Abstract: A sensor unit capable of protecting a piezoelectric element and detecting vibration and sound is provided. The sensor unit comprises a sheet-like piezoelectric element having a porous layer, and a sound propagation sheet covering at least one face of the piezoelectric element and permitting transmission of sound from a first face toward a second face of the sound propagation sheet. A difference in acoustic pressure level between the sound incident on the sound propagation sheet and the transmitted sound is preferably no greater than 10 dB. A surface density of the sound propagation sheet is preferably from 0.03 g/m2 to 100 g/m2. The sound propagation sheet is preferably flexible and preferably has voids. The sensor unit preferably further comprises a sound insulation sheet covering another face of the piezoelectric element and substantially preventing transmission of sound from a second face toward a first face of the sound insulation sheet.

Abstract: In several embodiments of the invention, a pickup saddle for a stringed instrument includes a U-shaped top cap having two legs, each leg including a receiving portion configured to mate with a mating portion of a base, a base fitted to the interior of the top cap, where two surfaces of the base include a mating portion matching with and affixed to a receiving portion of the top cap, a piezoelectric transducer placed between the top cap and the base and electrically connected to the base, a positive wire connected to the piezoelectric transducer, and a ground wire connected to the base.

Abstract: The disclosure provides a keyboard device and an electronic musical instrument. The keyboard device includes: a plurality of keys 60 arranged in a left-right direction (scale direction); a base member 50 supporting the keys 60; a vibration transmission member 70 being in contact with the base member 50 across an arrangement region of the keys 60 in the left-right direction; and a vibrator 72 fixed to the vibration transmission member 70 and vibrating based on pressing of the key 60. Therefore, the vibration of the vibrator 72 is transmitted to each of the keys 60 (base member 50) arranged on the left and right via the vibration transmission member 70. As the vibration transmission member 70 has higher rigidity than the base member 50 made of resin, the vibration of the vibrator 72 is easily transmitted in the left-right direction through the vibration transmission member 70.

Abstract: A modular single-coil electromagnetic stringed-instrument pickup, made to mount in replacement of a standard single-coil pickup, using the similar mounting screws and springs, has a replaceable base, core, blade pole and cover. The core unit has two flat coil forms glued to a bar magnet, which together form a trough for the coil. The outsides of the coil forms have printed circuits which form the coil end contacts and an integral electrostatic shield, with interconnect fixed after the coil is wound, so that the core unit can be flipped to change the magnetic polarity of the pickup, and thus the string vibration signal, while maintaining a humbucking pair circuit with equivalent pickup. The base, which can be either non-magnetic or ferro-magnetic material in different shapes and configurations to shape the magnetic field, contains three conductive index pins, which both make contact with the core unit contacts, and transmit string signals to any circuit or electrical contacts on the bottom of the base.

Abstract: A sensor unit is for attaching to a vibrating body. The sensor unit includes: a sheet sensor that has a sheet shape and flexibility. The sheet sensor converts vibration that acts in a thickness direction of the sheet sensor to a voltage and outputting the voltage. The sensor unit further includes a first sticking member that includes a soft base material and two adhesive layers. The soft base material has a sheet shape and stress conformability. The two adhesive layers are respectively provided on both surfaces of the soft base material. The first sticking member is attached to one surface of the sheet sensor.

Abstract: A system for fixing and tensioning strings of a stringed musical instrument comprises a string holder provided on one end of a neck, an upper nut provided on a second end of the neck and adjusting screw mechanisms in an amount that corresponds to the amount of strings, while each of the strings is configured so that its first end can be fixed in the string holder, the second end can be passed through grooves of the upper nut and fixed on the adjusting screw mechanism. An arrangement for directing the strings is mounted after the upper nut on a face surface of the neck, in a form of a curved plate, which has guides for the strings provided therein. The adjusting screw mechanisms are arranged at an acute angle relative to the longitudinal axis of the neck in a frame fixed on a back surface of the neck. A neck reinforcement member can be mounted in a central portion of the neck along the entire length.

