1178results about "Guitars" patented technology

An apparatus and method is disclosed for storing, editing, deleting and visually displaying personal information within a stringed musical instrument. A hand-held type computer (34) located in and forming a portion of the envelope or housing of the stringed musical instrument displays personal information to a user from a display screen (44). For example, a user can store, retrieve, edit and delete information such as complete song tablature, contact names, phone numbers, play lists for performance, schedules of shows etc. from within the instrument.

An electric stringed instrument, e.g. an electric guitar, featuring a body having a rectangular shaped, through-the-body cutout between the neck and bridge, and having a connector in a portion of the cutout. Pins on the connector are wired to electronic control components that are permanently fixed in the body. A rapidly interchangeable pickup assembly containing one or more pickups, in any combination of single and dual coils, fits into the cutout. Many and varied pickup assemblies, each with different characteristics of tone, strength, and frequency range emphasis can be interchangeably installed into the cutout. A connector on the pickup assembly mates with the body connector, thus accomplishing an electrical connection between the pickups in the assembly and the control electronics. The pickup assembly, having no control electronics on it, is light, compact, and easily maneuvered with one hand into and out of the cutout from the rear of the instrument. Once securely installed, the pickup assembly is in the optimum position to respond to string vibration. This vibration is converted into an electrical signal, sent and processed through the control electronics to an external unit for amplification.

An apparatus and method for a note locator for stringed instruments and method of use. Note locator (10) comprises a flexible planar top and bottom surface wherein the top surface has note position indicators (60) of color and the bottom surface has an adhesive for placement beneath the strings of the instrument along the fingerboard without interfering with the normal operation of the instrument. The user learns correct finger placement by visually identifying colors with notes of the equitempered chromatic scale. Diatonic scale note position indicators (32, 36, 38, 42, 46, 50, and 52) are indicated with various distinct colors while other half step note position indicators (30, 34, 40, 44, and 48) are indicated with a color different from that of the diatonic scale note position indicators. Segmentation (70,72) is provided for dividing note locator (10) so that segments can be added or removed from the fingerboard if desired.

An electronic musical instrument for producing musical notes comprises an onset signal sensor for sensing the initiation of a note played on the musical instrument. An electronic fingerboard determines the pitch of the note sensed by the sensor. The electronic fingerboard comprises a first layer of film, a second layer of film and a spacer member between the first and second layers of film. The first and second layers are movable relative to each other between a first inactive position in which the first and second layers are separate from each other along their respective lengths and a second active position in which the first and second layers are in contact with each other at a user selected point along their respective lengths. The pitch is determined by the resistance between the first and second layers at the user selected point.

An automatic tuning system for a stringed instrument is provided having a string adjustment assembly comprising a motor and gear assembly, wherein the motor and gear assembly is pivotable on a housing for the tuning system. The system can also include a vibrato arm in contact with the motor and gear assembly, and a vibrato return spring in contact with both the motor and gear assembly and the instrument, which is capable of reversibly changing the position of a string contact surface in the string adjustment assembly with respect to the string, thereby lowering the pitch of the string and then raising it to its original pitch. The system can also include an option board for wireless communication with remote components such as a remote footswitch or other type of control panel. Other remote devices may also be wirelessly connected to the tuning system, including other instruments, audio devices for receiving sound, and the like. The system comprises a processor that can be preprogrammed with generic instructions for motor movement to achieve specific pitch changes and can also be programmed to store the motor instructions required to achieve specific pitch changes each time the system performs an automatic tuning correction, and to utilize these instructions the next time the system is tuned. The system is capable of performing fine tuning corrections as well as of prompting a user to perform coarse-tuning corrections. It also allows a user to change tunings while playing.

A vibrato device for an instrument, such as a guitar, comprises a base plate having a forward side with a pivot means and at least one elongated bridge post fixed thereto. Each bridge post is fixed to at least one of the strings of the instrument above a top surface of the base plate and includes a spring fixed below a bottom surface thereof. The spring generally balances the string tension around the pivot means. A vibrato handle is fixed to the base plate, and when moved it causes the base plate to pivot around the pivot means and the effective pitch of each string is changed accordingly. Yet each string may be tuned against the string biasing means independently of any other string since each string has its own spring biasing means.

A portable travel guitar comprises a removable neck and a tapered removable panel attached to an opening in the body of the guitar by an airtight joint. Pre-tensioned strings attached to the removable panel bias it towards the closed position. Items can be stored inside the body of the guitar for ease of storage inside luggage. An auxiliary panel is provided permitting using the body of the guitar as separate luggage.

