US Patent 7868235 Bridge system for improved acoustic coupling in stringed instruments

A bridge system for connection to the instrument body of a stringed instrument, the bridge system including at least one bridge piece configured to contact at least one string of the stringed instrument and a ramp-shaped height and tone adjustment bar between the bridge piece and the instrument body. An adjustment mechanism translates the bridge piece with respect to the height and tone adjustment bar to raise and lower the string and to provide contact between the bridge piece and the height and tone adjustment bar.