Abstract: A sensor apparatus includes a substrate, a plurality of parallel interdigitated sensor electrode fingers disposed over the substrate, a peripheral shield disposed over at least some of a periphery of the substrate, and a sensing material disposed in gaps formed by surfaces of the sensor electrode fingers and the peripheral shield. In some embodiments, an area shield is also disposed over the electrode fingers.

Abstract: The fingerboard/fretboard and/or bridge of a stringed instrument such as a guitar or violin is constructed lead crystal in lieu of the tradition wood construction utilized for these components. The lead crystal components are identically shaped to the components they are replacing. Changing the materials of construction of the fingerboard/fretboard and/or bridge to lead crystal in the stringed instrument creates a sound which is cleaner and with less distortion than those stringed instrument with a wooden fingerboard/fretboard and/or bridge. Additionally, utilizing a lead crystal the fingerboard/fretboard and/or bridge also provides a unanticipated benefit, the instrument is no longer capable of creating a screeching sound when played improperly. The resulting instrument is one which is simpler to play for both novices and advanced players, which is still capable of emanating an appealing sound.

Abstract: A stringed musical instrument and method of constructing a stringed musical instrument, having a body with a hollow or semi-hollow interior, a front and rear sound board disposed on opposite sides of the hollow interior, a single set of strings and a dual bridge and saddle assembly extending between the front and rear sound board with the dual bridge and saddle assembly including a first bridge and saddle mounted upon the front sound board, a second bridge and saddle mounted upon the rear sound board and with said single set of strings being strung such that the single set of strings interconnect the first bridge and front sound board to the second bridge and rear sound board through the interior body of the musical instrument for generating sound from each sound board respectively.

Abstract: In a first aspect hereof the present invention provides an improved piezoelectric pickup which, generally, comprises a folded planar plastic piezoelectric sandwich electrically connected to a coaxial cable which, in turn, is in electrical communication with a jack or the like for connection to a pre-amp, an amplifier or the like. In a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a “cell” which is particularly adapted for use with an electric violin. The “cell” comprises a table which is disposed substantially parallel to the top of the instrument and substantially normal or perpendicular to and in contact with the bridge of the instrument. When used in conjunction with a pickup the cell facilitates simulation of the sound of an acoustic violin.

Abstract: A sound capture device is affixed to an acoustic instrument to capture the natural sound output of the instrument. The captured sound signal is routed to an electronic sound augmentation system that is configured to augment the captured sound with spatial sound effects such as reverb, echo, delay, etc. The processed and augmented sound is then reproduced via a vibrating driver that has been affixed to the body of the acoustic instrument. This creates a situation where the body of the musical instrument, responding to a series of vibrations produced by the vibrating driver, acts as a speaker component, reproducing a rich augmented sound output that comprises the sum of the sound produced by the original sound production capabilities of the acoustical instrument plus the added augmented or enhanced sound effects.

Abstract: In a first aspect hereof the present invention provides an improved piezoelectric pickup which, generally, comprises a folded planar plastic piezoelectric sandwich electrically connected to a coaxial cable which, in turn, is in electrical communication with a jack or the like for connection to a pre-amp, an amplifier or the like. In a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a “cell” which is particularly adapted for use with an electric violin. The “cell” comprises a table which is disposed substantially parallel to the top of the instrument and substantially normal or perpendicular to and in contact with the bridge of the instrument. When used in conjunction with a pickup the cell facilitates simulation of the sound of an acoustic violin.

Abstract: A sound capture device is affixed to an acoustic instrument to capture the natural sound output of the instrument. The captured sound signal is routed to an electronic sound augmentation system that is configured to augment the captured sound with spatial sound effects such as reverb, echo, delay, etc. The processed and augmented sound is then reproduced via a vibrating driver that has been affixed to the body of the acoustic instrument. This creates a situation where the body of the musical instrument, responding to a series of vibrations produced by the vibrating driver, acts as a speaker component, reproducing a rich augmented sound output that comprises the sum of the sound produced by the original sound production capabilities of the acoustical instrument plus the added augmented or enhanced sound effects.

