Abstract: A pickup assembly for stringed instruments such as guitars or the like, consists of a hollow cylindrical tube of magnetizable material in contact with a permanent magnet to produce an electro-magnetic field one upon each side of one free end of the cylinder and a resistive field coil in operative connection with the cylinder in a conventional manner. The vibrating string of the instrument passes diametrically over the open end of the pole piece cylinder spaced slightly above the surface thereof and between the two magnetic fields which are situated one upon each side of the longitudinal axis of the string. This permits free vibration of the string at all frequencies without any dampening or attenuation occurring.

Abstract: An electronic musical instrument which is capable of attaining the tonal coloration and "feeling" of an acoustic instrument and wherein the pitch, timbre, and loudness of each sound which is produced can be controlled by the performer in real time in an accurate and repeatable manner as the instrument is being played. The instrument is comprised of a plurality of string-like members which simulate the strings of an acoustic instrument and wherein sounds of varying pitch are produced by depressing the strings against a fingerboard at different positions along their lengths. An audio oscillator means is associated with each string-like member for producing a frequency-controllable audio output signal, and means responsive to a control signal for varying the overtone content and amplitude of the audio output signal is provided. In order to generate the control signal, means accessible to the performer and capable of being moved to different control positions in an accurate and repeatable manner is utilized.

Abstract: A stringed guitar is disclosed herein having a body and fret board composed of metal in the form of an integral or unitary construction incorporating accurate fret spacing and capable of being cast for production including the ability of being plated. Musical characteristics are enhanced by the metallic composition due to the greater density than other materials so that increased particle movement within the composition of the fret board and the body produce different transverse and longitudinal sound wave patterns.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument comprises a body in which a sound board is mounted with a clearance between it and the body, the sound board being connected to the body by vibration damping means.

Abstract: A guitar synthesizer has a guitar body (10) and a synthesizer portion (20). The body (1) of the guitar extends toward a head (3) in a direction so that an end (11) serving as a first vibratory member in the body base to which a neck (2) is connected, intersects with the neck. A second end (13) serving as the second vibratory member may also intersect with the neck. A non-vibratory portion (12) is interposed between the first and the second vibratory members (11, 13). A reinforcing frame (4) is attached to the head and body to interconnect them with the shortest distance for providing a firm connection from the non-vibratory portion of the body to a part of the head closer to a nut (5) than to the head end. Thus, the connection between the head and the frame is located below the central point of the distance between the nut and the top end of the head. Such a structure suppresses vibrations of the neck and an early attenuation of the fundamental frequency due to the vibration of the strings (7), are avoided.

Abstract: An improved electric guitar is disclosed, having strings closely spaced from the body and fingerboard of the guitar and magnetic pick-ups mounted under the pick-guard of the guitar, the cores of the magnetic pick-up protruding through the pick-guard into proximity with the lowered strings to thereby enhance the sound output of the instrument while also improving the playing characteristics of the guitar.

Abstract: An automatic tuning device for guitars and string instruments in general having a string tensioning mechanism adapted to vary the tension of the strings from the tail piece in response to the differences detected between the reference signals and the string signal produced. A reversible D.C. motor provides the rotational motion that is translated into a proportional linear motion that is used to either pull or release each one of the strings.

Abstract: A pick-up assembly for stringed musical instruments including a pair of pick-up assemblies, only one of which is magnetized. The first and second pick-up assemblies are physically disassociated so that the reactance of the unmagnetized pick-up assembly does not interfere with the magnetized pick-up assembly. The unmagnetized pick-up assembly is lowered further into the body of the instrument than the magnetized pick-up assembly for the same purpose. The outputs of the two pick-up assemblies are summed at the negative input of an operational amplifier which negative input is a virtual ground so that neither coil acts as a load for the other coil.

