GB2289568A

GB2289568A - Strengthened stringed instrument

Info

Publication number: GB2289568A
Application number: GB9409892A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Barry Roger Sims
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1994-05-18
Filing date: 1994-05-18
Publication date: 1995-11-22
Also published as: GB9409892D0

Abstract

A hollow bodied stringed instrument, eg of the violin family or the guitar family, is provided with one or more stress bearing extensions 1 from the neck 2 into the body 3 of the instrument. Such extensions increase strength and rigidity of the instrument, providing extra resistance to damage and distortion and to bending and torsional loads applied when the strings are tuned to the desired pitch. Also, compliance between individual components, which can adversely affect the sound of the instrument, is reduced. <IMAGE>

Description

STRENGTHENED STRINGED INSTRUMENT This invention relates to a strengthened stringed instrument.

Stringed instruments of the type referred to herein are well known items which comprise a hollow body to which a neck is attached. A mounting block is provided at the joint between the body and the neck. Such a joint will allow some compliance between components of the instrument which can adversely affect the sound produced by the instrument. Also, the joint is liable to distort or fail when subjected to shock loads and/or high string tension.

According to the present invention there is provided a strengthened stringed instrument having the neck mounting block partly or wholly replaced by one or more stress bearing extensions to the neck to increase strength and rigidity at the joint between neck and body, such an extension being either integral with the neck or a separate component fitted between the neck and body.

A stress bearing extension as described herein extends partly or fully into the body of the instrument and is secured to one or more components of the body and, in the case of an extension which is a separate component, also secured to the neck, by means of a suitable adhesive and/or screws, pins or similar. Also, in the case of an extension which is a separate component, the extension is shaped to abut the neck or to fit into a groove or hollow provided in the neck and is secured as described previousiy.

A specific embodiment of the invention will now be described by way of example with reference to the accompanying drawings in which : Figure 1 shows the joint between neck and body of a strengthened stringed instrument having a stress bearing extension from the neck to the lower part and/or front of the body.

Figure 2 shows the joint between neck and body of a strengthened stringed instrument having a stress bearing extension from the neck to the lower part and/or front of the body, where the rear part of the extension is fitted into a groove or hollow provided in the neck.

Figure 3 shows the joint between neck and body of a strengthened stringed instrument having a stress bearing extension from the neck to the upper part and/or the front of the body.

Figure 4 shows the joint between neck and body of a strengthened stringed instrument having a stress bearing extension from the neck to the upper part and/or the front of the body, where the rear part of the extension is fitted into a groove or hollow provided in the neck.

Referring to the drawing a stress bearing extension 1 extends from the neck 2 into the body 3 of a stringed instrument to increase strength and rigidity at the joint 4 between neck and body. According to the size and/or shape of the instrument one or more extensions are provided to resist and/or spread into the body the forces applied to the neck joint by the tension of the strings and/or by shock, bending or torsional loads.

Claims

A A strengthened stringed instrument wherein at least one stress bearing extension from the neck to the lower part and/or front of the body is provided.
2 A strengthened stringed instrument wherein at least one stress bearing extension from the neck to the upper part and/or front of the body is provided.
3 A strengthened stringed instrument as claimed in claim 1 wherein at least one stress bearing extension from the neck to the upper part and/or front of the body is provided.
4 A strengthened stringed instrument as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the rear part of at least one stress bearing extension is fitted into a groove or hollow provided in the neck.