Nuts and bridges for reducing longitudinal waves in stringed instruments

Abstract

A saddle for a stringed instrument includes a string contacting surface comprising a first material, a saddle end surface comprising the first material generally opposite the string contacting surface, and two opposing side surfaces comprising a vibration absorbing material different from the first material.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] Various embodiments of the present disclosure generally relate to the configuration and construction of components for stringed musical instruments. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to saddles and bridges for reducing longitudinal waves in stringed musical instruments. Background Art

[0002] Stringed instruments such as guitars (sometimes referred to as stringed instruments) are typically constructed from a solid or hollow resonant body, typically made from one or more types of wood or similar materials. Attached to the main body of the instrument is an elongated extension, often called a neck, to which are attached a plurality of strings anchored by adjustable pegs for controlling string tension. The distal ends of the strings are attached to a bridge, where the string vibrations are transferred to the body of the instrument to amplify the string vibrations and make them audible.

[0003] The vibrating length of the string is determined by two fixed contact points perpendicular to the string's length: one near an adjustable anchor peg and one on the bridge. The string is stretched taut at these two contact points. The contact point on the bridge is usually a saddle made of a hard material for the string to rest on. The saddle is often made of natural bone, ivory, or a dense synthetic material and fits tightly into an elongated hole formed in the guitar's hardwood bridge. The musician will pluck or pluck the strings to move them, thereby producing sound. The pitch of the played note is determined by stopping the string against the neck, changing the length of the string's sound or vibration, and the corresponding frequency.

[0004] When the strings of an instrument like a guitar vibrate, the string's motion can be described as the sum of two wave forms, referred to by those skilled in the art as transverse wave motion and longitudinal wave motion. Transverse wave motion is characterized by a motion that causes the string to vibrate in a direction perpendicular to or transverse to the string's axis when the string is at rest. Longitudinal wave motion propagates parallel to the string's axis. On a guitar or other stringed instrument, transverse waves are the motions that primarily result in audible tones. The frequency of transverse string motion can be intentionally adjusted by varying the tension of the string and the effective sounding length. Longitudinal waves typically propagate at higher speeds and frequencies than transverse waves and are more difficult to adjust because their pitch or frequency cannot be significantly altered by tension. Longitudinal waves can be adjusted by changing the composition of the string itself to alter the density or elasticity of the material or by changing the overall length of the string.

[0005] The challenge to overcome when constructing a stringed instrument is to balance lateral and longitudinal motion via the length, size, weight, stiffness, tension, and pitch of the strings to prevent the two vibrating motions from interfering with each other and damaging the harmony of the desired note.

[0006] When musical instruments are equipped with electromechanical pickup sensors, longitudinal wave motion is particularly pronounced and detrimental to the instrument's musical function. Piezoelectric crystals are commonly used to amplify such stringed instruments. These crystals are very sensitive to vibration and respond to the vibratory motion of the saddle, which is mounted in the bridge. When installed in the bridge of a stringed instrument, electromechanical pickup systems are particularly sensitive to the string's longitudinal wave motion, which can lead to unwanted resonant frequencies and harmonic disruption of musical frequencies caused by shear wave motion.

[0007] Existing techniques for balancing longitudinal and transverse waves include varying the composition and / or length of the string. Harold Conklin (U.S. Pat. No. 3,523,480A) teaches a method in which the effective vibrating length of a piano string is fixed so that the transverse and longitudinal wave motions have frequencies that are related to each other in a predetermined, musically pleasing harmonic relationship.

[0008] Another prior art method is taught by James Ellis (U.S. Pat. No. 5,874,685A) in which the longitudinal and transverse wave forms are determined by changing the string composition or the articulation points of the piano hammers or harpsichord so that the resonant frequency of the longitudinal wave is interfered with and canceled by the transverse wave.