A display device for guitar tuners and a method of displaying the tuned states of guitar strings. The method is performed such that the control unit performs control so that the backlight emits light having a predetermined color by turning on the backlight when a tuner is turned on, and then performs control so that the backlight emits light having a different color when the tuning of guitar strings is completed using the display device, which includes a Liquid-Crystal Display (LCD) panel provided in an equalizer mounted to a guitar body, and configured to display the tuned states of the guitar strings, a backlight mounted behind the LCD panel, and a control unit configured to control the LCD panel and the backlight.

This invention applies to a bolt-on neck guitar or similar instrument or device. The mechanism of this invention, a multiple section hinge with one end flap attached to the neck and the other end flap attached to the body while the center section stays sandwiched between the neck and the body in normal use, allows the removal of the neck screws with the strings under tension by the hinge absorbing the horizontal stress produced by the tension of the strings. The neck is then rotated 180 degrees to rest on top of the body where it can be secured with a clamp or a strap for transportation or stowage. The neck holding screws can be replaced with a large single one, reducing the time required to loosen the neck, while still maintaining the possibility of using the normal four screws in addition to or in lieu of the single one if so desired, since the tone of the guitar is improved when the pressure of the neck-body junction is increased and distributed over a larger area. By folding the neck on top of the guitar, the bulk and the chances of damaging the instrument are greatly reduced, since the neck can be secured at both ends and the instrument can fit in boxes or pieces of luggage in which an ordinary guitar would not fit, in particular a carry-on size piece of luggage, which allows the traveler guitarist to have full control of the whereabouts of the instrument at all times.

A foldable guitar includes a soundbox, a bridge mounted on the soundbox, a neck, and strings extending between the bridge and the neck, where the neck and the soundbox are made of two pieces attached to each other in a foldable manner. In one embodiment, the neck and the soundbox are made of two pieces detachable from each other. In another embodiment, the neck and the soundbox are made of two pieces joined by a hinge and are capable of pivoting toward each other. In the assembled stated, the neck is securely mounted on the soundbox by a screw and but combination or other locking mechanism. The foldable guitar is compact and is easy to assemble and disassemble.

A musical instrument apparatus has the ability to interchange from acoustic to electric string instrument embodiments; both the acoustic and electric string embodiments share a common hollow modular body assembly.

A stringed musical instrument, such as a guitar, wherein an easily accessible adjustment member allows the user to change the vertical height of the instrument's neck without affecting the angle of the neck relative to the guitar body. This invention allows the user to quickly adjust the action of the instrument without affecting the intonation or scale length of the guitar in one simple step without requiring the user to remove the strings, loosen any screws, or perform any additional mechanical adjustments.

A stringed musical instrument employs string tensioners to support and apply tension to corresponding musical strings. Each musical string is supported by one string tensioner, and each of the string tensioners is linearly movable independent of others of the string tensioners. Further, an adjustment mechanism is provided for selectively linearly moving each string tensioner. In a preferred embodiment, an effective playing length of each string is defined between the associated string tensioner and the nut of the instrument. As such, individual linear adjustment of the string tensioners enables the user to vary the playing length of the associated musical string. In other embodiments, a string tensioner is provided that supports a musical string from a position on a side of the string opposite the associated musical instrument surface.

An electronic signal processor for processing signals includes a complex first filter, one or more gain stages and a second filter. The first filter is characterized by a frequency response curve that includes multiple corner frequencies, with some corner frequencies being user selectable. The first filter also has at least two user-preset gain levels which may be alternately selected by a switch. Lower frequency signals are processed by the first filter with at least 12 db / octave slope, and preferably with 18 db / octave slope to minimize intermodulation distortion products by subsequent amplification in the gain stages. A second filter provides further filtering and amplitude control. The signal processor is particularly suited for processing audio frequency signals. Related methods include filtering the input signal with an input filter of the second or third order high pass type, amplifying the filtered signal and further filtering the amplified signal with a low pass filter, which may be of the second order type.

A security system having a device that attach directly to and locks on or around an object to be secured, or one or more parts of the system are integrated into a full or partial enclosure that fully or partially encloses or surrounds the object to be secured, that cannot be removed from the object or enclosure without disengaging the locking mechanism through a provided method, and when the device is attached to the object or integrated into the enclosure, the system renders the object unusable for its intended use, and the system is capable of determining location, has a radio transmitter and / or transceiver capable of processing, transmitting and / or relaying information, data and images over terrestrial and / or satellite communication networks, and can include various sensors and other data and image gathering methods, and can contain an audible alarm.

