An optical head assembly for sue with a stringed musical instrument, the vibrations of the strings causing a light beam to be modulated in accordance with the frequency of the vibrating strings. The modulated light output, produced by the relative motion between two adjacent grates, is coupled to a device with converts the modulated light beam to a corresponding modulated electrical signal which, in turn, is coupled to an amplifier associated with the instrument.

An optical head assembly for use with a stringed musical instrument, the vibrations of the strings causing a light beam to be modulated in accordance with the frequency of the vibrating strings. The modulated light output, produced by the relative motion between two adjacent grates, is coupled to a device with converts the modulated light beam to a corresponding modulated electrical signal which, in turn, is coupled to an amplifier associated with the instrument.

The present application discloses a pickup apparatus for a musical instrument, configured to improve sound quality of a musical instrument to a greatest possible degree, obtained by a piezoelectric element. The pickup apparatus, for the musical instrument, to be fixed to the musical instrument, includes: a disc-shaped piezoelectric element; a couple of circular members receiving interposition of the piezoelectric element therebetween; and leg portions being arranged on a surface of any one of the couple of circular members, each circular member having protrusions formed protrusively toward the other circular member in two positions along a peripheral edge of an opposite surface in a face-to-face relationship with the other circular member, the piezoelectric element being supported within an air gap formed by the protrusions between the couple of circular members in a state of the piezoelectric element being interposed between the protrusions possessed by the respective circular wood members.

The present application discloses a pickup apparatus for a musical instrument, configured to improve sound quality of a musical instrument to a greatest possible degree, obtained by a piezoelectric element. The pickup apparatus, for the musical instrument, to be fixed to the musical instrument, includes: a disc-shaped piezoelectric element; a couple of circular members receiving interposition of the piezoelectric element therebetween; and leg portions being arranged on a surface of any one of the couple of circular members, each circular member having protrusions formed protrusively toward the other circular member in two positions along a peripheral edge of an opposite surface in a face-to-face relationship with the other circular member, the piezoelectric element being supported within an air gap formed by the protrusions between the couple of circular members in a state of the piezoelectric element being interposed between the protrusions possessed by the respective circular wood members.

In a first aspect hereof the present invention provides an improved piezoelectric pickup which, generally, comprises a folded planar plastic piezoelectric sandwich electrically connected to a coaxial cable which, in turn, is in electrical communication with a jack or the like for connection to a pre-amp, an amplifier or the like. In a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a cell which is particularly adapted for use with an electric violin. The cell comprises a table which is disposed substantially parallel to the top of the instrument and substantially normal or perpendicular to and in contact with the bridge of the instrument. When used in conjunction with a pickup the cell facilitates simulation of the sound of an acoustic violin.

In a first aspect hereof the present invention provides an improved piezoelectric pickup which, generally, comprises a folded planar plastic piezoelectric sandwich electrically connected to a coaxial cable which, in turn, is in electrical communication with a jack or the like for connection to a pre-amp, an amplifier or the like. In a further aspect of the present invention there is provided a cell which is particularly adapted for use with an electric violin. The cell comprises a table which is disposed substantially parallel to the top of the instrument and substantially normal or perpendicular to and in contact with the bridge of the instrument. When used in conjunction with a pickup the cell facilitates simulation of the sound of an acoustic violin.