Abstract: This invention is an acoustic guitar with two internal waveguides built into the guitar body. Each left and right waveguide is five feet long. The acoustic sound of the guitar is captured by a microphone, a piezo pickup, a pressure transducer pickup, a magnetic pickup under the strings, or any combination of these. It is then sent to an internal electronics package, including an amplifier and an equalizer, which sends the signal to left and right full range speakers. These speakers are mounted at the start of each waveguide. The sound then travels through each waveguide, which increases in size, similar to a horn, toward the end of the waveguide. One quarter wavelength of the lowest frequency is captured, and directed to multiple sound ports toward the end of the waveguides. The materials being considered for this guitar are Maple, Walnut, Rosewood, Mahogany, Sitka Spruce and Baltic Birch.

Abstract: A reproduction system includes an output apparatus that outputs multitrack data including a plurality of track-by-track audio data of sounds of (i) musical instruments, (ii) singing voices, or both (i) and (ii), the plurality of track-by-track audio data including audio data of at least an acoustic instrument, a vibrator that vibrates the acoustic instrument in accordance with the audio data of the acoustic instrument included in the plurality of track-by-track audio data included in the multitrack data, and a speaker that outputs the sounds of (i) the musical instruments, (ii) the singing voices, or both (i) and (ii) in accordance with the plurality of track-by-track audio data.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for a magnetically and releaseably attachable trigger for an instrument is provided. Additionally, the trigger provides for an increased sensitivity of sound by being in direct physical contact with the surface on which it is attached.

Abstract: A programmable signal processing and musical instrument setup system for stringed musical instruments, comprising at least one analog signal processing circuit, a control circuit operably coupled to at least one analog signal processing circuit, and a storage unit operably coupled to the control circuit, being arranged on the musical instrument for storing setup parameters for the musical instrument. The system comprises: a communication module with an individual identification information connected to the control circuit for enabling communication with an external programming device that has a storage unit configured for storing an individual identification information of at least one musical instrument, in association with the musical instrument in at least one configuration file.

Abstract: A reconfigurable electronic musical instrument includes physically separate removable and replaceable pickup and control modules facilitating rapid changes to instrument functionality. Pickup modules may contain one or more electric pickups with different response characteristics, and different control modules may be used with the different pickup modules for a nearly unlimited range of tonal variations. Pickup modules are removably received within a back cavity of the body, and control modules are coupled to the side of the body forming a portion of the instrument's peripheral profile, with front and back surfaces of the modules being flush with the front and back surfaces of the body. Self-aligning connectors on the pickup and control modules automatically establish reliable electrical signal paths upon assembly. The system may be used to configure an electric guitar, bass, 12-string, extended range, multiscale, or any other type of fretted or fretless electric stringed instrument.

Abstract: A universal pickup transducer mounting system for a string instrument having a neck and bridge between which a plurality of strings extend includes a receiving cavity formed in the string instrument's body and a multiplicity of exchangeable body blocks disposed in the receiving cavity and configured for releasable mounting therein. The multiplicity of exchangeable body blocks includes at least one transducer receiving block that has an opening formed therein configured for receiving at least one pickup transducer therein. The at least one transducer receiving block is mountable within the receiving cavity to locate the at least one pickup transducer at a user selected longitudinal position relative to the neck and the bridge.

Abstract: This invention refines and expands the use of mode switches in common-point connection circuits for matched pickups on musical instruments. For example, on a 3-coil S-type electric guitar, where the common-point connection circuit with a single-ended output provides three humbucking pair outputs and three humbucking triple outputs, a 4P2T mode switch can ground the common point and provide both all of the standard non-humbucking 5-way switch outputs, as well as adjusting the tone capacitor to make both humbucking and non-humbucking tone outputs more compatible. On an electric guitar with three dual-coil humbuckers, mode switches of one 6P2T, one 2P2T and three 1P2T can choose between dual-coil and single-coil operation modes, humbucking and non-humbucking modes, and partially simulate the effect of flipping single-coil magnets at will, by choosing which coil of each humbucker is used.

Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for a magnetically and releasably attachable trigger for an instrument is provided. Additionally, the trigger provides for an increased sensitivity of sound by being in direct physical contact with the surface on which it is attached.

Abstract: A rotary fader apparatus includes a fader control knob that is directly attached to the rotor of a non-contact electrical motor. The apparatus may produce a fade effect based on the rotational position of the fader control knob and may be automated through signals to the motor. Such a rotary fader apparatus may be used, for example, in audio mixing applications to provide automated or manual rotary control of track fading. The motor may also be used to alter the feel of the movement of the fader control knob and/or provide tactile feedback in response to mixing parameters or signal properties.

Abstract: A pickup system for an acoustic instrument having strings. The pickup system includes a mounting device configured to be coupled with an acoustic instrument, a sensing element secured to the mounting device and configured to convert mechanical vibrations produced by strings of the acoustic instrument into an electrical signal, and a secondary element secured to the mounting device and configured to reduce pickup of noise produced by sources other then the strings of the acoustic instrument.

Abstract: The present invention provides an acoustic apparatus which can be attached to the musical instrument without adding processing to reproduce. After the acoustic apparatus is detached, the user can enjoy playing the musical instrument itself same as before the acoustic apparatus is attached. An acoustic apparatus 1 has a vibration generator 2, a support body 3, a locking portion 4 and a drive circuit 5. The acoustic apparatus 1 is locked to a neck holder 301 of a stand 300, and a diaphragm 201 of the vibration generator 2 is arranged to face a sound hole 109 of a guitar 100. The drive circuit 5 drives the vibration generator 2 according to the inputted sound signal to resonate a sound box 103. Thus, rich sound can be reproduced.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a modular pickup system that is integrated into an electric guitar that facilitates quick change-out of pickups, free form repositioning of pickups, switch assignment of pickups to the guitar's pickup switch positions or phase (polarity) selection of the pickups.

Abstract: The invention relates to the field of plucked string musical instruments, specifically to designs of electric musical instruments which transform mechanical vibration of strings into electrical signals, more particularly to compact electronic guitars, and can be used in portable electronic guitars.

Abstract: A single axis position transducer uses an elongate permanent three pole magnet having a radial magnetic field at a spot along the magnet in which the magnetic field has radial field lines that decay as 1/R. R is the distance from the center of the magnet along a radial field line perpendicular to the axis of the magnet. The spot has a first pole of one polarity, and the magnet has poles of the opposite polarity spaced along the magnet on opposite sides of the first pole of the radial magnetic field located at the spot. At least one magnetic field sensor is positioned proximal to the spot along the elongate member that detects the motion of the spot and electrically amplifies the sensor output.

Abstract: A cartridge is formed of a mounting plate having a geometric configuration with an upper edge, a lower edge, a left edge, a right edge, an interior surface, and an exterior surface. A higher plate above the mounting plate has a geometric periphery with an upper edge, a lower edge, a left edge, a right edge, an interior surface, and an exterior surface. A plurality of posts couple the interior surface of the mounting plate and the interior surface of the higher plate to create a space for the receipt of at least one pickup. Two spring biased plates are mounted on the mounting plate. A coil spring separates the two spring biased plates. The spring biased plates have locking fingers reciprocally mounted on the mounting plate for engagement with locking projections on a docking ring. Each spring biased plate has a finger hole for retracting the locking fingers.

Abstract: An interchangeable pickup support is for a stringed musical instrument. The support is of the type that includes at least a base body provided with an attachment to a stringed musical instrument and a support for supporting and attaching the pickup to the base body. The attachment includes at least a fastener which is movable by an actuator which is rigidly connected to the fastener, the ends of which are configured to project in part through respective holes arranged on the outer surface of the base body and attached to the stringed musical instrument. The base body also includes at least a retainer for the fastener in the attachment to the stringed musical instrument.

