AN ELECTRICALLY AMPLIFIED STRINGED INSTRUMENT

Abstract

An electrically amplified stringed instrument including an elongated stringed arrangement including a first end and a second end having a first string device including a first set of strings extending between the first end and the second end of the stringed arrangement and a second string device including a second set of strings extending between the first end and the second end of the stringed arrangement, where the first string device and the second string device are arranged substantially side by side so that a cross section of at least some of the strings of the first set of strings increases towards the second string device and so that a cross section of at least some of the strings of the second set of strings increases towards the first string device, the first string device including at least one first amplifying means arranged at the first end of the elongated stringed arrangement and the second string device including at least one second amplifying means arranged at the second end of the elongated stringed arrangement, where the stringed arrangement is mounted on a body and connected to the body through a pivotal joint.

Claims

1. An electrically amplified stringed instrument comprising an elongated stringed arrangement including a first end and a second end, wherein said stringed arrangement further comprises a first string device including a first set of strings extending between said first end and said second end of said stringed arrangement and a second string device including a second set of strings extending between said first end and said second end of said stringed arrangement, wherein said first string device and said second string device are arranged substantially side by side so that a cross section of at least some of the strings of said first set of strings increases towards said second string device and so that a cross section of at least some of said strings of said second set of strings increases towards said first string device, wherein said first string device comprises at least one first amplifying means arranged at said first end of said elongated stringed arrangement and said second string device comprises at least one second amplifying means arranged at said second end of said elongated stringed arrangement, wherein said stringed arrangement is mounted on a body, and wherein said stringed arrangement is connected to said body through a pivotal joint.

2. The electrically amplified stringed instrument according to claim 1, wherein said pivotal joint is arranged approximately in a middle between said first end and said second end of said elongated stringed arrangement.

3. The electrically amplified stringed instrument according to claim 1, wherein said body is elongated substantially in the direction of said first set of strings and said second set of strings during use of said stringed instrument and wherein said body comprises a first strap fastening means arranged at a first body end of said elongated body and a second strap fastening means arranged at a second body end of said elongated body.

4. The electrically amplified stringed instrument according to claim 1, wherein said first amplifying means and said second amplifying means are arranged to generate an electrical signal in accordance with vibrations of said first set of strings and said second set of strings respectively, wherein said pivotal joint comprises conducting means for conducting said electrical signals through said pivotal joint.

5. The electrically amplified stringed instrument according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said first string device and second string device comprises frets.

6. The electrically amplified stringed instrument according to claim 5, wherein only one of said first string device and said second string device comprises frets.

7. The electrically amplified stringed instrument according to claim 1, wherein said stringed instrument comprises fixation means for fixating said body and said elongated stringed arrangement in relation to mutual rotation during use of said stringed instrument.

8. The electrically amplified stringed instrument according to claim 7, wherein said fixation means comprise a ball plunger.

9. The electrically amplified stringed instrument according to claim 1, wherein said first string device and said second string device are arranged to extend substantially in the same plane.

10. The electrically amplified stringed instrument according to claim 1, wherein free space is provided between said first string device and said second string device.

11. An electrically amplified stringed instrument comprising an elongated stringed arrangement including a first end and a second end, wherein said stringed arrangement further comprises a first string device including a first set of strings extending between said first end and said second end of said stringed arrangement and a second string device including a second set of strings extending between said first end and said second end of said stringed arrangement, wherein said first string device and said second string device are arranged substantially side by side so that a cross section of at least some of the strings of said first set of strings increases towards said second string device and so that a cross section of at least some of said strings of said second set of strings increases towards said first string device, wherein said first string device comprises at least one first amplifying means arranged at said first end of said elongated stringed arrangement and said second string device comprises at least one second amplifying means arranged at said second end of said elongated stringed arrangement.

12. The electrically amplified stringed instrument according to claim 11, wherein said stringed arrangement is mounted on a body.

13. The electrically amplified stringed instrument according to claim 12, wherein said stringed arrangement is connected to said body through a pivotal joint.

14. The electrically amplified stringed instrument according to claim 13, wherein said pivotal joint is arranged approximately in a middle between said first end and said second end of said elongated stringed arrangement.

15. The electrically amplified stringed instrument according to claim 12, wherein said body is elongated substantially in the direction of said first set of strings and said second set of strings during use of said stringed instrument and wherein said body comprises a first strap fastening means arranged at a first body end of said elongated body and a second strap fastening means arranged at a second body end of said elongated body.

16. The electrically amplified stringed instrument according to claim 13, wherein said first amplifying means and said second amplifying means are arranged to generate an electrical signal in accordance with vibrations of said first set of strings and said second set of strings respectively, wherein said pivotal joint comprises conducting means for conducting said electrical signals through said pivotal joint.

17. (canceled)

18. (canceled)

19. The electrically amplified stringed instrument according to claim 12, wherein said stringed instrument comprises fixation means for fixating said body and said elongated stringed arrangement in relation to mutual rotation during use of said stringed instrument.

