Abstract: Systems and methods for translating strings of a stringed instruments as well as providing for adjustable tensioning. In embodiments, a stringed instrument, may include an instrument body having a front side and a back side wherein, as with most stringed instruments, the strings are disposed on the front side of the body for playing. Different from conventional stringed instruments though, at least a portion of at least one string may be disposed on the backside of the body as well. Thus, a first set of string anchor points are disposed on front side and a second set of string anchor points are disposed on the back side. That is, the strings are translated form the front side to the back side by passing the one or more translated strings through an aperture in the body called a through-bridge. Further, embodiments may include additional versatility by having adjustable tensioning systems.

Abstract: The Spring Bracing System invention is disclosed for optimizing the musical voice of a stringed musical instrument by improving the transfer of musical string vibration energy and adding structural support and spring quality to targeted locations on the instrument's sound board. The Spring Bracing System, comprising a spring brace frame, a tensioning system, a fulcrum lever system, sound posts and sound braces, operates as a simple machine in transferring vibration energy generated when the instrument's strings are in motion. The adjustability of the system allows the musician to customize, optimize, and improve the musical voice of the instrument to his preference. On most steel string guitars, the Spring Bracing System can be installed without modification to the instrument. It can be installed in other types of stringed musical instruments, such as classical guitars, cellos and double basses, with minor modifications.

Abstract: An light weight injection molded neck block with stanchions that guide a bolts form the back of the body to the neck.

Abstract: This invention is an acoustic guitar with a floating soundboard. The soundboard is attached to the body with shoulder bolts, rubber grommets, washers, and nuts (no adhesive). This allows the soundboard to float, due to the rubber grommets that will provide a great amount of movement. This results in dramatically greater volume, and improved tone (due to less force required on the guitar strings). The material for the body is Rock Maple, and the other materials are Sitka Spruce, Rosewood and Mahogany.

Abstract: A soundboard for a musical instrument having a body, a rear plate, and a lateral plate, with the soundboard, the rear plate, and the lateral plate defining a sound chamber for the musical instrument. The soundboard extends along a longitudinal axis and has a thickness. The soundboard also has a partial taper recurve asymmetrically disposed around the longitudinal axis. The recurve includes a first recurve section that forms a downward ramp which starts flush with the thickness of the soundboard, a second recurve section that defines the full depth of the partial taper recurve, and a third recurve section that forms an upward ramp which ends flush with the thickness of the soundboard. Also disclosed is a musical instrument comprising the soundboard. The musical instrument may be a guitar.

Abstract: This invention describes a new Modular Multi-Plate Stringed Instrument Body Architecture that utilizes a front plate or plurality of front plates, a back plate or plurality of back plates, and central stiffening and connecting assembly and/or spacer blocks that connect the plates and distribute the forces created by string tension throughout the system in order to create an instrument body that is light weight, modular, modifiable and repairable. The use of modern composites such as carbon fiber allows for the instrument body to be designed as a beam structure such that the stiffness, resonance, and tone of the system can be controlled by varying the thickness, geometry, and material of the plates and connecting members. Said assembly can be dismantled and components changed to meet the user's needs and desires giving increased control over performance parameters compared to existing designs.

Abstract: A musical instrument includes a softwood core and an opening formed in the softwood core. The softwood core is formed by combining a plurality of softwood boards. A hardwood plug is disposed in the opening of the softwood core. A first hardwood plate is disposed over a first surface of the softwood core. A second hardwood plate is disposed over a second surface of the softwood core. The hardwood plug extends from the first hardwood plate to the second hardwood plate. The softwood core, first hardwood plate, and second hardwood plate are cut into an instrument body. An instrument neck is attached to the instrument body. A bridge is attached to the hardwood plug using a screw or other fastener extending through the bridge and into the hardwood plug. An opening is formed through the hardwood plug. A string is disposed through the opening of the hardwood plug.

Abstract: A modular stringed instrument comprising a precision-machined components which are assembled “out of the box” to build an instrument having a desired, reproducible sound is disclosed. The modular design of the stringed instrument allows for complete customization to a player's tastes such as allowing the player to select head stock styles, handedness, neck thicknesses, scale length, body style, and electronics. A custom designed bridge and mounting system allow for analog bridge placement along the mounting plate which can be custom machined to accommodate a players wishes. The placement of the bridge is precision both in forward/back position but also in height and, if desired, in up to six degrees of freedom. Each string height is adjustable as well as integral to the bridge.