[0009] However, these prior art techniques cannot be used with guitars. Unlike a piano, which uses one or more individual strings to play each note, a guitar is expected to play many notes on each string by varying the length of the string portion that vibrates laterally as the player presses the string against the frets, thereby constantly changing the relationship between longitudinal and transverse string vibrations and preventing the use of previously taught methods. Therefore, there is a need in the art for techniques to reduce the audible effects of longitudinal wave patterns in guitars and other fretted string instruments. Summary of the Invention

[0010] The present disclosure relates generally to stringed instruments and, more particularly, to components of guitars.

[0011] One embodiment provides a saddle for a stringed musical instrument, the saddle comprising: a string contacting surface comprising a first material; a saddle end surface comprising the first material generally opposite the string contacting surface; and two opposing side surfaces comprising a vibration absorbing material different from the first material.

[0012] Another embodiment provides a guitar comprising: a neck; a body; a top; a bridge secured to the top, the bridge including a slot having a slot end surface and two side walls; and a saddle at least partially disposed within the slot, the saddle having a string contacting surface, a saddle end surface generally opposite the string contacting surface, and two opposing side surfaces comprising vibration absorbing material.

[0013] Another embodiment provides a bridge comprising a slot, the slot comprising: a slot end surface; and two side walls, wherein the two side walls comprise a vibration absorbing material, and wherein a saddle is at least partially disposed within the slot, the saddle having a string contacting surface, a saddle end surface generally opposite the string contacting surface, and two opposing side surfaces in contact with the two side walls. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0014] In order to enable a detailed understanding of the above-enumerated features of the present disclosure, a more particular description of the above detailed summary of the disclosure may be obtained by reference to various embodiments, some of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. However, it should be noted that the drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the present disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of the scope of the present disclosure, as the present disclosure may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

[0015] Figures 1A to 1G are various views of a prior art saddle.

[0016] Figures 2A to 2G are various views of a saddle according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0017] Figure 3A Illustrated is a bridge in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented.

[0018] Figure 3B A saddle disposed within a bridge according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0019] Figures 4A to 4G are various views of a saddle according to an alternative embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0020] Figure 5A A bridge is illustrated in association with a pickup system in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented.

[0021] Figure 5B A saddle is illustrated disposed within a bridge associated with a pickup system according to various embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 6 A saddle disposed within a bridge according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0023] Figure 7A A bridge according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0024] Figure 7B A saddle disposed within a bridge according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0025] Figure 8 A guitar is illustrated in which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0026] The present disclosure relates to a saddle and bridge for reducing longitudinal waves in a stringed instrument.

[0027] Various embodiments of the present disclosure include an improved saddle that, when inserted into a bridge—the area above which the strings rest on a stringed instrument—suppresses longitudinal waves to prevent them from interfering with desired shear wave motion. Various alternative embodiments of the present disclosure include an improved bridge into which the saddle is inserted and that suppresses longitudinal waves.

[0028] Figures 1A to 1G Various views of a prior art saddle 100 for a stringed instrument are depicted. Figure 1A This is a bottom view. Figure 1B is an isometric view. Figure 1C It is a side view. Figure 1D This is the other side view. Figure 1E This is the other side view. Figure 1F is the other side view, and Figure 1G 100 is a top view of the lower saddle 100.

[0029] As shown, the saddle 100 includes a string contact surface 102 against which the strings typically rest. The saddle 100 also includes a saddle end surface 104 that typically contacts the bottom of the slot on the bridge into which the saddle 100 is inserted. The saddle 100 also includes two opposing side surfaces 106 and 108 that typically contact the side walls of the slot on the bridge into which the saddle 100 is inserted. The saddle 100 also includes two additional side surfaces 152 and 154 that typically contact additional side walls of the slot of the bridge into which the saddle 100 is inserted.

[0030] The saddle 100 is typically made of a hard material, such as natural bone, ivory, or a dense synthetic material, and fits tightly into the groove of the bridge. The vibrations of the strings of a stringed instrument are typically transmitted through the bridge via the saddle 100 to the instrument's body, amplifying the string vibrations and making them audible. However, with conventional saddles 100, undesirable longitudinal waves are transmitted to the instrument's body along with desired shear waves.