Abstract: A humbucking pick-up for an electrical musical instrument of the stringed type including two or three primary pick-up assemblies and, in either case, a lesser number of additional pick-up assemblies are all that is necessary to provide for humbucking, the secondary pick-up assemblies not being used for signal generation. The pick-up includes an instrument mounted preamplifier. With the preamplifier in use, the signals from the primary and secondary pick-up assemblies are summed thereat. The preamplifier may be bypassed and the signals from the primary pick-up assemblies conducted directly to an amplification system. This is accomplished while maximizing the output signal and still permitting humbucking. A dual tone control arrangement is provided so that the primary and secondary coils can be balanced simultaneously. The arrangement of the primary coils is such that the operation of the secondary humbucking coils is not affected thereby.

Abstract: In a magnetic pickup for stringed musical instruments at least one coil is associated with each string and at least one magnet produces a magnetic field passing through the coil which is varied by the vibration of the string to induce a signal in the coil, the magnet being movable relative to the coil in such a manner that both the strength and the phase of the induced signal may be varied.

Abstract: A guitar controller for an electronic music synthesizer, especially a programmable music synthesizer of the VOYETRA (trademark) type, utilizes a Mylar pressure-resistive switch along the neck of the guitar for note selection and vibratile elements on the sound board for the strumming effect. Additional expression can be provided by the use of a tremolo bar, a sensor for the striking of said board and the pressure applied to the neck.

Abstract: Apparatus for controlling signals produced by a transducer carried by an acoustic guitar. The control apparatus is mounted on the guitar and does not affect the structure or tonal qualities of the hollow tone-producing body of the guitar.

Abstract: An improved bridge transducer for rigid non-acoustic body string musical instruments, enabling production of tonal character and quality associated with flexible acoustic body instruments using a novel compliant suspension supporting a string bridge, which is equally responsive to plucked or bowed strings, is interactive with the strings in a manner similar to acoustic body supported bridges, while eliminating problems of diminished string sustain, and air coupled loud speaker feedback, uneven frequency response, and is economical to manufacture. A sound pickup device is coupled to the suspended string bridge for detection and amplification of motion induced by played strings.

Abstract: A system for scanning vibrations of a mass and for converting the mechanical vibrations into corresponding electrical signals is disclosed. The system includes a source of a scanning radiation beam, preferably of a light beam, which has a larger transverse cross section than the vibrating mass. The umbra behind the mass and the surrounding illuminated area are collected by a focussing lens and projected onto an optoelectric converter. The collecting surface and/or the active light receiving surface of the converter have an outline which is variable in the direction of displacement of the vibrating mass so that the illuminated area varies in size during the vibration of the mass.

Abstract: To adjust the characteristic sounds produced by electric guitars and other musical instruments, the present apparatus and method provide for varying the resistive loading on the electromagnetic pickups of such instruments. This changes the shape of the peak of the resonance curve caused by the self-resonance of the electromagnetic pickup. A predetermined fixed resistance is maintained in the circuit at all times, such that when a control element is at a certain known position, the output curve from the pickup will be substantially flat and, furthermore, the apparent volume generated by the instrument will not be reduced substantially. To change volume, a volume-control potentiometer is provided. In the preferred form, a single control element not only adjusts the characteristic sounds produced by electric guitars or other musical instruments having electromagnetic pickups, but also provides roll-off of higher frequencies at some desired region within the audio spectrum.

Abstract: A guitar has a body and a neck extending from the body. The body has a central core and two panels sandwiching the core means between them. The side edges of the panels are curved toward each other and secured, so that both panels are rounded convex outwardly. At one end of the lenticular cavity thus defined the body is closed by suitable panel means. The other end is left open, and preferably has two upwardly and outwardly sloping openings.

Abstract: A magnetic pickup for use with a guitar or other instrument having ferro-magnetic strings has a pole piece for each string which is easily adjustable by hand to vary the strength and phase of the output signal produced by the vibration of the associated string.

