Abstract: A mandolin having an integrated armrest provides a comfortable armrest while still allowing greater flexibility between the top and the sides of the mandolin, resulting in a construction which does not increase the rigidity of the connection between the carved top and sides of the instrument. Thus, in addition to providing greater comfort, the disclosed integral armrest has minimal negative impact on the sonic quality of the instrument, if any at all.

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 musical instrument having strings and a soundboard, wherein the soundboard is excited by the strings by a transducer and is associated with differential stiffening mechanism defining at least two zones of the soundboard that present complementary vibratory behaviors. The two zones are separated by a slot extending along a common boundary between the two zones. The transducer extends across the slot so as to be connected to both zones of the soundboard, such that both zones are excited simultaneously when action is taken on one of the strings.

Abstract: A string musical instrument is provided such as a violin comprising a body in the shape of the baseball bat.

Abstract: A musical instrument includes a top, a rigid front member with first and second seats and defining at least a portion of the front perimeter of the instrument, a back, a rigid rear member with first and second seats and defining at least a portion of the rear perimeter of the instrument, and a side extending between the rigid front member and the rigid rear member. The first seat of the rigid front member is adapted to receive an edge of the top, and the first seat of the rigid rear member is adapted to receive an edge of the back. The second seats of the rigid front member and rigid rear member are adapted to receive opposing edges of the side.

Abstract: A musical instrument has an instrument body with a neck extending from the instrument body and including a finger board thereon and eight strings arranged to provide the sounds of a Violin, Viola and Cello. The strings cooperate with two separate bridges for supporting the strings and communicating the sounds to two compartments within the body. The strings connect with tuning pegs carried on a peg support mounted at the base of the body. The body is shaped and arranged to be carried in the manner of a guitar and to cooperate with a curved bow with a center handle.

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: Improvements in acoustical and stringed musical instruments (e.g., guitars) are disclosed.

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 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: A method of manufacturing a musical instrument using relatively thin metal sheet materials is disclosed. A metallic back plate is provided that has a peripheral edge. At least one metallic side plate with a peripheral edge is provided. Each side plate may be bent to conform to the shape of at least a portion of the peripheral edge of the back plate. A neck block and a tail piece may each be fixed to the inside surface of the back plate proximate the peripheral edge thereof. The neck block is adapted to be secured to a neck to the instrument, and the tail piece is adapted to secure two of the side plates together inside the instrument. Each side plate is fixed, such as with the adhesive, to the back plate, neck block and the tail piece. A metallic top plate is fixed to each side plate, the neck block and the tail piece. To the extent that the top plate and the bottom plate overhang or extend outwardly from the side plates, the overhanging portions are then removed with a router or the like.

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 sound system producing characteristic sounds from an acoustic instrument is provided. The sound system may include a stringed musical instrument and an electronic audio subsystem. The stringed musical instrument may include a neck extending away from a body toward a head. A plurality of strings may be stretched from a bridge on the body to the head at a terminal end of the neck. The bridge may be coupled to a soundboard and operable for connecting the plurality of strings to the body. The electronic audio subsystem may include at least one distributed mode loudspeaker. The distributed mode loudspeaker may be attached to the soundboard of the stringed musical instrument. The distributed mode loudspeaker may induce uniformly distributed vibration modes in the soundboard. A power amplification device may be disposed inside the body of the stringed musical instrument to provide power to the distributed mode loudspeaker.

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 portable travel guitar that can be readily disassembled to fit into a compact custom guitar case. The top and bottom sections of the guitar body are detached from the main body of the guitar which streamlines it's size. The bottom section which comprises a typical cut out that accommodates resting a standard guitar on a performers leg or knee, can be moved forward or rearward and secured into position. The assembly and disassembly as well as the leg rest adjustments requires no tools.

Abstract: A bracing structure formed onto the underside soundboard surface of an acoustic musical stringed instrument comprising two bracing bars (1, 2) that are used to support the soundboard and bridge in an indirect fashion from strings directional load tension via a realignment of the strings directional load tension placed through adjoining triangular blocks (3, 4), which re-alignment of the strings directional load tension is taken at acute angles to the line of the strings and focused on a predetermined point found on the bars (1, 2) that are also placed away and at an acute angle to the line of the strings, the acute angling allowing for string vibrations to be largely diverted away from an otherwise direct load line and redirected into the soundboard via a thin half circular shaped block (5) and through several fine bar braces (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24) arranged in a somewhat spoke like pattern.

