Abstract: A modular musical device comprising a removable soundboard.

Abstract: One embodiment of a humidifier designed to supplement humidity for the purpose of maintaining the moisture content of a wooden instrument such as a guitar. The humidifier comprises of an absorbent material, contained within an expandable outer shell, sealed at both ends. The shell is made from a non-permeable material but is constructed to be permeable. The humidifier is hydrated by submerging it in water, resulting in the absorption of liquid, causing expansion of the absorbent core and consequently expansion of the outer shell. Once hydrated, the outer shell is dried, and then, in the case of a hollow bodied instrument, is placed inside the body, or alternatively, and in the case of a solid bodied instrument, is placed in proximity to the instrument in a case or other enclosure. The shell allows the efficient egress of water vapor while isolating the instrument from liquid sequestered by the absorbent within.

Abstract: An electric musical instrument includes a body and a resonant stack. The resonant stack includes a bridge having a bridge mass and at least a first spring having a first spring constant, in which the first spring is positioned between the bridge and the body. The resonant stack has at least one resonant frequency that is dependent on the bridge mass and the first spring constant. The electric musical instrument includes a plurality of strings that extend across at least a portion of the body, in which each string has a vibrating length defined at least in part by the bridge. The electric musical instrument includes at least a first pickup device to detect vibrations of the strings and generate a first pickup signal, and at least a second pickup device to detect movements of the bridge and generate a second pickup signal.

Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of packable stringed instruments, such as upright basses, are disclosed. The exemplary embodiments include a segmented body portion, a neck portion, and a head portion, wherein respective segments of the segmented body portion are removably secured to each other and the neck portion. The segmented body portion may include, for example, an upper body (UB) portion, a lower body (LB) portion, and a central body portion. The neck portion may be separable from the head portion. The various components of the packable stringed instrument are complimentarily shaped so as to be condensed for storage and/or transport. Exemplary methods for disassembling and assembling the exemplary packable stringed instruments are also disclosed.

Abstract: A musical instrument is provided. The musical instrument includes at least, but is not limited to, a core portion providing a neck, and headstock portions, a body portion attached to the core portion, the body portion including at least a relief, the relief configured to accommodate an arm of a chair, and a tuning structure secured to the headstock. The musical instrument further includes at least, but is not limited to, a plurality of strings secured to the tuning structure, a bridge portion communicating with the plurality of strings, and a pick up secured to the body portion and interacting with the plurality of strings.

Abstract: The invention relates to a detachable bridge for a stringed instrument and the stringed instrument including such a detachable bridge. More specifically, the invention may comprise a detachable portion and a non-detachable portion. The strings are secured to the detachable portion. In a preferred embodiment, the detachable portion is secured by a retaining means of the non-detachable portion.

Abstract: A tension redistributing and balancing system for stringed instruments, consisting of bridge and string coupling mechanism which utilizes the very same string tension required to reach the desired pitch to apply inverted torque which counteracts the very same tension and torque forces as they relate to the bridge and/or soundboard.

Abstract: A board for a stringed instrument which forms a front plate or a back plate of a stringed instrument, includes: a laminated plate that is obtained by laminating a plurality of veneers having a uniform thickness by an adhesive, at least one of the veneers having a different planar shape than the other veneers, in which the laminated plate is curved to be convex toward one surface side and has a thin portion and a thick portion.

Abstract: A tool for musical string instruments that is to be mounted in contact with a vibrating part of the instrument, made up of two stably coupled portions (11, 13; 16, 17; 25, 26, 27, 28), one made of wood, the other made of a material different from wood.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a violin of acoustic configuration, which is different from the classic violin and a manufacturing method thereof. The violin of acoustic configuration is produced according to the rules of acoustic regularity, standard pitch data and uniform orderly reflecting surface of the violin cavity. The reflecting surface of cavity is depended on the international standard pitch data and the rule of acoustic wavelength changing. According to the configuration rules, the violin made of normal materials and technology process condition may provide better volume and tone, and provide much better performance in the standard pitch playing status.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a violin of acoustic configuration, which is different from the classic violin and a manufacturing method thereof. The violin of acoustic configuration is produced according to the rules of acoustic regularity, standard pitch data and uniform orderly reflecting surface of the violin cavity. The reflecting surface of cavity is depended on the international standard pitch data and the rule of acoustic wavelength changing. According to the configuration rules, the violin made of normal materials and technology process condition may provide better volume and tone, and provide much better performance in the standard pitch playing status.

