Abstract: The present invention relates to a piano or a grand piano with a resonance board and strings which rest on a sound bridge with two longitudinal faces. Such a sound bridge serves to transmit vibration energy which is output by the strings of the instrument to a resonance board. The invention is based on the realization that, on the one hand, the rigidity of the sound bridge must be maintained at the locations at which it is in contact with the strings and the resonance board. On the other hand, it is advantageous if the mass of the sound bridge is reduced. For this reason, according to the invention it is proposed that the sound bridge have a first cutout and a second cutout, wherein the two cutouts are arranged on the two longitudinal edges of the sound bridge which lie opposite one another.

Abstract: In an implementation of this invention, a stringed musical instrument has a resonator comprised of a bridge and a soundboard. Vibrations from the strings are transmitted through the bridge to the soundboard. A plurality of sensors are attached to or embedded in the soundboard. The sensors measure primarily the vibrations of the soundboard, rather than primarily the vibrations of the strings. Preferably, three or more sensors are used. Piezoelectric sensors sample vibrations in the soundboard. The resonator includes a printed circuit board that amplifies the signal from each sensor separately. Also, a signal processing device that is “onboard” the musical instrument processes the separate input signals to create one output signal. The resonator may be easily removed, enabling resonators to be interchanged. Also, the physical characteristics of a particular resonator, such as its mass or its boundary condition, may be adjusted, thereby changing the acoustic qualities of the soundboard.

Abstract: A piano (1) having a dense sound-enhancing component (2), said piano (1) having a case (6), a frame (3) located within the case (6), strings (5) located within the frame (3), keys (9) in connection with hammers (11), two bridges (13) each of stone having a top face (27), a bottom face (28), a first side (29) and a second side (30), bridge pins (16) extending from the top face (27) at an angle, the strings (5) extending across the bridges (13) adjacent to the bridge pins (16), a soundboard (4) and an amount of epoxy (18) located between the bridges (13) and soundboard (4). The dense sound-enhancing component (2) is a stone material, preferably granite, and enhances the sound of the piano (1) by holding and sustaining pitch longer, providing a longer and stronger signal, providing a higher volume or decibel level and having a decreased decibel fall-off as compared to conventional pianos utilizing wood bridge(s).

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument having multiple bridge-soundboard units, each unit substantially acoustically independent from other bridge-soundboard units. Said bridge soundboard units are coupled to a set of strings such that a number of the strings within the set are sounded through the first bridge-soundboard unit, others are sounded through a second bridge-soundboard unit, and so on. The process of division of set of strings among several bridge-soundboard units allows greater ability to bear tension, greater sustain, and greater variety of tonal color by allowing a greater number and variety of soundboards.

Abstract: A soundboard for a hollow-body stringed instrument made of layers of carbon-fiber and resin material surrounding a core of one or more layers of constant-thickness plywood, veneer (thinly sliced wood) or paper. Additional shaped layers are provided to produce a desired pattern of stiffness in the soundboard. The soundboard may be tuned by attaching additional masses to a surface of the soundboard. A method of making and tuning the soundboard of the invention is provided.

Abstract: A method of mounting a plate in a grand piano is provided for ensuring an appropriate bridge pressure in accordance with an actual amount of swelling of a soundboard and its distribution in a simple manner without requiring bridge pressure setting and re-adjustment. The method comprises the steps of measuring the heights of a bridge from a reference plane at a plurality of predetermined positions of the bridge on the back assembly; attaching a plurality of plate bases at a plurality of positions along the outer periphery of the top surface of the back assembly at heights corresponding to the measured heights of the bridge; and carrying the plate on the plurality of plate bases, and fixing the plate carried on the plate bases to the back assembly.

Abstract: A support structure is provided for supporting a sound board of an upright piano. A peripheral portion of the sound board is securely fixed to a sound board bearing shim, which is securely fixed to a back frame. The back frame is constructed by a plurality of posts, beams and a bottom sill. A pin block is attached to an upper portion of the main body of the upright piano above the sound board bearing shim. A support member is provided between the pin block and back frame and is made of the material having a high rigidity. An extending portion extends downwardly from a lower end of the support member. A front surface of the extending portion is attached to an upper portion of the sound board bearing shim. Herein, a thinned portion is formed by cutting a back portion of the extending portion. The extending portion is formed as an integral part of the support member but is different from the support member in thickness. So, the extending portion separates from the back frame.

Abstract: In a piano a panel, which takes the place of the usual cast iron string plate or frame, is provided for supporting the strings. The panel is a sandwich construction making it exceptionally strong and capable of withstanding the string loads without bending or otherwise yielding and without requiring auxiliary support such as the massive wooden backs or trusses to which cast iron string plates are usually attached. The string panel has a relatively thick low modulus of elasticity core layer, a portion of which is made of laminated hard wood to serve as a pin block, and relatively thin layers of high modulus of elasticity material, such as steel, bonded to the core layer. If desired the string panel may be used as the main frame of the piano to which other major components, such as the soundboard, key bed, side cheeks, housing and feet, are directly attached.

Abstract: A piano construction providing significantly improved tonal quality and balance by utilizing a soundboard which is tightly coupled to the string frame along the top edge and the two side edges of the soundboard except for a loose coupling adjacent the end of the bridge in the treble section along one of the side edges and which soundboard is loosely coupled along the lower edge as the latter is normally positioned in an upright piano. Additionally, a massive support rib on the string frame adjacently extends along the top edge of the soundboard to improve tone, and the strings at their upper ends are held in V-notches at tangential points about the string circumference to avoid lateral vibration. The string frame and soundboard are designed to produce a partially free diaphragmatic-type operation free of soundboard dead spots which maximizes tonal qualities for the dimensional restrictions of small pianos.