GB2394354A - Vibrato device for stringed instruments - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides a vibrato device for use with stringed, preferably guitar-type, instruments having separate bridge and tailpiece assemblies. The invention comprises operating means and attachment means 20, which facilitates removable attachment of the device to the instrument solely by gripping and retaining a length of each string 10 of the instrument at a point between the existing bridge 21 and tailpiece 22 of the instrument, so that rotational forces can be applied to the retained lengths via a hand-operated lever 7. These forces allow the tensions of the strings, and thereby their pitches when notes are sounded, to be varied simultaneously, thus facilitating the creation of a vibrato type effect. As it is attached to the instrument without diectly contacting any part of the instrument other than the strings, the device is simple to attach to, and remove from, an existing instrument without the necessity for modification or removal of parts. The invention discloses a stringed instrument and a guitar comprising a vibrato device.

Description

VIBRATO DEVICE

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

5 Field of the Invention

This invention relates to the field of musical instruments, and more particularly, to

guitars, and is concerned with a vibrato device for electric guitars and similar stringed instruments.

Description of the Prior Art

There are many vibrato devices, of different configurations, known to those skilled in the art. Such mechanisms provide either a tailpiece for anchoring the strings while 15 utilising a bridge for the strings of the instrument to rest upon, or are of the nature of a combined bridge and tailpiece unit. They also include a means, activated by a hand-operated lever, of adding tension to the end of the strings where they locate into the tailpiece. This allows the musician playing with his strumming hand to vary the tensions of all the strings simultaneously so as to correspondingly change the pitches 20 of the sounds produced by the strings in an oscillatory fashion to create a vibrato effect in the sound output by the instrument.

Previous constructions of vibrato mechanisms have been of relatively large and complex design, have usually required the formation in the instrument body of 25 relatively large holes for fixing screws, or large cavities for accommodating various parts of the mechanism, or have required the inconvenient removal or detachment of existing parts, such as the strings, bridge, tailpiece, etc., and the subsequent re-setting up of the instrument. Thus the mechanisms have been best suited for use in the factory construction of an instrument or, when retro-fitted, have required value 30 reducing modification of the instrument and/or some time consuming re-setting up requiring a level of technical skill.

( ' Previous constructions have also tended to rely on maintaining tuning by counterbalancing the tension forces of the strings against the tension forces of a spring arrangement, or piece of bent metal acting as a spring. The tuning stability of these arrangements has been of variable success.

s To overcome these and other limitations it would be useful to have a vibrato device that is compact, simple to fit and remove, does not require special cavities or the addition of damaging extra screw holes, and which allows tuning to remain stable.

10 SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly, the present invention seeks to provide a vibrato device which À is very simple and convenient to retro-fit to, and remove from, an existing 15 instrument, without requiring the user to have good technical skills; À can be fitted without requiring any permanent modification of the instrument or removal or detachment of parts (including the strings); 20 À is compact and folds flat for easy storage in the strap compartment of the instrument case; and À provides stable tuning when fitted and used.

25 The present invention meets these criteria by using the unconventional means of attachment to the instrument solely through gripping and retaining, by means of a clamp or other easily attachable and detachable means, a length of each string where these pass between the existing bridge and tailpiece of the instrument, without requiring contact with any other part of the instrument, and facilitating the 30 application of rotational forces onto the trapped lengths, so allowing the tensions of the strings to be varied simultaneously, and consequently their pitches to be changed,

thereby making it possible for the player to create a vibrato effect by applying an oscillating motion via an operating device such as a handoperated lever arm, attached to the clamp or other device.

5 In operation in conjunction with, typically, a guitar, the movement of such a lever arm in a direction away from or towards the guitar body stretches the strings, thereby increasing their tension and, thus, the pitch of sounded notes whereas, on relaxation of the lever, the device allows the elasticity of the strings to return them to a position of standard playing pitch. Since the invention provides none of the extra frictional 10 parts, or parts comprising springs, for the strings to elastically balance against, as in bi-directional devices, the return to pitch of the strings is of comparatively good accuracy. STATEMENTS OF INVENTION

Thus, a first aspect of the present invention provides a vibrato device for removable attachment to a guitar or other stringed musical instrument, the vibrato device comprising attachment means and operating means, said attachment means being adapted to allow for the removable attachment of said device to the strings of said 20 instrument at a position distanced from the end of the strings, and located between the tailpiece and the bridge of the instrument, and said operating means facilitating the application of an oscillatory motion to the strings, wherein said attachment means facilitates said removable attachment to said instrument solely by gripping and retaining said strings, and no direct contact is required between said attachment 25 means and any other part of said instrument.