Abstract: A new method for construction of a violin or instrument of the violin family comprising a combination of light weight metal and composite materials. Components are joined using fasteners whenever possible to simplify assembly and disassembly. The results of this method are enhanced environmental stability, durability, and serviceability over existing violin designs.

Abstract: A collapsible acoustic stringed instrument is disclosed having a hollow body with a soundboard, a back face and a spacer defining a sound chamber. A sound post is secured within the hollow body and engaging the soundboard and the back face. The sound post has a securement pin on each end with a sharpened portion to engage the soundboard and the back face and maintain proper positioning when the instrument strings are loosened. A neck is pivotally and laterally coupled to the body, which further has a door slidably received by specially formed channels in the back face. The neck is able to pivot and slide through the door and into the sound chamber from a playing position to a stored position, without disturbing the sound post or otherwise compromising the appearance or performance of the instrument with respect to a standard non-collapsible instrument.

Abstract: A violin can have a longitudinal bass bar located to the right of the middle line in the front and two transverse bass bars located to both left side and right-side of the longitudinal bass bar respectively. The transverse bass bars can be in the upper half of the lower semicircle of the front plate. A lower longitudinal bass bar can be located to the left of the middle line in the back and two other transverse bass bars can be located to both left-side and right-side of the lower longitudinal bass bar respectively and the transverse bass bars can be in the upper half of the lower semicircle of the back plate. An upper longitudinal bass bar can be located to the left of the middle line in the upper half of back plate. Twelve harmonious overtones in octave may be generated in the violin.

Abstract: A collapsible stringed instrument having a body with a soundboard, a back face, a neck, and a spacer. The perimeter of the soundboard is connected to the perimeter of the back face by the spacer. The volume between the spacer, the soundboard, and the back face define a sound chamber. The neck is pivotally and laterally coupled to the body which has a door in the back face. The neck is able to pivot and slide through the door and into the sound chamber.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument combination of at least two traditional stringed musical instruments or of nontraditional stringed musical instruments or a mix of traditional and nontraditional. The combination presents the advantages of rapid exchange while playing, reduced storage or transportation volume and a lower cost than two separate instruments. The preferred embodiment is a Fiddolin, a commercially available violin modified to present a mandolin on its back face. The string tension requirement is solved by having additional structure to mount the mandolin pegs into and the angularity needed to keep the strings pulled over the nut by channels or lumens to conduct the strings through.

Abstract: A new sound board construction for the stringed musical instrument is provided. The sound board comprises 12 wedge shaped, flat wooden pieces joined at the center and along the edges between adjacent pieces. Bracing is provided behind the joints between the wedge pieces. The grain of the wood in each of the wedge pieces is arranged to extend from the joining point or apex to the outer edge of the wedge piece.

Abstract: A structure for a musical instrument body that limits vibration of various components or parts of the body while controlling and providing for overall resonance of the instrument. The structure is suitable for use with a musical instrument, specifically an electric guitar. The structure includes a support member or block positioned in a chamber created between a top plate and bottom plate of the guitar body and a structural element, spaced from the top and bottom plates, that engages the block to provide additional support and stiffness enabling further control of the overall vibration and thus resonance of the instrument. Varying the design of the structure along with the various body components provides an apparatus for uniquely tuning the acoustic characteristics of the guitar body.

Abstract: Stringed musical instruments, and methods for manufacturing such instruments, are provided that include a unitary shell that includes a head, a neck and a body, a separate sound board adapted to be attached to the unitary shell, wherein the soundboard extends from the head to the body, and a substantially hollow cavity extending through the head, the neck and the body. Exemplary processes include composite manufacturing processes and plastics manufacturing processes.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument is provided with a plate or soundboard that is curved to define a crest parallel to the strings. If the instrument is a closedbox instrument, another plate opposing the first plate may be curved to define a crest perpendicular to the strings. The first plate may be supported by transverse braces, which are scalloped to leave substantial air gaps along the glue line once the brace is attached. The back plate may be supported by a substantial longitudinal brace or spine, which runs down its center parallel to the strings. The spine contains a substantial portion of the mass of the back plate. These musical instruments have reduced wolf tones and improved harmonic generation over common instruments, and therefore have a more complex and pleasing tone than common instruments. The harmonic character of these instruments is fully exploited by using one or more harmonic bridges in addition to the primary bridge.