20. The electrically amplified stringed instrument according to claim 19, wherein said fixation means comprise a ball plunger.

21. The electrically amplified stringed instrument according to claim 11, wherein said first string device and said second string device are arranged to extend substantially in the same plane.

22. The electrically amplified stringed instrument according to claim 11, wherein free space is provided between said first string device and said second string device.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0037] The invention will be described in the following with reference to the figures in which

[0038] FIG. 1 illustrates a elongated stringed arrangement with the two string devices arranged side by side, as seen from the front,

[0039] FIG. 2 illustrates a elongated stringed arrangement provided with free space between the two string devices, as seen from the front,

[0040] FIG. 3 illustrates a stringed arrangement mounted on a body, as seen from the front,

[0041] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross section through the middle of a stringed instrument, as seen from the bottom, and

[0042] FIG. 5 illustrates a cross section through the body and the stringed arrangement, as seen from the side.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0043] FIG. 1 illustrates an elongated stringed arrangement 2 with the two string devices 5, 7 arranged side by side, as seen from the front.

[0044] In this embodiment the elongated stringed arrangement 2 comprises a first string device 5 and a second string device 7 both in the form of electrically amplified bass guitars. However, in another embodiment the first string device 5 and/or the second string device 7 could be an electrically amplified classical guitar, a tenor guitar, a twelve-string guitar or another form of guitar, or comprise a mix of guitar and bass strings.

[0045] In this embodiment each string device 5, 7 comprise a separate board 26 on which means for fixating the strings 6, 8in the form of bridges 27are arranged in either ends of the string devices 5, 7 so that the set of strings 6, 8 extends substantially the entire length of the string devices 5, 7.

[0046] In this embodiment the boards 26 of the two string devices 5, 7 are arranged side by side so that they are abutting, enabling that a musician can play both string devices 5, 7 at the same time.

[0047] In another embodiment the boards 26 of the two string devices 5, 7 could be formed as a single monolithic board e.g. to provide better stability when playing the strings 9 of either string device 5, 7 on a single board.

[0048] Also in another embodiment the two stringed devices 5, 7 could be separated by vibration damping means such as a rubber lining, a metal rail or another device suited for damping the vibrations and/or prevent vibrations from traveling from one string device 5, 7 to the other.

[0049] In this embodiment the neighboring sides of the first string device 5 and the second string device 7 are sloping, making the two string devices 5, 7 wider at one end. This is advantageous in that it enables that the strings 6, 8 may be spread further apart at the end where they are strokedthus increasing the chance of hitting the right string while playing. However, in another embodiment of the first string device 5 and/or the second string device 7 could be provided with another shape such as rectangular, curved, triangular or another more or less complex shape.

[0050] In this embodiment the first string device 5 is provided with frets 19 in substantially the entire length of the first string device 5 while no frets 19 are provided on the second string device 7. However, in another embodiment the second string device 7 could also or instead comprise frets 19 substantially in the entire length of the string device 7, both string devices 5, 7 could be formed without frets 19 or one or both string devices 5, 7 could only be provided with frets 19 in only parts of the length of the string devices 5, 7. The distribution of frets 19 on one or both string devices 5, 7 enables that a great variety of string devices 5, 7 can be formed depending on how the stringed arrangement 2 is orientatedi.e. which string device 5, 7 is lowerand different fretted and non-fretted parts may be played simultaneous.

[0051] In this embodiment the first string device 5 comprises a single first amplifying means 10 arranged at a first end 3 of the stringed arrangement 2 and the second string device 7 comprises a single second amplifying means 11 arranged at the second end 4 of the stringed arrangement 2. However, in another embodiment the first string device 5 and/or the second string device 7 could comprise more than one amplifying means 10, 11 and/or the amplifying means 10, 11 could be located differently on the string devices 5, 7.

[0052] In this embodiment the first end 3 is the first half of the stringed arrangement 2 and the second end 4 is the other half of the stringed arrangement 2.

[0053] In this embodiment first set of strings 6 of the first string device 5 and second set of strings 8 of the second string device 7 each comprises five strings 9. However, in another embodiment one or both of the two string devices 5, 7 could comprise number of strings 9 such as four, three or less strings or six, seven eight or more strings 9.

[0054] In this embodiment the first set of strings 6 and the second set of strings 8 are at one end (the wide end in this case) connected to the bridges 27 through tuning keys 22 enabling that the tension of each string 9 can be individually adjusted.

[0055] In this embodiment each string device 5, 7 is in the end opposite the tuning keys 22 provided with three sound adjusting means 23. In this embodiment these sound adjusting means 23 are potentiometers arranged to adjust bass, treble and volume of the respective string device 5, 7 but in another embodiment the string devices 5, 7 would comprise no sound adjusting means 23, the string devices 5, 7 would comprise another number of sound adjusting means 23, the functions of one or more of the sound adjusting means 23 could be different and/or one or more of the sound adjusting means 23 could be located different on the stringed instrument 1, for example in the same end as the tuning keys, or on the body.