Abstract: A transducing assembly for a musical instrument responsive to string movement in intersecting, preferably perpendicular, planes for producing two electrical signals that can be processed and/or combined and then reproduced by a plurality of loudspeakers to yield an enhanced quality of sound.

Abstract: A control accessory is shown for use with a standard acoustical guitar which has been fitted with an electrical pickup and a female input jack. The control accessory includes a male input jack having a jack case with a male portion extending therefrom which is engageable with the female jack portion on the guitar body. An electrical cord runs from the jack for electrically connecting the guitar pickup through the male and female jack portions to a power amplifier. A sound control is located on the male input jack for controlling the flow of electricity from the guitar pickup to the power amplifier to control the sound produced by the guitar.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument embodies a matrix of intersecting frets and strings. A generally rectangular fingerboard mounts the strings and frets in a generally intersecting relationship thereon. The strings are tuned by string tensioning means, including tuning pegs. The string vibrations are amplified by an amplifier and sensed by a magnetic pickup. The strings and frets each define a number of notes, equal to at least the number of notes of an octave. In a first scheme of modulation, a plurality of strings are played along a single fret in a manner similar to a piano, the octave and key linear distance spacings as well as notes, being emulated. In a second scheme of modulation, different frets are played to obtain different notes, as in a guitar, to achieve a wide tonal range with easy fingering positions. Vertically adjustable magnets pick up the vibrations and are able to change the vibration sensitivity of the instrument.

Abstract: An electromagnetic pickup adapted for use with a multistringed musical instrument having strings formed of a ferromagnetic material having a first wire coil wound in a first direction in an elongated oval shape wherein the first coil has a geometrical distance along its elongated axis which exceeds the distance between the outermost strings wherein the first coil includes an opening which extends through the interior thereof, a second wire coil wound in a second direction and in an elongated oval shape, the geometrical dimensions of which are substantially equal to that of the first coil and wherein the second coil includes a second opening which extends to the interior thereof, and wherein the second coil is positioned in a spaced opposed aligned relationship with the first coil with the first opening in axial alignment with the second opening forming a coil stack assembly having a hollowed-out central cavity, a permanent magnet assembly which is positioned in the hollowed-out central cavity with one pole po

Abstract: A mounting ring-thumbrest is provided for an electric guitar. The article provides a mounting ring for securing a pickup to the guitar and a thumbrest. The thumbrest is located to provide the optimum position of a player's hand.A method of mounting a pickup uses only two screws to secure the mounting ring-thumbrest and pickup to the guitar and allows the space between the strings and the pickup to be adjustable.

Abstract: An output jack for an electric acoustic guitar is installed at a guitar body and is adapted to receive a first plug connected to one end of a first cable which couples an output tone signal of the guitar to an external power amplifier. The jack further comprises a receptacle portion inside the guitar body for receiving a second plug connected to one end of a second cable, the other end of which is coupled to a pickup device. The output tone signal of the guitar is transmitted to the external power amplifier via the second cable, the second plug, the jack, the first plug, and the first cable in this order. The jack further comprises an electromagnetic shielding member for shielding the second plug from an electromagnetic induction against the second plug.

Abstract: A device for controlling tremolo effects and electronic sound effects in an electric stringed instrument, which comprises;manipulable means communicating with, and capable of providing control of, means for producing tremolo effects.A portion of the manipulable means being itself individually manipulable and communicating with and capable of providing control of, means for producing electronic sound effects. The manipulable means and portion thereof being capable of individual, simultaneous manipulation to control tremolo and electronic sound effects.

Abstract: An electric guitar has a band pin (1, 2) for its shoulder band. Force applied to the band pin (1, 2) through the shoulder band is converted to an electric signal by a converting means (10, 100). An effect of output sound of the electric guitar is controlled in response to the electric signal.

Abstract: A pickup device for an acoustic guitar having metallic strings comprises an electromagnetic pickup detachably attached in a sound hole of the guitar and a piezoelectric pickup detachably attached in the sound hole or to another part of a sound board of the guitar. Outputs of the two kinds of pickups are mixed at a selectable ratio thereby to compensate for difference in the picking-up characteristics of the respective pickups.

