CA2920734A1

CA2920734A1 - The guitar string ball-end stabilizer-bar

Info

Publication number: CA2920734A1
Application number: CA2920734A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Erling Moises Garcia Perez
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2016-05-16
Filing date: 2016-05-16
Publication date: 2017-11-16

Abstract

The guitar string ball-end Stabilizer-Bar (see figure#1b and 1c) is designed to position all the strings ball-ends so they face in one direction when use in conjunction with the guitar bridge (see figure#1a). The alignment of the ball-ends happens when the Stabilizer-Bar is inserted through each one of the strings ball-ends holes. Once the ball-ends are aligned the string ball-ends sit snuggly in the bridge string holes (see Figure#3) reducing movement and improving transfer of string vibration to the bridge.
The Stabilizer-Bar could be made of metal, aluminum, plastic, wood or any material hard enough to withstand the movement of the ball-ends and provide the support needed so that the ball-ends will stay in place with minimum movement.
The Stabilizer Bar stays in place once it is inserted/slid through each one of the strings ball-ends holes.
The stabilizer bar is around 8 centimeters for 4 string basses, 9 centimeters for 5 string basses and 10 centimeters for 6 string basses. If the guitar uses more than 6 strings a longer Stabilizer-Bar will be needed as long as the bridge allows for placement of the Stabilizer Bar.

Description

Description:
The Guitar String Ball-End Stabilizer Bar The invention pertains generally to electric bass guitar musical instruments.
The invention is a metal bar as in figure4*8 that is inserted horizontally through each one of the string ball-ends holes (figure#7) of an electric bass guitar.
As an example this bar can be used on most electric bass guitars that are equipped with vintage style bridges found on most Fender Jazz and precision bass guitar from 1960's and 1970's as an example.
Some modern electric bass guitar bridges have very similar design if compared to traditional electric bass guitar bridges from the 1960's and 1970's. As a practical example, strings are mounted from the top of the bridge instead of through the body of the instrument as seen in figure#2.
Since the bar is inserted horizontally through each one of the string ball-ends holes these string ball-ends holes must be accessible as in figure #6.
The Stabilizer Bar stays in place once it is inserted/slid through each one of the strings ball-ends holes.
Because of the tension and the spring effect on the strings once tuned the string ball-ends tend to twist. The bar prevents the twisting move securing itself in place.

The invention possesses numerous benefits and advantages.
1- Keeps all the ball-ends aligned as in figure#7.

2- Provide optimum support to all the strings ball-ends by preventing them from twisting counter or clock wise.

3- Since all the ball-ends need to be aligned in order for the bar to be inserted/slid through it improves the esthetic of the bass guitar bridge.

4- The bar guides all the ball-ends to sit and anchor fully in the bridge string mount holes as in figure#10.

5- Because the spring effect is so strong once the strings are tuned the ball-ends end up twisted most of the time and not seating properly in the bridge strings mount holes when the bar is not used as shown in figure#9 Description Summary:
Although the invention has been described in connection with vintage electric bass guitar bridges, it should be understood that various bridges can be used.

Also, additional modifications can be made to the invention depending if it is used on a 4, 5 or 6 electric bass guitar bridges. These modification can vary from the length and outer diameter of the bar depending on the type of string or bridge used.

Representative Drawings Figure#1a Top View Figure#3 Side View Figure#4 Ball-End Side View Figure#5 "THE GUITAR STRING BALL-ENDS STABILIZER BAR" - Actual Drawings Figure#6 Electric Bass Guitar Bridge Without the Stabilizer Bar Figure#7 Electric Bass Guitar Bridge With the Stabilizer Bar Figure#8 "THE GUITAR STRING BALL-ENDS STABILIZER BAR" ¨ Actual Prototype Figure#9 Ball-Ends Not Anchored And Not Seating properly Figure#10 Ball-Ends Anchored And Seating properly

Claims

Claims What is claimed is:

1. By using the Stabilizer-Bar shown in Figure#1b and Figure#1c the strings ball-ends sit snuggly in the bridge string holes (see Figure#3) reducing movement and improving transfer of string vibration to the bridge. Once the strings are fully tuned, the strings ball-ends seat steady and anchored against the bridge string holes when the strings are under tension.

2. Using the Stabilizer-Bar (shown in Figure#1b and Figure#1c) will help the string-loops (see Figure#3) retain their spring effect by preventing the ball-ends from twisting around when tuning, after tuning, when pulling the strings or slapping the strings when playing. In some cases the spring effect is so strong that the ball-ends most of the time end up twisted and not seating steady in the bridge string holes.

3. Using the Stabilizer-Bar (shown in Figure#1a) will keep the strings ball-ends aligned with each other in place during initial string setup/replacement.

4. In the event that strings ball-ends seat above the bridge string holes (See figure#4) the ball-ends will only be aligned in relation to each other. This effect will enhance the esthetic/look of the bridge (See figure#1a)