Abstract: According to an aspect of the present invention, there is an electric violin comprising a sound bar having a first tang and a second tang. The central portion of the sound bar rests on a top plate of the violin, separated by a separator pad, and the first and second tangs protrude to an inner cavity of the violin through a first and a second plate hole of the top plate. A pickup assembly includes a first and a second pickup, where each of the pickups comprise a bobbin made of two plates separated by a plurality of magnetic polepieces and surrounded by a coil wire. Each of the pickups includes a compression mechanism including a height adjustment screw that holds the compression mechanism at a firm tension while the distance between the plurality of the magnetic polepieces of the pickup and the corresponding tang satisfies a tolerance gap.

Abstract: Provided is a modular string instrument including a core string instrument and interchangeable instrument body types. The core including: a core shell forming a basic shape of the core string instrument, a string instrument head, a neck base, a chassis assembly configured to be inserted into the core shell, extending from the head to the neck base and comprising a strings anchoring bridge, a plastic fret board configured to have frets attached thereon, the fret board configured to cover the core shell and to encase the chassis assembly within the core shell, a neck base cover configured to be attached to the neck base, a pickup cassette bay configured to encase an interchangeable pickup cassette, and strings stretched from the bridge over the pickup cassette bay, over the neck base to the head.

Abstract: Mechanical methods for temporarily securing or stopping the pickup selector switch of an electronically amplified string musical instrument with multiple electromagnetic pickups.

Abstract: An actuator, including an electric drive for converting electrical signals into mechanical deflections, the drive having a coil through which the current of the electrical signal can flow, and having a permanent magnet which can be in electromagnetic interaction with the coil, the actuator furthermore has a housing and a flat body, the flat body being able to be mechanically deflected and/or mechanically excited into vibration by the electric drive and, in the process, being able to radiate acoustic sound signals, wherein the flat body is connected integrally to at least part of the housing and at least part of the drive is connected to the flat body.

Abstract: A string-vibration transducer for an electric, stringed instrument that provides effective noise or hum cancellation while retaining single-coil tone. The transducer includes a permanent magnet, at least two ferromagnetic metal poles, a coil that is configured to loop around the at least one ferromagnetic metal pole, and a bottom flatwork comprising at least two apertures to receive the at least two ferromagnetic metal poles, wherein the permanent magnet comprises a north magnetic pole and a south magnetic pole, wherein the at least two ferromagnetic metal poles are configured to be displaced on top of the permanent magnet and through the at least one aperture on the bottom flatwork, wherein the coil is configured to loop around the at least two ferromagnetic metal poles to comprise two loops in a shape of figure eight, and wherein the bottom flatwork is configured to be on top of the permanent magnet.

Abstract: An onboard electronic system and associated method enables a player of an acoustic stringed instrument to control an electronic signal for modifying and amplifying sound while playing an instrument is described. The onboard electronic system is embedded in the tailpiece and/or the chinrest portions of the stringed instrument, and includes at least one pickup, a battery-powered amplification unit and at least one controller. The method includes steps for controlling sound amplification and tonal modification onboard an acoustic stringed instrument. The steps include sensing vibration from strings with a pickup, generating an electrical signal and transmitting the electrical signal to an amplification unit via an input cable, and modifying the electrical signal in response to one or more controllers located onboard the instrument.

Abstract: An onboard electronic system and associated method enables a player of an acoustic stringed instrument to control an electronic signal for modifying and amplifying sound while playing an instrument. The onboard electronic system is embedded in the tailpiece and/or the chinrest portions and/or shoulder-rest portion of the stringed instrument, and includes at least one pickup, a battery-powered amplification unit and at least one controller. The method includes steps for controlling sound amplification and tonal modification onboard an acoustic stringed instrument. The steps include sensing vibration from strings with a pickup, generating an electrical signal and transmitting the electrical signal to an amplification unit via an input cable, and modifying the electrical signal in response to one or more controllers located onboard the instrument.

