GB2037049A - Guitars - Google Patents

Abstract

Guitar is formed from a single integral cast unit which includes head 1, neck 2, electric pick-up support 3, bridge mounting 4, and string anchor 5. By providing an integral unit embodying all the essential components of the instrument, a variety of body shapes can be rapidly interchanged while retaining the basic uniform playing section. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Guitars This invention relates to electrically amplified guitars.

In conventional electric guitars, whenqlAY plucked the string vibrations can be damped (partially absorbed) by the various wood to wood and or, wood to metal joints, eg: string anchor to wooden body, bridge to body etc., and by the wood that is used in the construction of the guitar. This damping can contribute to a loss of sustain.

This invention is a one-piece (jointless) guitar unit preferably produced from a light rigid material such as magnesium alloy (though not restricted to this) comprising tuning head, neck, pick up platform, bridge support and string anchor. It may be cast, forged, machined from solid or fashioned by any other process. This unit can be fitted to a body enabling the instrument to be held and played in the conventional manner.

The object of this unit is to provide an improved electric guitar offering greater dimensional accuracy, rigidity and consistancy.

In conventional guitars the wood used may vary from one instrument to another, and even though they may be dimensionally similar, they may give different tonal responses due to varying density and resonance.

A marked and worthwhile increase in sustain, crispness of tone, and general aural response is apparent when the one-piece unit described in this specification is used.

A detailed isometric drawing of a typical guitar unit as used on a solid bodied guitar is attached to show more clearly its pertinent features.

This unit can also be used to operate a sound board or resonator mounted below the unit but in direct contact with a bridge whose end supports pass through clearance holes in the unit. This arrangement can be used with a semi-accoustic guitar. (Fig. No. 2) KEY TO DRAWINGS Drawing 1/2 1 Head 2 Neck 3 Pick-up Platform 4 Bridge support 5 String anchor 6 Base 7 Head Drawing 2/2 8 Clearance holes for bridge support when used for semi-accoustic guitar.

1. The integral cast unit comprises the head, neck, pick-up platform bridge mounting and string anchor, independent of the body to which it is attached by conventional means from the rear in preference to avoid unnecessary frontal disfigurement.

2. This integral unit can be rapidly interchanged on to bodies of differing styles.

3. The materials used in the casting of the unit guarantee the stability of the contours of the unit which will remain unaltered over a wide variation of humidity and temperature, unlike the materials used for conventional instruments.

4. The integral case unit, having no joints or independent suspension points for the strings as on conventional instruments, provides improved tonal response and extended duration of the vibration of the strings, free from any damping effect imparted by the density of the body timber.

5. The use of a stable casting ensures the uniformity of the contours of the neck section on every instrument, this feature being of paramount importance to the player since his playing technique is based upon the 'feel' of the neck. An additionai advantage is that an identical unit can be provided when the instrument requires servicing.

**WARNING** end of DESC field may overlap start of CLMS **.

Claims (5)

**WARNING** start of CLMS field may overlap end of DESC **. SPECIFICATION Guitars This invention relates to electrically amplified guitars. In conventional electric guitars, whenqlAY plucked the string vibrations can be damped (partially absorbed) by the various wood to wood and or, wood to metal joints, eg: string anchor to wooden body, bridge to body etc., and by the wood that is used in the construction of the guitar. This damping can contribute to a loss of sustain. This invention is a one-piece (jointless) guitar unit preferably produced from a light rigid material such as magnesium alloy (though not restricted to this) comprising tuning head, neck, pick up platform, bridge support and string anchor. It may be cast, forged, machined from solid or fashioned by any other process. This unit can be fitted to a body enabling the instrument to be held and played in the conventional manner. The object of this unit is to provide an improved electric guitar offering greater dimensional accuracy, rigidity and consistancy. In conventional guitars the wood used may vary from one instrument to another, and even though they may be dimensionally similar, they may give different tonal responses due to varying density and resonance. A marked and worthwhile increase in sustain, crispness of tone, and general aural response is apparent when the one-piece unit described in this specification is used. A detailed isometric drawing of a typical guitar unit as used on a solid bodied guitar is attached to show more clearly its pertinent features. This unit can also be used to operate a sound board or resonator mounted below the unit but in direct contact with a bridge whose end supports pass through clearance holes in the unit. This arrangement can be used with a semi-accoustic guitar. (Fig. No. 2) KEY TO DRAWINGS Drawing 1/2 1 Head 2 Neck 3 Pick-up Platform 4 Bridge support 5 String anchor 6 Base 7 Head Drawing 2/2 8 Clearance holes for bridge support when used for semi-accoustic guitar. CLAIMS

1. The integral cast unit comprises the head, neck, pick-up platform bridge mounting and string anchor, independent of the body to which it is attached by conventional means from the rear in preference to avoid unnecessary frontal disfigurement.

2. This integral unit can be rapidly interchanged on to bodies of differing styles.

3. The materials used in the casting of the unit guarantee the stability of the contours of the unit which will remain unaltered over a wide variation of humidity and temperature, unlike the materials used for conventional instruments.

4. The integral case unit, having no joints or independent suspension points for the strings as on conventional instruments, provides improved tonal response and extended duration of the vibration of the strings, free from any damping effect imparted by the density of the body timber.

5. The use of a stable casting ensures the uniformity of the contours of the neck section on every instrument, this feature being of paramount importance to the player since his playing technique is based upon the 'feel' of the neck. An additionai advantage is that an identical unit can be provided when the instrument requires servicing.