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: The invention relates to a soundboard of composite fibre material construction for acoustic stringed instruments, comprising a core plate and a fibre laminate which is provided on at least one of the two outer faces of the core plate and is composed of long fibres embedded in a carrier material, the core plate having a lower average density than the fibre laminate. In this case a part of the core plate including the two end regions of the central zone of the core plate has a longitudinal compression strength which is greater than the longitudinal compression strength of the remaining part of the core plate. In this way a construction is achieved which is particularly stable under compression whilst at the same time having an improved acoustic quality.

Abstract: An acoustic stringed instrument body includes a soundboard, a bottom surface and a side surface, wherein the soundboard includes a relief cut, wherein the relief cut is dimensioned to create a more flexible coupling between the soundboard and the sidewall, wherein the relief cut improves the tone of the instrument by allowing the soundboard to vibrate more freely.

Abstract: A bow stringed instrument having an anchor piece which secures the strings to the top plate of the instrument, wherein strings are connected to the anchor piece and the anchor piece is attached to the top plate.

Abstract: A bonding structure is provided, which is capable of eliminating overflow of the adhesive to the outside of the body, and which is capable of eliminating generation of a shrinkage cavity. The cross-section of a rib member 10 is to have approximate H shaped cross section, which shape is formed by an internal flange 11 and an external flange 12, each connected by a web 13, and the plate members are adhered to the top and bottom surfaces 11A and 11B of the internal flange 11.

Abstract: A stringed instrument such as a guitar with a thinner than traditional body is provided enhanced decibels measured by sound pressure level (DBSPL) response employing a combination of one or more of each of a passive radiator, tuned isolated resonating wave guide or guides in the body cavity and an equalized closeable sound opening in the front face configured to maximize volume at low frequencies and increasing low frequency response, e.g., at or less than 500 Hz. The passive radiator may be in either the front or rear or both faces. The wave guides each comprise elongated sheets in the body chamber spaced from the corresponding face by spaced posts. The wave guides may be in opposing cooperating pairs or may be staggered for directing low frequency waves to a sound opening in the front face and resonate to provide enhanced low frequency response and subsequent volume. The passive radiator in the rear face is recessed within the body chamber.

Abstract: A method to relieve the pressure on the top, bottom, and sides of a stringed musical instrument by securing two wooden rods between the neck block and the tail block, with the rods positioned lower at the tail block than at the neck block. The rods are tapped and tuned by selectively removing material from the rods to achieve the desired tone and to eliminate sound wave clash. This method will allow more different types of material to be used in the construction of musical instruments with more powerful and improved tone quality.

Abstract: A carbon fiber cello has upper, middle, and lower bouts which smoothly merge into each other, a neck, back and sides which are molded in one piece from carbon fibers in which the back and sides are joined by smooth, round corners. The interior resonant cavity is free of protusions with the exception of the bass bar, soundpost, endpin support, and endpin.

Abstract: An instrument pickup assembly comprising, a piezoelectric transducer configured for association with a belly of a stringed instrument, a transmittable conduit associated with said piezoelectric transducer at a first end thereof, and means for securely positioning said piezoelectric transducer onto said belly of said stringed instrument.

Abstract: An electric cello has a frame body, a stretchable frame of which is changed between a stretched position spread from a trunk and a shrunk position in close proximity of the trunk so that a cellist easily carries the electric cello in his arms.

Abstract: There is provided a humidity controlled piano including a housing containing piano sound board. The housing further contains humidifier and dehumidifier apparatus. The housing includes a partial enclosure formed by a substantially rigid top and sides. The rigid enclosure has an open end. A moisture impervious aperture free sheet substantially covers the open end so that the relative humidity within the housing may be controlled.