Abstract: A string-vibration transducer for an electric, stringed instrument that provides effective noise or hum cancellation while retaining single-coil tone. The transducer includes a permanent magnet, at least two ferromagnetic metal poles, a coil that is configured to loop around the at least one ferromagnetic metal pole, and a bottom flatwork comprising at least two apertures to receive the at least two ferromagnetic metal poles, wherein the permanent magnet comprises a north magnetic pole and a south magnetic pole, wherein the at least two ferromagnetic metal poles are configured to be displaced on top of the permanent magnet and through the at least one aperture on the bottom flatwork, wherein the coil is configured to loop around the at least two ferromagnetic metal poles to comprise two loops in a shape of figure eight, and wherein the bottom flatwork is configured to be on top of the permanent magnet.

Abstract: Helmets which harness magnetic forces to reduce the force of impact collisions to helmets during contact sports, thus reducing the likelihood that athletes sustain a physical injury such as a traumatic brain injury and/or a neck injury, are described. The helmets incorporate strong magnets into the shell such that a repulsive magnetic force is generated between opposing helmets, thus reducing impact forces. Each helmet includes a protective shell and at least one magnet which is arranged or configured to provide for a spatially modulated magnetic array.

Abstract: A pickup for an electrical, stringed musical instrument includes a first assembly and a second assembly. The first assembly includes a base plate, a pole that extends upward from the base plate and a coil of wire wrapped around the pole above the base plate. The second assembly includes a housing that has a fastening feature that allows the second assembly to be user attachable and detachable from the first assembly independently of any electrical connections made by the first assembly. The second assembly also includes a magnet seated within the housing. The pickup is further constructed so that the second assembly readily attaches and detaches to the first assembly such that when attached, the pole of the first assembly is in magnetic cooperation with the magnet of the second assembly.

Abstract: In some embodiments, an electric guitar interface system, includes a first touchpad of an electric guitar configured to detect a user input, and a control unit coupled to the first touchpad. The control unit may be configured to set a first parameter of the electric guitar's output as a function of a position of the user input along the first axis. The first parameter includes a first pickup gain. The first pickup gain may be for at least one of a bridge pickup, a middle pickup, and a neck pickup. The first parameter includes a second pickup gain.

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

Abstract: Devices and methods for transducing vibrations of a ferromagnetic string in a musical stringed instrument are provided. Specifically, including those for modulating the timbre of a stringed musical instrument with an electromagnetic pickup independent of loudness, sensitivity and dynamic range.

Abstract: A variable tone configuration control (100, 100?) for string instruments includes a pair of pickup coils (110, 120) located on a string instrument for inducing voltages therein responsive to vibration of any of the strings thereof. The variable tone configuration control (100, 100?) further includes a pair of potentiometers (130, 140) mechanically coupled for concurrent mechanical travel of a respective displaceable contact (132, 142) thereof. The pair of potentiometers (130, 140) are operatively coupled to the pair of pickup coils (110, 120) and a pair of output terminals (102, 104) to vary the electrical configuration of the pair of pickup coils (110, 120) between the pair of pickup coils (110, 120) being connected in series and being connected in parallel as the displaceable contacts (132 and 142) are moved between opposing ends of their mechanical travel.

Abstract: The invention provides elements used to attach a standard magnetic pickup, in conjunction with a feedback reduction device, into the sound hole of an acoustic guitar in a manner that does not alter the inherent sound characteristics of the underlying guitar. The approach put forward provides a significant advantage by providing the ability to install a broad range of commercially available standard magnetic pickups, which combined with the feedback reduction device, provides the capability to achieve high gain amplification utilizing an open body acoustic guitar while eliminating the highly objectionable squeal that is customary in this type of application. The invention consists of a basic modification kit: the pickup mounting elements, the pickup itself, the feedback reduction device, the metalized guitar strings, the conductive string anchor bracket, and the interconnect cable assembly.

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: A programmable pickup director switching system for a musical instrument having a plurality of pickup coils and a pickup director control board communicatively interconnected to the plurality of pickup coils. The system also includes a push/pull potentiometer structured and arranged to activate different combinations of one or more of the plurality of pickup coils, a main multi-position switch having m positions, and a bank select switch having n positions. Additionally, the system includes a switching matrix configured to switch one or more of the plurality of pickup coils into a signal path based on a position of at least one of the main multi-position switch, the bank select switch and the push/pull potentiometer.

