WO2011006149A1

WO2011006149A1 - Travel guitar with hinged neck

Info

Publication number: WO2011006149A1
Application number: PCT/US2010/041634
Authority: WO
Inventors: Harvey Leach; Adrian M. Bagale
Original assignee: Voyage-Air Guitar, Inc.
Priority date: 2009-07-10
Filing date: 2010-07-10
Publication date: 2011-01-13
Also published as: CN102648491A; JP2012533092A; EP2452334A1; CN102648491B; CA2767787A1; EP2452334A4; JP5635606B2

Abstract

A folding guitar comprises a body and neck. A hinge connects body to neck and is disposed on one side of body and neck.A latch plate is secured to one side and a catch member is secured to other side. The catch member defines a catch member catch surface. A latch arm is pivotalIy mounted to latch plate. A hitch arm is pivotally mounted to latch arm. A securement member mounted on hitch arm is configured to engage catch member catch surface. The latch arm, hitch arm and latch plate vary the distance between securement member and catch member catch surface A hinge receiving pocket is cut into neck A first hole is drilled into the base of guitar neck for a neck securement and a second hole to receive an alignment mechanism. The pocket, first hole and second hole are divided after a finger board has been secured.

Description

TRAVEL GUITAR WITH HINGED NECK

TECHNICAL FIELD

[01] The invention relates to a manufacturing method and latch structure for a hinged neck traveling guitar which ensures stability and consistency of the guitar's acoustic characteristics.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[02] The manufacture of note producing musical instruments began as a search for the mechanical equivalent of the human voice. This in fact remained the standard through the Middle Ages and into the Renaissance and the early modern period.

[03] Stringed instruments have been known since ancient times. These included such instruments as the lute, a guitar-like instrument with a sound box and fingerboard. A New Kingdom (ancient Egypt, 1380 BC) bronze in the collection of the Metropolitan Museum of Art depicts a dancing Nubian raised on his toes with one knee cocked, left hand high working a fingerboard and right hand plucking the strings in a pose which might be illustrative of a modern rock musician.

[04] Given the popularity of stringed musical instruments, especially the guitar, people often take them along when traveling. In response to this need, guitars with folding necks have been proposed.

[05] In order for a hinged neck traveling guitar to be used, one must employ a latch to hold the neck in the playing position after the neck has been moved from the travel or storage position to the playing position by rotation of the neck about the hinge. This latch should be easy to use and at the same time positively lock the neck in the proper position, or the acoustics of the guitar will be degraded. At the same time, manufacturing methods must accommodate the stable placement of the hinge and result in a structure which does not require tuning each time it is used.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[06] In accordance with the invention, a mass production method for making a guitar which works particularly well with a latch which is easy to use is provided. The latch requires only that the user insert a ball- terminated arm in a catch and rotate a lever to lock the guitar in the open position. At the same time, the method by which the guitar is made results in stably mounting the hinge and latch, providing for a reliable and easy- to-use instrument. The invention is advantageously applicable to both acoustic and electric guitars and is applicable to guitars made by older manufacturing methods or employing older latches.

[07] The inventive folding guitar comprises a guitar body and guitar neck. A hinge connects the guitar body to the guitar neck. The hinge is disposed on one side of the guitar body and guitar neck. A latch plate is secured to the other side of one of the guitar body or guitar neck. A catch member is secured to the other side of the other one of the guitar body or guitar neck. The catch member defines a catch member catch surface. A latch arm is pivotally mounted to the latch plate. A hitch arm is pivotally mounted to the latch arm.

[08] A securement member is mounted on the hitch arm, and the securement member is configured to engage the catch member catch surface. The latch arm, hitch arm and latch plate are configured to vary the distance between the securement member and the catch member catch surface.

[09] The inventive method provides for precise placement of parts and reproducible consistent positioning after repeated folding and unfolding of the neck of the travel guitar. Thus, the guitar may be repeatedly used, folded, unfolded and played again and still remain in tune through playing and from use to use.

