1984-03-12
1986-03-18
Franklin, Lawrence R.
Music
Instruments
Stringed
84297R, 84304, G10D 108
Patent
active
045760802
DESCRIPTION:
BRIEF SUMMARY
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to guitars, particularly electric guitars, and has for its object the provision of a guitar having tuning machines arranged in a novel manner which not only facilitates tuning but also enables the guitar to be compact and of a striking modern design.
BACKGROUND ART
It is known, e.g. from U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,241,637 and 4,192,213, to provide the tuning machines of a guitar on the guitar body as opposed to their usual location on the guitar head. Such an arrangement facilitates tuning and reduces the overall length of the instrument.
The present invention enables the length of a guitar to be reduced still further and also enables a guitar to be more easily and more conveniently tuned.
DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION
According to the present invention there is provided a guitar comprising a head, a body, means for anchoring one end of each of a plurality of strings to the head, and a plurality of tuning machines mounted on the body for retaining the non-anchored end of a string, characterised in that each tuning machine is located on the back of the body and that the arrangement of the guitar is such that, when strung, the strings pass from the front to the back of the body about the bottom edge thereof.
For convenience in tuning, knobs or keys associated with the tuning machines (and by adjustment of which the strings can be tuned) are located along one side of the guitar body, advantageously on that side of the body which is uppermost when the guitar is held in the playing position.
Conveniently the strings are guided from the front to the back of the body by guide means located at or towards the base edge of the body. The guide means preferably comprises a number of pulleys, one for each string, each freely rotatable optionally on a common shaft which may be mounted in a slot formed in the base edge of the body.
In order to reduce frictional forces on the strings during tuning, the guitar may include a bridge, conventionally located on the front of the body adjacent to the guide means and comprising a plurality of freely rotatable rollers across which the strings pass.
In one preferred embodiment of the invention to be described, the tuning machines are spaced along one side of the body adjacent to the knobs or keys therefor, the rear of the body having secondary guides, and the strings pass from said guide means over the secondary guides from which they each extend at an angle towards a respective tuning machine. The secondary guides, which conveniently comprise freely rotatable pulley or rollers, are preferably spaced substantially equidistant from the guide means and the strings extend in a diverging or fanned manner towards the tuning machines.
In another preferred embodiment, the strings extend between the guide means and the tuning machine in a direction substantially parallel to their path along the front of the body, the positions of the tuning machines being staggered at progressively increasing distances both from the guide means and from one side edge.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a rear view of the guitar with the neck omitted according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention;
FIG. 2A is a side view, partly in section, of the part of the guitar shown in FIG. 1;
FIG. 2B is a side view of the neck of the guitar of FIGS. 1 and 2A;
FIG. 2C is a fragmentary view taken in the direction of arrow A in FIG. 2B;
FIG. 3 is a front view of the (neckless) body of the guitar of FIGS. 1 and 2; and
FIGS. 4, 5 and 6 are views respectively similar to those of FIGS. 1, 2A and 2B, and 3, but showing a second exemplary embodiment of the guitar, the neck being omitted and FIG. 6 being a partial view.
BEST METHOD FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
Referring first to FIGS. 1 to 3, a guitar according to a first embodiment of the invention has a body 1, a neck 2, a head 9 and six strings 11. Each string 11 is anchored in a string anchor plate 10 mounted in the head 9 and is capable of being tuned by rotation of a corresponding one of six, preferably knurled
REFERENCES:
patent: 546374 (1895-09-01), Babbitt
patent: 2216601 (1940-10-01), Nelson
patent: 2523963 (1950-09-01), Mitchell
patent: 3539699 (1970-11-01), Johnson
patent: 3769871 (1973-11-01), Cawthorn
Marriott Alan G.
McLellan William S.
Franklin Lawrence R.
Hinds William R.
Marriott McLellan Limited
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