Abstract: Improvements in a microphone system for a musical instrument and more particularly for a percussion instrument such as a drum, marimba or similar musical instrument. The microphone system includes a vibration isolation system. A vertical or horizontal tracking system bridges across supports of a drum or marimba in a vertical or horizontal tracking system. One or more microphones are supported on the first bridging structure. The microphone(s) are positionally secured on the horizontal tracking system. Both the microphones and the horizontal tracking system provide vibration isolation to all of the microphones. A cable managements system is also disclosed to reduce mechanical vibration and eliminate transmission of undesirable sounds.

Abstract: A signal processing circuit allows a stringed instrument, like a guitar, to produce audio in an extended range. In the case of an electric guitar, the guitar can produce audio in an extended range including conventional lead and bass. An electric pickup for a stringed instrument includes an onboard rechargeable battery that modifies and boosts the signal produced by the pickup.

Abstract: A guitar is played during performance by rapid change in the tension of its strings. In one embodiment, rapid, accurate, and repeatable tuning is obtained by a two-step process of adjusting the tension of the string to a stored value which may be then be corrected according to the pitch of the string obtained at later various times during the performance.

Abstract: A guitar pickup for use with an electric guitar may comprise a base, a plurality of magnets operably coupled to the base, and a plurality of bobbins situated on the plurality of magnets. The plurality of bobbins may each have a pole slug within its interior and may each have a wire coiled around its shaft. One or more of the plurality of magnets may be able to induce a change in magnetic flux in the pole slug in response to vibrations of a guitar string of the electric guitar.

Abstract: A poly coil matrix including a poly coil matrix body, a first coil assembly, a second coil assembly concentric with the first coil assembly, one or more magnetic pole accommodated by the first coil assembly.

Abstract: A guitar pickup switching system for an electric guitar consisting of three pickups (typically in the bridge, middle, and neck positions). It uses a simple on/off switch for mode control and has two possible user preference options. The first option uses a 5-position pickup selector switch, and allows for all seven possible pickup combinations: the bridge pickup alone, the middle pickup alone, the neck pickup alone, the bridge and middle pickups together (electrically in parallel), the middle and neck pickups together, the neck and bridge pickups together, and finally the bridge, middle, and neck pickups together (all 3 pickups together). The second option has electrical wiring identical to the first, but uses a simpler 3-position pickup selector switch instead of a 5-position switch. This option does not provide for the combination of all three pickups together, but all the other six possible pickup combinations are available.

Abstract: A wireless guitar synthesizer for creating theremin like sounds on an unmodified electric guitar. The wireless synthesizer generally includes a portable housing adapted to be moved independent of an electric guitar to influence a sound outputted by an audio means connected to the guitar and a circuit supported by the housing for generating an electromagnetic field to be received by the coil pickup of the guitar to influence the outputted sound. The circuit generally includes a signal generator for producing an output signal, at least one user-adjustable modulator electrically coupled to the signal generator for varying the output signal, and an LED antenna array electrically coupled to the signal generator to receive the modulated output signal and output the electromagnetic field. The user-adjustable modulators may include a joystick movable along an X-Y axis, as well as a plurality of switches, each of which independently alter the output signal.

Abstract: An electric cello is equipped with a pickup unit under a bridge, and strings are stretched to press the bridge; the pickup unit has a bridge tray where the bridge stands and a piezoelectric transducer provided beneath the bridge tray, and the bridge tray is bolted at a side portion under the thick string to the instrument body; however, the other side portion under the thin string is made freely vibrate; while a player is bowing on the strings, the vibrating strings give rise to rolling of the bridge, and the leg portions of bridge are alternately pressed on the side portion and the other side portion; only the vibration of the other side portion give rise to deformation of piezoelectric converter so that the piezoelectric converter is free from interference of the bolted side portion.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for a stringed musical instrument having a plurality of movable strings includes a primary winding adapted to be disposed at one end of either one of a fingerboard and a neck of the stringed musical instrument. The sensor assembly includes at least one magnet disposed adjacent the primary winding and the movable strings 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: A musical instrument includes a fretboard, frets aligned in a first direction on the fretboard, a number of strings, aligned in a second direction above the frets, and tensioning devices operable to hold the strings in tension such that the pitch of adjacent strings at any given fret differ by one whole tone. Signals from string vibration pickups may be electronically processed and amplified to modify the sound produced by the musical instrument.