The attachment means is constructed so as to allow for maximum ease of attachment and detachment of the vibrato device from the strings of the instrument and most conveniently comprises a movable anchor unit providing an anchoring formation for 30 a section of each string of the instrument, said section being distanced from the end

(A of the respective string, the anchor unit being rotatable or pivotable about an axis transverse to the direction in which the strings extend.

The operating means typically comprises an operating member attached to the 5 attachment means and designed to facilitate movement of the attachment means about said axis by means of the hand of a musician playing the instrument.

The anchoring formation provided by the attachment means optionally comprises multiple anchoring means, wherein a separate individual anchoring means is 10 associated with each string. More preferably, however, the anchoring formation comprises a single anchoring means which acts on all the strings, and which allows the vibrato device to be attached to the strings of the instrument by means of a single operation. 15 Thus, a first embodiment of this aspect of the invention envisages attachment means comprising optionally conjoined first and second members designed to be situated above and below the strings of the instrument, and extending in a direction perpendicular to the direction of the strings, and at least one fixing member which allows the attachment means to be secured to the strings by securing together said 20 first and second members, with the strings of the instrument firmly held between said members, thereby providing an anchoring formation comprising a single anchoring means. Typically, in said embodiment, said first and second members comprise elongate members, preferably formed of metal or plastic, and said fixing member comprises a screw or similar device.

Preferably, said elongate members comprise curved, part-cylindrical string contacting elements, which are optionally raised above the surfaces of said members. Most preferably, the number of said part- cylindrical string contacting elements comprised in each of said elongate members is equal to the number of strings in the instrument 30 to be fitted, although it is also possible to envisage, for example, a single part-

cylindrical string contacting element which grips all the strings of the instrument.

/ Any suitable combination of said part-cylindrical string contacting elements may be employed for the purposes of the invention. Thus, for example, the invention allows for different relative positions of the string contacting areas between first and second elongate members of the attachment means. Curved, part cylindrical string 5 contacting areas of this type serve to even out the relative changes of pitch between the strings when the instrument is in operation as well as preventing workhardening the strings.

A first variation of the first embodiment of this invention provides separate first and 10 second elongate members, each of which includes separate screw holes; in use, the strings are placed between the members, which are then held together by the insertion of screws.

A second variation of this embodiment envisages conjoined elongate first and second 15 members wherein, typically, one end of one member is pivotally attached to the other member. A single screw then conveniently suffices as the fixing means, by way of screw holes provided in each of the members.

Any suitable alternative fixing means may, of course, be utilised in the said 20 embodiment. For example, a hinged clip has proved to be a satisfactory alternative to a screw, particularly in the second variation of the embodiment.

A second embodiment of this aspect of the invention provides attachment means comprising multiple anchoring means, wherein a separate individual anchoring 25 means is associated with each string and, for example, envisages attachment means comprising a single elongate member comprising hook shaped slots through which the strings are allowed to pass, and including fixing members which allow the attachment means to be secured to the strings. Most conveniently, the fixing members comprise a number of screws which are inserted into the attachment means 30 adjacent each hook shaped slot such that they bear on the strings of the instrument firmly in order to hold the device in place.

(A Alternatively, the separate individual anchoring means of the attachment means of the second embodiment of the invention may be provided by fixing members comprising a series of hooks operating in conjunction with pressure-imparting devices, formed in a single elongate member. Typically, the pressure-imparting 5 devices comprise members which impart a force on the strings bearing in a directly opposing direction to the force imparted by the hooks. In any event, the separate anchoring means of this embodiment of the invention require that attachment of the vibrato device to the strings of the instrument involves a separate operation for each individual string.

As previously disclosed, the operating means typically comprises an operating member attached to the attachment means. Most conveniently, the operating member comprises a lever, directly attached to the attachment means, said lever, in operation, being adapted to be moved in a direction away from or towards the guitar body, 15 thereby facilitating stretching of the strings, increasing their tension and, thereby, the pitch of the sounded notes.