Abstract: A sound capture device is affixed to an acoustic instrument to capture the natural sound output of the instrument. The captured sound signal is routed to an electronic sound augmentation system that is configured to augment the captured sound with spatial sound effects such as reverb, echo, delay, etc. The processed and augmented sound is then reproduced via a vibrating driver that has been affixed to the body of the acoustic instrument. This creates a situation where the body of the musical instrument, responding to a series of vibrations produced by the vibrating driver, acts as a speaker component, reproducing a rich augmented sound output that comprises the sum of the sound produced by the original sound production capabilities of the acoustical instrument plus the added augmented or enhanced sound effects.

Abstract: A pickup unit of an electric stringed instrument is constituted of a vibrator supporting strings, a support which is installed inside the recess of a lower bridge so as to support the vibrator, and a plurality of piezoelectric elements which convert vibrations of strings transmitted thereto via the vibrator into electric signals. At least one presser member is interposed between the vibrator and the support. The presser member is constituted of a screw that is put into the lower surface of the vibrator from the lower surface of the support, thus upwardly pressing the piezoelectric elements onto the vibrator. This makes it possible to efficiently transmit vibrations of strings to the piezoelectric elements, thus improving the tone color and sound quality of an electric stringed instrument.

Abstract: An electric pickup for stringed musical instruments for installation on a bridge that includes height-adjusting wheels for adjusting string height. The pickup includes three piezo-electric sensing elements symmetrically arranged around the adjuster stud, and the entire downward force generated by the strings and coupled to the instrument face through the bridge is borne by the piezo-electric elements.

Abstract: An ultrasonic oscillation frequency power amplification circuit is disclosed herein having improved power and frequency receiver characteristics. The power circuit is characterized by having atmospheric capacitance of device, octave controlled electronic amplify resonator antenna vessel. As the resonator is far more sensitive to audio feedback than any semi-acoustic guitar, the design of these soundboard is extremely critical, specialized and may incorporate feedback by piezoelectric doping. Organic music is accomplished by incorporating external or environmental energy in the performance by means of ultrasonic transducers. The plugged in sensation is accomplished by sensors. Audience handheld Headstock amplifier absorbs feedback while providing energy through an interactive interface device for concert participants.

Abstract: Systems and methods for producing sounds in musical instruments are provided. In one approach, a musical instrument includes: a primary sound producing mechanism; a primary sound producing surface, wherein movement of the primary sound producing mechanism by a user causes the primary sound producing surface to produce a sound; a secondary device contacting the primary sound producing surface; and a controller operatively connected to the secondary device and configured to cause the secondary device to vibrate the primary sound producing surface to produce a sound by the musical instrument.

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: An electric stringed musical instrument includes: 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; a supporter having a spring structure which supports the bridge with respect to the body; and a damper mounted on a portion which vibrates by a vibration of the string, the damper being configured to damp a vibration of the bridge.

Abstract: Process for synthesis of a synthesized audio signal, in which at least one audio signal of contact is produced for each excitation contact of a sequence of contacts carried out on a vibrating body (2). A partial attenuation signal of remanence is generated from at least one vibration signal representative of the vibration of the vibrating body (2) generated by at least one excitation contact, named partial contact, the partial attenuation signal of remanence being representative, of a partial attenuation of at least one remanent audio signal of contact, resulting from an excitation contact that is previous to said partial contact. The synthesized audio signal after said partial contact is produced by mixing the audio signal of contact of said partial contact and each remanent audio signal of contact affected by the partial attenuation signal of remanence. The invention extends to a device (3) for synthesizing said synthesized audio signal.

Abstract: A bridge pickup for stringed musical instruments is described that incorporates piezoelectric pickups and an integrated magnetic sustain system.

Abstract: A pickup cable for a stringed instrument can switch between the output of the direct vibrational sound of strings and the output of the sound from the stringed instrument body generated by the vibrations of the strings and can also simultaneously output both the sound components. The pickup cable for a stringed instrument includes an input terminal to be inserted in a jack of the stringed instrument; a microphone to collect and convert sound of an internal space of the stringed instrument into collected-sound electrical signals; and an output terminal to output the collected-sound electrical signals. The microphone is incorporated in the input terminal.