Abstract: A box installed in an instrument with a cut out where a pick up coil can be instantly slid in and out or side to side. The coils are slid into the box unit which has a slice in it to allow the coils to be slid side to side along a path of the strings to achieve different tonal effects.

Abstract: A musical instrument includes a fretboard, frets aligned in a first direction on the fretboard, a number of strings, aligned in a second direction above the frets, and tensioning devices operable to hold the strings in tension such that the pitch of adjacent strings at any given fret differ by one whole tone. Signals from string vibration pickups may be electronically processed and amplified to modify the sound produced by the musical instrument.

Abstract: This invention relates generally to electromagnetic transducers, and more specifically, to devices that convert the mechanical vibrations of a magnetically permeable object, such as a ferromagnetic instrument string, into an electrical signal using electromagnetism.

Abstract: An improved electromagnetic transducer for use in electric instrument pickups is described. The magnetic circuit of the transducer is almost entirely enclosed, leading to a very efficient and quiet design. A magnetically susceptible transducer core (1) is shaped in such a way that it provides a closed path for magnetic flux everywhere except a gap (3) through which one or more ferromagnetic strings (4) pass. One or more electrically conductive coils (2) disposed on core (1) convert the magnetic flux passing through the core into electric current. A lengthwise magnetic field is applied to the string using a specially shaped magnetic element, consisting of either a permanent magnet (5) or magnetically susceptible magnetizing core (6) about which one or more coils (7) are disposed. In either case, the magnet element is shaped in such a way as to contain magnetic flux within itself everywhere except a section wherein the magnetic flux is driven longitudinally through one or more magnetically susceptible strings.

Abstract: A pick-up system is provided that can be suitably used irrespective of the type of the guitar by means of an arrangement of a plurality of pick-up coils that can appropriately conform to the curvature of the strings that are arranged in a stringed instrument. In accordance with the pick-up system of the present invention, it is possible to adjust the curvature of the roof surfaces of the pick-up coils in conformance with the bending of a pick-up board on which the pick-up coils have been mounted. Therefore, a distance that is always an appropriate distance can be maintained between each of the pick-up coils that are arranged on the pick-up board and each of the strings by means of the suitable adjustment of the curvature of the pick-up board. Accordingly, there is the advantageous result that the vibrations of each of the strings can be appropriately detected irrespective of the type of guitar.

Abstract: An automated player for stringed instruments having a plucking mechanism and a fretting mechanism. The plucking mechanism includes a string contacting portion rotationally mounted relative to a corresponding instrument string with a rotational axis substantially perpendicular to the string, a first drive member for creating relative motion between the string and the string contacting portion. The fretting mechanism includes a carriage in depressive contact with the instrument string and a second drive member selectively positioning the carriage creating relative movement between the carriage and the string. The plucking mechanism and the fretting mechanism are attached to a frame which is attached to the instrument. The player includes an electronic control circuit that controls operation of the plucking and fretting mechanisms.

Abstract: A reluctance pickup for a guitar including a pair of magnetic pole pieces disposed within wire coils. The coils are oppositely wound and wired in series. Each pole piece has an elongated magnetic pole end extending above its respective coil. The pole pieces are disposed so as to form a pickup face having two approximately parallel elongated pole ends. The elongated pole ends have opposite magnetic polarities and create a magnetic field therebetween. The pickup is mounted beneath a magnetically permeable string such that a projection of the string intersects the pole ends at a selected orientation angle between approximately 28 degrees and approximately 58 degrees, preferably, 43 degrees, so as to optimize selected performance parameters of the pickup, including: channel-to-channel separation, frequency response, and dynamic response.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for amplifying low amplitude vibrations from stringed instruments, and in particular guitars while reducing Gaussian and 60 Hz hum noise from the signal. In particular, the invention incorporates the use of one or more bipolar magnets in conjunction with high precision differential amplifiers and a power source. The bipolar magnets may be arranged at varying locations on the guitar as long as they are within range to induce an electrical signal in the strings when they are played. The signal is then fed through the amplifier circuitry whereby noise is eliminated and then played through a standard speaker.