[10] The inventive method for making a guitar comprises forming a guitar neck extension portion, with the guitar neck extension portion being formed with a fingerboard face, a first hinge butt receiving recess, a locking member hole and an alignment member hole. A guitar neck base portion is formed with a second hinge butt receiving recess. The position of the second hinge butt receiving recess is mechanically governed by the first hinge butt receiving recess. The guitar neck base portion is formed with a locking member hole extension and an alignment member hole extension. The position of the locking member hole extension is

mechanically governed by the locking member hole. The alignment member hole extension is mechanically governed by the alignment member hole. The locking member hole is provided with a securement bolt. The locking member hole extension is provided with mating

securement structure for receiving and mating with the securement structure on the securement bolt. The alignment member hole is provided with an alignment member disposed within and secured to the locking member hole or the locking member hole extension. [11] The guitar neck base portion and said guitar neck extension portion is optionally but preferably formed simultaneously and divided into two parts.

[12] The guitar neck base portion and the guitar neck extension portion are formed by forming a guitar neck member. A pocket is cut in the guitar neck member for receiving a hinge and, after cutting the pocket in said guitar neck member, a fingerboard is glued over the guitar neck member and the pocket to form a first hinge butt receiving recess and they second hinge butt receiving recess.

[13] The guitar neck member and said finger board may be made from wood.

[14] The guitar neck member may be formed with at least two mounting holes, with the mounting holes extending from the surface of the guitar neck member which is to be covered by the finger board, but not extending through the guitar neck member, so that the underside of the guitar neck of the finished guitar does not show the holes. The mounting holes may be used to position the guitar neck during the cutting of the pocket.

[15] In accordance with a particularly preferred embodiment, the inventive method comprises forming a guitar neck, where the guitar neck being formed with a base and a neck extension at least two holes are drilled in the guitar neck to provide for holding me guitar neck in position during further process steps performed on the guitar neck. A pocket has cut into the guitar neck. The pocket is configured to receive a hidden-type hinge. A first hole is drilled into the base of the guitar neck for a neck securement. A second hole is drilled in the base of said guitar neck to receive an alignment mechanism. A fingerboard is secured over the neck extension and the pocket. The pocket, first hole and second hole are divided after the finger board has been secured. The pocket is divided into two pocket halves. Each of the butts of a hinge on installed into its respective pocket half. An alignment mechanism is then installed in the second hole. A securement is installed in the first hole.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[16] The operation of the invention will become apparent from the following description taken in conjunction with the drawings, in which:

[17] FIG. 1 is a side view generally illustrating a general implementation of the latch of the present invention;

[18] FIG. 2 is a view similar to Figure 1, but illustrating hidden portions of parts in phantom lines;

[19] FIG. 3 is an exploded side plan view of the principal components of the inventive latch;

[20] FIG. 4 is a diagrammatic side view of the components of the inventive latch similar to Figure 2, superimposed over each other in position, but not using any hidden lines;

[21] FIG. 5 illustrates operation of the inventive latch;

[22] FIG. 6 illustrates another embodiment of the hinge of the present disclosure in exploded perspective;

[23] FIG. 7 is a top view of a latch plate of the hinge of FIG. 6; [24] FIG. 8 is a side view of the latch plate of FIG. 7;

[25] FIG. 9 is a bottom view of the latch plate of FIG. 7;

[26] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of the latch plate of FIG. 7;

[27] FIG. 11 is a side view of the latch arm of the hinge of FIG. 6;

[28] FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the latch arm of the hinge of FIG. 6;

[29] FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the hitch body of the hinge of FIG. 6;

[30] FIG. 14 is a side view of a hitch arm of the hinge of FIG. 6;

[31] FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a hitch arm of the hinge of FIG. 6;

[32] FIG. 16 is a perspective view of the guide of the hinge of FIG. 6;

[33] FIG. 17 is a plan view of a guide of the hinge of FIG. 6;

[34] FIG. 18 is a perspective of the heel catch plate of the hinge of FIG. 6;

[35] FIG. 19 is a side plan view of the heel catch plate of the hinge of FIG. 6;

[36] FIG. 20 is a side plan view of the heel catch plate of the hinge of FIG. 6;

[37] FIG. 21 is a top plan view of the heel catch plate of the hinge of FIG. 6;

[38] FIG. 22 is a top plan view of a third embodiment of the inventive hinge; [39] FIG. 23 is a perspective view of the hinge of FIG. 22 with the latch arm in the unlocked position;

