Fully tempered duplex scale

A stringed instrument, comprising:

• a plurality of string sets, each string set comprising one or more strings having a speaking length portion tuned to a respective frequency, the string sets together forming a graduated musical scale that ascends from a lower frequency to a higher frequency, the strings of each respective string set being divided between at least a duplex length portion and the speaking length portion, a ratio between a length of string in the speaking length portion and a length of string in the duplex length portion defining a duplex ratio, the string sets being further arranged into at least a first grouping of two or more of the string sets and a second grouping of two or more of the string sets, the strings in the first grouping having a first duplex ratio and the strings in the second grouping having a second duplex ratio,
• wherein the strings in the first grouping are tuned to higher frequencies than the strings in the second grouping,
• wherein the number of string sets in the first grouping is greater than the number of string sets in the second grouping, and
• wherein the strings of each respective string set further include a hitching length portion, the hitching length portion for a respective string set being equal or substantially equal in length to the speaking length portion for the respective string set.

A stringed instrument, comprising:

• a plurality of string sets, each string set comprising strings tuned to a respective frequency, the string sets being arranged so that the respective frequencies for the string sets progress from a lower frequency to a higher frequency, the strings of each respective string sets being divided between at least a duplex length portion and a speaking length portion, a ratio between a length of the strings in the speaking length portion and a length of the strings in the duplex length portion defining a duplex ratio;
• and
• a duplex string rest positioned at a termination of the duplex length portion of at least one of the strings, the duplex string rest comprising a non-metal synthetic material configured to reduce transmission of the longitudinal vibrational mode on the at least one of the strings, and
• wherein the strings of each respective string set further include a hitching length portion, the hitching length portion for a respective string set being equal or substantially equal in length to the speaking length portion for the respective string set.

A stringed instrument, comprising:

• a plurality of strings;
• a capo bar coupled to a frame of the stringed instrument and having a capo bar string contact element that contacts the plurality of strings and thereby divides the strings into duplex length portions and speaking length portions, the capo bar being formed of a first material and defining a hollow region;
• and
• a damping element formed from a second material different than the first material and located in the hollow region of the capo bar, the second material being configured to dampen the transmission of vibrations from the capo bar string contact element to the frame of the stringed instrument,
• wherein each of the strings includes a speaking length portion and a hitching length portion, the hitching length portion for a respective string being equal or substantially equal in length to the speaking length portion for the respective string.

A stringed instrument, comprising:

• a plurality of string sets, each string set comprising strings tuned to a respective frequency, the string sets being arranged so that respective frequencies for the string sets progress from a lower frequency to a higher frequency;
• and
• a string rest positioned at a termination of a speaking length of at least one of the strings, the string rest comprising a non-metal synthetic material configured to reduce transmission of the longitudinal vibrational mode on the at least one of the strings,
• wherein the strings of each respective string set further include a speaking length portion and a hitching length portion, the hitching length portion for a respective string set being equal or substantially equal in length to the speaking length portion for the respective string set.

A stringed instrument, comprising:

• a plurality of string sets, each string set comprising strings tuned to a respective frequency, the string sets being arranged so that the respective frequencies for the string sets progress from a lower frequency to a higher frequency, the strings of each respective string sets being divided between at least a hitching length portion and a speaking length portion;
• and
• a hitching string rest positioned at a termination of the hitching length portion of at least one of the strings, the hitching string rest comprising a non-metal synthetic material configured to reduce transmission of the longitudinal vibrational mode on the at least one of the strings,
• wherein the strings of each respective string set further include a speaking length portion and a hitching length portion, the hitching length portion for a respective string set being equal or substantially equal in length to the speaking length portion for the respective string set.