Abstract: A transducer for a stringed musical instrument includes a pair of coils mounted adjacent each string of the instrument. The coils have substantially the same number of turns of electrically conducting wire wound thereon, and the wires constituting the coils are of different gauges.

Abstract: A transducer adapted to fretless musical instruments, instruments with non-conductive frets or non-conductive string wrapping, with two or more vibratable strings of magnetically permeable material. The strings pass through a magnetic field. Motion of the strings generates current in the strings. The magnetic field is provided by magnets shaped to concentrate the field across the signal generating portions of the strings. In a preferred embodiment, the coils are wound around the specially shaped magnets to utilize the same magnetic field used to generate current in the strings. Means are provided to passively mix both signals generated in the coil and signals generated in the strings. The circuitry electrically connected to the strings incorporates a method of balancing the uneven output caused by differences in string diameter. There is no special "return" wiring of the neck required. A wide variety of tonal differences are obtainable without active circuitry or signal processing.

Abstract: A string instrument pickup system sensitive to 360.degree. of transverse string movement, which is substantially immune from microphonics, and which has a substantially equal or balanced response to all of the strings. In one form of the invention a piezoelectric transducer is compressively associated with vertical movement components of each string of the instrument, but is laterally offset from a centered position under the string for compressive association of the transducer also with the horizontal string movement components; and halves of the total piezoelectric transducer area are oppositely polarized so as to cancel out microphonics.

Abstract: A musical instrument with a plurality of vibratile tone generators, whose oscillations are converted into alternating currents by electroacoustic transducers, is provided with a control circuit feeding back a regenerative vibratory signal of progressively diminishing amplitude to maintain the oscillations of a previously activated tone generator for a selected fade-out period. The duration of the fade-out period can be controlled by the player, e.g. with the aid of a pedal, by varying the time constant of a peak-storage network connected to the feedback loop. The feedback signal may be transmitted to the respective tone generator by a mechanical vibrator attached to the instrument body or by sound waves emitted from a loudspeaker. The player may also switch from the output of the peak-storage network to a constant control signal for sustained reverberation.

Abstract: The invention relates to an electrical stringed and fretted musical instrument which has at least two pick-ups and a bass boost filter means and a high boost filter means. The output of the instrument is a combination of the magnitude of the pick-ups and the magnitude of the filter means. In accordance with the invention, a single joystick control varies all of these magnitudes simultaneously so as to simultaneously vary the entire combination with a single control. In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, a second joystick control will simultaneously control volume and panning between two speakers.

Abstract: There is provided a novel stringed musical instrument for direct attachment to an electronic transducer. An elongated member is mounted on a frame on which is also mounted an upright bridge having string gripping means for positioning, gripping and passing the vibrations of a plurality of strings connected on one side of the bridge to the elongated member and on the other side of the bridge to string holding means for holding and tensioning the strings. An electronic transducer is mounted at the bridge means, which passes vibrations received from the plucked strings to the transducer, from which the sounds are amplified and sent to speakers. In addition, hand grips on the frame are disposed proximate to the bridge means, which configures the gripping means so as to position the strings within finger reach of the hand grips.

Abstract: For controlling the blend between two pickups on an electric guitar, this circuitry provides, over the range of a single simple potentiometer, continuously variable blend between the two pickup signals in a particular phase relationship plus continuously variable blend of the two signals in a reversed phase relationship, eliminating the use of phasing switches, and providing musicians with a wide range of tonal variation under continuous control, for freedom of musical expression and timbre modification not available heretofore. Implementation with operational amplifier integrated circuits facilitates further processing of each pickup signal independently for special effects such as the introduction of controlled distortion.

