A device for altering the musical sounds produced by string instruments is disclosed. The device is adapted to be reversibly wrapped around and attached to a set of strings of a string instrument. The device includes a top portion and a bottom portion; an exterior surface and an interior surface; a sound altering material located on the interior surface at a location that is configured to make contact with the set of strings when the device is attached to a string instrument; one or more compartments located on the exterior surface that are configured to receive and hold a pick; and an aperture located on the exterior surface that is configured to receive and hold a string instrument tuner.

A chord and/or note assist assembly includes a chord and/or note forming aid having a plurality of multi-position string engaging assemblies that engage strings of a guitar in a controlled manner so as to define chords associated with playing a guitar and an extension device having a plurality of multi-position string engaging assemblies that engage strings of a guitar in a controlled manner so as to define chords associated with playing a guitar. An electronic microprocessor circuit board is electrically linked to a solid-state memory to control the plurality of multi-position string engaging assemblies of both the chord and/or note forming aid and the extension device.

A pitch changer system for a string musical instrument, including a lever assembly, a rotating saddle assembly, a swing plate, and a lever tensioning assembly. Applying force to move the lever in a first direction forces a bell crank matingly coupled to the lever into rotation such that a coupling system of the lever tensioning assembly causes the swing plate to force a rotating saddle of the rotating saddle assembly into rotation to elongate and thereby temporarily change the pitch of a string coupled to the rotating saddle.

A pitch changer system for a string musical instrument, including a lever assembly, a rotating saddle assembly, a swing plate, and a lever tensioning assembly. Applying force to move the lever in a first direction forces a bell crank matingly coupled to the lever into rotation such that a coupling system of the lever tensioning assembly causes the swing plate to force a rotating saddle of the rotating saddle assembly into rotation to elongate and thereby temporarily change the pitch of a string coupled to the rotating saddle.

A chord and/or note assist assembly includes a chord and/or note forming aid having a plurality of multi-position string engaging assemblies that engage strings of a guitar in a controlled manner so as to define chords associated with playing a guitar and an extension device having a plurality of multi-position string engaging assemblies that engage strings of a guitar in a controlled manner so as to define chords associated with playing a guitar. An electronic microprocessor circuit board is electrically linked to a solid-state memory to control the plurality of multi-position string engaging assemblies of both the chord and/or note forming aid and the extension device.

A chord and/or note assist assembly includes a chord and/or note forming aid having a plurality of multi-position string engaging assemblies that engage strings of a guitar in a controlled manner so as to define chords associated with playing a guitar and an extension device having a plurality of multi-position string engaging assemblies that engage strings of a guitar in a controlled manner so as to define chords associated with playing a guitar. An electronic microprocessor circuit board is electrically linked to a solid-state memory to control the plurality of multi-position string engaging assemblies of both the chord and/or note forming aid and the extension device.

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.

A string tensioner is 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 dampening system can slow the force modulation member's response to vibrational forces. 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 string tensioner is 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 dampening system can slow the force modulation member's response to vibrational forces. 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.

Accessories to improve the tonal qualities of a guitar or other stringed instruments include a bridge sound plate, a bridge support, a stress tube, and one or more bridge pin bolts. A bridge pin bolt may include a head, a shank, a thread, and a nut, the head of the bridge pin bolt having a void therethrough extending from a front of the head to a back of the head to receive a guitar string therethrough, the void extending upwardly from the front of the head to the back of the head. One or more of the accessories may be formed of brass or another material with good tonal properties. A sound plate may be adjustable or tunable. The accessories may be used independently, or may be used together as a system of accessories.