[0031] Figures 2A to 2G Various views of a saddle 200 for reducing longitudinal waves in a stringed instrument are illustrated, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 2A For bottom view, Figure 2B For isometric view, Figure 2C is a side view, Figure 2D For the other side view, Figure 2E For the other side view, Figure 2F is the other side view, and Figure 2G It is a top view of the lower saddle 200.

[0032] Similar to the saddle 100 of FIG. 1 , the saddle 200 includes a string contact surface 202 against which the strings typically rest. The saddle 200 also includes a saddle end surface 204 that typically contacts the bottom of the slot in the bridge into which the saddle 200 is inserted. The saddle 200 also includes two opposing side surfaces 206 and 208 that typically contact the side walls of the slot in the bridge into which the saddle 200 is inserted. The saddle 200 also includes two additional side surfaces 252 and 254 that typically contact additional side walls of the slot in the bridge into which the saddle 200 is inserted. The saddle 200 serves as an end stop for the effective sounding length of the strings of a stringed instrument.

[0033] Like saddle 100, saddle 200 is typically made of a hard, dense material such as natural bone, ivory, or a dense synthetic material. However, unlike saddle 100, saddle 200 has been modified to include vibration-absorbing material in portions 210, 220, 230, and 240 of side surfaces 206, 208, 252, and 254 thereof. As used herein, the vibration-absorbing material may include rubber, silicone, foam, plastic, or another type of vibration-absorbing material. More typically, the vibration-absorbing material has a lower density than the material from which the remainder of saddle 200 is made.

[0034] Vibration-absorbing material can be added to the lower saddle 200 in a variety of ways. In some embodiments, portions 210, 220, 230, and 240 of the respective side surfaces 206, 208, 252, and 254 have been cut or milled away where they will contact the sidewalls of the lower saddle groove and filled or overmolded with the vibration-absorbing material. The outer surface of the vibration-absorbing material in portions 210, 220, 230, and 240 is substantially flush with the outer surface of the hard material of the remaining portions of the side surfaces 206, 208, 252, and 254 of the lower saddle 200. In alternative embodiments, the vibration-absorbing material can be applied to portions 210, 220, 230, and 240 without cutting or milling away any of the original hard material of the lower saddle 200. In some embodiments, the vibration absorbing material extends continuously around the perimeter of the lower saddle 200 to cover portion 206 , portion 208 , portion 252 , and portion 254 .

[0035] When saddle 200 is inserted into a slot in a bridge of a stringed instrument, the vibration absorbing material in portion 220 serves to dampen longitudinal waves generated by the strings while allowing transverse waves to be transmitted to the body of the stringed instrument via saddle end surface 204, which does not include vibration absorbing material.

[0036] Figure 3A A bridge 300 of a stringed instrument is depicted. The bridge 300 is typically made of hardwood, although the bridge 300 may alternatively be made of other materials that vibrate in resonance with the strings, such as metal or plastic.

[0037] The bridge 300 has a groove 310 designed for the saddle. The saddle typically fits snugly into the groove 310, allowing vibrations from the strings to be transferred from the saddle to the bridge 300. The bridge 300 is typically attached to a stringed instrument, and the vibrations are transferred from the bridge 300 to the body of the stringed instrument. In some embodiments, as described below with respect to Figure 5A and Figure 5B As described, the bridge 300 may be equipped with pickups.

[0038] Figure 3B The figure shows a saddle 200 provided in a bridge 300 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, the saddle 200 may be the saddle 200 of FIG. 2 , and the bridge 300 may be Figure 3A The bridge is 300.

