Active bridge for stringed musical instruments

A musical instrument, comprising:

• a musical instrument body;
• a vibrating element;
• a sound amplifier for producing musical sounds from vibrations of the vibrating element when the instrument is played;
• a structure supporting the vibrating element to permit vibrations, the structure coupled to the vibrating element to modify the vibrations in response to a drive signal and to produce an electrical signal related to the vibrations of the vibrating element;
• and
• a signal conditioner responsive to the electrical signal for producing the drive signal to alter musical sounds produced by the vibrations to emulate an instrument having different acoustical characteristics when played.

A musical instrument comprising:

• a musical instrument body;
• a vibrating element associated with the musical instrument body for producing musical sounds;
• a sensor responsive to forces between the musical instrument body and the vibrating element;
• and
• a signal conditioner responsive to forces sensed by the sensor for simulating the response of the musical instrument body to the vibrating element to alter the musical sounds produced by the instrument to emulate a musical instrument with different musical characteristics when played.