Abstract: A pivoting electromagnetic pickup device is provided. The invention generally is comprised of an elongated support structure, an electromagnetic pickup, a pivoting means, and an angular position locking means. The extremity of the elongated support structure is pivotally attached to the front face of an electric guitar or electric base body, between the front face and the strings, restricting its movement to a curvilinear path substantially normal to the axis of rotation and substantially parallel to the plane of the strings. The pickup is mounted to the elongated support structure, between the elongated support structure and the strings. Attaching the elongated support structure to the guitar body in a pivotal relationship is the pivoting means. The angular position locking means can be engaged to continuously vary the resistance to angular motion, from no resistance to maximum resistance, where the elongated support structure is substantially locked to a chosen angular position.

Abstract: A guitar pickup switching system for a three pickup guitar has a bridge pickup, a middle pickup, and a neck pickup for an electric guitar. This invention utilizes a switch arrangement which permits the three pickup guitar player to select outputs of the pickups in any one of 29 series, parallel, in-phase, and/or out-of-phase combinations. A guitar pickup switching system for a two pickup guitar has a bridge pickup and a neck pickup for an electric guitar. This invention utilizes a switch arrangement which permits the two pickup guitar player to select outputs of the pickups in any one of 6 series, parallel, in-phase, and/or out-of-phase combinations.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for a stringed musical instrument having a plurality of movable strings includes at least one blade adapted to be disposed adjacent the strings and at least one magnet disposed adjacent the at least one blade to generate a magnetic field through the at least one blade. The sensor assembly includes a primary winding disposed adjacent the at least one blade to create a primary current from a disruption in the magnetic field by the moveable strings. The primary current creates a primary electromagnetic flux. The sensor assembly also includes at least one secondary winding spaced from the primary winding and being magnetically coupled to the primary winding. The at least one secondary winding transforms the primary electromagnetic flux into a secondary current adapted to be passed out the stringed musical instrument.

Abstract: A pickup for an electric guitar includes a housing made to fill an existing cavity in an electric guitar body originally used for a dual-coil humbucking pickup. The pickup also has a single pickup coil mounted in the housing.

Abstract: An electric stringed instrument having an integral accompaniment system is proposed. The vibrations of the strings on the electric stringed instrument are detected as analog signals by a pickup device. A portion of the detected signal is extracted, has its voltage adjusted, is converted into a digital signal, and is read into a CPU as a digital signal within a range of 0-5 volts. An amplification factor of the digital signal is determined according to sound volume data included in accompaniment data stored within the accompaniment system, and the proportion of sound volume between the player's performance and an automatically generated accompaniment is adjusted by multiplying the sound volume of the player's performance, or of the accompaniment, by the amplification factor. The sound volume adjustment is effected only once and only when an automatic balancing switch provided on the instrument is depressed.

Abstract: A vibration transducer device for stringed musical instrument comprising a magnetic field generating bar, metal strings of the musical instrument and an electronic circuit is described herein. The electronic circuit amplifies a minute electric voltage induced in the metallic strings by the magnetic field when the metallic strings are vibrating.

Abstract: A device for generating a modulated electromagnetic signal for reception by an electromagnetic pickup of a guitar. The inventive device includes a mounting assembly securable to a guitar pick. Electrical circuitry including a coil is contained within the mounting assembly for generating an electromagnetic signal receivable by the pickup of the guitar.