Abstract: A vibration sensor for a musical instrument includes a substrate, a first electrode film that is formed on the substrate, a piezoelectric film that is formed on the first electrode film, a second electrode film that is formed on the piezoelectric film, an insulating film that is formed on the second electrode film, and a shield film that is formed on the insulating film, the shield film being made of a conductive material, electrically connected to the first electrode film and insulated from the second electrode film by the insulating film.

Abstract: In the violin family of acoustical instruments an electrical transducer designed to convert vibration into an electrical signal is to be mounted on the bass bar of such instruments. The electrical transducer may be mounted on the bass bar of the instrument, and the position of the electrical transducer on the bass bar may vary by instrument type. Such a location would be about the center of the bass bar. An electrical wire is connected to the electrical transducer on one end and to an electrical connector at the other end. The electrical connector passes through the sidewall of the instrument and is secured thereto. An external device may be connected to the electrical connector, placing the external device in communication with the electrical signals produced by the instrument when it is played. The external device may modify the electrical signal produced by the electrical transducer. Alternatively the electrical transducer may be wireless.

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: A string musical instrument comprising an instrument body having a fretboard and a plurality of electrically common and electrically conductive frets spaced along the fretboard. One or more electrically isolated and electrically conductive vibratory strings are laterally disposed on the instrument body and held in tension over and in close proximity to the frets and a picking means for each of the strings. The picking means is an actuating assembly with a power supply. The actuating assembly is electrically connected to the one or more electrically isolated and electrically conductive vibratory strings.

Abstract: A pickup assembly is provided comprising a bridge defining an elongated slot, a saddle at least partially disposed within the slot, and at least one transducer. The slot has a slot end surface and two side walls. The saddle has a string contact surface, a saddle end surface generally opposite the string contact surface, and two opposing side surfaces. The at least one piezoelectric transducer may be located on a side wall of the slot, and have a contact surface in contact with a side surface of the saddle. The at least one transducer may be located on the slot end surface of the slot, and the contact surface contacts the saddle end surface of the saddle. An adjustment mechanism is connected to the bridge and engageable with the transducer. The transducer is adjustable relative to the saddle such that when the adjustment mechanism engages the transducer the force between the transducer and the saddle is adjusted.

Abstract: A detachable (portable) electrical pickup for musical instruments, such as basses, that includes a clamp to secure the pickup to the bridge of an instrument, a piezo crystal sensor, an integral audio jack, and a volume control. Also included are musician removable and interchangeable weights that are used to alter the response characteristics and to control any deleterious feedback.

Abstract: A system for controlling for at least one string of a musical instrument by selectively exciting or damping vibration of the string is provided. The system includes at least one transducer configured to sense a lateral vibration of the string and/or to apply an actuating force to the string. A controller is configured to determine an actuating signal for driving the actuator to apply a longitudinal actuating force to the string at a termination point of the string. The longitudinal actuating force are operable to modulate a tension of the string that increases and/or damps the lateral vibration and/or selected harmonics thereof.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to accept signals from an electrical stringed musical instrument (ESMI) and transform them into corresponding sounds as they would be created by an acoustic stringed musical instrument (ASMI). The apparatus and method comprise an ESMI, a method of capturing the tonal characteristics of an ASMI, a method of recreating the ASMI's tonal characteristics from the ESMI, and a means of emulating directional tone color (DTC) with various amplification systems.

Abstract: Transferring digital data to a musical signal processor by a method comprising establishing a connection from a musical transducer to the musical signal processor, the musical transducer being of a type that converts a wireless type of signal into an electrical signal; exposing the musical transducer to a wireless data signal comprising the digital data, whereby the wireless data signal is converted into an electrical data signal by the musical transducer; and receiving and decoding the electrical data signal at the musical signal input of the musical signal processor. According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the musical transducer is a guitar pickup, the musical signal processor is a guitar pedal or other guitar signal processor, and the wireless data signal is a magnetic signal established by an electro-dynamic speaker of a smartphone or the like.

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 vibration sensor for a musical instrument includes a substrate, a first electrode film that is formed on the substrate, a piezoelectric film that is formed on the first electrode film, a second electrode film that is formed on the piezoelectric film, an insulating film that is formed on the second electrode film, and a shield film that is formed on the insulating film, the shield film being made of a conductive material, electrically connected to the first electrode film and insulated from the second electrode film by the insulating film.