[40] FIG. 24 is a bottom plan view of the hinge of FIG. 22; and [41] FIG. 25 is a detail of the hinge of FIG. 22;

[42] FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a traveling guitar illustrating a general implementation of the present invention;

[43] FIG. 27 is an exploded prospective illustrating parts of the inventive system;

[44] FIG. 28 is a prospective showing a guitar neck after the cutting of the hinge pockets but before the separation of the neck into two parts which fold with respect to each other;

[45] FIG. 29 is a perspective of a hinge used in a traveling guitar according to the present invention;

[46] FIG. 305 illustrates the position of holes for the neck attachment bolt and alignment system, with the hole for the alignment system shown in phantom lines as it is not visible from the outside of the instrument and is drilled from the inside;

[47] FIG. 31 is a perspective view illustrating the guitar neck from a side opposite that seen in Figure 31 5;

[48] FIG. 32 is a cross-sectional view of the two halves of the guitar neck showing the alignment pin and, in phantom lines, the neck attachment bolt; [49] FIG. 33 illustrates the cutting of the guitar neck from the body side of the guitar;

[50] FIG. 34 illustrates the cutting of the guitar neck from the neck side of the guitar;

[51] FIG. 35 shows the half hinge pocket after cutting of the guitar neck;

[52] FIG. 36 illustrates insertion of the hinge into the body portion of the guitar neck; and

[53] FIG. 37 is a perspective view of the inventive guitar with the neck in the playing position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[54] Referring to Figures 1-5, and in particular initially to Figure 1, a latch 10, constructed in accordance with the present invention is illustrated. Latch 10 comprises a guitar body base plate 12 which is secured to the body 14 of a guitar (Figure 5) by screws 19, which are secured in holes in guitar body 14. Base plate 12 includes integral upstanding walls 16. Walls 16 include holes 18 which support short pivot pins or screws 20. Screws 20 screw into the threaded holes 18, and fit into holes 24. Latch arm 22 rotates on the end of screws 20. Thus, latch arm 22 (which includes holes 24 which receive screws 20) is rotatably mounted on pivot pin 20.

[55] A hitch arm 26 comprises a base 28 which defines a hole 30. A pin 32 is mounted in hole 30 in hitch arm 26 and hole 34 in latch arm 22. This allows for rotational movement between hitch arm 26 and latch arm 22. [56] The distance by which the ball 36 is positioned with respect to the end of base 28 is adjusted by screw arm 38, by rotation of screw arm 38 which is screwed into a tapped hole 40 in base or hitch body 28. The rotary position of screw arm 38 may be locked by rotation of nut 42. Nut 42 rotates on threads 43. It is noted that threads 43 also mate with tapped hole 40.

[57] Ball 36 engages a socket 44 in heel catch plate 46 at an arc shaped engagement surface 48. The structure of the hinge is completed by a spring 50 which is mounted in tension between a hook 52 on hitch arm 26, and a hook 54 on guitar body base plate 12.

[58] The operation of the inventive latch may be understood from Figure 5. In the locking position, latch 10 takes the position illustrated in the solid lines, with heel catch plate 46 mounted in folding guitar neck 56 by screws 57. If it is desired to put the guitar in the travel position, it is folded about hinge 58 in the direction of arrow 60. In order to do this, it is necessary to release latch 10. This is done by pulling latch arm 22 to the position illustrated in phantom lines in Figure 5. This is facilitated by tapered surface 62 which allows the user to insert a fingernail to pull latch arm 22 out in the direction of arrow 64. This also allows ball 36 to be moved in the direction of arrow 64 and exit heel catch plate 46.

[59] The operation of latch 10 is much like a Visegrips brand locking pliers. More particularly, in the position illustrated in broken lines in Figure 5, pin 32 is relatively far from arc-shaped engagement surface 48. When the center of pin 32 passes over the center line 66 of screw 20, pin 32 is closer to engagement surface 48. It is then so close to engagement surface 48 that significant pressure is exerted between ball 36 and engagement surface 48. As pin 32 continues to the position shown in solid lines in Figure 5, this pressure is somewhat reduced as the distance between pin 32 becomes somewhat larger again. Thus, the latch securely joins neck 56 to body 14, and is held in that position because the tension acting on screw arm 38 tends to pull neck 56 toward body 14.

