Patent ID: 8153873

Claim:
A method of using a stringed musical instrument having a combination intonated string nut and string-locking mechanism for a musical string instrument with a fretted fingerboard, said combination intonated string nut and string-locking mechanism comprising: a string-nut fulcrum for each individual string, wherein each said string-nut fulcrum has a varying linear position in relation to each said individual string, wherein each said string-nut fulcrum is positioned at a varying depth relative to a front face of said combination intonated string nut and string-locking mechanism in order to provide the ideal amount of linear compensation for each of said strings, whereby said varying linear position provides the optimum compensation amount for each said individual string, when each said individual string is caused to vibrate between a bridge fulcrum and said string-nut fulcrum, and whereby as a result of said optimum compensation, the musical notes produced will be in tune relative to each other when each said individual string is caused to vibrate between said bridge fulcrum and any one of a plurality of fret fulcrums; and a string-locking means, wherein said string-locking means provides a rigid linear position securability of each of said individual strings at each of said string-nut fulcrums by means of compressing each of said strings between a first rigid surface with a fixed position and a second rigid surface that is height adjustable and position lockable; the method comprising the steps of: ensuring that said combination intonated string nut and string-locking mechanism is installed on the neck of a target stringed and fretted musical instrument; ensuring that each string of said musical instrument is suspended at one end at the upper neck of said musical instrument by its associated string-nut fulcrum, which has been positioned at a predetermined depth in order to provide the ideal amount of linear compensation for the associated string; as necessary, adjusting each string tension by its associated tuner on the headstock of said musical instrument; ensuring that each string is locked into a rigid linear position by said string-locking means; and playing said musical instrument by causing at least one string on said musical instrument to vibrate.