Abstract: An acoustic string instrument includes a top plate, a back plate, and a body disposed between the top plate and the back plate. The body has a plurality of first positioning portions. At least one of the top plate or the back plate, or both has a plurality of second positioning portions. The first positioning portions are fixed to the second positioning portions corresponding to the first positioning portions.

Abstract: The board for a musical instrument according to the present disclosure includes: a first base layer; and a pair of first reinforcement layers laminated on both face sides of the first base layer, in which the first reinforcement layers includes a fiber and a binder, and the fiber is a polyparaphenylenebenzobisoxazole fiber, a liquid crystal polyester fiber, an aramid fiber, a polyarylate fiber, an ultra high-molecular weight polyethylene fiber, a polyethylene naphthalate fiber or a glass fiber.

Abstract: Device for connecting the neck to the body of a stringed musical instrument and stringed musical instrument containing said device The invention relates to a device for connecting the neck to the body of a stringed musical instrument of the type that comprises a first and second component, it being possible to connect the first component to the neck and said second component to the body of the stringed musical instrument, said first and second components being form-engaged to each other, the device comprising also means for adjusting the contact position of said first component to different angles relative to said second component and in that the device also comprises means for fixing the relative position of said first component to said second component.

Abstract: A process for customization of decoration that allows efficient production of small batches of custom awards medallions, medals and coins, particularly suitable for die cast medal medallions, medals and coins. The invention is also the medallions, medals and coins made by the process.

Abstract: A housing for a terminal and a terminal are provided. The housing defines a mounting chamber configured to accommodate an electroacoustic component and a sound output hole in communication with the mounting chamber, the sound output hole having a first end and a second end, the first end being adjacent to the mounting chamber and defining a first opening, the second end being away from the mounting chamber and defining a second opening, the first opening having a cross sectional area of larger than a cross sectional area of the second opening.

Abstract: A detachable neck guitar assembly for selectively positioning strings of a guitar includes a body and a neck. The body defines an interior space. A first coupler is coupled to the body and is positioned in the interior space equally distant from upper bouts of the body. A second coupler is coupled to the neck. The second coupler is complementary to the first coupler and is positioned to selectively couple to the first coupler to pivotally couple the neck to the body. The first coupler and the second coupler comprise a biaser. The biaser is positioned both to selectively pivot and to fixedly position the neck relative to the body. Stings that are coupled to and extend between the neck and the body are selectively positionable relative to a fret board is coupled to the neck.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a string instrument (1; 100) comprising a resonator (2), a handle (3) and a tailpiece (4; 40), wherein the handle (3) and the tailpiece (4; 40) are bound to the resonator (2) for combining at least one string to the instrument, further comprising at least one couple of magnets essentially opposed each other, a first magnet (11; 110) of the at least one couple of magnets bound to the resonator (2) and a second magnet (12; 120) of the at least one couple of magnets arranged at a first distance from the first magnet, so that to apply, between the first magnet (11; 110) and the second magnet (12; 120), a repulsive force or an attractive force, respectively, depending on the opposed polarities, equal or opposite, of the first magnet and the second magnet, wherein the attractive force or the repulsive force is active on the resonator (2).

Abstract: An acoustic plate for a soundboard of a musical instrument, such as a guitar or other stringed instrument, comprises a front surface, a rear surface, and at least one peripheral edge. A plurality of dimples project away from the rear surface. Each dimple includes a dimple volume accessible from the front surface of the acoustic plate. Preferably each dimple is formed into a cone-shape, and may be of varying heights. An adhesive layer adheres the front surface of the acoustic plate to the inside surface of the soundboard. Such an adhesive layer is preferably comprised of an epoxy resin type of adhesive. As such, with the front surface of the acoustic plate adhered to the inside surface of the soundboard with the adhesive layer, the dimple volume of each dimple defines a sound modification chamber for modifying the sounds produced by the musical instrument.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument comprises a bridge that receives a plurality of strings. The bridge comprises at least one internal pocket. In some embodiments, the bridge comprises a plurality of internal pockets.

Abstract: A string instrument comprising an instrument body, a neck, a bridge, and at least one string extending forwardly and rearwardly over the instrument body. The instrument body is topped by a sound table. The bridge may be removably located onto the sound table by virtue of a tension applied to the at least one string.