[60] Referring now to FIGS. 6- 21, another embodiment of the hinge is illustrated. This embodiment operates much the same way as the embodiment of Figures 1-5, and analogous or corresponding parts are labeled with numbers 100 higher than the numbers of the corresponding or analogous parts in the embodiment of Figures 1-5.

[61] More particularly, latch 110 comprises a latch arm 122 mounted for rotation on screws 120 which pass through tapped holes 118 in latch plate 112. The ends of screws 120 extend into holes 124 in latch arm 122 to support latch arm 122 for rotation with respect to latch plate 112.

[62] Pin 132 is jam fitted into hole 130. The ends of pin 132 extend into and are loosely fitted to holes 134 in latch arm 122. A pair of balls 168 are received within hole 170 at opposite ends of hole 170. A coil spring 172 is held in compression between balls 168. In the position where latch arm 122 is parallel to latch plate 112 and flush with latch plate 112, balls 168 are driven toward holes 124, thus positively locking latch arm 122 in place.

[63] A leaf spring 150 is secured to hitch body 128 by a bolt 152, which screws into hole 174 in hitch body 128. When latch arm 122 is pulled from the guitar neck to allow the guitar neck to be folded, leaf spring 150 urges ball 136 away from latch arm 122, facilitating folding of the guitar neck. [64] Hitch arm 138 passes through hole 177 in hitch body 128. Rubber washer 145, washer 143 and locking nut 142 are mounted on the end 176 of hitch arm 138. When latch arm 122 is flush with latch plate 112, latch arm 122 pulls the end 176 of hitch arm 138 together with rubber washer 145, washer 143 and locking nut 142 toward heel catch plate 146. Rubber washer 144 acts like a spring to apply a locking force. This results in an exertion of force without applying that force to the wood surrounding the screws which are used to secure the latch to the guitar body and neck. More particularly, screws, not illustrated, pass through holes 178 in heel catch plate 146, and holes 180 in latch plate 112.

[65] Excess movement of hitch arm 138 is limited by skirt 182. The movement of hitch arm 138 is limited by locking cap nut 142, which when the latch is opened, is caused to bear against spring pin 184, which is mounted in holes 186 in perpendicular extensions 188 of latch plate 112.

[66] When latch arm 122 is fully extended, holes 190 are in engagement with balls 168.

[67] A guide 191 includes a guide surface 192 which guides the exit of hitch arm 138 from heel catch plate 146 during folding of the guitar neck. Holes 193 receive the same screws as holes 180 illustrated in Figure 6. If desired, guide 191 and heel catch plate 146 may be cast as a single part.

[68] Yet another embodiment of the invention is illustrated in Figures 22 through 25. In this embodiment, corresponding and analogous parts have been given numbers 100 higher than corresponding and analogous parts of the embodiment of Figure 6-21. [69] Latch 210 comprises a latch arm 222 mounted in a latch plate 212. A ball 236 mounts in a heel catch plate 246. A sliding latch lock 294 is mounted in a slot 295, within which it slides. In the position illustrated in Figure 22, latch lock 294 overlies latch arm 222, thus positively retaining latch arm 222 in the locked position. Rivet 296 is secured to lock 294 and maintained in slot 295 by a washer 297. This allows the end 298 of lock 294 to be driven against the force of spring 299 in the direction of arrow 301 over the edge 300 of heel catch plate 246. This allows latch arm 222 to be rotated into the unlocked position analogous to the position illustrated in broken lines in Figure 5, thus allowing the guitar neck to be folded over the body.

[70] While the inventive latch has been illustrated in the context of an electric guitar, the same may also be employed in an acoustic guitar.

[71] Referring to Figure 26, the manufacture of a guitar 310 in accordance with the inventive process may comprise the separate manufacture of a body 312 and a neck 314. While the method is illustrated in connection with an acoustic guitar, the process steps involved may be employed in the manufacture of an electric guitar.

