Abstract: A musical instrument, such as an electric or bass guitar, is formed of a lamination of wood layers having differing grain orientations in adjacent layers, the grain orientations defining a crossing angle less than 90°. An instrument formed from such a lamination is strong and resistant to splitting and checking and produces a good musical sound. The wood layers can be molded under pressure to form curves, such as an S-curve in a neck, or deformations, such as rounded edges in a guitar body. The S-curve in the neck allows the neck to be attached to the guitar body without breaking the continuity of the wood fibers, thereby strengthening the neck. In a three-dimensional molding embodiment, a net shape or near net shape part results, which requires little or no further machining after molding.

Abstract: A musical instrument, such as an electric or bass guitar, is formed of a lamination of wood layers having differing grain orientations in adjacent layers, the grain orientations defining a crossing angle less than 90°. An instrument formed from such a lamination is strong and resistant to splitting and checking and produces a good musical sound. The wood layers can be molded under pressure to form curves, such as an S-curve in a neck, or deformations, such as rounded edges in a guitar body. The S-curve in the neck allows the neck to be attached to the guitar body without breaking the continuity of the wood fibers, thereby strengthening the neck. In a three-dimensional molding embodiment, a net shape or near net shape part results, which requires little or no further machining after molding.

Abstract: A packaged preamp with an integral pickup, a battery holder, an output jack, and a plurality of control mechanisms. The packaged preamp can be mounted on a flat, curved, or variably curved side of an acoustic guitar body, such as a lower side away from the guitar player, while allowing optimal access to the output jack and the controls. The pickup is pre-wired into the preamp and requires only a mechanical attachment within the guitar. The output jack is integral to the preamp's front panel, the battery is accessed through a cover on the front panel, and the controls are accessed through the front panel. Once the pickup is attached inside the guitar, the packaged preamp is attached within a pre-cut opening in the side of the guitar, thereby completing the installation of the preamp.

Abstract: A transducer for a stringed musical instrument utilizes a coaxial structure. An electromechanical film tape is disposed about an inner, electrically conductive core. An outer conductor is formed about the electromechanical film tape. The electromechanical film tape may be provided as a piezoelectric polymer film or an electret film having a permanent electric charge, and is formed about the inner core by wrapping or braiding. Prior to being disposed about the inner core, the film tape may be polarized through the application of a direct current through the film to substantially align the electrical domains in the film. The transducer is configured for placement underneath the saddle in a bridge of a stringed musical instrument.

Abstract: A violin shoulder rest that facilitates the optimal positioning of a violin relative to a violin player's body for increased comfort and reduced physical stress, and facilitates the optimal positioning of a microphone relative to the violin to achieve the desired volume and tonal qualities of the sound produced by the instrument. The violin shoulder rest includes an elongated base conformable to a violin player's body, clamping members coupled at opposing ends of the base for clamping the shoulder rest to a violin, and a securement mechanism to secure the respective clamping members to the base. The violin shoulder rest accommodates at least one electrical signal input, and amplification circuitry or other signal processing circuitry for pre-amplifying or otherwise processing the electrical signal input. The violin shoulder rest is configured to mount a positionable microphone subassembly adjacent a respective signal input connector.

Abstract: A transducer for a stringed musical instrument utilizes a coaxial structure. An electromechanical film tape is disposed about an inner, electrically conductive core. An outer conductor is formed about the electromechanical film tape. The electromechanical film tape may be provided as a piezoelectric polymer film or an electret film having a permanent electric charge, and is formed about the inner core by wrapping or braiding. Prior to being disposed about the inner core, the film tape may be polarized through the application of a direct current through the film to substantially align the electrical domains in the film. The transducer is configured for placement underneath the saddle in a bridge of a stringed musical instrument.

Abstract: A transducer for a stringed musical instrument utilizes a coaxial structure. A thin layer of a piezoelectric polymer material is extruded about an inner, electrically conductive core. An outer conductor is formed about the piezoelectric polymer material. Polarization of the piezoelectric polymer material is accomplished in conjunction with the extrusion process. The piezoelectric polymer material has an optimized thickness for consistent responsiveness across a desired range of input stimuli, and is capable of maintaining the integrity of the transducer over time. The transducer configured for placement underneath the saddle in a bridge of a stringed musical instrument.

Abstract: A transducer for a stringed musical instrument utilizes a coaxial structure. A thin layer of a piezoelectric polymer material is extruded about an inner, electrically conductive core. An outer conductor is formed about the piezoelectric polymer material. Polarization of the piezoelectric polymer material is accomplished in conjunction with the extrusion process. The piezoelectric polymer material has an optimized thickness for consistent responsiveness across a desired range of input stimuli, and is capable of maintaining the integrity of the transducer over time. The transducer configured for placement underneath the saddle in a bridge of a stringed musical instrument.

Abstract: A transducer for a stringed musical instrument utilizes a coaxial structure. A thin layer of a piezoelectric polymer material is extruded about an inner, electrically conductive core. An outer conductor is formed about the piezoelectric polymer material. Polarization of the piezoelectric polymer material is accomplished in conjunction with the extrusion process. The piezoelectric polymer material has an optimized thickness for consistent responsiveness across a desired range of input stimuli, and is capable of maintaining the integrity of the transducer over time. The transducer configured for placement underneath the saddle in a bridge of a stringed musical instrument.

