FR2687827A1 - Hybrid musical instrument - Google Patents

Abstract

Hybrid musical instrument derived from the dulcimer [American folk-style dulcimer] and from the electric guitar. The invention relates to a wooden musical instrument consisting of a middle part (1) forming the neck, fretted like the traditional dulcimer (2), detached from the soundbox, permitting the use of a capo (15) to alter the keys used the instrument for the same type of chord. This part accommodates the system of two pickups, one being piezoelectric (3) and the other magnetic (4), operating on an active electronic principle with separate volume (16, 17) and key (18) controls situated on one of the two outer parts (10 11) assembled by adhesive bonding. The instrument, which is held and played like a guitar, has four strings strung as in the traditional dulcimer (7). A translucent coloured varnish gives the instrument its finish. This invention is intended to combine certain basic characteristics of the dulcimer with the playing technique, electronics and stringing of the electric guitar.

Description

DESCRIPTION
The present invention relates to a hybrid musical instrument, designed from the dulcimer and the electric guitar.

 The dulcimer, a traditional American string instrument (fig 1), is usually played flat on the instrumentalist's lap and can use only one tone, depending on the type of chord. It is also an exclusively acoustic instrument.

 The design of the dulcitare (contraction of dulcimer and guitar) allows, while preserving the initial possibilities of the dulcimer, to use several tones for the same type of chord of the instrument and to add the playing technique to it, violin making and the electronics of the electric guitar.

 The accompanying drawings illustrate the invention; Figure 1 shows the traditional dulcimer.

Figure 2 shows the instrument from the front, seen from above.

Figure 3 shows the back instrument, seen flat.

Figure 4 shows the instrument in longitudinal section.

Figure 5 shows the instrument, seen in volume.

FIG. 6 represents the part of the instrument receiving the electronics.

Figure 7 shows the outfit and the playing mode of the instrument.

 The instrument is made of three solid wavy maple parts, assembled by gluing. The central part (1 fig. 4), slightly raised compared to the other two, to allow the game (lfig. 2), constitutes the handle and the key, the latter receiving the frets, arranged according to the traditional hooping of the dulcimer (2fig 2).

It also supports the active electronics system comprising two microphones picking up the vibrations produced by the strings (3,4 fig2)
This central part receives, at one of its ends which will be called the headstock (5fig. 2), a system of four mechanical oil baths, arranged two by two on each side (6fig. 2), and intended to maintain the tension of the strings and to achieve tuning.

The strings, (7fig. 2) four in number, are arranged in the traditional dulcimer mode and their pulling corresponds to that of the first three strings of the guitar.

At the other end, an ebony easel (8fig. 2), receives a piezoelectric microphone, acting as an easel. Between the end of the key (9fig. 2) and the bridge, is placed as indicated (4fig. 2) a magnetic microphone, single coil.

On either side of this central part, two pieces of wood, of symmetrical shape (10, Fig. 2) are juxtaposed, forming the external volumes of the instrument receiving for one of them the orifice intended for the cable connection to an external amplifier and the microS adjustment potentiometers (12fig. 6) - adjustment of the piezoelectric bridge pickup. (16) - setting the magnetic pickup. (17) - bass, treble adjustment. (18)
On the back of the instrument, the part receiving the potentiometers, is provided with a plastic plate (13fig. 3), masking the housing where the electronics take place (power preamplifiers and batteries), corresponding to the microphones mounted on The central part has four retaining eyelets (14fig.3), used to hold the end of the strings passing over the bridge.

 The instrument, held like a guitar (fig. 7), allows the musician's left hand to move along the neck, with increased precision and playing velocity, thanks to its separation from the body of the instrument.

 This separation also makes it possible to slide a capo (15fiv. 5), in order to modify the tones used (technique borrowed from the guitar).

 This achievement is intended to expand the musical and technical possibilities of the existing dulcimer, by synthesizing the knowledge of playing, violin making and electronics inherent in the electric guitar and certain basic characteristics of the dulcimer.

 As an indication, the instrument will have dimensions of 95 cm for the length and 21 cm for the width, all the dimensions appearing in diagram 5.

Claims (5)

1) Hybrid musical instrument from the dulcimer and the guitar  electric characterized by the use of traditional hooping  the touch of the dulcimer (2), on a handle (1) being disconnected  from the rest of the box except at its ends, allowing use  a capo (15) intended to modify the tones used for  a type of instrument chord using the playing technique,  the holding, the violin making and the electronics of the electric guitar. 2) Instrument according to claim 1 characterized by the assembly by  collage of three separate parts (1,10,11), the central part  constituting the handle (1) being raised relative to the two  others forming the exterior volumes (10,11), receiving for one  from them the microphone adjustment potentiometers. 3) Instrument according to the preceding claims, characterized by  the use of a piezoelectric bridge pickup (3) and a  single coil magnetic pickup (4) acting according to a system  active electronics with separate volume control and  double-stage tone control (16,17,18). 4) Instrument according to the preceding claims, characterized  by the use of four mechanical oil baths (6)  ensuring the tension of the strings. 5) Instrument according to the preceding claims, characterized  by spraying with a colored varnish,  translucent, on all the pieces of wood composing it.