A musical system for stringed instruments based on tuning in fifths in conjunction with component control reduces dissonance and discord while increasing harmony and consonance. In a stringed instrument, the main music-making portion of the string serves to drive the other non-music-making portions or supporting portions of the string. This is particularly true at the end of the string past the stop point toward the fixed end and upward past the nut towards the turnable post controlled by a key. By appropriately selecting and providing adjustment for the stop point, as well as the length of the strings past the bridge, less dissonance arises from the individual string as it is played. A string retainer or the like, as well as a compound head, may serve to provide adjustable or selectable means by which tension on a plurality of strings may be adjusted to provide uniform tension between individual strings. Tuning in fifths provides inter-string harmony. According to the available range of individual instruments, an entire orchestra including stringed instruments, tuned drums, and vocalists achieve an ensemble known as the PENTA orchestra, an ensemble incorporating the PENTA system of the present invention.

A musical instrument apparatus has the ability to interchange from acoustic to electric string instrument embodiments; both the acoustic and electric string embodiments share a common hollow modular body assembly.

An adjustable mounting assembly for mounting a neck to a body of a stringed instrument. The assembly comprises a first mounting to mount to the neck of the stringed instrument, a second mounting to mount to the body of the stringed instrument, and an adjuster mechanism interconnecting the first and second mountings and adapted to adjust and fix, in use, the relative position of the first and second mountings. The adjuster mechanism comprises a screw threaded member having a first threaded portion that is engaged in a corresponding threaded boss of the first mounting, and a second oppositely threaded portion that is engaged in a corresponding threaded boss of the second mounting.

A structure for a musical instrument body that limits vibration of various components or parts of the body while controlling and providing for overall resonance of the instrument. The structure is suitable for use with a musical instrument, specifically an electric guitar. The structure includes a support member or block positioned in a chamber created between a top plate and bottom plate of the guitar body and a structural element, spaced from the top and bottom plates, that engages the block to provide additional support and stiffness enabling further control of the overall vibration and thus resonance of the instrument. Varying the design of the structure along with the various body components provides an apparatus for uniquely tuning the acoustic characteristics of the guitar body.

An interchangeable cover covers the front viewable face of a body and / or a headstock of a guitar. The removable cover has an outline corresponding to an outline of the front face of the guitar body and / or headstock. Fasteners are provided along a periphery of each removable cover to attach each respective cover to the front viewable face of the body and or headstock of the guitar. The covers may have decorative apertures filled with a replaceable decorative insert, such as one or more pieces of mosaic inlay, a rastered image engraved on a rear portion thereof, multiple apertures with replaceable decorative inserts with different design features or a strip light embedded in the face of the body, with the cover being transparent over an area above the strip light. Preferably the periphery of each cover has a rounded and polished edge.

A stringed musical instrument device that functions as a peripheral for a computer or computing device, whereby electronic transducers placed inside and / or outside the instrument convert the vibrations of the strings and / or the instrument body from an analog electrical signals to digital signals. The digital signals are then transmitted via Class Compliant USB and / or FireWire-IEEE 1394 and / or IEEE 802.11 wireless and / or Bluetooth® wireless protocols to any computer or computing device that accepts data via those protocols. This device requires no external power, amplification, analog-to-digital conversion, software or hardware. This device is an improvement over the prior art in that it accurately and immediately represents on a computer or computing device the signals that are being sent from the instrument and reduces the number of devices needed to accomplish the task of sending digital signals to a computer or computing device.

An improved, universal, multi-position, tuning mechanism and bridge for stringed musical instruments, designed to provide quick, easy adjustment of the tension of the each string of musical instruments between one of two predetermined tension levels, as well as precise adjustment mechanisms for the traditional tension settings of each string, with all components being safely housed in an easily accessible main body. The present invention includes a support plate mounted to the front surface of the body of a musical instrument. A main body and roller-type bridge are mounted to the top of the support plate. Inside the main body, a plurality of levers, spring loaded plungers and tension adjustment screws are individually adjustable to vary the tension in each string. A multi-tuning lever arm adjusts the tension of the each string between one of two predetermined tension levels. A lever arm adjustment means allows quick and precise adjustment of the tension in each of these two pre-determined settings. It is envisioned that in an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the main body is mounted just behind the head of the guitar, and is used in conjunction with a roller type nut, positioned on the guitar neck, just behind the main body.