Abstract: The present indention provides a stringed musical instrument comprising; a substantially hollow body portion containing an audio system comprising an amplifier; at least one loudspeaker electrically connected to the audio amplifier; an audio interface for electrically connecting to a smart device and a power supply electrically connected to the audio system; a neck sub-assembly including: a neck; playing strings extending lengthwise along the neck; a bridge attached to the neck over which the strings are stretched, and tensioning means by which the strings are held tensioned; and a docking station whereby, in use, a smart device may be removably secured to the instrument and electrically connected to the audio system.

Abstract: A humbucking pickup for a musical instrument has a bobbin assembly with first and second bobbins. The musical instrument can be an electric guitar. A first coil is wound around the first bobbin, and a second coil is wound around the second bobbin. A permanent magnet or a plurality of permanent magnets extend through the first coil and second coil of the bobbin assembly. A housing is disposed over the bobbin assembly. Blades are disposed over side surfaces of the housing to redirect the magnetic flux toward the strings. A plurality of strings of the musical instrument is routed over a top surface of the housing parallel to opposing poles of the permanent magnet. Movement of the strings of the musical instrument disturbs a magnetic flux of the permanent magnet proximate to a first pole of the permanent magnet and a second pole of the permanent magnet.

Abstract: A magnetic pickup is configured for a stringed instrument with at least one string, a neck part, and a body, which has a soundboard. A north and south pole of the magnetic pickup define a magnetic axis. The magnetic axis of the magnetic pickup is oriented substantially parallel to the soundboard or, in the region of the magnetic pickup, an auxiliary magnet having a magnetic axis is arranged, the magnetic axis of the auxiliary magnet is oriented substantially parallel to the soundboard or at a right angle to the magnetic axis of the magnetic pickup.

Abstract: An integrated transducer-processor unit for use with a stringed instrument having one or more strings. When the instrument is played, the unit produces electrical output signals for conversion into musical sounds. A transducer converts mechanical vibrations of each of the strings into corresponding electrical signals, and a processor processes the electrical signals to produce selected analog or digital output signals for conversion into musical sounds. The unit processor is integrated with the transducer into a pickup, for mounting on the instrument in proximity to the strings without modification of the instrument. In addition, a gesture pad-processor system provides an interface for a user to send control signals to a device to control at least one function of the device. A touch pad receives positional and pressure inputs entered by the user making a selected predefined manual gesture for conversion into a control signal by the system processor.

Abstract: A pickup comprises a mounting component having a mounting plate, a first contact and a second contact. The pickup also has a coil component including a primary flatwork member, a secondary flatwork member, a pole therebetween, and a coil of wire wrapped around the pole. A magnet cooperates with the pole. A first coil end is electrically connected to a first coil component contact, and a second coil end is electrically connected to a second coil component contact. When assembled, the first coil component contact electrically couples to a select one of the first contact and the second contact of the mounting member regardless of the orientation of the coil component relative to the mounting plate.

Abstract: A humbucker pickup device for active and passive guitars including a matched pair of elongated coil assemblies with two sets of ferromagnetic pole pieces also includes two elongated, transversely polarized permanent magnets positioned between and parallel to the coils. The magnets are beside each other with opposite poles facing each other. The magnets with two respective pole pieces under each string establish two narrow magnetic fields to interact with the string at two points and a weaker intermediate magnetic field between the said pole pieces. The humbucker device includes an improved differential amplifier built from two or three operational amplifiers. Alternatively, the device may include a steel plate between the magnets for further weakening the intermediate magnetic field. Both embodiments, with and without the plate, are described.

Abstract: A pickup for a stringed musical instrument, including at least one magnet and at least one pressure sensitive element arranged in contact with the at least one magnet.

Abstract: The embodiments herein provide a system and method for instantly switching sound pickups in an electric guitar using a spin wheel arrangement in the middle of a song. The spin wheel houses a pickup assembly with multiple pickups. The spin wheel allows a guitar player to easily roll neck pickup to bridge position and bridge pickup to neck position in middle of a song by rotating the spin wheel. A click stop arrangement halts wheel rotation after completing a semi-circular rotation around a center screw. The backend portion of pickups is connected to spring loaded plunger. The contact pads at bottom portion of guitar body establishes electrical connections between pickups and control components. The pickups under the strings get activated. The spin wheel arrangement allows a guitar player to add favorite pickups for generating various tonalities beyond the limit of a single guitar.

