldable stringed instrument, for example in the form of a travel guitar that folds mid-neck to assume a reduced profile is described. The mid-neck folding is accomplished in a symmetrical manner about a three-part hinge located in the neck to configure the travel guitar into a reduced profile. The bridge assembly can be translated longitudinally relative to the head of the guitar to allow sufficient detensioning of the guitar strings to enable an upper portion of the neck to be folded away from a lower portion of the neck and/or body to assume a reduced profile. To deploy the travel guitar for playing, the upper portion of the neck is unfolded into alignment with the lower portion of the neck and/or body, and the bridge assembly translated longitudinally relative to the head and locked in position to allow the guitar to be tuned for playing.