Abstract: This apparatus and system provides an acoustic hollow body guitar which allows for the careful adjustment of the instrument neck to body relative angle of inclination and thus the string to fret distance (action height). This adjustment has the capability of being accomplished while the guitar is in the tuned state and in the playing position. The traditional wood jointing is abandoned and replaced by a guitar neck to body hinge-less mounting bracket assembly apparatus. This system employs a single adjusting nut/dial that is accessed through either/and a port in the side of the upper bout or the sound-hole.

Abstract: A semi-hollow body of a stringed instrument is claimed the body having nautilus shell-shaped tonal modifiers modified to receive piezo electric pickups. The tonal modifiers generally create a tonal distribution that enhance sound originating from the body cavity of the stringed instrument.

Abstract: A stringed instrument body includes a top body having a groove/shelf engagement structure, and a back body having a corresponding shelf/groove engagement structure that is engagable with the groove/shelf engagement structure of the top body. When the corresponding shelf/groove engagement structure is engaged with the groove/shelf engagement structure, a projecting portion of the groove/shelf engagement structure of the top body projects within the back body and contacts a corresponding recessed portion of the shelf/groove engagement structure of the back body.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument includes a string which, when vibrated, produces sound. Both ends of the vibrating portion of the string touch glass.

Abstract: A guitar top includes a sound hole, a neck end that is configured for attachment to a guitar neck with a longitudinal axis, a heel end, a transverse axis normal to the longitudinal axis, and a bottom surface. The bottom surface of the guitar top includes a pair of longitudinal braces that are attached to the surface. The pair of longitudinal braces extend primarily along the longitudinal axis from the heel end toward the neck end and terminate at a point beyond the sound hole toward the neck end. Each of the longitudinal braces is positioned on an opposing side of the sound hole such that a distance between the longitudinal braces exceeds the diameter of the sound hole.

Abstract: A travel guitar having a neck and/or body that may assume a reduced profile configured to house or otherwise receive or coupled to a tablet computer (e.g. iPad by Apple, Inc.) and/or a smart phone (e.g. iPhone by Apple, Inc.) having one or more applications (apps) for driving the operation, functionality and/or effects associated with the travel guitar, and a string assembly capable of retracting or otherwise housing the strings to enable or facilitate configuring the travel guitar into a reduced profile.

Abstract: The present invention provides an interchangeable, custom-designed guitar faceplate and guitar body for an electric guitar which allows one to quickly and easily change the appearance, the sounds, the tones and the resonance of the electric guitar. The interchangeable, custom-designed faceplate houses all components and electronics needed for an electric guitar solely on the faceplate itself, so that the tone, sound and resonance characteristics of the guitar can be changed simply by substituting alternate interchangeable faceplates. Further, after assembly of the interchangeable faceplate with the guitar body, the unique configuration of the components and electronic wiring on the faceplate, in combination with the guitar body configuration, produce superior and enhanced sounds, tones and resonance when played by a guitar player.

Abstract: A musical instrument includes a body having an outer shell, an internal cavity defined by that outer shell and a center plate dividing that internal cavity into a first chamber and a second chamber. In one embodiment, a foam core fills the internal cavity.

Abstract: An ergonomic electric guitar includes a neck frets, a plurality of strings, and a body. The body includes a bridge having a nominal string anchor point for the strings, an upper bass bout including a front strap attachment mechanism having a front strap attachment point that is disposed within a predefined region. The body also includes a rear strap attachment mechanism having a rear strap attachment point disposed within a predefined region and a lower bass bout including a generally wedge-shaped region disposed between a medial portion of a front face of the lower bass bout and extending to a peripheral side wall of the lower bass bout and the lower bass bout extends substantially beyond a first arc and is substantially within a second arc. The strings extend in a first direction from the bridge to a distal portion of the neck.

Abstract: A stringed instrument can be manufactured with a neck that contains a back-side soft surface layer and optionally also a front-side soft surface layer, whereby the soft surface layers can increase comfort and enjoyment, and prevent, reduce or alleviate injury during play of the instrument. Alternatively, a standard stringed instrument can be retrofitted with an installable soft surface component, which can be fitted on top of the surface of the back-side of the neck of the standard stringed instrument. Further disclosed is a method of using a neck mounted soft surface layer with a standard stringed instrument.