Abstract: A humbucker pickup device for active and passive guitars including a matched pair of elongated coil assemblies with two sets of ferrous pole pieces also includes two elongated, transversely polarized permanent magnets positioned between and parallel to the coils. The magnets are beside each other with opposite poles facing each other. The magnets and said two sets of pole pieces create two narrow magnetic fields under each string to interact with it at two points. The humbucker device includes an improved differential amplifier built from two or three operational amplifiers. Alternatively, the device may include a steel plate positioned between the magnets and extending to the strings for weakening a wide magnetic field between pole pieces of the different sets. Both embodiments, with and without the plate, are described.

Abstract: A pickup for a guitar that has four (4) or more separate magnetic coils and selection means to select among the coil outputs. In some embodiments, the pickup is passive, not requiring an active pre-amplifier and voltage supply to shape the sound. In some embodiments, the selection means may be incremental or continuous, providing a wider degree to selectivity between and among the outputs of the separate coils.

Abstract: A system comprises a position analyzer, an output component, and a fastener. The position analyzer is configured to monitor a position of the musical instrument and generate an alert when the position of the musical instrument is outside of an allowed deviation from a reference position. The output component may be configured to present the alert. The alert may be at least one of a set comprising a visual alert, an audio alert, a tactile alert, and an electrical signal. The fastener is configured to couple the position analyzer to the musical instrument.

Abstract: A switched reversing configuration control for string instruments connects to a pair of pickup sensors located on an electric string instrument for selectively electrically configuring the pickup sensors between (a) the pair of pickup sensors being coupled with like polarity in one of series or parallel with respect to a pair of output terminals, or (b) effectively coupling only one of the pair of pickup sensors to the output terminals, or (c) the pair of pickup sensors being coupled with opposing polarity in one of series or parallel with respect to the output terminals. An optional reverse polarity passive boost circuit is provided for increasing the output voltage coupled to the output terminals when the pickup sensors are coupled with opposing polarity as compared to the output voltage that would otherwise be provided absent the reverse polarity passive boost circuit.

Abstract: A guitar body having an inner sidewall forming an opening extending from a front to a back of the guitar body is provided. The inner sidewall includes electrical contacts electrically connected to a wiring of the guitar. A seat with magnets is formed about a periphery of the inner sidewall. A pickup cartridge includes a pickup, electrical contacts, and a flange with magnets. The opening is sized to receive the pickup cartridge so that the magnets of the seat attract to the magnets of the flange and releasably retain the pickup cartridge within. The electrical contacts of the pickup cartridge electrically connect with the electrical contacts of the inner sidewall.

Abstract: The position of an elongate member, such as a string of a musical instrument, e.g. a stand-up bass, is detected by creating a radial magnetic field at a spot along the elongate member in which the magnetic field approximates a disk shape with radial field lines that decay as 1/R. R is the distance from the center of the elongate member along a radial field line perpendicular to the axis of the elongate member. Then the position of the spot is detected using magnetic field sensors that are positioned proximal to and on opposite sides of the spot along the elongate member. Electrically amplifying the outputs of the sensors and detecting magnitude and direction of the motion of the spot from the physical orientation of the sensors do this.

Abstract: Embodiments disclosed herein describe systems and methods for asymmetrical bobbin configurations. Embodiments of asymmetrical bobbin configurations are configured to allow manufacturers and users to modify, adjust, change, etc. the tone of pickups. The asymmetrical bobbin configurations are configured to boost frequencies on strings on an instrument, wherein based on the configurations of the bobbins different frequencies may be modified.

Abstract: An electric stringed instrument amplifier includes a housing including an inner surface that defines a cavity configured for disposal of at least a portion of a headstock of an electric stringed instrument that emits sound. A tension member extends from the housing and is engageable with the headstock. Systems and methods are provided.

Abstract: A bifilar pickup for an electrical stringed musical instrument is provided. The bifilar pickup comprises a dual coil wherein at least one coil is formed with two closely spaced bifilar parallel wound wires. A guitar in combination with the pickup unit is additionally provided.

