Patent ID: 8017844

Claim:
A stringed musical instrument comprising: a tensioned string having a string end; a bridge seat receiving the tensioned string; a pivot post, wherein the pivot post comprises an integral knife edge seat; an anchor block having a string anchor receiving the string end; and an anchor pivot comprising the integral knife edge seat and a knife edge extending from the anchor block and engaging the knife edge seat, wherein the anchor pivot connects the anchor block to the pivot post such that the anchor block pivots relative to the pivot post, wherein, the anchor block is displaceable with respect to the bridge seat, wherein, the bridge seat receives the tensioned string so as to form a string apex, and wherein, upon displacement of the anchor block with respect to the bridge seat, the anchor block pivots relative to the pivot post in response to bias exerted by the tensioned string so as to align in a substantially straight line the anchor pivot, the string end and the string apex, wherein the string end includes a retaining ball, wherein, the string anchor includes a slotted cylindrical bore disposed in the anchor block, the retaining ball retained within the slotted cylindrical bore, wherein, upon displacement of the anchor block with respect to the bridge seat, the anchor block pivots about the pivot post in response to bias exerted by the tensioned string so as to generally linearly align the anchor pivot, the retaining ball and the string apex, further comprising a tuner arm, wherein, the pivot post is connected to the tuner arm in a displaceable manner such that displacement of the pivot post with respect to the tuner arm displaces the anchor block with respect to the bridge seat.