[72] In accordance with the invention it is contemplated that the traveling guitar 310 may be reduced in size for travel by hingedly advancing neck 314 in the direction indicated by arrow 316, as shown in Figure 26. The result is for neck 314 to overlie body 312 as illustrated in Figure 27.

[73] Referring to Figure 28, after neck 314 has been manufactured, a pocket 318 is cut into the base of the neck. Initially this is done using a router. After the router has cut pocket 318 with substantially rounded corners, specialized tools, for example a chisel, may be used to square out the corners of hinge-receiving pocket 318. In accordance with the invention, a specialized hinge 320, as illustrated in Figure 29, fits

substantially perfectly into pocket 18, after it has been cut in half and rejoined as described below.

[74] More particularly, after the shaping of the neck (from the lumber of which the neck is made) and the drilling of holes 324 is completed and before a fingerboard is attached, two separate routing steps are performed. The first is the routing of a square area (which is to become pocket 318) towards the base of the neck 314 (closer to where the neck meets the body 312 of the guitar). This pocket 318 is routed to a size which results in it being substantially the exact dimensions of hinge 320 illustrated in Figure 29, and will be used to house the hinge after the implementation of the hinge installation process. The depth and width of the pocket are equal to the depth and width of the hinge. The length of the pocket is greater than the length of the hinge by the thickness of the saw blade, which is used to cut the length of the pocket as described below.

[75] In accordance with the invention, it is contemplated that the neck 314 of the guitar is manufactured as a single piece, pocket 318 is then cut into the neck and a hole for a reattachment device is drilled through the heel of the neck.

[76] Accuracy is assured by mounting the neck 314 on a pair of pin pairs extending from a table. The pins extend into holes 324. Only after the pocket 318 and hole have been formed (and a record adjustment hole drilled) is the neck sawn into two pieces which are hingedly mounted to each other, with substantially perfect registration between two portions of the holes and two portions of the pocket.

[77] Pocket 18 is preferably routed before a fingerboard is attached and before a neck separation cut is performed. However, the position of the separation cut may be marked by a line, for example line 322 drawn in pencil as illustrated in Figure 28. Tolerances on pocket 318 are relatively small. As will be described below, it is important to achieve the desired degree of accuracy and precision in the routing of the guitar neck. More particularly, as illustrated in Figure 28, indexing holes 324 are provided on the neck 314. Holes 324 mate with the fixtures used during the routing process. During routing, indexing holes 324 support the guitar neck 314 in a desired position for routing pocket 318.

[78] After the hinge pocket is routed the indexing holes are also used to perform a second routing which provides for a truss rod cavity. This is the second separate routing step alluded to above. In addition, the indexing holes 324 may be used during the drilling of a hole 328 which receives a head and neck attachment bolt, as will be described below.

[79] After pocket 18 has been cut and the fingerboard glued in position after curing of the glue, a circular saw is used to make the separation cut along line 322 to cut away an amount of wood which results in a tight fit between hinge 320 and pocket 318. Cutting of the separation cut is done along the line 322, with the saw positioned in a plane which is, for example, perpendicular to the central axis of fingerboard 326. After the neck is cut into two pieces, the hinge is installed into the now two halves of pocket 318.

[80] As noted above, the inventive process contemplates the drilling of a hole 328 (Figure 30) for a head and neck attachment bolt. Figure 30 shows the neck after drilling the hole but before the separation cut. Hole 328 is drilled before the neck has been cut into two pieces and the hinge has been installed. Hole 328 is drilled with the objective of providing a hole for the installation of the head and neck attachment bolt 364, so that the two portions of the neck may be held together by head and neck attachment bolt 364, which runs through the heel 332 and into base 330 of the guitar neck 314. Head and neck attachment bolt 364 has an integral thumbwheel 365. As will be apparent from the discussion below, the head and neck attachment bolt is threaded into a threaded sleeve 370 mounted in block portion 342 of base 330 of neck 314. In accordance with the preferred embodiment, head and neck attachment bolt 364 and the associated locking assembly may be replaced by the latch assembly describe in

Figures 1-25.