Abstract: A musical instrument with a hollow body is provided that has a top and a bottom, and at least one vertical baffle forming a meandering path within the hollow body of the musical instrument between the top and bottom of the hollow body. The hollow body of the musical instrument may further include a planer baffle located within the hollow body such that a separation chamber created therewith separates the soundboard of the musical instrument from the meandering path and the planer baffle maintains the volume of the meandering path such that the at least one vertical baffle does not interfere with vibration of the soundboard.

Abstract: A musical instrument has an instrument body with a neck extending from the instrument body and including a finger board thereon and eight strings arranged to provide the sounds of a Violin, Viola and Cello. The strings cooperate with two separate bridges for supporting the strings and communicating the sounds to two compartments within the body. The strings connect with tuning pegs carried on a peg support mounted at the base of the body. The body is shaped and arranged to be carried in the manner of a guitar and to cooperate with a curved bow with a center handle.

Abstract: A musical instrument of the chordophone family is provided that has reduced stresses and strains, and is easily assembled. A braceless system both reduces the stresses and allows for the elimination of bracing. As a consequence, a binding and kerfing unit is used, further increasing the ease of construction. Additionally, the instrument is provided with an offset headstock to allow the strings to be normal to the bridge, still further reducing the stresses and strains in the instrument. A method of constructing the instrument is also provided.

Abstract: One example embodiment includes a guitar pickguard. The guitar pickguard includes a cover, where the cover is configured to cover at least a portion of a soundboard on a guitar. The guitar pickguard also includes attachment means, where the attachment means releasably attaches the cover to the soundboard.

Abstract: A Stringed Musical Instrument A stringed musical instrument having a body includes a soundboard (602, 202) and a bridge (250) directly or indirectly connected to the soundboard via a frame (216, 518, 220, 222, 224) that is at least partially fitted within the body of the instrument.

Abstract: A module for removable insertion into a stringed instrument body, the body having a transverse cavity extending from a lateral edge. A first fixation device is attached to the body in the cavity and having electrically conductive contact members. The module includes a base configured to engage the cavity as the module travels along an axis of movement into the cavity. The pickup module assembly having a base slidably inserted into the cavity along an axis from the lateral edge between removed and inserted positions. A plurality of pickups are carried by the base in operative proximity to the strings. A second fixation device is attached to the base and positioned to slideably engage the first fixation device when the base is in the inserted position. First and second electrical connectors are electrically coupled to the plurality of pickups and connected to the second fixation device.

Abstract: A guitar comprising a sound box that comprises an upper sound board having a sound hole, a lower sound board, a resonator plate comprising a relatively thin sturdy material exhibiting a vibrational springy characteristic, with the resonator plate supporting a bridge, and a resonator conductor positioned between the upper and lower sound boards for transmitting vibrations directly from the resonator plate to the lower sound board and to create additional air vibrations within the sound box.

Abstract: This invention applies to a bolt-on neck guitar or similar instrument or device. The mechanism of this invention, a multiple section hinge with one end flap attached to the neck and the other end flap attached to the body while the center section stays sandwiched between the neck and the body in normal use, allows the removal of the neck screws with the strings under tension by the hinge absorbing the horizontal stress produced by the tension of the strings. The neck is then rotated 180 degrees to rest on top of the body where it can be secured with a clamp or a strap for transportation or stowage. The neck holding screws can be replaced with a large single one, reducing the time required to loosen the neck, while still maintaining the possibility of using the normal four screws in addition to or in lieu of the single one if so desired, since the tone of the guitar is improved when the pressure of the neck-body junction is increased and distributed over a larger area.