Abstract: A sensor assembly for a stringed musical instrument having a plurality of movable strings including a case having a longitudinal channel, at least one magnet disposed in the longitudinal channel, at least one coil assembly disposed adjacent the magnet in the longitudinal channel, and an acoustic vibration receptor movable about the coil assembly wherein the acoustic vibration receptor receives acoustic vibrations created by the movable strings to create secondary vibrations receivable by the coil assembly.

Abstract: A transducer assembly for an electronic music system for use with a stringed instrument includes a plurality of transducers and a quick connect device for detachably securing the transducers to the stringed instrument without marring, defacing, or altering the stringed instrument. The transducers generate analog signals representing the sound generated by playing the instrument. An interface converts the analog signals to digital signals and a computer receives and processes the digital signals. The location of the transducer assembly relative to the strings of the instrument is adjustable.

Abstract: An inertial acoustic pickup (300) for use with a string musical instrument (700) having a soundboard (702) for delivering acoustic energy, comprises a chassis (302) including a coil (304) coupled to the soundboard (702), an armature including upper and lower substantially parallel planar suspension members (310) having planar perimeter regions (308) coupled to the chassis (302), and comprising a plurality of independent planar circular non-linear spring members (312) arranged regularly about a central planar region (314) within the planar perimeter region (305), an inertial mass (316) suspended between the upper and lower planar suspension members (310) about the central planar region (314) and having an axis (342) extending therebetween and including a plurality of permanent magnets (320) arranged regularly about a perimeter of the inertial mass (316), whereby acoustic energy coupled to the chassis (302) from the soundboard (702) is transformed through the planar non-linear spring members (312) into motional

Abstract: An electromagnetic pickup for an electric stringed instrument has, two parallel permeability plates placed perpendicular to strings; a permanent magnet provided between the two permeability plates in parallel to strings; and a coil wound around the permanent magnet. The plate permanent magnet is in contact with the permeability plates in such a manner that the portions of the permanent magnet that contact the permeability plates have oppsite polarities.

Abstract: A sound pick-up for frequencies in the audible range, particularly for musical instruments have resonant cavities, such as string instruments, includes a housing which can be secured to the resonant body of the instrument and an induction coil whose connections extend outwardly through the housing. A wall portion of the housing connected to the resonant body supports the induction coil. The induction coil projects into an annular gap of a permanent magnet which is supported in a spring-elastic manner in the housing. The spring-elastic support of the permanent magnet makes it possible that the permanent magnet is movable in axial direction of the induction coil and relative to the housing.

Abstract: An intonation adjustment system is provided for a stringed instrument. A saddle setup tool has a plurality of selectable, distinctly spaced intonation points so that a preferred one of the selectable, distinctly spaced intonation points can be determined for each string of the instrument. Then a bridge saddle is constructed from a set of prefabricated candidate saddle segments by selecting a group of selected saddle segments making up the instrument saddle and providing the desired combination of intonation points as determined with the saddle setup tool. A pickup for an amplified instrument provides adjustable positioning of individual piezo-electric transducer elements so that relative volume outputs of the strings may also be adjusted.

Abstract: A sound effects device is used with a guitar having an electromagnetic pickup for inducing feedback into an original signal source for creating a unique musical sound. The device comprises a coil winding which is placed on a hand or wrist of a player for maneuvering the hand in proximity to the guitar pickup. In an alternate arrangement, the coil is affixed to a stand and the guitar is maneuvered by the player for placing the guitar pickup close to the coil. The player thus creates new and pleasing sounds by changing relative positions of the guitar and device in proximity to each other thus allowing for an enhanced unrestricted performance.

Abstract: An apparatus for mounting a pickup on a stringed musical instrument having a soundhole has a pickup housing which is adapted to be disposed in the soundhole of the instrument. An abutment member is connected by a threaded rod and an operator member to the pickup housing. The operator member is mounted on the rod and the abutment member so that operation of the operator member moves the abutment member along the rod into abutting engagement with the instrument when the pickup housing is disposed in the soundhole and the operator member is operated. This can form part of an electromagnetic pickup which defines a first magnetic pole beneath a first plurality of the strings of the instrument and which also defines a second magnetic pole beneath a second plurality of the strings of the instrument, wherein the second plurality is less than the first plurality.