[0039] The saddle 200 fits tightly into the groove 310 of the bridge 300 . Figure 2A The bottom surface of the saddle 200 or saddle end surface 204 rests on the bottom surface of the groove 310 and does not include vibration absorbing material, thereby maintaining direct contact between the dense saddle material and the hard surface of the bridge. Figure 2B 、 Figure 2C 、 Figure 2D 、 Figure 2E and Figure 2F The portions 210, 220, 230, and 240 of the lower saddle 200 are in contact with the sidewalls of the groove 310. In some embodiments, the lower saddle 200 fits within the groove 310 such that Figure 2A 、 Figure 2B 、 Figure 2E and Figure 2F Portions 210, 220, 230, and 240 extend at least a small amount over the top edge of slot 310. Thus, the vibration absorbing material covers all portions of the side surfaces of lower saddle 200 that are in contact with the side walls of slot 310. Figure 2C The string contact surface 202 of the saddle 200 , on which the strings of a stringed instrument typically rest, protrudes upward from the groove 310 .

[0040] With the saddle 200 and bridge 300 coupled in this manner, the lateral movement of the strings is easily transmitted unimpeded to the top of the stringed instrument via the bottom surface of the groove 310. However, the vibration-absorbing material on the side surfaces of the saddle 200 serves to absorb and suppress unwanted longitudinal wave motion and other undesirable high-frequency vibrations that could interfere with the acoustic sound of the instrument. Thus, the use of the saddle 200 improves the sound of the stringed instrument in which the saddle is positioned.

[0041] In certain embodiments, the bridge 300 is equipped with a transducer, such as a piezoelectric transducer, on the bottom surface of the slot 310. Thus, Figure 2A The saddle end surface 204 of the saddle 200 can rest against the top of the transducer. In these embodiments, the vibration absorbing material on the side surfaces of the saddle 200 serves to suppress undesirable high frequency vibrations such as longitudinal wave motion while allowing desired vibrations such as lateral movement of the string to pass through the Figure 2A The lower saddle end surface 204 is transferred to the transducer.

[0042] Figures 4A to 4G Various views of another saddle 400 for reducing longitudinal waves in a stringed instrument are illustrated, according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. Figure 4A For bottom view, Figure 4B For isometric view, Figure 4C is a side view, Figure 4D For the other side view, Figure 4E For the other side view, Figure 4F is the other side view, and Figure 4G It is a top view of the lower saddle 400.

[0043] Similar to Figures 2A to 2F Referring to the saddle 200 in FIG. 1 , the saddle 400 includes a string contact surface 402 against which the strings typically rest. The saddle 400 also includes a saddle end surface 404 that typically contacts the bottom of the slot in the bridge into which the saddle 400 is inserted. The saddle 400 also includes two opposing side surfaces 406 and 408 that typically contact the side walls of the slot in the bridge into which the saddle 400 is inserted. The saddle 400 also includes two additional side surfaces 452 and 454 that typically contact additional side walls of the slot in the bridge into which the saddle 400 is inserted.

[0044] Like saddle 200, saddle 400 is typically made of a hard, dense material. It has been modified to include vibration-absorbing material in portions 410, 420, 430, and 440 of its side surfaces 406, 408, 452, and 454. However, unlike saddle 200, portion 420 of saddle 400 does not extend across the entire length of side surface 408. Instead, portion 420 is interrupted by sections of the original hard material of side surface 408 that have not been modified to include vibration-absorbing material. Specifically, portion 420 is interrupted by three sections of side surface 408 that do not include vibration-absorbing material. This configuration of side surface 408 is designed to accommodate a pickup. For example, side surface 408 may face the pegs that attach the strings to a bridge, and the bridge may be equipped with an electromechanical pickup having three sensors, such as piezoelectric crystals. The sensor may contact a section of the side surface 408 that does not include vibration absorbing material so that lateral movement of the string is transmitted unimpeded to the sensor, as described below with respect to Figure 5A and Figure 5B Described in more detail.

[0045] Figure 5A A bridge 500 of a stringed instrument is depicted. Figure 3A and Figure 3B Like the bridge 300 of the guitar, the bridge 500 is typically made of hardwood, although the bridge 500 may alternatively be made of other materials such as metal or plastic that resonate with the strings or allow string vibrations to be transferred through the body of the guitar.