Abstract: An improved electromagnetic pickup for a stringed musical instrument includes constant magnetic field providing magnets for each of the strings adjustably aligned adjacent to each of the strings at a sound providing region of a frame of the instrument. The aligned magnets generate a magnetic flux strength and orientation for each string tailored to the particular string and its tonal characteristics. A very high frequency preamplifier subsystem having a very low impedance input is connected to the strings through shielded connectors extending to the string anchors and functions to amplify greatly the minute electrical signals induced in the plurality of strings as they vibrate when the instrument is being played.

Abstract: Apparatus for detecting note selection on a guitar fretboard including a differential amplifier for detecting voltage drops across successive fret pairs, a multiplexer for connecting successive fret pairs to the differential amplifier, counters for maintaining an indication of the string and fret position under examination, and a shorting string placed across the frets for insuring reliable circuit operation.

Abstract: An electrical guitar which includes pick-up means taking up the swinging movements of the strings and converting them into an electric signal, said electric signal being amplified by amplification means and transferred to a loudspeaker fixed to said guitar and an acoustical horn being arranged inside said guitar body and having an entrance opening facing said loudspeaker and a mouth of larger sectional area than the entrance opening forming an opening of said guitar body.

Abstract: A pick-up for an electrical musical instrument of the stringed type which provides better separation between the sound from each string in a humbucking pick-up. This is achieved by longitudinally offsetting from each other a pair of pick-up assemblies mounted in a housing and mounting the pick-up on the body of an electrical musical instrument at an obtuse angle relative to the direction of the strings, the angle of mounting of the housing on the body being a direct function of the longitudinal offset whereby each of the pick-up assemblies is centered under the strings.

Abstract: A sound producing instrument is shown having a plurality of vibrating strings supported over an elongated aluminum sounding board. The strings are solid wires of brass, bronze or steel that are tensioned to produce a range of vibrations within the audible sound range. The strings may be manipulated along their lengths in various ways to control the mode of vibration of each of the respective strings. An electronic means such as a crystal or magnetic microphone is provided adjacent to the sounding board to pick up the vibrations resulting from activating the vibratory motion of the strings, and amplifying means are used to reproduce the sounds developed by the instrument. In one embodiment, the microphone may be caused to move during the pickup by a remote controller, so as to provide different sound effects. A special cylinder is provided for creating special sound effects when used to agitate the strings.

Abstract: An electric pickup device for a banjo includes a piezoelectric element located in a recess in the bottom of one foot of the bridge for the instrument, so as to be located at the interface of the bridge and the head. The pickup element can be oriented so that its axes form an angle with the plane of the head, to thereby provide improved results. The pickup enables the banjo to be played in either an acoustic or an electronic amplification mode without affecting the inherent acoustic properties of the instrument.

Abstract: An electrical pickup device for a stringed musical instrument having ferromagnetic strings comprises a pair of superposed coaxial bobbins, each axially wound with a coil having its axis perpendicular to the instrument strings. An integral plate of magnetic material is provided comprising a base disposed between the two bobbins perpendicular to the coil axis and two side walls extending upwardly and perpendicularly from the base to at least immediately below the top face of the upper bobbin. A plurality of rod-like permanent magnets extend through at least the upper coil parallel to the axis thereof and contact the base of the integral plate and the magnets have like polarities at the tops thereof.

Abstract: A fiber optic musical instrument provides a design in which the musical notes and characteristic instrument sounds normally sensed by electro-mechanical devices such as magnetic pickups and acoustic transducers are generated by the modulation of light within optical fibers and are optically transmitted to amplifying devices without the need for externally mounted sensing devices.

Abstract: A musical instrument comprised of discrete detachably assembled components permitting easy change of said components. The instrument is provided with a center section and a main body section which furnish the central core for the interconnection of component parts such as the neck, multiple pick-ups and an electronic control module. Appropriate electrical connections are automatically made when the components are placed together.