Abstract: An electrical musical instrument in the form of an electric violin 1 comprises an instrument body 2 comprising a body member 6 comprising an upper convex member 7 and a lower convex member 8 attached to each other by means of screws at the upper and lower ends thereof. An aperture 4 is defined in the upper convex member 7 and is adapted to receive a bridge 5. A reinforcing member 11 extends along the length of the rear of the violin body 2. The violin 1 further comprises a wooden neck 3 extending from the body 2.Electric pick-up means 10 supported by the instrument body 2 and provide an electrical output signal representing vibration of at least one tensioned string extending in use substantially along the length of the instrument 1 and passing over the bridge 5. The reinforcing member 11 in use opposes torque applied to the instrument body 2 and neck member 3 as a result of the tension in the or each string.

Abstract: A silent violin has a body structure, strings stretched over the body, a bridge held in contact with the strings and having two leg portions supported by the body structure and a piezoelectric converting unit inserted between the bridge and the body, although the piezoelectric converting unit is located under the two leg portions, the piezoelectric converting unit converts vibrations propagated from the strings through one of the two leg portions to an electric signal, and an electric system faithfully produces electric sounds to be expected from the electric signal without any interference between the vibrations propagated through the two leg portions.

Abstract: A musical instrument having a stabilization apparatus wherein a body of the instrument is V-shaped to allow the neck of a musician to be placed within an opening formed in the body. A curve of one wing of the body fits around the back of the neck of the musician while a second wing has a tip which rests against the chest of the musician. A strap is connected to portions of each of the wings. Further, a telescopic mechanism is fixed to the back of the musical instrument at one end. Another end of the telescopic mechanism has a plate which rests on the chest of the musician to support the instrument in a fixed position.

Abstract: The replacement of the bass-bar which is traditionally installed on the underside of the top-plate of a cello or double-bass and substituting a more elastic suspension system of radiating bars. In one arrangement, the bass-bar is replaced by a short support-bar located under the bass-foot of the bridge and has an arch cut at its midpoint in alignment with the bridge and a set of four fan-braces radiate outward at an angle to the alignment axis of the support-bar and are firmly glued to the sides of the support-bar with the fan-braces distributing the static load borne by the support-bar over the whole area of the top-plate. In another arrangement, the traditional bass-bar is replaced by a pair of tapered vibration-bars which cross in an integrally glued cross-lap joint with the region of crossing being provided with a slight arch-cut profile with the load from the X-brace region thus being spread over the entire top-plate of the instrument.

Abstract: A musical instrument having plucked strings includes a sound board resting freely on the body of the instrument and which is put into vibration in a plane normal to its surface by a bridge of asymmetrical structure that supports the strings of the instruments and that rests on said sound board. The sound board is clamped at a projecting one of its ends between the body and the tailpiece of the instrument, and at its other end it rests on supports secured to the body. The bridge is supported at its treble string end directly by means of a fixed finger secured to the rigid body, and at its bass string end by the freely mounted sound board to which pressure and vibration are transmitted by a thrust piece which defines an asymmetrical configuration relative to the fixed finger.

Abstract: A humidifier for a wooden stringed instrument. The humidifier comprises a stiff, vapor-permeable tubular member having a cap attached to one end thereof. The humidifier is supported in a hole in the side wall of the stringed instrument, the stiffness of the tubular member allows the humidifier to be cantilevered within the sound box so that the tubular member does not contact the interior of the sound box. In a preferred embodiment, the humidifier is mounted in a hole extending through the string anchor insert of the instrument.

Abstract: A bow musical instrument in which at least the front (1) is constituted by a thin wall of composite material comprising at least two superposed sheets (A, B, C, D, . . . ) of crossed and directed long fibers, the wall being covered on at least one of its faces with a lining material (Y, Z) of considerably lower density than the fibers, wherein the deposition of the sheets of fibers is such that the ratio of the longitudinal modulus of elasticity divided by the transverse modulus of elasticity of the wall is higher in a wall zone close to the longitudinal axis of symmetry of the instrument than it is for a zone close to the sides of the instrument.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing and tuning a musical instrument having a sound board that is excited by either a string, as in a guitar, or a percussion instrument, such as a drum. The sound board is tuned by holding it in position such that it can vibrate, tapping it to determine the actual audible sound at the tapped location to a desired sound, and then either adding or reducing the material at the tapped location to achieve the desired sound.

