Acoustic string instrument
OwnerMichael Miltimoreinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A sliding saddle system and a method of constructing a chordophone instrument comprising an underblock in slidable engagement with the bridge plate. A connector is located between the saddle and the underblock allowing the underblock to slide into position on the bridge plate until the connector is tightened, thereby locating the saddle on the sound board.
Claims20
A sliding saddle system for a chordophone instrument, the instrument having a neck, a soundboard and a soundbox, the sliding saddle system having at least one combination comprising:
- i) a bridge plate, the bridge plate for connecting to an inner surface of the soundboard;
- i) a saddle for locating on the soundboard, the saddle comprising an opening for accepting a string and directing it through a slot in the soundboard;
- iii) an underblock for retaining the string, the underblock in slidable engagement with the bridge plate;
- and
- iv) an adjustable connector, for connecting the saddle to the underblock, such that in use, the underblock is slid into position on the bridge plate, and the connector is tightened, thereby locating the saddle on the soundboard.
A chordophone instrument having a headstock, a neck, a bridge, at least one string and a soundbox, the soundbox comprising sides, a back and a soundboard, the soundboard comprising a soundhole, wherein the improvement comprises a strut, the strut housed in the soundbox and spanning between a distal end of the neck and an end block affixed to the distal end of the soundbox, the strut adjustably connected to the end block to allow adjustment of the strut towards and away from the soundboard, thereby adjusting neck angle and string height.
A headstock for a neck of a chordophone instrument, the headstock comprising an offset side and an opposite side and being configured to accept fewer tuning keys on the offset side, such that in use, the strings are parallel to the neck.
A method of constructing a chordophone instrument, the chordophone instrument comprising a headstock, a neck, a bridge and a soundbox, the soundbox comprising sides, a back and a soundboard, the soundboard comprising a soundhole and at least one slot distal to the soundhole,
- the method comprising:
- attaching a bridge plate to an underside of the soundboard in the vicinity of the slot;
- attaching the back and soundboard to the sides to provide the soundbox having a soundbox aperture;
- connecting a strut to the neck at a neck distal end;
- introducing the strut and neck into the soundbox through the soundbox aperture and affixing it therein;
- locating at least one saddle and underblock about the slot, the underblock located under the bridge plate;
- and
- affixing the saddle to the underblock.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.