Abstract: A system for changing the acoustical characteristics of a musical membranophone having a vibrating membrane or a stringed musical instrument having a sound box includes an overlay including indicia dividing a surface of the vibrating membrane or sound box into discrete zones enabling a user to position magnetic members to obtain predictable effects based on experimentation or a guide such as a diagram illustrating the position of magnetic members on the overlay, a first rare earth magnetic member is adapted to be disposed on a first side of the membrane or sound box, a second rare earth magnetic member is disposed on an opposed side of the membrane or sound box such that the first and second magnetic members are magnetically engaged on opposed sides of the membrane or sound box wherein the mass of the first and second magnetic member is sufficient to change the acoustical characteristics of the instrument.

Abstract: A guitar including a sound box having a headward end and a tailward end, the sound box having a back, a sound board, and a side wall spanning between the back and the sound board, the back, the sound board, and the side wall each having inner and outer surfaces; a neck fixedly attached to and extending headwardly from the sound box's headward end, the neck having a distal end; a head stock fixedly attached to the neck's distal end; a bridge and saddle combination fixedly attached to the sound board; a channeled string anchoring block operatively positioned within the sound box and at the sound box's tailward end; and a sound hole opening the sound box, the sound hole being positioned between the bridge and saddle combination and the channeled string anchoring block.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument is provided that includes a brace disposed within the hollow chamber of the musical instrument such that the first end of the brace is in contact with the inner side of the soundboard of the musical instrument at a point longitudinally at or above the bridge saddle toward the top end of the instrument. At the second end, the brace is in contact with an inner side of the body at a point longitudinally below the bridge saddle toward the bottom end of the musical instrument. The strings pass over the bridge saddle, through at least one hole in the bridge, and at least one of the strings attaches to the brace directly or indirectly at a point on the brace. The brace receives tension from the at least one string attached to the brace and transfers the tension from the strings to at least the contact point of the first end of the brace.

Abstract: A guitar sound hole guard comprising of a body of a suitable durable material to resist pick impacts and having a lip and at least one flange; the lip further having two side edges; each flange connects to a respective side edge to be oriented perpendicular to the lip and descending away from the lip, an open channel being formed by the lip and flange; an attachment means to hold the guard in place upon a soundboard of a guitar, wherein the body receives within its open channel at least a portion of a lower sound hole edge of the sound board allowing the lip to rest upon and conform concentrically to at least the portion of the lower sound hole edge.

Abstract: A bracing structure formed onto the underside soundboard surface of an acoustic musical stringed instrument comprising two bracing bars (1, 2) that are used to support the soundboard and bridge in an indirect fashion from strings directional load tension via a realignment of the strings directional load tension placed through adjoining triangular blocks (3, 4), which re-alignment of the strings directional load tension is taken at acute angles to the line of the strings and focused on a predetermined point found on the bars (1, 2) that are also placed away and at an acute angle to the line of the strings, the acute angling allowing for string vibrations to be largely diverted away from an otherwise direct load line and redirected into the soundboard via a thin half circular shaped block (5) and through several fine bar braces (10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24) arranged in a somewhat spoke like pattern.

Abstract: Decorative strip inlay products. Strip inlay products are used at the outer edges of stringed instruments, about the sound aperture and inwardly of the edges. Products of the invention are laser cut in the top surface of a workpiece. A bottom portion of the workpiece supports overlying cut portions. Where the strip must be flexed for insertion into curved channels, a substrate layer is resiliently flexible, and the overlying display layer is cut into segments, with spaces between the segments. The segments can move relative to each other, and/or flex, when the substrate flexes. Alternatively, the uncut bottom portion of the strip is rigid relative to an axis perpendicular to the top, and cavities in the display pattern are filled with filler and the resultant product, is sanded, resulting in display of both the filler material and the full pattern of the facing material as cut by the laser.

Abstract: A new and improved body and bridge bracing system for stringed musical instruments includes an bracing system that consists of an upper brace located in the upper body of the instrument's body and a lower brace located in the lower body. Two or more longitudinal braces connect to each of the lateral braces and provide the instrument's neck, body, and soundboard support against the constant stress of the strings. A bridge reinforcing means is also included and consists of two or more truss rods. The rods connect the upper body lateral brace to the bridge area and further counteract the tension of the strings thereby preventing damage to the bridge and soundboard.

Abstract: A folding guitar comprising a guitar body and guitar neck is disclosed. A hinge connects the guitar body to the guitar neck. The hinge is disposed on one side of the guitar body and guitar neck. A latch plate is secured to the other side of one of the guitar body or guitar neck. A catch member is secured to the other side of the other one of the guitar body or guitar neck. The catch member defines a catch member catch surface. A latch arm is pivotally mounted to the latch plate. A hitch arm is pivotally mounted to the latch arm. A securement member mounted on the hitch arm, the securement member think configured to engage the catch member catch surface. The latch arm, hitch arm and latch plate are configured to vary the distance between the securement member and the catch member catch surface.

Abstract: A wood support member for attaching a first wood member to a wood side structure defining an interior peripheral edge, the wood support member is attachable to the peripheral edge, comprising a top, a bottom, a first end, a second end, a front face and a rear face. The wood support member can comprise a first plurality of kerfs in the front face and a second plurality of kerfs in the rear face, the plurality of kerfs each extending from the top to the bottom. The kerfs in the first plurality of kerfs can be spaced equidistant from each other and the kerfs in the second plurality of kerfs can be spaced equidistant from each other, and each kerf in the first plurality of kerfs can be spaced equidistant from each kerf in the second plurality of kerfs. The wood support member can have an uninstalled state, in which each kerf in the first plurality of kerfs is parallel to the other kerfs, and an installed state, in which each kerf in the first plurality of kerfs is not parallel to the other kerfs.

Abstract: An air flow restrictor which is adjustable and removable and is installed on the sound hole of a stringed instrument having a sound box to interrupt and/or restrict the air flow emanating from the sound box through the sound hole so as to affect tonal quality.

Abstract: A shell purfling strip has sufficient flexibility to be placed within a curved configuration. The 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 organic shell layer, with a bonding agent attaching the layers together. The organic shell layer comprises a plurality of precisely placed breaks along its length. The binding material retains the individual fragments of the shell layer in the strip, but because the binding material comprises a flexible material, such as rubber, the layer of binding material is sufficiently flexible to allow the purfling strip to flex longitudinally and transversely. The shell purfling strips may be attached in parallel relationship to other perfling components such that the perfling components can be installed as a unit.

Abstract: A combination stringed musical instrument, such as a four string electric bass and a six string electric guitar, is described. The combination stringed musical instrument includes a single neck portion with opposed fret boards formed or disposed on either side or major face of the neck portion. Accessibility to either stringed musical instrument may be accomplished by neck portion rotation, relative to the body portion, facilitated by an ergonomically placed and designed handle assembly. User initiated neck portion rotation may be facilitated by an internal shaft and bearing set, interconnecting the neck portion and the body portion. Manipulation of the handle may cause a positive neck portion position placement and neck portion fixation via retention hardware. The combined instrument presents a conventional-appearing electric guitar/bass guitar.

Abstract: A string musical instrument is provided such as a violin comprising a body in the shape of the baseball bat.

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: The invention is a stringed instrument having string vibrations transmitted through a bridge directly to an interaction region of a soundboard, to the exclusion of vibrations via other paths.

