Low noise vibrating string transducer
OwnerJames L. Riedlinventor
Life of this patent
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for amplifying low amplitude vibrations from stringed instruments, and in particular guitars while reducing Gaussian and 60 Hz hum noise from the signal. In particular, the invention incorporates the use of one or more bipolar magnets in conjunction with high precision differential amplifiers and a power source. The bipolar magnets may be arranged at varying locations on the guitar as long as they are within range to induce an electrical signal in the strings when they are played. The signal is then fed through the amplifier circuitry whereby noise is eliminated and then played through a standard speaker.
Claims11
A low noise vibrating string transducer comprising:
- a base plate coupled to a metal plate, wherein said base plate is further coupled to a stringed instrument, said base plate having a volume control knob and a securing clamp for securing strings of said stringed instrument;
- a bipolar magnet for varying tones of the stringed instrument;
- a conducting string further comprising a first end and a second end;
- said conducting string is connected to a tuning knob at said first end and wherein said conducting string is connected to said securing clamp at the second end such that said conducting string is made sufficiently taut by rotating said tuning knob said conducting string rests above said base plate on a bridge wherein said bridge is coupled to said base plate such that said bridge electrically isolates said conducting string from a second conducting string;
- an amplifier circuit;
- Said amplifier circuit is coupled to a power source;
- Said volume control knob is electrically coupled to said amplifier circuit;
- Said second end of said conducting string is electrically coupled to said amplifier circuit;
- said bipolar magnet is coupled to said metal plate such that at least a portion of said bipolar magnet is directly below said conducting string, wherein said metal plate is a ground plane for a portion of electronic circuitry, further reducing noise by properly grounding the portion of the electronic circuitry.
A method of making a low noise vibrating string transducer comprising the steps of:
- providing a stringed instrument;
- coupling a conducting string to a tuning knob of said stringed instrument at a first end of said conducting string and coupling a conducting string to a securing clamp of said instrument at a second end of said conducting string such that said conducting string is in direct contact with a bridge wherein said bridge electrically isolates said conducting wire and is coupled to a base plate of said stringed instrument, wherein said base plate is in a shape which allows it to fit underneath strings of said stringed instrument;
- fixing said securing clamp to said base plate;
- assembling said base plate from a non-conducting base plate that is substantially in the shape of said base plate;
- assembling a metal plate that is substantially in the same shape as said non-conducting base plate and securing said metal plate to said non conducting base plate;
- securing a bipolar magnet to said non-conducting plate such that a portion of said bipolar magnet is located directly beneath said conducting string;
- and
- grounding a portion of electronic circuitry by use of said metal plate.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.