Tuning means for stringed musical instrument
OwnerGeoffrey L. McCabeinventor
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
A stringed musical instrument is provided wherein each string has two critical points, A fulcrum tremolo is mounted on the instrument for varying the tension of the strings and the distance between the two critical points. The strings are attached to a plurality of intonation modules mounted on the fulcrum tremolo. Each intonation module is adjustable so that the strings can be adjusted from an untensioned state to a proper playing pitch. A bearing assembly is also included to facilitate pivoting of the fulcrum tremolo.
Claims12
A fulcrum tremolo for a stringed musical instrument comprising a body and a neck extending outwardly from said body, a plurality of strings extending from said body to said neck, a tailpiece securing one end of each of the strings, means for forming a first critical point for each of said strings on said neck, wherein said fulcrum tremolo comprises a base plate, means for raising and adjusting one of said strings to a pitched string condition from an untensioned condition, said means for raising and adjusting comprising a bridge element forming a second critical point, an elongated member located on the opposite side of said bridge element from the first critical point and disposed in spaced relation to said bridge element, means for varying the spacing between said first and second critical points for changing the harmonic tuning, and said base plate being pivotally mounted about an axis extending transversely of said strings for changing the pitch of all said strings at one time as said base plate is pivoted.
A fulcrum tremolo for use on a stringed musical instrument comprising a body, a neck extending from said body, and an end on said neck spaced apart from said body, a plurality of strings secured at said end and on a tailpiece on said body, each of said strings has a first critical point on said neck and a second critical point on said body, said tailpiece and said second critical points being pivotal together about an axis, said device comprises a bridge-tailpiece assembly pivotally mounted on said body for simultaneously changing the pitch of all strings, said assembly including means for individually moving the second critical point of each of said stings for changing the distance between the first and second critical points and changing the harmonic tuning thereof, and means for macro-tuning each said string individually by varying the tension without changing the distance between the first and second critical points, said means for macro-tuning being pivotal about said axis.
A fulcrum tremolo for a stringed musical instrument having a head engaging the first end of the strings, the tremolo comprising:
- a base plate pivotable about a pivot axis;
- a string anchor engaging the second end of one of the strings;
- a bridge element connected to the base plate, pivotable about the pivot axis, engaging the one string intermediate the string anchor and the head;
- a macrotuner connected to the base plate rearward of the bridge so that the macrotuner is pivotable about the pivot axis, the macrotuner being operable to adjust the string from an untensioned pitch to a proper playing pitch, the macrotuner comprising:
- an elongated arm extending rearwardly adjacent the bridge element;
- and
- a gripping portion intermediate the bridge and the string anchor for gripping the string.
A fulcrum tremolo for a stringed musical instrument having a head engaging the first end of the strings, the tremolo comprising:
- a base plate pivotable about a pivot axis;
- a string anchor engaging the second end of one of the strings;
- bridge element connected to the base plate, pivotable about the pivot axis, engaging the one string intermediate the string anchor and the head;
- a macrotuner rearward of the bridge, operable to adjust the string from an untensioned pitch to a proper playing pitch, the macrotuner comprising:
- a gripping portion intermediate the bridge and the string anchor for gripping the string.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.