Abstract: A tone control device is provided. The tone control device includes a bridge configured to be mounted to an instrument. The bridge includes a body and an adjustment area located within the bridge. The adjustment area and the body define at least one recess in at least one surface of the bridge. The tone control device further includes a weight assembly configured to be movable within the at least one recess.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates to novel soundboard apparatus for stringed musical instruments. Specifically, the present subject matter teaches an apparatus capable of enhanced phonetic quality, improving the phonetic consistency of a stringed musical instrument, and enhancing resonance in a stringed musical instrument, while further providing a means for assembly and disassembly for the purpose of transport, repair, and replacement.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument is provided that includes a brace disposed within the hollow chamber of the musical instrument such that the first end of the brace is in contact with the inner side of the soundboard of the musical instrument at a point longitudinally at or above the bridge saddle toward the top end of the instrument. At the second end, the brace is in contact with an inner side of the body at a point longitudinally below the bridge saddle toward the bottom end of the musical instrument. The strings pass over the bridge saddle, through at least one hole in the bridge, and at least one of the strings attaches to the brace directly or indirectly at a point on the brace. The brace receives tension from the at least one string attached to the brace and transfers the tension from the strings to at least the contact point of the first end of the brace.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for modifying the frequency response of a wooden article by exciting the article with acoustic energy. Frequency response is the measure of a system's spectrum response at the output due to a signal of varying frequency (but constant amplitude) at its input. The acoustic energy includes at least one excitation frequency, a composite broadband frequency component, or a combination thereof, which is preferably in the audible spectrum (20 to 20,000 Hz). The use of acoustic energy from the remote source provides non-contact excitation of the wooden article. In one embodiment, the acoustic energy is at least one sound wave which comprises at least one resonant frequency of the wooden article, at least one acoustic mode of the wooden article, at least one discrete frequency, a broadband frequency component, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: A module for removable insertion into a stringed instrument body, the body having a transverse cavity extending from a lateral edge. A first fixation device is attached to the body in the cavity and having electrically conductive contact members. The module includes a base configured to engage the cavity as the module travels along an axis of movement into the cavity. The pickup module assembly having a base slidably inserted into the cavity along an axis from the lateral edge between removed and inserted positions. A plurality of pickups are carried by the base in operative proximity to the strings. A second fixation device is attached to the base and positioned to slideably engage the first fixation device when the base is in the inserted position. First and second electrical connectors are electrically coupled to the plurality of pickups and connected to the second fixation device.

Abstract: A saddle for a stringed instrument comprising an elongate member having a string support surface and a base that abuts the stringed instrument. The elongate member has at least one internal cavity and a pickup element received in the internal cavity, the element being dimensioned to provide an airspace gap between the element and the base of the elongate member to provide a separation between the element and the instrument. The airspace gap between the element and the base of the saddle means that no pressure is applied to the bottom of the element, thereby eliminating string imbalance due to uneven pressure between the saddle and the instrument.

Abstract: The present subject matter relates to novel soundboard apparatus for stringed musical instruments. Specifically, the present subject matter teaches an apparatus capable of enhanced phonetic quality, improving the phonetic consistency of a stringed musical instrument, and enhancing resonance in a stringed musical instrument, all while reducing construction cost and reducing the cumbersome size associated with similarly stringed musical instruments.

Abstract: A method of improving the mechanical connection between a stringed instrument's neck and body by incorporating an interlocking jigsaw shaped mortise and tenon joint. The mortise is machined into the neck heel and the tenon is machined into the neck pocket of the instrument's body. The neck and body are press-fit together and secured with threaded fasteners.

Abstract: A musical instrument is provided. The instrument is light weight and portable. The instrument includes electrical pickup capabilities but also has the feel of an acoustic instrument. The instrument can be folded to an arrangement that is easy for transport. The folding instrument has maximum similarity to an acoustic cello, including the feel and size when unfolded. The instrument includes a floating soundboard to provide maximum acoustic feel. The instrument further includes an acoustic pickup.

Abstract: A support for a body of a stringed instrument includes a brace structure having a plurality of legs radially disposed about a central body. The brace structure has a substantially flat first surface. A portion of the plurality of legs conforms to a soundhole opening which is integrated into the body of the stringed instrument. A brace for a body of a guitar includes a unitary structure adapted to mount to a soundboard of the guitar. The unitary structure has a plurality of arms radially disposed about a central body. A method of assembling a guitar includes mounting a brace structure to a soundboard of the guitar. Again, the brace structure has a plurality of legs radially disposed about a central body.

Abstract: A support for a body of a stringed instrument includes a brace structure having a plurality of legs radially disposed about a central body. The brace structure has a substantially flat first surface. A portion of the plurality of legs conforms to a soundhole opening which is integrated into the body of the stringed instrument. A brace for a body of a guitar includes a unitary structure adapted to mount to a soundboard of the guitar. The unitary structure has a plurality of arms radially disposed about a central body. A method of assembling a guitar includes mounting a brace structure to a soundboard of the guitar. Again, the brace structure has a plurality of legs radially disposed about a central body.