A musical instrument pitch changing apparatus for a musical instrument having at least a first and second string is disclosed. The apparatus includes a bender lever pivotally secured to the musical instrument, a rocker arm pivotally secured to the instrument for varying the tension in the first string in response to movement of the bender lever between the first and second positions. A rocker arm mount secures the rocker arm to the first selected string in a first bending configuration or to the second selected string in a second bending configuration. The rocker arm is movable between the first selected string and the second selected string of the musical instrument.

A support is configured to support and apply a constant or near-constant tension onto a wire or string, such as a musical string of a stringed musical instrument. The wire is attached to a carrier that moves axially. One or more springs operate between the carrier and a point that is fixed relative to the carrier and apply a transverse spring force to the carrier. A spring angle is defined between a line normal to the axis and a line of action of each spring. The transverse spring force can have an axial force component and an axial spring rate that is a function of the spring angle. The carrier can be positioned so that the axial spring rate is zero, negative or positive. A primary spring can apply a primary force directed coaxial with the wire. If the wire changes in length the primary force will correspondingly change, as will the axial force component. The transverse spring can be selected so that the axial force component of the transverse spring approximates the change in the force applied by the primary spring so that the axial force applied to the carrier and wire remains generally constant.

The invention relates to the field of musical instruments such as a guitar and, more particularly a steel guitar and devices for modifying their pitch known as benders. The bender includes at least one pedal or lever; at least one linear potentiometer responsive to movement of a pedal or lever, the potentiometer being able to produce output voltage signals; a servo motor corresponding to each potentiometer; at least one cam capable of engaging one of the strings; a logic controller configured and programmed to control a servo motor such that the servo motor moves a cam into and/or out of engagement with the associated string and thereby modifies the pitch of that string.

The invention relates to the field of musical instruments such as a guitar and, more particularly a steel guitar and devices for modifying their pitch known as benders. The bender includes at least one pedal or lever; at least one linear potentiometer responsive to movement of a pedal or lever, the potentiometer being able to produce output voltage signals; a servo motor corresponding to each potentiometer; at least one cam capable of engaging one of the strings; a logic controller configured and programmed to control a servo motor such that the servo motor moves a cam into and/or out of engagement with the associated string and thereby modifies the pitch of that string.

An improved tremolo arm is provided configured for engagement to a pivoting bridge of a stringed instrument such as a guitar. The arm features a facing surface formed in a complimentary fashion to the shape of the palm of a user's hand. The arm is engageable to conventional bridges or may be employed with an arm mount having a centered attachment point to provide an even pivoting of the bridge during use.

A string tensioner can be configured to apply a substantially constant tension to a string over an operational range even if such string stretches and contracts over time. Tension is provided by a spring. Flexers can attach the spring to a force modulation member and a frame. The flexers preferentially bend out-of-axis so that the spring does not bend out-of-axis when the force modulation member rotates. A flexible stop can prevent rotation of the force modulation member beyond a desired point, but flexes to remain in contact with the force modulation member over a small range of movement. A saddle assembly can have a pivoting saddle body that allows a string to change in length without having to slide over the saddle body. The saddle body can be configured to stay in place even if the string breaks or is otherwise removed.

A string tensioner can be configured to apply a substantially constant tension to a string over an operational range even if such string stretches and contracts over time. Tension is provided by a spring. Flexers can attach the spring to a force modulation member and a frame. The flexers preferentially bend out-of-axis so that the spring does not bend out-of-axis when the force modulation member rotates. A flexible stop can prevent rotation of the force modulation member beyond a desired point, but flexes to remain in contact with the force modulation member over a small range of movement. A saddle assembly can have a pivoting saddle body that allows a string to change in length without having to slide over the saddle body. The saddle body can be configured to stay in place even if the string breaks or is otherwise removed.

A vibrato control device for a guitar, including a body, a rotation mechanism within the body having an axis, and an arm connected to the body so as to allow rotation of the arm relative to the body about the axis. The arm is oriented so as to rotate generally parallel to the side of the body. The arm has particular application to a mechanically operated but electronically sensed vibrato control device.

A vibrato control device for a guitar, including a body, a rotation mechanism within the body having an axis, and an arm connected to the body so as to allow rotation of the arm relative to the body about the axis. The arm is oriented so as to rotate generally parallel to the side of the body. The arm has particular application to a mechanically operated but electronically sensed vibrato control device.

A string tensioner for a musical instrument is configured to support an elongated spring beam at a first end so that the spring beam extends proximally from the first end. A second end of the spring beam can be configured to attach to a musical string that is drawn distally from the second end of the spring beam over a saddle and nut. Tension applied to the musical string bends the spring beam, and thus maintains tension in the musical string. A lever arm distance is defined between the first end of the spring beam and the string. As the musical string changes length over an operating range, the degree of bending of the spring beam changes and the lever arm distance also changes so that the tension in the musical string remains substantially the same.