Preferably, the operating means is attached to the attachment means via the use of a threaded joint and a threaded hole. Thus, for example, the attachment means may 20 comprise a threaded joint which is capable of engagement with a threaded hole comprised in the operating means. Most preferably, however, the operating means includes a threaded joint which is capable of engagement with a threaded hole comprised in the attachment means. Thus, typically, an operating member comprising a lever includes, at one end, a threaded section, angularly displaced 25 most conveniently at an angle of between approximately 70 and 90 - out of the plane defined by the lever, which co-operates with a threaded hole comprised in a member forming at least a part of the attachment means.

In addition, it is preferred that the operating means is attached to the attachment 30 means by an arrangement comprising a frictional assembly. Preferably, the frictional assembly comprises a flexible material and/or a spring arrangement. Most

preferably, the frictional assembly comprises a compressive fixing and a compressive frictional block. In the case of a threaded joint as disclosed above, the compressive fixing and compressive frictional block are most conveniently attached to the threaded joint and brought into intimate contact with the surface comprising the 5 threaded hole when the components are joined together, such that rotation of the operating member provides compression of the block, thereby causing the frictional forces to be increased. In this way the operator is able to rotate the operating means to a convenient position, and stably maintain it in that position whilst playing the instrument. The attachment means of the vibrato device of the first aspect of the invention may optionally be formed from plastics material. Preferably, however, both the attachment means and the operating means of the device are comprised of metal.

Any suitable metal or alloy may be used, typically aluminium, brass, bronze, steel, 15 zinc or certain alloys of one or more of these metals, most preferably an aluminium/bronze alloy. Additionally, the device may also include plastics materials for cosmetic purposes, for example in the section of the operating member which is to be operated by the individual playing the instrument.

20 In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the attachment means additionally comprises a frictional lining material, arranged to be in contact with the strings of the instrument. Said frictional lining material may comprise, for example, a plastics material, but is preferably comprised of rubber. The presence of said material facilitates improved frictional attachment between the vibrato device and the strings 25 of the instrument, leading to increased efficiency in operation and improved sound quality, which results from the prevention of unwanted noise associated with loose movement of the strings; this can occur in the absence of such material when the vibrato device is operated, and rotational forces are applied.

30 According to a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a stringed musical instrument which comprises a body having a sound table, and a neck having

a finger board with frets extending from the body, the body having a bridge and a tailpiece, the bridge being spaced apart from the tailpiece, and the strings of the instrument being attached to the tailpiece, wherein the instrument additionally comprises a vibrato device according to the first aspect of the invention, the vibrato 5 device being removably located in contact with the strings in a position between the bridge and the tailpiece and no direct contact occurring between said vibrato device and any other part of said instrument.

Any suitable stringed instrument may be used for the purpose of the invention, 10 provided that it comprises a body which includes a bridge and a tailpiece which are spaced apart, in order that the vibrato device of the first aspect of the invention may be conveniently located therebetween. Preferably, however, the stringed instrument comprises a guitar. The design of the tailpiece is not significant in terms of the practice of the invention, so that the second aspect of the invention envisages a guitar 15 having either a stop tailpiece or a trapeze-type tailpiece.

A third aspect of the present invention envisages the use of a vibrato device according to the first aspect of the invention in conjunction with a stringed instrument. Said stringed instrument preferably comprises a guitar.

The present invention thereby provides a vibrato device which is compact and simple, and is easily attachable to, and detachable from, a stringed musical instrument, without necessitating any temporary or permanent modification to be carried out to said instrument.

Unlike spring-based vibrato devices, the device according to the present invention does not soften the edge or peak of the attack curve from the sound of each note.

Furthermore, the absence of springs ensures that the intrinsic elasticity of the strings pulls them back into equilibrium after movement and, since there is no balance point 30 to achieve against springs via additional mechanical means, tuning stability remains

\ comparatively accurate when compared with devices which use spring counterbalancing. Unconventionally, since the device is attached only to the strings between the bridge 5 and the tailpiece, the rotational forces apply the tension from this point rather than from one end of each string.

