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.

A pickup, a stringed instrument, and a pickup control method are disclosed. The pickup comprises: pickup components(110), multi-touch screens(130) and processing components(140). The multi-touch screens(130) and the processing components(140) are connected. The pickup components(110) and the processing components(140) are connected. The pickup components(110) is configured to pick up sound information emitted by a musical instrument. The multi-touch screen(130) is configured to display function application information that is selected from a group consisting of timbre adjustment function application information, tone adjustment function application information, and equalizer adjustment function application information. The multi-touch screen is configured to receive a function triggering instruction. The multi-touch screen displays information as to functional applications available through the pickup capabilities. Control functions available to a user are expanded beyond control by a single knob as in the prior art, the playing experience of a user on the instrument is enhanced.

An expandable carrying case comprises first and second compartments. The first compartment includes a plurality of first walls forming a first space therebetween. A first opening is positioned on one of the plurality of first walls. The first opening is configured to be opened for access to the first space, and also configured to be closed to enclose the first space. The second compartment is coupled to the first compartment and configured to be stored within the first compartment to a stored state, and also configured to extend from the first compartment to an extended state. The second compartment includes a plurality of second walls forming a second space therebetween. A second opening is positioned on one of the plurality of second walls. The second opening is configured to be opened for access to the second space, and also configured to be closed.

Systems and methods for translating strings of a stringed instruments as well as providing for adjustable tensioning. In embodiments, a stringed instrument, may include an instrument body having a front side and a back side wherein, as with most stringed instruments, the strings are disposed on the front side of the body for playing. Different from conventional stringed instruments though, at least a portion of at least one string may be disposed on the backside of the body as well. Thus, a first set of string anchor points are disposed on front side and a second set of string anchor points are disposed on the back side. That is, the strings are translated form the front side to the back side by passing the one or more translated strings through an aperture in the body called a through-bridge. Further, embodiments may include additional versatility by having adjustable tensioning systems.

An actuator system for a foldable stringed instrument (for example, a travel guitar). The actuator system serves two primary function: 1) to selectively retract and extend a ram rod used to unlock and lock a mid-neck hinge of the foldable stringed instrument.

A three-piece modular stringed instrument comprising a body module, a neck module, and a tremolo module with expedited assembling and disassembling steps enabled by the design of a tremolo system to expand its use of the pivotal string tension control in synergistic combination with an additional leveraging string tension control at the neck end of the strings, as well as a streamlined neck joint system comprising an oversized neck pocket, a self-adjusting axial coupling, and an adjustably static side-to-side neck clamping structure. The saddle design of the tremolo system comprises the generic machine tuners for conventional electric guitar instruments on a modular headless guitar format with conversion functionality between a full tremolo-enabled configuration and a hardtail configuration.

A system, method, and apparatus for shaping frets can comprise a fret tool, the fret tool further comprising a fret tool body configured with at least one edge, the at least one edge further comprising a groove with a filing surface therein. The groove can be selected to have an incomplete radial shape on each side, with the respective radial walls of the groove being moved toward one another to form a point or crease at the center of the groove.

An adjustable bridge unit for use with a stringed instrument, such as an electric guitar. The construction of the unit allows for an unimpeded string path from the rear of an adjustable height bridge in a downward trajectory toward a tailpiece. Moreover, the bridge unit may be used to perform a variety of corrective measures, such as saddle height, intonation, and string alignment.

One or more embodiments of a device for securing guitar modulators is shown. The device includes a face, a bracket, and a base. The face defines a hole that extends completely through the face with a first length in a first direction and a first width in a second direction perpendicular to the first direction, wherein the first length is greater than the first width. The bracket connects under the face and extends in the first direction parallel to the hole and is configured to allow a grommet to slide along the bracket in the first direction. The base is configured to support the face.

This invention is an apparatus for straightening a guitar bridge or guitar bridge assembly comprising a U-shaped receptacle with a bottom, a first face and a second face; an adjustable drive on the first face that places force on the bridge; and at least two opposing braces on the second face, and wherein the second face is grooved to create a space between the receptacle and the bridge, and wherein the first and second face contain a sight line and the apparatus contains an adjustable drive which is capable of being turned by a hex wrench so that the force of the adjustable drive on one side and the two opposing braces change the shape of the bridge to a desired shape. The invention is also related to a method for straightening a guitar bridge.