A toy guitar includes a guitar body defining an interior space. The toy guitar may further include a track extending within the interior space from an opening of the guitar body. The toy guitar may further include a guitar neck arranged partially in the opening. The neck is manipulateable between an extended position in which the guitar neck extends from the guitar body and a retracted position in which the guitar neck is at least partially retracted into the interior space along the track. In some cases, the guitar neck may include a retention structure configured to retain the guitar neck in the extended position. The toy guitar may also include an input assembly integrated with the guitar neck configured to cause the toy guitar to emit a light or a sound upon receipt of an input when the guitar neck is in the extended position.

A toy guitar includes a guitar body defining an interior space. The toy guitar may further include a track extending within the interior space from an opening of the guitar body. The toy guitar may further include a guitar neck arranged partially in the opening. The neck is manipulateable between an extended position in which the guitar neck extends from the guitar body and a retracted position in which the guitar neck is at least partially retracted into the interior space along the track. In some cases, the guitar neck may include a retention structure configured to retain the guitar neck in the extended position. The toy guitar may also include an input assembly integrated with the guitar neck configured to cause the toy guitar to emit a light or a sound upon receipt of an input when the guitar neck is in the extended position.

Exemplary embodiments of stringed instruments including extended string retaining saddle straps are disclosed. The exemplary embodiments include an extended string retaining saddle strap connected to each of, and between, a string connection to the instrument's strings at a bottom portion of a body portion of the stringed instrument and a saddle strap connector at an upper portion of the body portion of the stringed instrument. In an aspect, the saddle strap connector may be connected to a neck block portion joining a neck portion of the stringed instrument to the body portion, within a hollow interior of the body portion. In an aspect, connecting the extended string retaining saddle strap to each of, and between, the string connection and the saddle strap connector creates a tension that tends to pull the string connection and the saddle strap connector towards each other.

An improved body for a stringed instrument wherein the base of the neck slides into a body pocket and onto a flexible protrusion, both made of the body material. The flexible protrusion is drawn toward the pocket by a fastener thereby clamping the base of the neck to the instrument body. No metal parts attach to the base of the neck. The only metal parts involved are the threaded fastener which draws the flexible protrusion toward the pocket and the threaded insert in the flexible protrusion to which this fastener threads. Most of the clamping assembly is hidden inside the body and neck and is not visible when the body and neck are connected. The neck can be removed and replaced rapidly allowing instrument storage in a smaller space and allowing necks of varying scale lengths, fret configurations, or fretboard radius to be attached to the same instrument.

An improved body for a stringed instrument wherein the base of the neck slides into a body pocket and onto a flexible protrusion, both made of the body material. The flexible protrusion is drawn toward the pocket by a fastener thereby clamping the base of the neck to the instrument body. No metal parts attach to the base of the neck. The only metal parts involved are the threaded fastener which draws the flexible protrusion toward the pocket and the threaded insert in the flexible protrusion to which this fastener threads. Most of the clamping assembly is hidden inside the body and neck and is not visible when the body and neck are connected. The neck can be removed and replaced rapidly allowing instrument storage in a smaller space and allowing necks of varying scale lengths, fret configurations, or fretboard radius to be attached to the same instrument.

A stringed instrument has a stringed instrument neck that is removably attached to a stringed instrument body. A back plate is attached to a recess in a back side of the stringed instrument body. A latching mechanism can be mechanically affixed to the back plate. A latch pin retainer of the latching mechanism can include a slot formed therein. A latch pin can extend through the slot of the latch pin retainer, where the latch pin can be resiliently urged into a first position, with a lip of the latch pin operable to be secured against a latch pin catch disposed in the stringed instrument neck. A button is operable to move the latch pin into a second position with the lip disengaged from the latch pin catch, permitting separation of the stringed instrument neck from the stringed instrument body. A headstock can further be removably attached to the neck.

A stringed instrument has a stringed instrument neck that is removably attached to a stringed instrument body. A back plate is attached to a recess in a back side of the stringed instrument body. A latching mechanism can be mechanically affixed to the back plate. A latch pin retainer of the latching mechanism can include a slot formed therein. A latch pin can extend through the slot of the latch pin retainer, where the latch pin can be resiliently urged into a first position, with a lip of the latch pin operable to be secured against a latch pin catch disposed in the stringed instrument neck. A button is operable to move the latch pin into a second position with the lip disengaged from the latch pin catch, permitting separation of the stringed instrument neck from the stringed instrument body. A headstock can further be removably attached to the neck.

A foldable stringed instrument having a neck and/or body that may assume a reduced profile by folding an upper neck portion away from the playing position through the use of a translating bridge assembly and a translating truss assembly, wherein the foldable stringed instrument is capable of housing or otherwise being coupled to any of a variety of electronics or electrical components (e.g. a smart phone or tablet computer) having one or more applications (apps) for driving the operation, functionality and/or effects associated with the foldable stringed instrument.

A guitar is a stringed instrument including a body with a removable lid, bridge/saddle ensemble, two-piece neck, and head (with string channels) so all parts can fit into the instrument's body. The body and lower half of the neck are assembled (and disassembled) using a tongue-and-groove system. The neck pieces are adjoined with repeatable precision using 3 steel rod and tube assemblies. The head slides on and off the end of the neck using two rods/pins and a neck conforming head-to-neck stabilization receptacle. The removable bridge/saddle combination uses a pivot, bridge stabilizer, and pin system to hold it flush to the body, and when pinned down, holds all other pieces in place via the instrument's string tension.

A guitar is a stringed instrument including a body with a removable lid, bridge/saddle ensemble, two-piece neck, and head (with string channels) so all parts can fit into the instrument's body. The body and lower half of the neck are assembled (and disassembled) using a tongue-and-groove system. The neck pieces are adjoined with repeatable precision using 3 steel rod and tube assemblies. The head slides on and off the end of the neck using two rods/pins and a neck conforming head-to-neck stabilization receptacle. The removable bridge/saddle combination uses a pivot, bridge stabilizer, and pin system to hold it flush to the body, and when pinned down, holds all other pieces in place via the instrument's string tension.