Abstract: A stringed instrument includes a body, a string, a string exciting device and a bridge. The body supports the string, the string exciting device and the bridge. The string has a scale length determined by a distance between a first support point and a second support point. The string exciting device is designed to be driven by an electrical signal having a certain frequency and vibrate the string by applying an excitation signal having a frequency corresponding to the frequency of the electrical signal. The bridge has the first support point and a surface located between the first support point and the second support point and designed to come into contact with the string during vibration of the string.

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: An installation structure for an acoustic transducer for vibrating a vibrated body of a musical instrument in a first direction for permitting the vibrated body to generate sounds, including: the acoustic transducer having a main body and a vibrating portion that vibrates in the first direction; a support portion to be fixed to a housing of the musical instrument for supporting the main body; and a cover member fixed to the support portion for covering the acoustic transducer, wherein the support portion includes a base plate portion to be held in surface contact with the housing so as to be fixed thereto, a first fixing portion to which the main body is fixed and which supports the main body, and a second fixing portion to which the cover member is fixed, and wherein the first and second fixing portions are connected to the base plate portion independently of each other.

Abstract: A blend and configuration control for a string instrument connects to a pair of pickup sensors located on the string instrument and in one arrangement includes a pair of potentiometers mechanically coupled for concurrent mechanical travel to provide individual pickup sensor output selection and parallel blending of the outputs of the two sensors. A switch is also included to immediately and reversibly provide a series configuration of the two pickup sensors. In another arrangement, the blend and configuration control includes a pair of potentiometers mechanically coupled for concurrent mechanical travel to provide individual pickup sensor output selection, a series configuration of the two pickup sensors and series blending of the two pickup sensors.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a sensor device (2) for measuring a movement and/or a vibration of at least one object of interest, in particular for musical instruments, said device comprising (i) at least two excitation inductance coils (11, 12) electrically connected to at least one electric excitation source, and capable of generating excitation magnetic fluxes, and (ii) at least one measuring inductance coil (13), electrically connected to electrical measuring means capable of measuring induced electrical signals, (iii) a magnetic circuit (10) magnetically connecting the excitation coils (11, 12) and measuring (13) coils, and comprising a measuring area (17) wherein the presence of objects of interest affects magnetic fluxes coming from excitation coils (11, 12) and passing through said measuring coil or coils (13), and (iv) excitation coils (11, 12) arranged in such a way as to generate, in the absence of an object of interest in the measuring area (17), magnetic fluxes which substantially cancel each

Abstract: A retrofit pickup assembly for stringed instruments is disclosed. The retrofit pickup assembly includes an existing coil and existing or new magnets and a flexible circuit having a plurality of wires and two connectors. A pickup assembly for new stringed instruments is also disclosed utilizing the same principles. A method of retrofitting an existing pickup assembly for stringed instruments is also disclosed.

Abstract: A parallel tapped magnetic pickup for an electrical stringed musical instrument is provided. The parallel tapped magnetic pickup comprises a coil formed with at least two parallel connected wound wires. A guitar in combination with the parallel tapped pickup is additionally provided.

Abstract: A string vibration sustaining device according to the present embodiment includes a rear pickup converting string vibration into an electrical signal, an amplifier amplifying the converted electrical signal, and an ultrathin electromagnetic driver converting the amplified electrical signal into a magnetic signal to excite strings. The ultrathin electromagnetic driver includes two magnetic pole plates formed of a magnetic material, a rare earth magnet arranged in parallel with the strings between the two magnetic pole plates, and a coil wound in a direction perpendicular to the strings around the rare earth magnet, is formed to be ultrathin to have an entire thickness equal to or smaller than 3 mm, and is arranged in a slight gap between a neck end portion and a front pickup of the electric guitar.

