Music – Instruments – Stringed
Patent
1995-02-01
1995-11-14
Stanzione, Patrick J.
Music
Instruments
Stringed
84313, G10D 300
Patent
active
054656435
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
The present invention relates to guitars and particularly to an insert for locating between the saddle block of a guitar tremolo and each string passing over the saddle block and held thereto by a string retaining screw operated vice.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The purpose of a tremolo device, of which there are many varieties, is to allow a guitarists to alter an existing string note by an increase or decrease of string tension. Tremolo devices typically include a saddle block and a vice grip, the guitar strings being led over the saddle block and into the vice grip which is then tightened on the saddle block to anchor the strings in position.
A recurring problem with tremolo devices of this construction is string breakage.
While it will never be possible totally to prevent guitar strings breaking for one reason or another, it is far too prevalent with tremolo devices to be acceptable although the professional guitarist tends to put up with the problem because of the advantages, in terms of the variety of sounds and effects, the tremolo device provides.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to obviate the difficulties of the prior art and to reduce the breakage frequency of guitar strings in the area of engagement with guitar tremolo devices.
According to the invention there is provided a guitar string support insert for the string support saddle block of a guitar tremolo equipped with a saddle block and a vice grip for retaining the guitar strings to the saddle block in a string-receiving groove therein and wherein the insert is formed of a malleable metallic material softer than the metallic material, the saddle block and guitar strings and having a front section provided with an axially formed groove for lodging in the string receiving groove of the saddle block, and a rear section for insertion between the surface of the saddle block and the guitar string held in the vice grip.
Preferably the insert is made of brass.
The rear section is preferably of larger transverse width than the front section.
The junction between the front and rear sections of the insert may be provided with an indentation to enable the front and rear sections to be folded around the saddle block.
Other features and advantages of the present invention will becomes apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the invention taken with reference to the accompanying drawings wherein:
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a plan view of an insert for a guitar tremolo according to one embodiment of the invention:
FIG. 2 is a cross sectional view through a guitar tremolo device showing the insert of FIG. 1 in an operative position; and
FIG. 3 is a plan view of the guitar tremolo insert according to another embodiment of the invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT
The guitar tremolo insert shown in FIG. 1 is made from annealed brass and has a front flat section 1 having an axial radiused string locating groove 1' and a rear flat section 2 extending from the front section 1, of wider transverse width.
Typically the thickness of the brass insert is 0.3 mm, the axial length of the front section 1 is 6.5 mm and its width 2 mm, with the axial length of the rear section 2 being 6 mm and a transverse width of 3.5 mm.
These dimensions are suitable for using the insert with a Floyd-Rose type tremolo system incorporating a saddle block 3 of the type shown in FIG. 2 having an upper surface formed of two flat surface sections 4 and 4' rising to a peak P.
A vertical flat side surface 5 of the saddle block extends to meet the flat surface section 4'.
A vice grip for retaining the guitar strings to the saddle block 3 is provided between the vertical surface 5 of the saddle block and the surface 7' of a slidable block 7 operated by a vice screw 8.
The strings of the guitar, a representative string S being shown in FIG. 2, are held in the vice grip along the tremolo, and normally extend from the grip over the surface section 4' of the saddle block 3 in a longitudinally exte
REFERENCES:
patent: 4197779 (1980-04-01), Holman
patent: 4206679 (1980-06-01), Wilson
patent: 4681010 (1987-07-01), Wilkinson
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