US 2006/0048625 A1 · Acoustic amplifier and tone controller for stringed musical instruments

Abstract

A sound enhancing device for F-hole stringed instruments, banjos, and drums. The device includes at least one cross-shaped element and a timbre square, which may be part of a larger, user-constructed sound emitter. Strung like beads along a fastener, one or more cross-shaped elements and timbre squares are arrayed between a bridge and terminal retainer. In one embodiment, the cross-shaped element and timbre square are juxtaposed, forming a sound emitter which is mounted within an F-hole instrument's sound chamber; the bridge, positioned above it and astraddle opposing F-hole side edges, collects inaudible sound surface waves and transmits them through the fastener—a knot-free, waxed string under tension—to the sound emitter. There sound waves are amplified by constructive interference, timbre characteristics added, and sound waves transferred into the sound chamber's air. The latter then increase the sound surface waves at the F-hole's edges, setting up a positive feedback loop.

Claims14

Dependent claims

A sound-enhancing device adapted for use with stringed instruments having a body which defines a sound chamber and an elongated sound opening with opposing side edges, which comprises:

(a) an elongated fastener including a terminal retainer;
(b) a first cross-shaped element and a bridge, the cross-shaped element and the bridge each defining a central hole for slideably receiving the elongated fastener;
the cross-shaped element and the bridge, in assembled relation, being aligned longitudinally along the fastener;
the bridge during use, straddling the opposing side edges of the sound opening and partially covering the sound chamber;
and
(c) means for tensioning the fastener when the cross-shaped element and the bridge are mounted within and above the sound chamber, respectively, in such a way that when the fastener is tensioned, the terminal retainer is pulled toward the cross-shaped element, sandwiching the opposing edges of the sound opening between the cross-shaped element and the bridge.

3 more elements

A sound-enhancing device adapted for use with musical instruments having a body which defines a sound chamber, at least a portion of the instrument's body being fabricated of wood, which comprises:

(a) an elongated fastener including a terminal retainer;
(b) a first cross-shaped element and a bridge, the cross shaped element and the bridge each defining a central hole for slideably receiving the elongated fastener;
the cross-shaped element and the bridge, in assembled relation, being aligned longitudinally along the fastener, with the cross-shaped element being mounted within the sound chamber, the bridge, during use, contracting the wood portion of the body;
and
(c) means for tensioning the fastener in such away that both the terminal retainer and the bridge are pulled toward the wood portion of the body with the cross-shaped element being sandwiched between the terminal retainer and the bridge.

2 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Acoustic amplifier and tone controller for stringed musical instruments

Life of this patent

Acoustic amplifier and tone controller for stringed musical instruments

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims14