Abstract: An electric guitar comprising a body (1) in which the strings (11) are tuned by means of adjustment keys or knobs (4) located along one side edge of the guitar body (1). The knobs (4) adjust tuning machines (3) located at the rear of the body to which the strings are guided from the front over guide pulleys (5) mounted in the base edge of the body.

Abstract: A dynamically illuminated guitar (10) for producing visual and sequential lighting effects on the guitar body (20) caused by spontaneous or deliberate hand and body movements of the guitarist and by external light sources. A plurality of light-emitting diodes (30) through (93) embedded into the guitar face and arranged in aesthetically pleasing designs serve as the display medium. A variety of different light display modes is selected by changing the orientation of the guitar (20) to cause a group of mercury tilt switches (120), (130), (140) to control the digital pulse format of an electronic pulse-forming circuit. Light-dependent resistors (160), (170) embedded on the guitar face further cause the guitar visual lighting display to be controlled by external variable lighting.

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 string instrument of guitar type which is constructed to allow both individual notes and chords to be played thereon. The instrument is tuned in such a manner that the pitch difference of the open string notes obtained by adjacent strings (4) alternately is three and four semitones. Each fret (5) on the instrument represents one whole tone. The tuning of the instrument thus is adapted to the traditional occidental harmony of music. The instrument is designed in two different embodiments, viz., as an acoustic instrument and as an electric instrument. As a beginner's instrument in both the acoustic and electric variety it comprises preferably 4 to 6 strings (4). In other embodiments the string instrument is designed to comprise any number of strings between 6 and 13. The increased number of strings increases the range of notes and tone variety of the instrument. The string instrument may be played using available guitar literature as well as existing piano literature.

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 combined guitar and bass guitar employing a common body, neck and finger board and more significantly employing two common strings to provide both instruments employing a total of eight strings.

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: A T-shirt on which a graphical representation comprises a portion imprinted on the T-shirt is a design of an overall object to be displayed with a 3-dimension self-supporting structure temporarily connected to the T-shirt completing the design.

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: 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: A kit for converting a single-stringed instrument to a double-stringed instrument including a unique combined bridge/tuning mechanism (50) which replaces the bridge assembly of the single-stringed instrument. The combined bridge/tuning mechanism (50) includes a bridge assembly over which both the original strings (20) and the additional strings (40) pass, and an integrally mounted tuning assembly (54) for adjusting the tension in (i.e., tuning) the additional strings. The bridge/tuning mechanism (50) includes a base or mounting plate (60) from one end of which perpendicularly extends a flange (62). The tuning keys (86) which comprise the tuning assembly (54) are pivotally mounted to the upper end of the flange (62), the additional strings (40) passing through apertures (68) formed in the flange (62). The flange (62) also serves as a means for terminating one end of the original strings (20) whose other ends are terminated in other tuning keys (18) located, for example, on the head (16) of the instrument.

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.

Abstract: A musical instrument comprising an electric guitar and an electric bass in a single instrument having a body to which is attached a neck with enlarged frets so that the neck and the frets may receive at the same time the four strings of the bass as well as the six strings of the common guitar, provided also with a pick-up for the bass as well as with a pick-up for the guitar, both pick-ups leading to a common, single stereo outlet being in turn connected to an already well known amplifier.

Abstract: The economy of manufacture of electric guitars and electric bass guitars is improved, with no loss of quality, by providing an anchor flange in integral relationship with a metal pickguard of the guitar or bass guitar. Extended through the anchor flange are adjustment screws which connect adjustably to bridge barrels over which the strings extend. The adjustment screws and bridge barrels are preassembled to the anchor flange, and all electric components are preassembled to the pickguard, prior to mounting of the pickguard on the body of the guitar or bass. Thus, the ultimate in economy is achieved, yet the anchor flange has very strong support from the pickguard and is located accurately thereby.

Abstract: A guitar construction having a complete body, neck, head, nut and tail piece formed as a single, integral, metal casting with tuning pegs, finger board, bridge and strings mounted thereon. The body portion is in the usual bell-shaped outline, formed by a continuous metal rib with a plurality of other ribs, all integrally formed in the same casting, extending across the space enclosed by the continuous rib and themselves defining a plurality of other spaces extending through the body. Solid, planar sheets, preferably of transparent plastic, cover the front and rear sides of an opening defined by one set of ribs to form a hollow chamber. The bridge is affixed to one of the ribs defining the chamber to produce a resonant effect similar to that of a hollow body guitar, while retaining the open appearance and unitary construction. Conventional pick-up means for an electronic amplification system are mounted in one of the enclosed spaces.

Abstract: An improved guitar provided with a removable tailblock assembly which replaces the conventional fixed interior tailblock. The tailblock assembly includes a ringlike reinforcing member which is disposed in the interior of the guitar body and extends between the top and bottom walls, and is secured to the inner face of the curved end portions of the side walls at their junction. The end portions of the side walls have notches or openings formed therein which align with the opening in the reinforcing member. A ringlike insert is fixedly positioned within these latter openings, and is fixedly secured to the guitar body, such as to the side walls. This insert defines therethrough a large opening which is aligned with the longitudinal axis of the guitar body and provides convenient access to the interior thereof.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument is provided upon which music may be performed in either of two manners. The body of the instrument, which may be electrically amplified, has two complete sets of strings, amplification pickups, volume and tone controls and necks which radiate in substantially opposite directions. The instrument is suspended from a harness worn by the performer by means of a mechanical and electrical rotary connections. The instrument may be rotated by the performer on a horizontal axis to bring the instrument into the desired playing position.

Abstract: A guitar is provided with a soft pillow-like body or cushion instead of the large sound box of a Spanish-type guitar or the substantially flat non-yielding body of an electric guitar. The soft cushion avoids uncomfortable localized contact between the body of the musician and parts of the guitar, and it promotes more secure holding by the musician for better performance on the instrument. Also, the cushion is sufficiently flexible so that the stem and neck of the guitar may be suitably positioned for playing by a musician in either standing or sitting position.

Abstract: A plastic body for a solid body musical instrument such as an electric guitar which body consists of a plastic body molded in the shape of the musical instrument body and a structural support member of wood or other suitable material embedded within the plastic body. The structural support member has a profile shape which is substantially a reduced scale version of the profile shape of the body and is so dimensioned and positioned within the body that the thickness of plastic about the structural member at most points along the member is substantially minimized and the mass of plastic material on one side of the member is not substantially greater than the mass of plastic on the opposite side of the member. The body is adapted to have an electric pickup mounted thereon, the support member being exposed in the area thereof adjacent the pickup and the pickup being mounted in close proximity to the exposed portion of the member.

Abstract: A musical instrument string having a central core and one or more lengths of wire forming helically wound layers along the length. The outer surface of the string is unaltered from one end to a mid area and from the mid area to the other end of the string, the string has a smooth outer surface.

Abstract: A guitar having a body formed from a wood top plate and a one piece plastic molded side and bottom section. The sides of the molded body section are formed with a plurality of distinct inwardly and downwardly directed steps that are adopted to enhance sound projection and tone in a manner heretofore possible only with expensive handcrafted guitar bodies.

Abstract: A multimode digital display assembly is configured to provide a real time alphanumeric display of notes and chords being played on stringed musical instruments, such as a guitar, as a learning or teaching aid. The display assembly is particularly well adapted to be retrofitted to a minimally modified guitar, and the display generating circuitry is specially selected for a low cost/low complexity implementation. Basic operating modes provide both a track, and latch display type, and an alternate operating mode uses sound produced by the instrument to initiate and update displays of the notes and chords being played.

Abstract: A body having a rear panel and sides integrally formed of plastic, with a top panel secured across the upper sides, the body being connected to a neck, having a U-shaped cross section, and a peghead, integrally formed of plastic with the neck. A flat plastic panel is secured across the open side of the neck, for attachment of a fretboard, and a reinforcement rod runs from the butt end of the body to the upper portions of the peghead. Plastic foam is shot within all interior portions of the body, neck and peghead.

Abstract: A guitar is provided which, while being held in the traditional guitar playing position, may be strummed or bowed interchangeably, as desired. This is accomplished by constructing the nut, neck and bridge each to be formed having an arcuate surface to support the strings in an arcuate disposition. Furthermore, when the guitar is held in the traditional, generally vertical position, the corresponding upper edge portions of the nut, neck and bridge are raised so as to be greater in height than the opposite edge portions thereof to locate the arcuate surfaces asymmetrically relative to the body of the instrument to support the strings either for strumming, plucking or bowing.

Abstract: A detection circuit for detecting the rise of vibration of a string of a musical instrument such as a guitar capable of producing a trigger signal accurately at each flipping of the string. The circuit comprises a first system in which a signal obtained by full-wave rectifying a picked up signal from a pickup is compared with a predetermined reference level in a first comparator to produce a first signal, a second system in which a signal obtained by half-wave rectifying the picked up signal and integrating it thereafter is compared in a second comparator with a signal obtained by level-shifting the picked up signal by a predetermined level and a second signal is produced by delaying the speed of response of the output of the second comparator, and a flip-flop circuit to which the first and second signals are applied. The flip-flop outputs a signal each time player flips the string, which is used as a trigger signal for an electronic musical instrument driven by the above-said picked up signal.

Abstract: An integrated carrier/saddle structure for securing strings to an acoustic guitar which eliminates structural loading that inhibits the motion of the sounding board and provides adjustable coupling of the string vibrations to the diaphram formed by the guitar sounding board. The carrier member, to which the strings are attached, is mounted independently of the sounding board and is incorporated into the saddle structure through an aperture with an adjustment means being provided to vary the height of the carrier with respect to the saddle to optimize the coupling force between the strings and sounding board. A removable cover, attached to the saddle, is provided to enclose the aperture formed around the extension of the carrier member through the saddle structure and the adjustment mechanism.

Abstract: A stringed instrument in the form of an electric guitar having a body and a neck. A plurality of strings secured to the outer end of the neck extend along the neck and past a bridge carried by the body. The opposite ends of the strings are coupled with pegs which are rotatably mounted on the body adjacent to the bridge. The pegs are manually rotated by shafts which are located within the body itself. A worm gear connects each shaft to a respective peg. A knob is on the outer end of each shaft and each knob is located in a respective recess in a side-wall or an end wall of the body. A knob and a switch for control of amplified sounds are also recessed within the body. The body and neck are reduced in mass to decrease the weight of the instrument.

Abstract: A double neck string instrument in the nature of an electric guitar adapted for two voice play with one neck extending parallel to the other neck spaced apart therefrom, offset longitudinally thereof, and offset from the plane of the stringed face thereof, so that each hand can play on a different neck without play of one hand on one neck interfering with the play of the other hand on the other neck. Each neck has its own sound pick up.

Abstract: An apparatus for transmitting acoustical energy from a stringed musical instrument having a bridge and string anchor to a listener comprising an energy pick-up chamber, an energy transmission member and a means for transmitting said energy to a listener is disclosed. The pick-up chamber is located at said bridge and is in resonant contact with the strings. It has at least one opening through which an elongated, hollow, energy transmission member is connected to the interior of the chamber. The means is mounted on the other end of the hollow member for transmitting the musical energy to the ears of a listener.

Abstract: An improvement in the mechanical and functional structure of stringed instruments, tending to obtain perfection in the sound of guitars, violins and other instruments of this type, comprises arranging in the interior of the sound box of the instrument an arrangement which diminishes, cancels and even produces a contrary effect to that originated on the sound box by the tightening of the tuned strings and by the force of sound derived from the vibration thereof. Such arrangement has an adjusting element, preferably arranged on the outside, which controls the adjustment of the assembly, in order to obtain an optimum sound of the instrument.

Abstract: A stringed instrument is disclosed which incorporates improved design and performance features. An elongated body, hereinafter called the wedge, contains in itself all necessary components and parts making it a totally playable instrument with or without a pair of removable wing bodies. One purpose of the wing body attachments is to provide flexibility for modular electronic add-on components for use with new modern amplification devices. Also the wing bodies may be changed to provide a varity of instrument body designs, colors, finishes and fabrics. The sound produced by each of the strings of the instrument is enhanced by providing each string with at least one individual magnetic pickup which is individually adjustable to that string for optimum performance. Each string is also provided with its own individual bridge support which is completely separated from each other bridge support to prevent any acoustical and/or electrical cross-feed.

Abstract: A neck for a stringed instrument which is adjustable to counteract warping by tensioning a strap of substantially inextensible material positioned within the neck. In one embodiment, the strap is positioned inside a conduit inside the neck which can be bowed to counteract the warping. The strap is positioned in the conduit in the shape of an arc with the ends of the strap closer to the finger board or the strings than the central region of the strap by a plurality of rod members fixedly secured to the conduit. One end of the strap is fixedly secured to one end of the conduit and the other end can be moved to tension the strap and bow the conduit and neck to counteract warping. In another embodiment, the strap is shaped as an arc inside the conduit by an elongated filler element having an arcuate bottom surface which progressively increases in depth from the ends of the filler element toward the central region of it.

Abstract: A bowl-shaped body formed in a single piece of graphite, fiberglass or impregnated fabric and having a waist separating a smaller upper bowl portion from a larger lower bowl portion. The lower bowl portion has a circular bout and is substantially deeper than the upper bowl portion. Preferably, the upper bowl portion also has a cutaway portion adjacent the fretboard, for fingering at the higher positions, and a more deeply curving waist portion on the same side to allow the guitar to be more easily held during playing.

Abstract: An electric guitar has a neck of a unitary elongated construction which is coupled to and extends through the body at least up to a location where a bridge and a tail piece are provided, and at least one member of a relatively hard wooden or light metallic material interconnecting the base portion of the neck to the body, whereby the acoustic characteristics of the guitar are greatly improved.

Abstract: A stringed instrument, such as a guitar, is provided with one or more auxiliary strings which are parallel to the regular strings of performance and between the regular strings and the sound box or body to be actuated under the influence and vibrations of the regular strings.

Abstract: A mute mechanism for an electric string bass or other stringed musical instrument is permanently mounted on the body of the instrument and includes a rubber faced mute movable into and out of engagement with the instrument's strings by a manually shiftable slide readily accessible by a performer playing the instrument.

Abstract: A string instrument, such as a guitar, includes an instrument body, a neck portion, pivotably coupled to the body by means of a joint, to permit pivotal movement of the neck portion between an operative and a folded position, a string mount moveably mounted on the body, at least one string, one end portion of which is secured to the string mount and the other end portion of which is secured to the neck portion, and drive means for moving the spring mount, which is coupled to the spring mount and the joint. The drive means moves the spring mount in direct response to pivotal movement of the neck portion about the joint, so as to maintain the original length and tension of the at least one string, when the neck portion is moved between the operative and folded positions thereof.

Abstract: A cast plastic toy having a unitary U-shaped body including the side and top walls of the sound box, a bridge, a neck, apertures in pegboard at one end of the neck, strengthening ribs, and a barrier at the juncture of the neck and sound box. A paperboard bottom wall completes the sound box, and pegs are inserted through the apertures in the pegboard. Strings extend between the pegs and the bridge, and a continuous ridge on the upper surface of the sound box receives a paperboard insert therewithin. Apertures are formed in the sound box, and simulated manual control buttons are located on the upper surface of the sound box.

Abstract: There is disclosed herein an electronic digital system for allowing encoding and storage of note value and time value for one or more musical instruments and which, upon playback, controls a light display to indicate to the musician the notes to be played and their time value. The system is particularly described for use with guitars, and similar instruments, and has an X-Y display to indicate, for example, both the particular string and the note to be played, as well as the time value of the note. In addition, the system will accommodate a plurality of such musical instruments to thereby enable display of the notes to be played, and their time values, for all of the instruments simultaneously. The system includes a keyboard for entering note value and note timing for each of one or more instruments, and a memory for storing data bits indicative of the notes for each instrument and the timing thereof.

Abstract: An electric guitar has a neck and body formed from a solid metal rod. Fret bars are pressed in slots cut across the rod to extend outward from the rod in its neck portion. Combination pickups and tuners are longitudinally positioned adjacent to the body portion of the rod and secured by two positioning bars and a bridge.

Abstract: A guitar, the neck of which is hinged to the guitar body so as to be foldable into a shaped recess in the back of the body. The strings of the guitar are individually attached at one end to the neck and at the other end to a common bridge unit. The bridge unit is attached to a first clamp on the face of the body in the erect position of the neck and to a second clamp recessed below the face side of the body in the folded neck position. Grooves are formed in the guitar body to individually retain each guitar string in the folded neck position.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument having an instrument body, a neck mounted on and extending from said body, and at least one string, an end of which is secured to the extremity of the neck remote from said body and an end of which is secured to said body, this string being under tension and extending adjacent to the neck and the body between its ends, can be improved by pivotally mounting the neck on the body and by using a cam and cam follower structure to adjust the position of the neck relative to the body. The cam and cam follower structure is employed so as to equalize the component of the force exerted by the string on the neck tending to deform the neck. Preferably the instrument has two somewhat flexible resonator structures within the body of the instrument and means connecting both of the resonator structures to a bridge supporting the string or strings of the instrument. These connecting means are employed to transmit vibration to both of the resonator structures.

Abstract: The hollow body of a guitar has two discrete zones for openings in the sound board, such openings being located on either side of the longitudinal center line defined by the neck and fret board. These openings are located adjacent the periphery of the upper or smaller bout, that is above the waist. The lower bout is slightly larger than the upper bout and is provided with a bridge located below the waist. The tension forces in the strings are reacted through a central portion of the bout in the region where the single conventional sound opening is normally provided. This construction allows for a thinner sound board than has been possible heretofore, which sound board can also be braced by longitudinally extending ribs located below the strings, and can be more conveniently braced to improve its acoustic response.

Abstract: A power operated device that is mounted on a musical stringed instrument such as a guitar to selectively bring one or a desired group of rotating members into light pressure contact with strings of the instrument to cause one or a desired group of strings to vibrate at least so long as the rotatable members are in rotating contact therewith to emit musical tones. The device permits unusual and novel musical effects to be obtained from an instrument due to the strings being subjected to vibration for any desired period of time, in contrast to the short period of time a string vibrates to emit a musical tone when the string is plucked by a finger or with a pick.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved neck-body joint for a guitar-like musical instrument which joint minimizes the possibility of relative movement between the neck and body and permits the neck to be pitched at a desired angle relative to the body without weakening either element.

Abstract: A mute of soft, flexible sound-absorbing material, located adjacent the exterior of each sound-hole in a stringed instrument to form a substantially complete closure for the same, imparts a new and distinctive sound to the instrument.

Abstract: This invention relates to an improved bridge for stringed musical instruments which bridge is shaped, for preferred embodiments, so as to provide maximum, and substantially uniform, mechanical compliance between the bridge and the soundboard of the instrument over the full frequency range of the instrument while still being wide enough at each point along its length to effectively couple the frequency of vibrations to be driven by the bridge at that point. For alternative embodiments, the shape of the bridge is altered at one or more selected points along its length, altering the mechanical compliance at these points in a predetermined manner. These variations cause the instruments to have a predetermined frequency response characteristic.

Abstract: A damper for a stringed instrument has an elastic foldable web provided with catch members positioned at the end portions thereof, a hinge portion positioned at the longitudinally central portion thereof and notches of substantially isosceles triangular shape disposed close to and outwardly from the hinge portion. On the inner surface of the foldable web a resilient spongy member is secured. When the foldable web is folded for holding the strings of a stringed instrument in between the upper and lower layers of the resilient spongy member and the catch members are fastened, the strings are compressed by the spongy member and the sounds produced from the strings may be lowered.

Abstract: A bass guitar incorporates a number of damping pads which are individually mounted and individually adjustable without tools. Rotational motion of the adjustment is isolated from the pad and its carrier by rotatably mounting the latter to an adjustable shaft, restraining rotation of the shaft and minimizing resistance to relative rotation of the pad carrier and adjustable shaft.