Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for providing a high performance stringed instrument. In one embodiment, the stringed instrument comprises an electric guitar constructed entirely of sheet metal, with the body and neck permanently joined together to produce a one piece (unitary) style guitar construction. This method of construction results in improved overall consistency of the product. In particular, the construction utilizes a substantially homogenous material throughout the guitar and further includes a stronger, stiffer and straighter neck that allows for a more consistent sound than is possible using traditional manufacturing materials such as wood. Such a construction also offers improved sustain of string vibration, an attribute that is highly desirable to guitar players. The incorporation of a unique supporting structure into the headstock contributes to a unique warm timbre when played that has heretofore been unachievable in combination with improved sustain characteristics.
Abstract:
A luthiery fixture or tool provides for a guitar or other stringed instrument to be rotationally supported and securely held above a surface, such as a work bench. The fixture is especially configured to support instruments having differing body dimensions.
Abstract:
A light and stiff bow for stringed musical instruments may comprise a tubular stick having a plurality of spaced perforations, provided with a frog, a head, and a tensioning arrangement.
Abstract:
A very efficient guitar design, light weight and having a body-mounted tuning system to assist with performance is disclosed. The guitar comprises two main components: an acoustic body and a housing. This separation is intended so that the acoustic body is isolated from the housing and free to vibrate. The guitar further optionally comprises seven strings, twelve-strings, a vibrato system and a retractable built-in stand attached to the back of the housing.
Abstract:
A guitar neck joint routing system. The system includes a probe and router assembly comprising a gantry, a probe, and a plurality of routers, and a guitar neck and body nest comprising clamps and vacuum grips for holding a guitar neck and guitar body in place for taking measurements and routing a dovetail joint.
Abstract:
The present invention is a banjo tone ring with vertical sides (30) as opposed to the angled design of conventional banjo tone rings (120). The ring (30) of the present invention has specific height (h) to width (w) or thickness ratios and is within specific weight ranges for improved performance. It vibrates much freer and thus raises the quality of musical tones from the banjo (10) to much higher aesthetic levels. Other embodiments also modify the musical tones for different sounds. Several novel embodiments of manufacturing methods are also described.
Abstract:
Provided is a tool for simultaneously correcting a radius of curvature of frets, a fretboard or a fingerboard of a stringed instrument and leveling the frets while strings are on the stringed instrument. In order to introduce the strings of the stringed instrument inside the tool, the tool includes grooves, provided at the bottom of the tool, and spaces leading from the grooves, provided inside the tool. The tool is moved back and forth, in a condition where the bottom of the tool contacts the polishing object, while the strings are on the stringed instrument.
Abstract:
The present invention provides a stringed instrument capable of corresponding to a preference of a player of the stringed instrument, a purpose of performance, and so on as much as possible. A resonance box portion fabricated by an additive fabrication method and a neck portion protruding from the resonance box portion are included, and material constants at a desired area of the resonance box portion is made different from material constants at an adjacent area adjacent to the desired area step by step or continuously. Vibrational characteristics of the instrument are changed by the partial difference of the material constants, and thereby, the stringed instrument capable of corresponding to the preference of the player, the purpose of the performance, and so on is provided.
Abstract:
Methods and apparatus for providing a high performance stringed instrument. In one embodiment, the stringed instrument comprises an electric guitar constructed entirely of sheet metal, with the body and neck permanently joined together to produce a one piece (unitary) style guitar construction. This method of construction results in improved overall consistency of the product. In particular, the construction utilizes a substantially homogenous material throughout the guitar and further includes a stronger, stiffer and straighter neck that allows for a more consistent sound than is possible using traditional manufacturing materials such as wood. Such a construction also offers improved sustain of string vibration, an attribute that is highly desirable to guitar players. The incorporation of a unique supporting structure into the headstock contributes to a unique warm timbre when played that has heretofore been unachievable in combination with improved sustain characteristics.
Abstract:
A tone control device is provided. The tone control device includes a weight assembly including at least a first magnet and a second magnet magnetically attracted to the first magnet, wherein the first magnet is positionable on a first surface of the bridge and the second magnet is positionable on a second surface of the bridge such that the weight assembly is securely coupled to the bridge.