WO1990004248A1

WO1990004248A1 - A guitar

Info

Publication number: WO1990004248A1
Application number: PCT/AU1989/000449
Authority: WO
Inventors: Stuart Richard Box
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1988-10-14
Filing date: 1989-10-12
Publication date: 1990-04-19
Anticipated expiration: 1991-04-14
Also published as: JPH03502141A

Abstract

A guitar comprising a body (5), a neck (7) and two or more sets of strings (X). The neck has a particular configuration to allow the two sets of strings to be played simultaneously and may incorporate a teardrop shape in cross-section.

Description

TITLE: A GUITAR

The present invention relates to a guitar which is adapted to be played in accordance with a wide range of playing techniques.

The most commonly used form of electric or acoustic guitar has six strings which can be strummed or plucked to cover a range of approximately four octaves. Usually, the notes are sounded by pressing selected strings against frets spaced at intervals along the neck of the guitar with one hand and strumming or plucking the strings with the other hand.

Another form of guitar, generally used by experienced players only, has twelve strings divided into six pairs, with the same strings in each pair, although typically the strings in each pair are tuned an octave apart. The strings in each pair are spaced closely together so that, in use, when selecting a note, the player presses both strings of a pair against the appropriate fret. Thus, the guitar is substantially equivalent to the six string guitar described in the preceding paragraph. In effect, the use of pairs of strings is to enhance the quality of the notes produced by the guitar.

A third form of electric guitar has two necks with a set of strings on each neck. Usually, one neck has six strings and the other neck has twelve strings. Essentially, the guitar is two separate guitars, and, in use, a player makes a selection of the set of strings to be played depending on the requirements of the piece of music.

Basically, the known guitars described above are suited only to be played in accordance with the standard technique in which one hand locates the strings against the frets and the other hand strums or plucks the strings. This is a significant disadvantage since, as a consequence, the known guitars are not adapted to be played in accordance with other techniques which are capable of extending the musical range that can be produced by the guitars.

An object of the present invention is to alleviate the disadvantage described in the preceding paragraph.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided a guitar comprising: a) a body; b) a neck adapted to accommodate twelve or more strings in planar array; and c) twelve or more strings organized into one or more discrete sets.

Preferably the strings are organized into two or more discrete sets with a first set positioned to extend above a first region of the neck and a second or consecutive set positioned to extend above a second or consecutive region of the neck.

The above described arrangement of strings is such that, in use, the first set of strings can be played by hammering or tapping the strings against the frets with one hand and the consecutive set of strings can be played simultaneously by hammering or tapping the strings against the frets with the other hand.

By playing a guitar by the technique of hammering or tapping strings against the frets with each hand working on a separate set of strings, it is possible to produce a wider range of notes than can be produced on a conventional guitar. For example, it is possible for the guitar to produce simultaneous rhythm and lead parts, lead guitar and bass runs, or chords or bass lines.

It is preferred that the two sets of strings are identical. More preferably still the two sets of strings are tuned identically.

Preferably the regions of the neck are equal fractions of the width of said neck.

Preferably the neck has a tear drop shape in cross section.

Preferably the neck has a plurality of frets.

More preferably the neck has 24 frets.

The number of strings in each set of strings may be se l ected a s requi red . In a part i cu l ar l y pref erred arrangement, each set of strings comprises standard tuning whereby the strings E, A, D, G, B and Eare utilized. With such an arrangement, it is preferred that the order of the first set of strings is the same as the order of the second set of strings so that, effectively, the guitar comprises two identical sets of strings arranged side by side along the neck of the guitar.

Preferably the guitar incorporates electronic pick-ups as a means of sound generation.

It is preferred that the guitar comprises a tremelo bridge system. In a particularly preferred arrangement the tremelo bridge system is selectively operable to simultaneously vary the tension of both sets of strings or to vary the tension of one or the other of the sets of strings.

The invention is further described with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a top plan view of a first embodiment of a guitar formed in accordance with the invention; ι Figure 2 is a section along the line A' -A in figure 1, showing the preferred teardrop cross section; where the thick portion of the teardrop is on the lower side of the neck.

Figure 3 is a section of the neck of a second embodiment of a guitar formed in accordance with the invention; and

Figure 4 is a top plan view of a second embodiment of a guitar formed in accordance with the invention.

The first embodiment of a guitar in accordance with the invention shown in figure 1 has twelve strings (identified by the letter X) arranged in two sets of six strings with the six strings in one set the same as the six strings in the other set.

The first set of strings comprises the top six strings, i.e. the strings X which overlie the region 4 of the neck above the centre line 3, and the second set of strings comprises the bottom six strings, i.e. the strings X which overlie the region 6 below the centre line 3.

The guitar is an electric guitar and thus includes suitable components to operate in this regard. Such components are conventional and therefore are not described in detail herein.