Abstract: A saddle for a multi-stringed instrument efficiently couples to transducer elements, vibrations from plucked musical instruments strings includes a unitary saddle body and a top surface that support tensioned strings and receive vibratory energy therefrom. The body portion includes a plurality of integral cavities, each integral cavity in correspondence with a respective string defining a vertically compliant area of sensitivity beneath each string that couple the string vibrations to a flexurally responsive transducer element mounted within and mechanically coupled to a respective integral cavity for converting vibratory energy from the respective string to an electric signal. A first conductor element and a second conductor element are embedded within the saddle body and configured in communication with each transducer at electrical coupling points for electrically connecting the transducer element to the first and second conductors at each respective the integral cavity structure.

Abstract: Musical instruments are described including a first portion designed to be operated by one hand of a player and a second portion designed to be operated by the other hand. The two portions include means within each for sensing hand and/or finger activity, position or movement, and one of the portions is adapted to produce an output signal corresponding to the music being played by the user. The two portions may be physically connected together or they may be separate, each including its own power supply to enable it to operate, and for the two portions to communicate with one another. The invention is of particular value in the construction of practice instruments which do not need to include a sound box, and can thus be very compact, especially if the two parts, such as a fingerboard (20) and a body (82) with strings (83) mounted on it are connected by a telescopic neck (60A).

Abstract: The present invention provides a bridge for a stringed instrument with improved structure design which allows the bridge to be made of light-weight acoustically resonant material. The bridge comprises a plurality of adjustable saddles that are always in contact with the adjacent saddles, the internal bottom wall, and/or the end walls of the first chamber of the bridge. The constant contacts enable these plurality of parts to be unified by pressure allowing for excellent transmission of the string vibrations. The compressive load provided by these constant contacts enables the instant bridge to withstand even the heaviest load of strings. In addition, the bridge comprises thin walls facilitating resonance. The bridge may also comprise internal piezoelectric elements. The bridge is able to produce authentic acoustic sounds for an electric guitar without the need for pre-amplification or signal conditioning.

Abstract: Disclosed is an acoustic and electric combined stringed instrument of a violin group. The stringed instrument includes a soundboard including upper and lower panels arranged with an interval therebetween and a side panel surrounding the rims of the upper and lower panels, a neck part extending from the soundboard and provided at a distal end thereof with a head, one or more strings secured between the head and the soundboard, and a piezoelectric element to convert vibration and pressure of the strings into electric signals. The piezoelectric element is embedded in the lower panel and secured by a pressure plate, and a sound post is erected on the pressure plate above the piezoelectric element to transmit pressure and vibration from the strings to the pressure plate through a bridge and the upper panel, which enables generation of acoustic sound from the lower panel and amplified sound from the piezoelectric element.

Abstract: A musical instrument and acoustic/electrical pickup is provided. The instrument includes acoustic and/or electrical pickup capabilities but also retains the feel of an acoustic instrument. The pickup is removable from the instrument.

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: A saddle for a multi-stringed instrument couples to transducer elements, vibrations from plucked musical instruments strings. The saddle includes a top saddle portion, and a body portion beneath the top saddle portion having a plurality of integral cavities, each integral cavity in correspondence with a respective string defining a vertically compliant area of sensitivity beneath each string that couple the string vibrations to a flexurally responsive transducer element mounted within and mechanically coupled to a respective integral cavity. A first ground conductor is formed on a top body portion surface and on each opposing surface of the body portion; and a second conductor is embedded within the body portion. The first conductor and embedded second conductor have respective portions extending to each the integral cavity structure to provide electrical coupling points for electrically connecting the transducer element to the first and second conductors at each respective the integral cavity structure.