In order to fully illustrate the above and other features of the invention, without in any way limiting the scope of the invention, various embodiments will now be 10 described with reference to the following drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Figure I is a top plan view showing a preferred embodiment of the second aspect of 15 the invention, with a vibrato device according to the first aspect of the invention fitted to a guitar between its existing bridge and a stop tailpiece; Figure 2 is a top plan view showing a preferred embodiment of the second aspect of the invention, with a vibrato device according to the first aspect of the invention 20 fitted to a guitar between its existing bridge and a trapeze-type tailpiece; Figure 3 is a more detailed top plan view showing a first variation of the preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the invention; 25 Figure 4 is a rear elevation ofthe embodiment shown in Figure 3; Figure 5 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in Figure 3 fixed to set of guitar strings; 30 Figure 6 is a perspective view of the embodiment shown in Figure 3 folded for easy storage in a guitar case;

Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of the embodiment shown in Figures 3 and 4; 5 Figure 8 is a perspective view of a second variation on the preferred embodiment of the first aspect of the invention, wherein one screw fixing has been replaced by a hinge assembly that rotates on a pin; Figure 9 is a perspective view of an alternative fixing means for use in conjunction 10 with the first aspect of the invention, wherein a fixing screw would be replaced by a hinged clip comprising a release lever and a loop, the loop locating into a groove on the attachment means; Figure 10 is a perspective view of a first variation of a second embodiment of the 15 first aspect of the invention where the single clamp of Figures 3 to 9, which grips a length of each string and allows rotational force to vary tension, has been replaced by six wide clamping screws, retaining lengths of each string inside a clamping block; Figure 11 is a perspective view of a second variation of the second embodiment of 20 the first aspect of the invention, wherein a length of each string is retained by a series of hooks formed in a block after being forced over a friction providing material; and Figure 12 is a partial end view of the specific embodiment shown in Figure 11, in the direction of arrow B. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Referring firstly to Figure 1, there is illustrated a guitar 24 comprising a bridge 21, stop tailpiece 22 and strings 10, to which is fitted a vibrato device 20 which is 30 secured over a length of each of strings 10 of the guitar where these pass between the existing bridge 21 and tailpiece 22 of the instrument.

\ Turning now to Figure 2, there is shown a guitar 24 comprising a bridge 21, trapeze-

type tailpiece 23 and strings 10, to which is fitted a vibrato device 20 which is secured over a length of each of strings 10 of the guitar where these pass between the existing bridge 21 and tailpiece 23 of the instrument.

In operation, movement of the hand lever 7 in a direction away from or towards the instrument body 24 stretches the strings 10, thereby increasing their tension and, thus, the pitch of the sounded notes, whereas relaxing the lever allows the elasticity of the strings to return them to a position of standard playing pitch. Thus, when notes are 10 sounded on the instrument, a vibrato type effect can be created by oscillation of the hand-operated lever.

Referring now to Figures 3, 4 and 7 there is shown a vibrato device comprising an attachment means which includes an upper mount 9 and a lower mount 5 between 15 which frictional attachment is improved by the use of a layer of frictional lining material 8. This frictional material also has the function of helping to avoid unwanted noise that could arise as a consequence of loose string movement when rotational forces are applied. The surfaces of upper mount 9 and lower mount 5 are embellished with part-cylindrical string contacting areas 25. Upper mount 9 and 20 lower mount 5 are secured in place by threaded fixings 1 and 2 which, for operational convenience, may include coin grooves, as illustrated. The threaded fixings I and 2 are, in turn, conveniently held in place when loosened from lower mount 5 by sub-

fixings 3 and 11, as shown in Figure 4.

25 The vibrato device also includes an operating means comprising the hand-operated lever arm 7, which is joined to the attachment means via a threaded joint at the base of the arm, and a frictional assembly. The frictional assembly comprises a compressive fixing 6 and a compressive frictional block 4, wherein rotation of the hand operated lever in the corresponding threaded hole in lower mount 5 provides 30 compression of the block (between 6 and 5), and thereby causes the corresponding

frictional forces to be increased. This allows the operator to maintain the hand operated lever in a convenient position while playing the attached instrument.

Referring to Figure S. there is shown a vibrato device as illustrated in Figures 3 and 4 5 when attached to the strings 10 of a guitar, wherein the strings are held between the upper mount 9 and lower mount 5 of the device. In order to secure the device to the strings of the instrument, fixing 2 is loosened in its attachment to lower mount 5 so that it may act as a pivot. Fixing I is then removed from its attachment to lower mount 5 so that the strings to can be slideably inserted between mounts 5 and 9 from 10 the open end. The mounts may then be secured in an appropriate position on the strings by tightening fixings l and 2 into position.