[81] As noted above, hole 328 is preferably drilled before the separation cut is performed to insure that all components line up correctly during the installation of the hardware associated with the head and neck attachment bolt. Hole 328 also serves as a reference for drilling a separate hole 329 in through the neck-block portion 342 of the guitar to anchor the entire neck to the body by a cap-screw 373 and a washer 374 from the inside of the guitar body. [82] After the hole has been drilled for the thumbwheel and the neck attachment bolt 364, but before the separation cut is made dividing the neck illustrated in Figure 28 into two pieces, it is necessary to drill a second hole 336, which is to act to insure alignment of the two pieces 342 and 344 that form the neck of the travel guitar 310.

[83] In accordance with the invention, before the separation cut is performed, one drills a second hole 336 just above the hole for the attachment bolt. Referring to Figure 31, hollow brass tube 338 is installed into hole 336. Brass tube 338 is glued in place. The end of tube 338 is plugged with a wooden dowel 340. Dowel 340 is also glued in place. As is illustrated in Figure 31, brass tube 338 is positioned the mouth of hole 336 before it is pushed into hole 336. The installed brass tube 338 is illustrated in Figure 32 after it has been pushed into hole 336.

[84] In accordance with the invention, after tube 338 is installed and glued in place, tube 338 is also cut during the separation cut. This allows tube 338 to function as an indexing system to insure proper alignment of the base portion 342 and neck portion 344 of neck 314 after the neck has been installed on the body of guitar 310.

[85] In accordance with the invention, it is contemplated that end 346 of tube 338 is plugged, but that the opposite end 347 of tube 338 is open in order that it may receive a solid brass pin 348, which is adapted to slip into the hollow side of tube 338 to lock the neck in place during the assembly process. The cooperation of these structures may be most easily

understood with reference to Figure 32 which is a cross-sectional view of the guitar neck in the playing position with the relevant parts illustrated. Pin 348 is glued into end 347 of hollow brass tube 338. Pin 348 in

cooperation with tube 338 insures that there is no side to side movement when the neck is in the playing position and that there is no additional pressure or torque on the brass hinge arms of the hinge 320, illustrated in phantom lines in Figure 32, which is positioned in pocket 318 during use of the inventive travel guitar 310.

[86] At this point in the process the separation cut may be performed, cutting neck base 330, and holes 336 and 328. To insure that the separation cut is accurately positioned and the angle of the neck heel to the body is maintained, the neck is attached to the body during the separation cut. In addition, fingerboard 326 is glued in position over the length of guitar neck 314 and over pocket 318 preferably prior to the separation cut. The guitar is held in place and maintained in position by positioning the long sides of the fingerboard, the frets 352 and the body of the guitar against rigidly and precisely positioned support surfaces. In this manner, the correct location for the separation cut is achieved. The cut is then made using a circular saw blade as illustrated in Figure 33. As is apparent from Figure 33, the body of the guitar is positioned against a support surface. The support surface is in accordance with the invention preferably covered with a protective material such as a very rigid thin layer of foam plastic, textile or other protective material having a surface which is not likely to scratch the surface of the guitar.

[87] As illustrated most clearly in Figures 33 and 34, during the sawing of the separation cut 355, guitar 310 is held in place by a pair of fingers 354 and clamps 356. Support surface 358 bears against the long side of fingerboard 326. A small fence may be placed underneath the neck in contact with fingerboard 326, a position where it bears against one of the frets 352 in order to ensure that the guitar 310 is in proper position for the cut using circular saw 360.

[88] After the cut has been performed, a pocket half 362 is revealed in base portion 342 of neck 314, as illustrated in Figure 35. Pocket half 362 receives one of the butts of hinge 320, which may be glued in position and then screwed in place to assure that it will remain in place. The insertion of a hinged butt into pocket half 362 is illustrated in Figure 36.

[89] Next, the guitar is fitted with thumbwheel neck attachment bolt 364. The neck attachment bolt 364 mates with threads 366 in bushing 370 which is fitted into hole 329 which is the severed end of hole 328, as illustrated in Figure 32. Bushing 367 insures against wear of hole 328.

[90] Bushing 370 is held in place by a bolt 372, which extends from the other side of base portion 342. Bolt 372 is a Phillips head bolt with a head 373 which bears against a washer 374. Bolt 72 mates with threads 366. A rubber grommet 380 prevents bolt 364 from falling out of the guitar 310 when the guitar is in the neck-folded travelling position.