Abstract: A bracing structure for a soundboard for a musical instrument is disclosed, the bracing structure being a unitary sheet structure having a plurality of elongate semi-tubular elements. Each of the elongate semi-tubular elements has a length, a thickness, a width, a height and an interior resonance space. The sheet structure may be formed of two or more layers. The elongate semi-tubular elements function as traditional braces, however, the shape of the elongate semi-tubular elements may be modified to provide a desired tonal quality.

Abstract: A board for a stringed instrument which forms a front plate or a back plate of a stringed instrument, includes: a veneer that includes a concave portion for partially reducing the thickness of the veneer, in which the veneer is curved to be convex toward one surface side. In this board for a stringed instrument, fiber of the veneer may extend along the curved shape of the veneer.

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 soundboard for a musical instrument is disclosed the soundboard having at least one layer of material. In some embodiments the material comprising carbon fiber, fibrous laminate material, resin or a plastic matrix and combinations thereof. At least one bracing structure is engaged to the at least one layer of material. The at least one bracing structure comprising at least one layer of honeycomb or shaped core and at least one sheet of material bonded to the honeycomb or shaped core.

Abstract: A guitar has improved bracing. Specifically, some embodiments have radial main braces which do not intersect a center of a bridge plate. Some embodiments have radial main braces which are connected by web braces. Some embodiments have suspended main braces extending from the bridge plate.

Abstract: A very efficient guitar design, light weight and having a body-mounted tuning system to assist with performance is disclosed. The guitar comprises two main components: an acoustic body and a housing. This separation is intended so that the acoustic body is isolated from the housing and free to vibrate. The guitar further optionally comprises seven strings, twelve-strings, a vibrato system and a retractable built-in stand attached to the back of the housing.

Abstract: A soundboard construction for a stringed instrument having back and side panels includes an inner panel having a relief or recess structure impressed in the panel so that the impressions serve as support bracing when the inner panel is joined with an outer panel. This will result in a strong soundboard with consistent tone. The side panel can be integrated with soundboard or with the back panel as a whole. The inner panel includes integrated recesses by molding with a composite material at one time directly, and then combining the inner panel with the decorative outer panel to form the soundboard of the instrument.

Abstract: An apparatus and method are disclosed for compensating for string tension acting upon the body of an acoustic instrument. An acoustic instrument incorporating the string tension compensating apparatus is also disclosed.

Abstract: A stringed instrument having a body assembly including a fingertip locating feature is disclosed together with methods of manufacturing the instrument. The instrument body is characterized by a bottom surface, a top surface, and a bridge mounting location at the top surface adjacent to a heel end of the body. A neck connection interface end is located opposite the heel end, a string sounding area defined between the interface end and the bridge mounting location. The body assembly has at least a first underpitched feature extending a selected distance between the ends adjacent to the string sounding area.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument comprises a neck, a body and a neck joint. The neck has a heel comprising at least a wedge. Correspondingly, the body has a heel slot at a neck joint location along an upper bout of the body. The heel slot is complementary to the heel of the neck and includes a shaped pocket that corresponds with the wedge of the neck. The neck is attached to the body such that the wedge engages the shaped pocket of the heel slot and the neck is fixed to the body, e.g., using an adhesive.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument with a guitar-banjo combination sound is an apparatus that is designed to be played in the same manner as a typical guitar but is also designed to be more portable than a typical guitar. The apparatus includes a sound box coupled to a guitar neck, which allows a plurality of strings to tensioned and connected along the apparatus. The sound box is configured to produce the guitar-banjo combination sound. The sound box includes a stretched membrane, a pot chamber, a channel, and a sound chamber. The stretched membrane is perimetrically connected around the pot chamber and is used to create the banjo portion of the apparatus's sound. stretched membrane resonates the air within the pot chamber, whose sound waves travel through the channel in order to be modified by the sound chamber. A bridge is used to connect the plurality of strings to the stretched membrane.

Abstract: A chambered electric guitar body according to an illustrative embodiment of the present invention includes at least five contiguous closed chambers enclosed in the assembled monolithic top and bottom parts comprised of a generally solid material such as a metal. The autonomous dimensions of the chambers, cubic volumes, and thickness as well as the density of the material, allow customization of shape and guitar performance. This is accomplished by using the method provided to produce the monolithic structures using digital technology, CAD and CNC machining to achieve desired specifications.