Abstract: A transducer for a stringed musical instrument incorporating an electrically conductive ground plane, along with a piezoelectric transducer and a conductive strip. The piezoelectric transducer is comprised of a polyvinylidene fluoride co-polymer. The ground plane, piezoelectric transducers and conductive strip are secured in an elongated unitary structure with the ground plane and conductive strip disposed on opposite sides of the transducers. A conductive shield is disposed about the unitary structure and electrical leads connect to the ground plane and conductive strip, respectively. The transducer may also include two piezoelectric transducers and conductive strips to provide two different outputs from the transducer. The two piezoelectric transducers may have different frequency response characteristics or may be connected to different signal processing circuits to allow for distinct modulations and mixing of outputs.

Abstract: A control panel is attached to an acoustic guitar in order to provide electrical amplification and sound processing. The control panel includes a flexible outer bracket fixed to a curved surface of the guitar body and a face plate hingedly connected to the outer bracket. A circuit board including processing circuitry is connected to the underside of the face plate. A battery compartment is connected to the underside of the face plate. The face plate is releasably connected to the outer bracket so that it can be rotated about the hinged portion to access the battery compartment.

Abstract: A transducer for a stringed musical instrument incorporating an electrically conductive ground plane, along with a piezoelectric transducer and a conductive strip. The piezoelectric transducer is comprised of a polyvinylidene fluoride co-polymer. The ground plane, piezoelectric transducers and conductive strip are secured in an elongated unitary structure with the ground plane and conductive strip disposed on opposite sides of the transducers. A conductive shield is disposed about the unitary structure and electrical leads connect to the ground plane and conductive strip, respectively. The conductive strip and ground plane are both of a flexible material with a dielectric layer and a metallic layer. The conductive strip and ground plane extend beyond the piezoelectric transducer to form leads for the transducer.

Abstract: A light weight guitar neck construction and associated method of manufacture involves the use of a wood core with a strengthening layer, preferably of carbon fiber, and a finish layer, preferably a fiberglass sheet, both impregnated with a high temperature resin. A tensioning wire is provided in the neck, and is non-braided with a diameter of less than 0.100 inches.

Abstract: A transducer for a stringed musical instrument incorporating an electrically conductive ground plane, along with a piezoelectric transducer and a conductive strip. The piezoelectric transducer is comprised of a polyvinylidene fluoride co-polymer. The ground plane, piezoelectric transducers and conductive strip are secured in an elongated unitary structure with the ground plane and conductive strip disposed on opposite sides of the transducers. A conductive shield is disposed about the unitary structure and electrical leads connect to the ground plane and conductive strip, respectively.

Abstract: A light weight guitar construction and associated method of manufacture involves the use of a light weight wood core material having deposited thereover a strengthening layer preferably of carbon fiber and a fiberglass sheet layer both impregnated with a high temperature resin. A piezoelectric crystal transducer system is used individually with each string for sensing string vibrations. An improved fret board construction is employed. In one feature of the present invention each of the frets have coupled thereto circuit runs for signal coupling.

Abstract: A light weight guitar construction and associated method of manufacture involves the use of a light weight wood core material having deposited thereover a strengthening layer preferably of carbon fiber and a fiberglass sheet layer both impregnated with a high temperature resin. Sandwiched between the strengthening layer and fiberglass layer is a means for displaying one or more visual images. A piezoelectric crystal transducer system is used individually with each string for sensing string vibrations. An improved fret board construction is employed. In one feature of the present invention each of the frets have coupled thereto circuit runs for signal coupling.

Abstract: A light weight guitar construction and associated method of manufacture involves the use of a light weight wood core material having deposited thereover a strengthening layer preferably of carbon fiber and a fiberglass sheet layer both impregnated with a high temperature resin. A piezoelectric crystal transducer system is used individually with each string for sensing string vibrations. An improved fret board construction is employed. In one feature of the present invention each of the frets have coupled thereto circuit runs for signal coupling.

Abstract: A transducer for a stringed musical instrument incorporating an electrically conductive ground plane, along with a piezoelectric transducer and a conductive strip. The piezoelectric transducer is comprised of a polyvinylidene fluoride co-polymer. The ground plane, piezoelectric tranducers and conductive strip are secured in an elongated unitary structure with the ground plane and conductive strip disposed on opposite sides of the transducers. A conductive shield is disposed about the unitary structure and electrical leads connect to the ground plane and conductive strip, respectively.

Abstract: A light weight guitar construction and associated method of manufacture involves the use of a light weight wood core material having deposited thereover a strengthening layer preferably of carbon fiber and a fiberglass sheet layer both impregnated with a high temperature resin. A piezoelectric crystal transducer system is used individually with each string for sensing string vibrations. An improved fret board construction is employed. In one feature of the present invention each of the frets have coupled thereto circuit runs for signal coupling.

Abstract: A light weight guitar construction and associated method of manufacture involves the use of a light weight wood core material having deposited thereover a strengthening layer preferably of carbon fiber and a fiberglass sheet layer both impregnated with a high temperature resin. A piezoelectric crystal transducer system is used individually with each string for sensing string vibrations. An improved fret board construction is employed. In one feature of the present invention each of the frets have coupled thereto circuit runs for signal coupling.