[91] Brass pin 48 may be installed into the neck-side portion 344 of neck 314. At this time the neck is also stamped on both sides with the

corresponding production number to insure that the two portions 342 and 344 of neck 314 do not become separated and are in the end assembled into a single finished guitar. It is preferred that the portions 342 and 344 of neck 314 remain together during the remainder of the production process. See Figure 27 where the designation "A 24-12" is stamped onto both parts. [92] While illustrative embodiments of the invention have been described, it is noted that various modifications will be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view of the above description and drawings. Such modifications are within the scope of the invention which is limited and defined only by the following claims.

Claims

What is Claimed:

1. A process for manufacturing a guitar, comprising:

(a) forming a guitar neck extension portion, said guitar neck extension portion being formed with a fingerboard face, a first hinge butt receiving recess, a locking member hole and an alignment member hole;

(b) forming a guitar neck base portion, said guitar neck base portion being formed with a second hinge butt receiving recess, the position of said second hinge butt receiving recess being mechanically governed by said first hinge butt receiving recess; said guitar neck base portion being formed with a locking member hole extension and an alignment member hole extension; the position of said locking member hole extension being mechanically governed by said locking member hole, and said alignment member hole extension being mechanically governed by said alignment member hole;

(c) providing said locking member hole with a securement bolt;

(d) providing said locking member hole extension with mating securement structure for receiving and mating with said securement structure on said securement bolt; and

(e) providing said alignment member hole with an alignment member disposed within and secured to the locking member hole or the locking member hole extension.

2. A method as in claim 1, wherein said guitar neck base portion and said guitar neck extension portion are formed simultaneously and divided into two parts.

3. A method as in claim 2, wherein said guitar neck base portion and said guitar neck extension portion are formed by forming a guitar neck member, cutting a pocket in the guitar neck member for receiving a hinge and, after cutting said pocket in said guitar neck member, gluing a fingerboard over said guitar neck member and said pocket to form a first hinge butt receiving recess and said second hinge butt receiving recess.

4. A method as in claim 3, wherein said guitar neck member and said finger board are made from wood.

5. A method as in claim 2, wherein said guitar neck member is formed with at least two mounting holes, said mounting holes extending from the surface of said guitar neck member which is to be covered by said finger board, but not extending through said guitar neck member, so that the underside of the guitar neck of the finished guitar does not show the holes, and wherein said mounting holes are used to position said guitar neck during the cutting of said pocket.

6. A method for manufacturing a travel guitar, comprising:

(a) forming a guitar neck, said guitar neck being formed with a base and a neck extension;

(b) drilling at least two holes in said guitar neck to provide for holding said guitar neck in position during further process steps

performed on said guitar neck; (c) cutting a pocket into said guitar neck, said pocket configured to receive a hidden-type hinge;

(d) drilling a first hole into the base of said guitar neck for a neck securement;

(e) drilling a second hole in the base of said guitar neck to receive an alignment mechanism;

(f) securing a fingerboard over said neck extension and said pocket;

(g) dividing said pocket, said first hole and said second hole after said finger board has been secured, said pocket being divided into two pocket halves;

(h) installing each of the butts of a hinge into its respective pocket half;

(i) installing an alignment mechanism in said second hole; and (j) installing a securement in said first hole.

7. A method as in claim 6, wherein said dividing of said first hole, said second hole and said pocket is done with a single cut of a cutting instrument.

8. A folding guitar, comprising:

(a) a guitar body;

(b) a guitar neck; (c) a hinge connecting said guitar body to said guitar neck, said hinge being disposed on one side of said guitar body and guitar neck;

(d) a latch plate secured to the other side of one of said guitar body or guitar neck;

(e) a catch member secured to the other side of the other one of said guitar body or guitar neck, said catch member defining a catch member catch surface;

(f) a latch arm pivotally mounted to said latch plate;

(g) a hitch arm pivotally mounted to said latch arm; and

(h) a securement member mounted on said hitch arm, said securement member configured to engage said catch member catch surface, said latch arm, hitch arm and latch plate being configured to vary the distance between said securement member and said catch member catch surface.