Abstract: A pickup for engagement to the body of an instrument having metal strings, such as a guitar in position proximate to the strings. The pickup features a coil having loops of wire wound around a recess having a magnetic member therein which projects a magnetic field to magnetize the strings. The electrical current in said coil wire induced by a movement the strings generates a first electrical signal from said first end of the coil wire and corresponding AC second electric signal from said second end of the coil wire. One or a plurality of tap wires engaged to the coil wire at tap points, provide additional individual electronic signals which may be mixed, or may be communicated individually to an amplifier or mixing component.

Abstract: An electric stringed musical instrument including: a string which vibrates by a performance operation; a body which supports the string via a bridge; a pickup sensor mounted on a portion which vibrates by a vibration of the string, the pickup sensor being configured to detect a vibration having propagated from the string and output an electric signal; and a supporter having a spring structure which supports the bridge with respect to the body to bring a vibration characteristic of the electric stringed musical instrument closer to a vibration characteristic of one acoustic stringed musical instrument.

Abstract: A system is configured to test a pickup on a guitar without soldering the pickup to the guitar. The system includes an inverted pickup mechanically coupled to pickup wires. A testing system is connected to the inverted pickup and includes a base plate configured to accommodate the inverted pickup proximate strings on the guitar. Two leveling rods are configured to be threaded through the base plate and inserted through a pickup mounting plate while being immediately adjacent to the guitar on one end. A circuit board is attached to the base plate and configured to be electrically coupled to the pickup wires. The circuit board further comprises a phone jack which is configured to be electrically coupled to an amplifier. The amplifier emits sound which can be used to test the inverted pickup.

Abstract: A method of producing an output from an electrical stringed musical instrument, such as a guitar, having a plurality of strings includes steps of (i) receiving a plurality of analog signals, each analog signal being generated in response to vibration of a corresponding one of the plurality of strings and each analog signal having an associated frequency, (ii) identifying from among the analog signals a particular one of the analog signals having the lowest associated frequency, and (iii) creating an output electrical signal based on only the particular one of the analog signals, the output electrical signal having a converted frequency that is lower than the associated frequency of the particular one of the analog signals.

Abstract: An acoustic instrument is fitted with a flexible member that is fitted into the instrument and attached to the bridge of the instrument in such a fashion that the member vibrates freely in sync with the instrument. A compact optical pickup unit is attached to the flexible member in an arrangement comprised of cooperating optoelectronic devices which are mechanically isolated from the vibrations of the instrument and are positioned on the member. The member interferes with, and when stationary entirely obstructs, the path of a light beam generated by a light emitting device (LED) which is directed towards a light receiving device, the frequency and intensity of the vibrations of the member modulating the frequency and intensity of the light from the LED impinging on the receiving device. The result is an electronic output signal that corresponds to both the frequency of the note (or notes) played and to the tonal quality of the acoustic instrument on which the pickup is mounted.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for a stringed musical instrument having a plurality of movable strings includes a primary winding extending outward to form a mounting member and adapted to be disposed on the stringed musical instrument. The sensor assembly includes at least one magnet disposed adjacent the primary winding to generate a magnetic field. The primary winding creates a primary current from a disruption in the magnetic field by the movable strings and the primary current creates a primary electromagnetic flux. The sensor assembly further includes at least one secondary being coupled to the primary winding. The at least one secondary winding transforms the primary electromagnetic flux into a secondary current adapted to pass out the stringed musical instrument.

Abstract: The present invention seeks to provide a stringed musical instrument, such as an electric guitar, that has certain tones separately amplified from the amplification provided by a standard electrical musical instrument configuration. Specifically, the present invention is a stringed musical instrument with an auxiliary pickup beneath and longitudinally parallel to at least one of the strings of the musical instrument. This auxiliary pickup has a corresponding auxiliary output jack for coupling to an octave pedal and to an amplifier.

Abstract: A musical instrument pickup including an apparatus that allows for easy interchangement of magnets for modifying tone.

Abstract: A retrofit pickup assembly for stringed instruments is disclosed. The retrofit pickup assembly includes an existing coil and existing or new magnets and a flexible circuit having a plurality of wires and two connectors. A pickup assembly for new stringed instruments is also disclosed utilizing the same principles. A method of retrofitting an existing pickup assembly for stringed instruments is also disclosed.