Figure 6 shows a vibrato device as illustrated in figures 3 and 4 where the hand operated lever arm 7 has been rotated to a position above the upper mount 9, so that 15 the vibrato device achieves a compact, flattened form that will allow it to be conveniently stored, for example in the strap compartment of a case used for storage of a stringed musical instrument.

Figure 7 is an exploded perspective view of the device as illustrated in Figures 3 and 20 4 which shows how the upper mount 9, lower mount 5, threaded fixings 1 and 2, and sub-fixings 3 and 11 locate into place.

In Figure 8 there is shown a vibrato device which comprises lever arm 7, upper mount 9, lower mount 5 and knurled fixing screw 1, the upper and lower mounts 25 being pivotally connected by means of pin 13. This variation allows for slightly quicker fixing to an instrument.

Figure 9 shows a further variation of this embodiment, wherein the knurled fixing screw I has been replaced by a hinged clip comprising a release lever 14 and a loop 30 15, the loop locating into a groove on the underside of the lower mount 5. When

/ used in conjunction with the variant shown in Figure 7, this specific embodiment allows Lo. very quick fixing of the device to an instrument.

Figure 10 shows a second embodiment of a vibrato device according to the invention, 5 in operation attached to the strings 10 of a guitar. The device comprises a lever arm 7 and a clamping block 17, which includes six clamping screws 16, retaining lengths of each string 10 inside the clamping block.. This embodiment allows for stronger attachment, but takes longer to fit as the procedure involves tightening a larger number of fixing screws.

Referring now to Figure 11, there is seen a variation on the second embodiment of a vibrato device according to the invention, in operation attached to the strings 10 of a guitar. The device comprises a lever arm 7 and a block 18, which includes a series of six hooks 12 formed along one side of the block, with an equivalent series of six 15 hooks (not shown) formed in alignment along the opposite side of the block, the said hooks retaining lengths of each string 10 inside the block after forcing the strings over a friction providing material 19 which helps to secure the device in place on the strings. 20 Figure 12 provides an illustration of the downwards force exerted on the strings 10 by the friction providing material 19.

It will naturally be understood that the above embodiments are merely illustrative of the various aspects of the invention, and that numerous variations are available 25 within the scope of the present invention which, unlike the prior art, makes use of the

principle of attachment into an operational position on the instrument solely by means of gripping a free length of each string of the instrument between its existing bridge and tailpiece assemblies by virtue of attachment means which allow for ease of attachment and removal.

Claims (36)

1. A vibrato device for removable attachment to a stringed instrument, the vibrato device comprising attachment means and operating means, said 5 attachment means being adapted to allow for the removable attachment of said device to the strings of said instrument at a position distanced from the end of the strings, and located between the tailpiece and the bridge of the instrument, and said operating means facilitating the application of an oscillatory motion to the strings, wherein said attachment means facilitates 10 said removable attachment to said instrument solely by gripping and retaining said strings, and no direct contact is required between said attachment means and any other part of said instrument.

2. A vibrato device as claimed in claim 1 wherein said attachment means 15 comprises a movable anchor unit providing an anchoring formation for a section of each string of the instrument, said section being distanced from the end of the respective string, the anchor unit being rotatable or pivotable about an axis transverse to the direction in which the strings extend.

20

3. A vibrato device as claimed in claim I or 2 wherein said operating means comprises an operating member attached to the attachment means and designed to facilitate movement of the attachment means about said axis by means of the hand of a musician playing the instrument.

25

4. A vibrato device as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the anchoring formation provided by the attachment means comprises a single anchoring means which acts on all the strings.

5. A vibrato device as claimed in claim 4 wherein said attachment means 30 comprises first and second members designed to be situated above and below the strings of the instrument, and extending in a direction perpendicular to the

direction of the strings, and at least one fixing member which allows the attachment means to be secured to the strings by securing together said first and second members, with the strings of the instrument firmly held between said members, thereby providing an anchoring formation comprising a single 5 anchoring means.

6. A vibrato device as claimed in claim 5 wherein said first and second members comprise curved, part-cylindrical string contacting elements.