The guitar comprises a body 5 and neck 7 extending therefrom. The surface of the neck shown in figure 1 comprises a fret board having a plurality of fret wires 9 positioned at spaced intervals along the length thereof.

The strings X are connected at one end to adjustable turn-keys 11 and at the other end to a tremelo bridge system 15.

The construction and arrangement of the turn-keys 11 are conventional and therefore are not described in detail herein.

The tremelo bridge system 15 comprises a part 17 with a control arm 19 to vary the tension of the first set of strings X and a part 21 with a control arm 23 to vary the tension of the second set of strings X. The tremelo bridge system 15 further comprises a member (not shown) to selectively couple the two parts 17, 21 together so that manipulation of one or other control arm 19, 23 simultaneously operates both parts 17, 21.

Figures 2 and 3 comprise a transverse section of different constructions of the neck 7 of the guitar. In figure 2 the neck 7 essentially comprises a teardrop shaped construction, whereas figure 3 shows a conventional symmetrical shape construction. Figure 4 shows an alternative configuration where the turn keys are located behind the bridge and the strings fixed at the top end of the neck.

In use, either the first or the second sets of strings may be played in accordance with the conventional technique comprising pressing the strings X against the fret wires 9 with one hand and strumming or plucking the strings X with the other hand.

In the conventional mode of operation, the strings are gripped from behind the neck with the fingers wrapped around and onto the strings. The use of a greater number of strings has required the careful adaption of the neck to facilitate their action and to allow the fingers to reach all the strings. The teardrop shape as per figure 2 has been specifically adapted to allow the guitar to be used in a conventional technique.

The guitar may also be played in accordance with an alternative technique comprising hammering or tapping the first set of strings with one hand and simultaneously hammering or tapping the second set of strings with the other hand. Such a technique is capable of producing a wider range of notes than is possible with a conventional guitar. For example, the guitar may be played to produce simultaneous rhythm and lead parts, lead guitar and base runs, or chords and base lines or up to twelve notes simultaneously.

By arranging the two sets of strings side by side, the player can conveniently and easily move his hands along the neck 7 of the guitar to produce the notes. In addition, the close proximity of the two sets of string enables the player to conveniently see both hands.

It is in this mode of use that the full potential of this unique instrument becomes apparent with the state of tune and selection of string sets allowing an immense range of performance in addition to the conventional operation, all at the fingertips of the operator.

Many modifications may be made to the preferred embodiments described above without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention.

For example,, whilst the preferred embodiment is described as comprising two sets of six strings with the strings of the two sets identical, it can readily be appreciated that any suitable number and selection of strings may be used. In addition, whilst the preferred embodiment comprises an electric guitar, it can be readily appreciated that the guitar of the invention is not so limited and may be either an electric or acoustic guitar.

Claims

CLAIMS :

1 . A guitar comprising: a ) a body ( 5 ) ; b) a neck (7) adapted to accommodate twelve or more strings in planar array and c) twelve or more strings (X) organized into one or more discrete sets.

2. A guitar according to claim 1 wherein the strings are organized into two or more discrete sets with a first set positioned to extend above a first region of the neck (4) and a second or consecutive set positioned to extend above a second or consecutive region (6) of the neck.

3. A guitar according to any one of claims 1 or 2 wherein the sets of strings are identical and/or tuned identically.

4. A guitar according to any one of claims 1 to 3 wherein the regions of the neck are equal fractions of the width of said neck.

5. A guitar according to any one of claims 1 to 4 wherein the neck has a teardrop shape in cross-section.

6. A guitar according to any one of -claims 1 to 5 wherein the teardrop shape defines the rear of the neck with the face of the neck having a substantially standard configuration.

7. A guitar according to any one of claims 1 to 6 wherein the teardrop shaped neck provides the neck with a variable thickness across it's width and facilitates access and operation of all the strings.

8. A guitar according to any one of claims 1 to 7 wherein the neck has a plurality of frets (9).

9. A guitar according to any one of claims 1 to 8 wherein the neck has 24 frets.

10. A guitar according to any one of claims 1 to 9 wherein each set of strings comprises the strings standardly tuned to E, A, D, G, B, E.

11. A guitar according to any of claims 1 to 10 wherein the sets of strings are positioned in the same order as each other.

12. A guitar according to any one of claims 1 to 11 wherein the guitar incorporates electronic pick-ups as a means of sound generation.

13. A guitar according to claim 12 wherein the guitar incorporates a tremelo bridge system (15).

14. A guitar according to claims 12 or 13 wherein the tremelo is selectively operable to either simultaneously vary the tension of all sets of strings or to selectively and individually vary the tension of one or other of the sets of strings.

15. A guitar according to any one of claims 1 to 14 as hereinbefore described with particular reference to any oe figures 1 to 7.

16. A guitar according to any one of claims 5 to 13 as hereinbefore described with particular reference to figures 1 and 2.