Abstract: A method of fabricating an ornamental purfling strip which has sufficient flexibility to be placed within a curved configuration. The ornamental purfling strips are sufficiently flexible to be placed, as a single unit, in curved channels which require the strip to bend. The flexibility results from a laminated structure comprising a layer of binding material overlain by an ornamental layer, with an adhesive or bonding agent attaching the layers together. The ornamental layer comprises a plurality of precisely placed breaks along its length. The binding material retains the individual fragments of the ornamental layer in the strip, but because the binding material comprises a flexible material, the layer of binding material is sufficiently flexible to allow the purfling strip to flex longitudinally and transversely. The ornamental layer may comprise organic shell material or synthetic materials such as synthetic opal.

Abstract: A musical instrument includes a body having an outer shell, an internal cavity defined by that outer shell and a center plate dividing that internal cavity into a first chamber and a second chamber. In one embodiment, a foam core fills the internal cavity.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument body with a front plate having an integral cavity defined by a tail end inner edge, a neck end inner edge, a bass side inner edge, and a treble side inner edge is provided. The cavity cooperates with a back plate to form a resonance chamber. A method for making the stringed musical instrument body is also presented. In many instances, the stringed musical instrument is a guitar.

Abstract: A device for facilitating the stringing of a guitar is provided. More specifically, a device is provided that includes a head portion with at least one member for contacting and maintaining a first end of a guitar string around a cylindrical axle of a guitar bridge while the other end of the string is being interconnected to the tuning pegs of the instrument. Thus, the tool facilitates the stringing of a guitar by, for example, allowing the use of both hands to interconnect a second end of the guitar string to the tuning peg.

Abstract: A neck for a string instrument is provided with a shape that varies along the length of the neck to facilitate an appropriate hand posture at various longitudinal positions on the neck. The neck has a heel end for receiving a body of a string instrument, a head end relative to the heel end, and a fingerboard surface. Adjacent the fingerboard surface, the bass side of the neck is chamfered, relative to the treble side of the neck, from an intermediate position between the heel end and the head end of the neck toward the heel end of the neck, for accommodating a user's thumb when fretting in an upper register portion of the neck.

Abstract: Sound chests having a sound board connected to a hollow body which includes a bearing structure to which there is connected an outer shell are provided. In such sound chests the bearing structure includes a bottom wall or chest-bottom, and a top member or upper block, a central longitudinal batten or backboard, and two side battens or planks, which extend between the chest-bottom and the upper block, remote from and close to the sound board, respectively; and a plurality of longitudinally staggered, transverse stiffening members or bridges each of which is connected centrally to the backboard with its ends connected to the side planks. Methods for making such sound chests are also provided.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument has a molded sound box and neck where the sound box is formed of between 20% to 60% carbon fibers, or other suitable fibers, and a polymeric resin or binder. The composition of materials utilized in the sound box is selected to increase stiffness and to control the tone of the instrument. The sound box includes an adjustable attachment mechanism having a pivot which is used to secure the neck to the sound box. The sound box includes a molded bracing structure having a plurality of braces and a molded bridge having a plurality of pockets which are used to enhance the structure for the sound box and provide a desired tone quality for the stringed instrument. The neck may include a molded neck insert and a molded fingerboard which are used to enhance the stiffness and stability of the neck.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument with a guitar-banjo combination sound is an apparatus that is designed to be played in the same manner as a typical guitar but is also designed to be more portable than a typical guitar. The apparatus includes a sound box coupled to a guitar neck, which allows a plurality of strings to tensioned and connected along the apparatus. The sound box is configured to produce the guitar-banjo combination sound. The sound box includes a stretched membrane, a pot chamber, a channel, and a sound chamber. The stretched membrane is perimetrically connected around the pot chamber and is used to create the banjo portion of the apparatus's sound. stretched membrane resonates the air within the pot chamber, whose sound waves travel through the channel in order to be modified by the sound chamber. A bridge is used to connect the plurality of strings to the stretched membrane.

Abstract: An electric stringed instrument includes: an instrument main body which includes a front surface including a structure configured to hold a string; and a pair of frames which are connected to the instrument body. At least one of the pair of frames is a movable frame rotating toward the other one of the pair of frames with a longitudinal direction of the instrument main body serving as a rotating axis while going around a rear surface side of the instrumental body.

Abstract: A musical instrument includes a body, a neck attached to the body, a plurality of strings having first ends secured to the body and second ends secured to the neck, and a keyboard secured to the body. Optionally, each of the strings is associated with a plucker.