Abstract: Violin bellies, backs, and sides are immersed in a varnish bath under conditions of elevated temperature and pressure for periods of time ranging from 1 to 14 days. The varnish bath contains a drying oil in a volatile solvent. In a preferred embodiment, the varnish bath contains 30-35% tung oil in a volatile solvent, such as turpentine or pertoleum ether. The temperature is preferably maintained between 70.degree. and 95.degree. F., and the pressure is preferably maintained between 1 and 10 psi above atmospheric pressure. In a preferred embodiment, the bellies are made of spruce and are immersed in the varnish bath for periods of time ranging from 1 to 14 days, while the backs and sides are made from maple and are immersed in the varnish bath for periods of time ranging from 1 to 3 days.

Abstract: A soundboard for an acoustic guitar is made of a composite-materials plate having an area density matching that of wooden soundboards while having a bulk density exceeding the bulk density of wooden soundboards. The soundboard is preferably made of a lay-up of woven polymer (preferably aramid) fabric and a layer of unidirectional graphite fibers followed by a layer of decorative fabric (e.g., silk), all embedded in a resin matrix. The side and back are made of at least one layer of woven fabric embedded in a resin matrix. The neck is made of a foam plastic core preferably covered with a woven fabric layer and a decorative fabric layer embedded in a resin matrix. The head is preferably cast of fiber-filled thermoplastic covered with a fabric layer embedded in a resin matrix. The head and neck are channelled to receive a composite-materials reinforcing rod, a fret board of similar material being bonded thereto.

Abstract: The invention relates to the manufacture of a violin (and other instruments of the violin family), in which the component parts of the acoustic box are made from sheet material. The sheet material is composed of substantially unidirectionally oriented man-made fibres, for example of carbon or boron, set in a matrix of epoxy resin. Thus the fibres are substantially all aligned from end to end in the front plate and in the back plate, we well as in the lengths of the side pieces and bass bar. Using this alignment of fibres that have a high modulus of elaticity, coupled with relatively low specific gravity and low flexural friction in vibration, a design for an instrument's acoustic box is specified which provides for instruments having vibrational systems, similar to that found in traditional instruments, but in which, for the same loudness of sound propagated, there are substantial economies in the proportional of force inherent in a vibration that is deployed in propagating sound.

Abstract: A process for testing stringed wooden instrument components during manufacture to improve and make uniform the component vibrational performance. The wooden component is tapped lightly to produce an audible vibrational response that is measured against a standard response. If necessary, material is removed from the component to enable the response to match the standard.

Abstract: A blocking system 10 for a stringed musical instrument, such as an acoustical guitar which has a neck connected to a sound box 1 constructed from a top 2, back 4 and sides 3, uses a neck block 11 having a substantially isosceles triangular shape. Neck block 11 has equal length concave sides 12 and a convex base 13 and is attached to sound box 1 at the top 2, back 4, and sides 3. Tail block 15 is constructed having a substantially isosceles triangular shape with equal length concave sides 16 and convex base 17. Tail block 15 is of slightly smaller width than the height of side wall 3 and attached thereto so equal length sides 16 are symmetrically disposed about the longitudinal axis.

Abstract: A three-quarter size violin comprises a body assembly wherein the length of the body assembly is approximately 131/4", the width of an upper bout of the body assembly is approximately 61/2" to 65/8", the width of a center bout of the body assembly is approximately 41/2" to 43/8", the width of the lower bout of the body assembly is approximately 81/8", and the height of generally continuous ribwood tapers along the length of the upper rib section.

Abstract: A violin having a dowel disposed in the neck block and the neck to reinforce the joint between the neck and the sound box.

Abstract: A sound box for violin, made of molded plastic, is made of a lower and upper sound board and an intermediate surrounding sidewall sealed together. The sound boards are molded with ribs on their internal surface. The handle is molded with the lower board and extends from a large axial rib on the latter. The handle and the large rib have a core made of hard wood.

Abstract: The present invention is directed towards a stringed musical instrument of the type commonly known as a bass but particularly structured to have a reduced and variable overall dimension so as to facilitate transporting of the instrument and allow expansion of certain effective dimensions thereof such as the height (length) and width of the instrument to facilitate playing of the instrument in conventional positions such as standing and/or sitting and using conventional techniques.

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.