Guitar strings made of a magnetic copper-nickel-tin-manganese alloy are disclosed. Also disclosed are processing steps that can be performed to fabricate the guitar strings from the alloy. Further described herein are alternative uses for the strings on other electric stringed instruments.

A plectrum for use with a stringed musical instrument is provided. The plectrum includes a rigid outer shell and an inlay portion, partially inserted within, and secured to, the outer shell. A portion of the inlay portion extends beyond the outer shell. The outer shell includes a first material configured to produce first tonal properties in a string of a stringed musical instrument when placed in contact with the string, and the inlay portion includes a second material configured to produce second tonal properties in the string when placed in contact with the string. The first tonal properties are different from the second tonal properties.

A frog, and a bow with a frog, for stringed musical instruments is disclosed. The frog is made with a body from stabilized wood. The speed of sound through the frog body is enhanced resulting in more beautiful music.

Sonic improvement for all stringed instruments that employ a fulcrum tremolo bridge system with back of instrument counter tensioning springs. The improvement is provided by securing springs to claw assembly, as well as securing claw assemble to a flat plate of material which is in turn secured to instrument body. The claw and resonator plate can be fabricated as two individual pieces then fastened together or as a combined one piece assemble that is then fastened to instrument body.

Sonic improvement for all stringed instruments that employ a fulcrum tremolo bridge system with back of instrument counter tensioning springs. The improvement is provided by securing springs to claw assembly, as well as securing claw assemble to a flat plate of material which is in turn secured to instrument body. The claw and resonator plate can be fabricated as two individual pieces then fastened together or as a combined one piece assemble that is then fastened to instrument body.

A instrument string stretching assembly for stretching instrument strings during the manufacturing process includes a curved panel that has a plurality of channels each extending through the curved panel. A plurality of instrument strings can be inserted into a respective one of the channels having each of the instrument strings extending outwardly through the respective channel. A stretching unit is aligned with each of the plurality of channels in the curved panel and the stretching unit is actuatable into a lifting condition or a lowering condition. A clamping unit is attached to the stretching unit to grip each of the plurality of instrument strings. The stretching unit lifts the clamping unit upwardly thereby stretching the instrument strings along the plurality of channels in the curved panel.

Material selection systems and methods for constructing a musical instrument and/or where a selected material is a wood material are disclosed. One example material selection system includes a rating module and a rating database. The rating module includes an excitation device configured to act upon material samples; a vibration receiver in cooperation with the excitation device; a rating computer coupled to the vibration receiver, the rating computer configured to execute stored instructions for determining a set of material sample ratings based on FFT analysis of data collected by the vibration receiver; and an output device operatively coupled to the rating computer, the output device configured to output the determined set of material sample ratings to a rating database. Each set of material sample ratings is associated with a material sample. Another example material selection system may further include a selection module with a selection computer coupled to the rating database.

Electroacoustic bouzouki with perforated vessel, for exercise as well as for concerts having a neck (1) which reaches until tailpiece (2), head (3), tuning keys for fastening strings (4), electromagnet (5) and bridge (6) on the front part (7) over which the strings pass (4), preamplifier (9) and amplifier (10) in its body, output (12), electric signal and battery (16), bearing, a rear part called vessel (13). The vessel carries on its surface at least one user-defined opening of any shape and is mounted on the front part (7) of the body by gluing or screwing. The best use of the electroacoustic bouzouki with perforated vessel takes place when the number of openings ranges from 2 to 6.

Disclosed is a fingerboard protector for stringed musical instruments which demonstrates a novel solution to the problem of fingerboard wear caused by the players fingers making contact with the fingerboard. This physical contact in addition to the natural acidity of the players fingers can wear down the fingerboard creating indentations as well as contaminating the fingerboard with tarnish and grime. In the case of a fretless instrument, the strings are pushed directly into the fingerboard causing wear to occur at a much faster rate. My present invention sets out to solve this problem by creating a fingerboard protector safeguarding it from undesirable wear during normal playing of the instrument. The ease of installation and removal will appeal to musicians who want to protect their instrument as well as give it a new and unique look.

The present invention concerns soundboard apparatus for a musical instrument, the apparatus comprising a soundboard substrate formed of composite fibrous resin bonded material having a thickness of between 0.75 mm and 3 mm; and an outer layer formed of ultra-violet light blocking material having a thickness of between 0.5 and 0.9 mm. Further, the present invention relates to a method of forming a soundboard apparatus, the method comprising the steps of: bonding multiple layers of woven or straight stranded fibrous material in a resinous matrix to form a soundboard substrate, wherein the soundboard substrate is formed such that it is oversized with respect to final soundboard substrate dimensions; and finishing the soundboard substrate to form the final substrate, the finishing process being constrained to ensure that the final substrate dimensions are not compromised.