Abstract: In accordance with one or more embodiments of the present disclosure, a display assembly received in a cover by the front mounting method, a combining recess is formed on a corner formed at which a side part and an upper portion of a supporting part meet together, and a first hole is formed on a bottom of the combining recess. A first opening exposing the first hole is formed in a top surface part of a front receiving frame. A bottom part of a rear receiving frame supporting a rear face of a display module has a second hole corresponding to the first hole. An incision portion opening the sidewall part of the rear receiving frame exposes the second hole, the first reinforcement member is bent around an edge of the sidewall part, and connects the opposite edges. As such, the width of a frame of the cover is reduced, and the rear receiving frame improves the strength against external force.

Abstract: A transducer includes a piezoelectric element attached to a stringed musical instrument with an adhesive layer, and at least one intermediate layer provided in a thickness-wise middle portion of the adhesive layer and made of a material different from a material of the adhesive layer. The transducer has a mounting surface attached to face a back surface of a top of a body of the stringed musical instrument, and the mounting surface is disposed in an area, in the top, including an area right under an installation area of a bridge which is provided on a front surface of the top and supports a saddle supporting one-end sides of strings.

Abstract: Given a polyphonic pickup system based on either magnets or piezo's with one signal per string of a given multi-stringed musical instrument, switches then transfer the signal from either of a plurality of positions to a plurality of output signals, which can then be processed through different series of effects, making it sound like there are a plurality of instruments using only one.

Abstract: A pickup unit of an electric stringed instrument is constituted of a vibrator supporting strings, a support which is installed inside the recess of a lower bridge so as to support the vibrator, and a plurality of piezoelectric elements which convert vibrations of strings transmitted thereto via the vibrator into electric signals. At least one presser member is interposed between the vibrator and the support. The presser member is constituted of a screw that is put into the lower surface of the vibrator from the lower surface of the support, thus upwardly pressing the piezoelectric elements onto the vibrator. This makes it possible to efficiently transmit vibrations of strings to the piezoelectric elements, thus improving the tone color and sound quality of an electric stringed instrument.

Abstract: A system for producing music from a stringed musical instrument includes a sensor/actuating transducer arrangement coupled to each or all of one or a plurality of the tensioned strings and supervisory system that governs one or more motion controllers associated with the transducer to affect the string vibration through at least one actuator transducer coupled to the string(s) in accordance with technique commands issued by the player of the instrument, the technique commands being recognized by processes in the supervisor from among characteristics of signal features extracted by further processes continuously analyzing the motional behavior of one or more strings.

Abstract: A system for controlling for at least one string of a musical instrument by selectively exciting or damping vibration of the string is provided. The system includes at least one transducer configured to sense a lateral vibration of the string and/or to apply an actuating force to the string. A controller is configured to determine an actuating signal for driving the actuator to apply a longitudinal actuating force to the string at a termination point of the string. The longitudinal actuating force are operable to modulate a tension of the string that increases and/or damps the lateral vibration and/or selected harmonics thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a stringed instrument with embedded DSP modeling capabilities to model an acoustic stringed instrument. The stringed instrument has a body and a plurality of strings and each of the plurality of strings is respectively coupled to a pickup to detect a vibration signal for each string. An A/D converter converts the detected vibration signal of a string into a digital string vibration signal. A DSP is located within the body of the stringed instrument to process the digital string vibration signal and to implement an acoustic modeling system to process the digital string vibration signal in order to emulate a corresponding string tone of one of a plurality of selectable acoustic stringed instruments. Acoustic modeling includes acoustic string and body modeling, microphone placement modeling, and pick-sound modeling. The emulated acoustic digital tone signal is then converted to analog form for output to an amplification device.

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: Disclosed is a stringed instrument that includes a plurality of strings and a pickup to which each of the plurality of strings is respectively coupled that is connectable to a computer to implement DSP modeling. A serial interface circuit is coupled to the pickup and to a digital connector that formats each digital string vibration signal received from the pickup into a digital serial protocol. A computer is coupled by a serial link to the digital connector such that the computer receives each serially formatted digital string signal (SFDSS). The computer operates at least one audio DSP-based software module to process each received SFDSS wherein each SFDSS is processed in order to emulate a corresponding string tone of one of a plurality of stringed instruments to create an emulated digital string tone signal (EDSTS). Each EDSTS is then transmitted back over the serial link to the stringed instrument for playback.