10

7. A vibrato device as claimed in claim 6 wherein said curved, partcylindrical string contacting elements are raised above the surfaces of said first and second members.

8. A vibrato device as claimed in claim 6 or 7 wherein the number of said part 15 cylindrical string contacting elements comprised in each of said first and second members is equal to the number of strings in the instrument.

9. A vibrato device as claimed in claim 6 or 7 wherein each of said first and second members comprises a single part-cylindrical string contacting element.

10. A vibrato device as claimed in claim any one of claims S to 9 which comprises two fixing members and wherein said first and second members are not conjoined.

25

11. A vibrato device as claimed in any one of claims 5 to 9 which comprises one fixing member and wherein said first and second members are conjoined.

12. A vibrato device as claimed in claim 10 or 11 wherein said fixing member comprises a screw.

(

13. A vibrato device as claimed in claim 10 or 11 wherein said fixing member comprises a hinged clip.

14. A vibrato device as claimed in any one of claims 1, 2 or 3 wherein the 5 anchoring formation provided by the attachment means comprises multiple attachment means wherein a separate individual anchoring means is associated with each string.

15. A vibrato device as claimed in claim 14 wherein said attachment means 10 comprises a single member comprising slots through which the strings are allowed to pass, and including fixing members which allow the attachment means to be secured to the strings.

16. A vibrato device as claimed in claim 15 wherein the fixing members 15 comprise screws which are inserted into the attachment means adjacent each slot such that they bear on the strings of the instrument firmly in order to hold the device in place.

17. A vibrato device as claimed In claim 15 wherein the fixing members 20 comprise a series of hooks operating in conjunction with pressureimparting devices, formed in a single member.

18. A vibrato device as claimed in any one of claims 3 to 17 wherein said operating member comprises a lever, directly attached to the attachment 25 means said lever, in operation, being adapted to be moved in a direction away from or towards the body of the instrument, thereby facilitating stretching of the strings.

19. A vibrato device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the operating 30 means is attached to the attachment means via the use of a threaded joint and a threaded hole.

20. A vibrato device as claimed in claim 19 wherein the operating means includes a threaded joint which is capable of engagement with a threaded hole comprised in the attachment means.

S

21. A vibrato device as claimed in claim 19 wherein the attachment means comprises a threaded joint which is capable of engagement with a threaded hole comprised in the operating means.

22. A vibrato device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the operating 10 means is attached to the attachment means by an arrangement comprising a frictional assembly.

23. A vibrato device as claimed in claim 22 wherein the frictional assembly comprises at least one of a flexible material or a spring arrangement.

24. A vibrato device as claimed in claim 22 or 23 wherein the frictional assembly comprises a compressive fixing and a compressive frictional block.

25. A vibrato device as claimed in any preceding claim which comprises a metal.

26. A vibrato device as claimed in claim 25 wherein said metal comprises aluminium or bronze or an alloy hereof.

27. A vibrato device as claimed in any preceding claim wherein the attachment 25 means additionally comprises a frictional lining material, arranged to be in contact with the strings of the instrument.

28. A vibrato device as claimed in claim 27 wherein said frictional lining material comprises rubber or a plastics material.

->

29. A stringed instrument which comprises a body having a sound table, and a neck having a finger board with frets extending from the body, the body having a bridge and a tailpiece, the bridge being spaced apart from the tailpiece, and the strings of the instrument being attached to the tailpiece, 5 wherein the instrument additionally comprises a vibrato device as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 28, the vibrato device being removably located in contact with the strings in a position between the bridge and the tailpiece and no direct contact occurring between said vibrato device and any other part of said instrument.

30. A stringed instrument as claimed in claim 29 wherein said tailpiece comprises a stop tailpiece or a trapeze-type tailpiece.

31. A stringed instrument as claimed in claim 29 or 30 which comprises a guitar.

32. Ihe use of a vibrato device as claimed in any one of claims I to 28 in conjunction with a stringed instrument.

33. The use as claimed in claim 32 wherein said stringed instrument comprises a 20 guitar.

34. A vibrato device as hereinbefore described and with reference to the . accompanying drawings.

25

35. A stringed instrument as hereinbefore described and with reference to the . accompanying drawings.

36. A guitar as hereinbefore described and with reference to the accompanying drawings.