[0056] FIG. 2 illustrates an elongated stringed arrangement 2 provided with free space 28 between the two string devices 5, 7, as seen from the front.

[0057] In this embodiment the first string device 5 and the second string device 7 are separated by a gapi.e. the free space 28enabling the musician to press or tap strings with the thumb of the hand grasping the neck.

[0058] FIG. 3 illustrates a stringed arrangement 2 mounted on a body 12, as seen from the front.

[0059] In the embodiment the body 12 is shaped as a simple rectangle. However in another embodiment the body 12 could be formed as a square, a triangle or with a more complex shape e.g. the standard shape of a guitar body or any other kind of shape.

[0060] In this embodiment the body 12 comprises a first strap fastening means 14 arranged at the first body end 15i.e. the end opposite the stringed arrangement 2and a second strap fastening means 16 arranged at a second body end 17 of the elongated body 12i.e. the end at the stringed arrangement 2.

[0061] In this embodiment the two strap fastening means 14, 16 are used for connecting a strap 24 to the body 12, enabling a musician to carry the electrically amplified stringed instrument 1 by resting the strap 24 on the shoulder of the musician, while playing the instrument.

[0062] In this embodiment the body 12 is substantially positioned at one end of the elongated stringed arrangement 2 enabling the musician to play the electrically amplified stringed instrument 1 like a traditional bass. However, in another embodiment the elongated stringed arrangement 2 could be arranged in the middle of the body 12 or at a different location of the body 12 enabling a different playing position.

[0063] In this embodiment the body 12 and the boards 26 of the stringed devices 5, 7 are substantially entirely made from wood. However, in another embodiment the body 12 and/or the boards 26 could instead or also be formed by a plastic material, a composite material, metal or other material suited for forming components of a stringed instrument 1 or any combination thereof.

[0064] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross section through the middle of a stringed instrument 1, as seen from the bottom.

[0065] In this embodiment the body 12 and elongated stringed arrangement 2 are connected by means of a pivotal joint 13 enabling that the stringed arrangement 2 may be rotated at least 180 back and forth in relation to the body 12while the body 12 can remain stationary in relation to the user of the stringed instrument 1.

[0066] In this embodiment the pivotal joint 13 is formed by mutually engaging metal parts but in another embodiment the pivotal joint 13 could comprise a ball bearing, a journal bearing or other enabling the rotation of the stringed arrangement 2.

[0067] In this embodiment the electrical signals generated by the amplifying means 10, 11 are transmitted to an output plug 25 located on the stationary body 12. This means that the electrical signals should preferably be transmitted through the pivotal joint 13. Thus, in this embodiment the pivotal joint 13 comprises conducting means 18 arranged to conduct the electrical signals by means of a slip ring arrangement but in another embodiment of the invention the signals could be conducted by means of other means known in the art capable of conducting electrical signals through a rotating joint. Or in another embodiment one or more output plugs 25 could be arranged directly on the stringed arrangement 2, the electrical signals could be conducted from the stringed arrangement 2 to the body 12 by means of cables or the electrical signals could be wirelessly transmitted to a receiver integrated with the body 12 or to a receiver external to the stringed instrument 1.

[0068] In this embodiment the stringed instrument 1 is provided with fixation means 20 enabling that the stringed arrangement 2 is maintained in the correct position in relation to the body 12 when the stringed arrangement 2 is not rotated. In this embodiment the fixation means 20 comprise a ball plunger 21 arranged in the body 12 so that the ball of the ball plunger 21 engages a corresponding depression in the backside of the stringed arrangement 2 when the stringed arrangement 2 is correctly orientated in relation to the body 12.

[0069] However, in another embodiment the fixation means 20 could be formed in a number of other ways, such as a plug arranged to engage corresponding holes, dedicated fittings, a bolt, screws or any other way enabling that the stringed arrangement 2 may be rotatably fixed in relation the body either in predefined positions or stepless.

[0070] FIG. 5 illustrates a cross section through the body 12 and the stringed arrangement 12, as seen from the side.

[0071] In this embodiment the cross section of all the strings 9 of the first set of strings 6 increases towards the second string device 7 and the cross section of all the strings 9 of the second set of strings 8 increases towards the first string device 5. However, in another embodiment the cross sectional size of only some of the strings 9 of the first set of strings 6 and/or only some of the strings 9 of the second string device 7 increases towards the other string device 5, 7, respectively.

[0072] The invention has been exemplified above with reference to specific examples of stringed instrument 1, stringed arrangements 2, string devices 5, 7, amplifying means 10, 11 and other. However, it should be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular examples described above but may be designed and altered in a multitude of varieties within the scope of the invention as specified in the claims.