Abstract: An electronic stringed instrument which uses electrical resistance wires as strings to control the frequency of electrically generated sounds. By shorting a string at various points along its length a variable voltage output is obtained and converted into a known frequency. A fretted instrument provides a means to incrementally control the voltage output and a non-fretted type instrument with a conducting fingerboard can provide a means to variably control the voltage output. A separate current source may be provided for each string to facilitate chord playing and a control for the intensity and harmonic content of the signals is provided. An internal power supply and speaker may also be employed to make the instrument readily portable.

Abstract: The invention is an improved amplification system for guitars that does not require electrical energy. The system is self-contained and intended for use by the guitarist to listen to the music that he produces on an electrical-type guitar without connection to an electronic-type amplification system. The guitarist can use it during practice or for personal enjoyment without the sound reaching others in the nearby vicinity of the guitarist. The system provides a pick-up piece on the guitar, a connecting pick-up piece for the main sound transmittal tubes, sound transmittal tubes, and an insulated headset.

Abstract: An electric guitar transducer mounting permitting rapid interchange and replacement of transducers in an electric guitar. An electric guitar of any desired contour is formed with an opening extending from the front face through to the back of the guitar body, with this body opening dimensioned to accommodate any one of the generally available transducers (pickups) employed with electric guitars. A sleeve is formed dimensioned to fit within the guitar body opening, and provided with an entry opening from the back of the guitar body to receive a module containing a transducer. The sleeve is formed with electrical terminals engageable with the module and electrically coupled to the wiring in the conventional electric guitar body. The module is formed with a selectively removable top plate engaging and securing a given transducer in the module for selective positioning in the sleeve.

Abstract: This invention discloses a tone control for an electromagnetic pick-up for a stringed musical instrument wherein the electromagnetic pick-up comprises at least a pair of coils and a magnet, comprising means for gradually switching the mutual connection between the coils from parallel to series or vice versa, the switching means comprising at least a ganged pair of rheostats of high rated resistance wherein at one extreme of travel of the sliding members of the ganged potentiometers the coils are connected in parallel and at the other extreme they are connected in series, and at intermediate positions a combination of parallel and series connection output components is outputted.

Abstract: An electrical sound output signal from an acoustical-electrical or piezo electric transducer instrument is made available at selectively switched high and low signal levels by level control apparatus utilizing bistable switching of first and second attenuated electrical sound output signals. A flip-flop circuit toggles between first and second states in response to an input signal pulse generated by actuation of a footswitch. Oppositely-phased output signals produced by the flip-flop are applied to first and second switching FETs controlled thereby so as to be alternately conducting. The FETs are connected between respective first and second attenuators providing high and low level-controlled sound output signals and common output terminals. Accordingly, upon selective actuation of the footswitch, either high or low level controlled sound output signals can be made available at the output terminals.

Abstract: A transducer adapted to fretless musical instruments, instruments with non-conductive frets or non-conductive string wrapping, with two or more vibratable strings of magnetically permeable material. The strings pass through a magnetic field. Motion of the strings generates current in the strings, as well as in coils placed within the common magnetic field. Means are provided to passively mix both signals generated in the coil and signals generated in the strings. The circuitry electrically connected to the strings incorporates a method of balancing the uneven output caused by differences in string diameter. There is no special "return" wiring of the neck required. A wide variety of tonal differences are obtainable without active circuitry or signal processing. The signal level and impedance is such that it can be connected through a convenient length of cable to a standard musical instrument amplifier.

Abstract: Stringed instruments of the clavichord type, wherein playing key operated tangent cooperate with a fixed stop to both sound and stop associated strings without the noise associated with the tangent impacting the stop. This noise elimination is accomplished by providing that the tangent is offset from the respective stop, such that a free string portion exists between the opposing stop and the tangent.

Abstract: A feedback reducing device for an acoustic electric guitar is in the form of a plug adapted to be snugly received in the sound hole of a guitar. With the plug in place, the sound hole opening is completely covered and the amplified performance of the instrument is not significantly effected.