A structure for a musical instrument body that limits vibration of various components or parts of the body while controlling and providing for overall resonance of the instrument. The structure is suitable for use with a musical instrument, specifically an electric guitar. The structure includes a support member or block positioned in a chamber created between a top plate and bottom plate of the guitar body and a structural element, spaced from the top and bottom plates, that engages the block to provide additional support and stiffness enabling further control of the overall vibration and thus resonance of the instrument. Varying the design of the structure along with the various body components provides an apparatus for uniquely tuning the acoustic characteristics of the guitar body.

The present invention relates to a plectrum (1) having two portions (10, 12) being offset transversely but connected integrally by a stepped member (14). One portion (12) may have a tear-drop shaped playing edge (112), while the other portion may have a pointed edge (114) at one corner and another short pointed edge (118) at the second corner. A scallop playing edge (116) is typically joined to the short pointed edge (118). The stepped edge (14) is preferably in the shape of an arc. Other embodiments of the present invention include a plectrum (1a, 1b, 1c, 1d) having a planar body (20) with a tear-drop shaped playing edge (112a, 112b, 112c, 112d), a pointed playing edge (114a, 114b, 114c, 114d) and a short pointed edge (118a, 118b, 118c, 118d). A scallop shaped edge (116a, 116b, 116c, 116d) may be joined to the short playing edge (118). On the faces of the plectrum is preferably a ridge (201), a groove (202) or a combination of a ridge (201) and a groove (202) on the same or opposed face. The ridge or groove is optionally disposed across the center of the plectrum and is in the form of an arc. The curved stepped edge (14) or the edges of the curved ridge (201) or groove (202) seek to provide a positive grip on the plectrum. The curved edges are also formed to fit comfortably with the curve of the user's thumb or finger.

A stringed musical instrument employs springs to apply tension to corresponding musical strings. Each spring is chosen and configured for its ability to impart a string tension generally matched to the appropriate tension of the string at perfect tune. Preferably, the spring is selected and arranged so that the tension in the string maintains at or near perfect tune even as the string elongates or contracts over time. In one embodiment, once a string is placed in appropriate tune, a mechanical visual indicator is set. As such, if tune of the string changes due to string elongation or contraction, the change is reflected by misalignment of the mechanical visual indicator even if the change cannot be aurally detected. Perfect tune can be reestablished by realigning the indicator. In another embodiment, a force modulating member is interposed between a spring and its corresponding musical string. The force modulating member is adapted so that the tension actually applied to the string by the spring is not linearly related to the force exerted by the spring as the spring changes in length.

The present invention extends to practice devices and systems for practicing to play stringed instruments. An electronic stringed instrument practice device can be configured to perform one or more of the following: detect when finger positions and / or string to fret contact on a finger or fret board forms an appropriate musical note or musical chord, visually indicate appropriate positions on a finger or fret board for forming a musical note or musical chord, and detect when strings have been selected (e.g., strummed). The electronic stringed instrument practice device can emit sound in the form of musical notes and chords. The electronic stringed instrument practice device can include communication modules for communicating with other computing devices, including mobile phones and tablets. The electronic stringed instrument practice device can interact with applications on other computing devices to further assist users in learning how to play a stringed musical instrument.

A string instrument comprising a neck extension primary member, having a neck extension securement end and a tuning assembly support head end, an extension top and a length extending between the ends, is disclosed. The neck extension primary member defines a neck extension cutaway volume configured to receive a hinge butt. The neck extension cutaway volume extends to be open at the neck extension securement end and open at the top of the neck extension primary member. A neck base primary member has a neck base securement end, a base top and an opposite end. The neck base primary member is made to define a neck base cutaway volume configured to receive a hinge butt. The neck base cutaway volume extends to be open at the neck base securement end and open at the top of the neck base primary member. A hinge has a first hinge butt positioned in the neck extension cutaway volume and a second hinge butt positioned in the neck base cutaway volume. A neck fretboard portion is secured over the open top of the neck extension cutaway volume and bears against the first hinge butt. A base cover is secured over the open top of the neck base cutaway volume and bears against the second hinge butt. A string instrument main body is secured to the neck base primary member.

A fingerboard (or fretboard) for use with a stringed instrument and light-system is disclosed and has a bottom surface adapted to mate or be attached to a neck of the instrument, and has wells extending from the bottom surface toward, but not through, a top surface. The wells are sized to receive a light-emitting device, such as LEDs, and are positioned along the fingerboard according to finger positions of the instrument. Illumination from the light-emitting devices is visible to a player of the instrument, however, when the devices are not illuminated, the fingerboard appears substantially as one made without the wells. The structure is useful for learning to play the instrument, while not appearing as a learning device.