[0046] The bridge 500 has a slot 510 designed for the saddle. The bridge 500 is typically attached to a stringed instrument, and vibrations are transmitted from the bridge 500 to the instrument's body. The bridge 500 also includes an electromechanical pickup assembly having three sensors 520. Sensors 520 can be transducers, such as piezoelectric transducers. For example, sensors 520 can be the portion of the pickup assembly that receives vibrations and converts them into electrical signals to amplify or record the sound produced by the strings. In some embodiments, vibration-absorbing material is included behind the sensors 520 in the bridge 500.

[0047] Figure 5B The saddle 400 provided in the bridge 500 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated. For example, the saddle 400 may be the saddle 400 of FIG. 4 , and the bridge 500 may be Figure 5A The bridge is 500.

[0048] The saddle 400 fits tightly into the groove 510 of the bridge 500 . Figure 4DThe bottom surface of the saddle 400 or saddle end surface 404 rests on the bottom surface of the groove 510 and does not include vibration absorbing material, thereby maintaining direct contact between the dense saddle material and the hard surface of the bridge. Figure 4B 、 Figure 4C 、 Figure 4D 、 Figure 4E and Figure 4F The portions 410, 420, 430, and 440 of the lower saddle 400 are in contact with the sidewalls of the groove 510. In some embodiments, the lower saddle 400 fits within the groove 510 such that Figure 4B 、 Figure 4C 、 Figure 4D 、 Figure 4E and Figure 4F Portions 410, 420, 430, and 440 extend at least a small amount over the top edge of slot 510. Thus, the vibration absorbing material covers all portions of the side surfaces of lower saddle 400 that are in contact with the side walls of slot 510.

[0049] The saddle is 400 Figure 4B The side surface 408 of the saddle 400 is positioned so that the section that does not include the vibration absorbing material, the section that interrupts the portion 420, is in contact with the sensor 520. Thus, the hard surface of the saddle 400 is positioned in contact with the sensor 520 to transmit shear waves from the strings to the sensor 520, while the remaining side surface of the saddle 400 that contacts the sidewalls of the slot 510 is covered with the vibration absorbing material to suppress longitudinal waves.

[0050] Figure 4C The string contact surface 402 of the saddle 400 , on which the strings of a stringed instrument typically rest, protrudes upward from the slot 410 .

[0051] With the saddle 200 and the bridge 300 coupled in this manner, the lateral movement of the strings is easily transmitted unimpeded to the top of the stringed instrument via the bottom surface of the groove 310, and is transmitted to the sensor 520 via the section of the side surface 408 that does not include the vibration absorbing material. However, Figure 4B 、 Figure 4C 、 Figure 4D 、 Figure 4E and Figure 4F The vibration absorbing material of portions 410, 420, 430, and 440 serves to absorb and dampen undesirable longitudinal wave motions that may interfere with the acoustic sound of the instrument and the sound signal when the instrument is used with an electromechanical pickup system including sensor 520. Thus, use of saddle 400, whether unplugged or with a pickup, improves the sound of the stringed instrument in which it is positioned.

[0052] Figure 6The figure shows a saddle 650 disposed in a groove of a bridge 600 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. The saddle 650 may represent Figures 2A to 2F The lower saddle 200 or Figures 4A to 4F The saddle 400. The bridge 600 can represent Figures 3A to 3B The bridge 300 or Figures 5A to 5B The bridge in 500.

[0053] The saddle 600 has a side surface 608 that includes a portion 610 containing vibration-absorbing material. As shown, portion 610 extends a small amount above the surface of the bridge 600, thereby ensuring that no portion of the saddle 650—any portion not covered by the vibration-absorbing material—contacts the side walls of the slot of the bridge 600 into which the saddle 650 is inserted.

[0054] Figure 7A A bridge 700 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure is illustrated.

[0055] The bridge 700 is generally made of a hard material and includes a slot 710. The bridge 700 is similar to Figures 3A to 3B The bridge 300 and Figures 5A to 5B 710 . However, on bridge 700 , the sidewalls 720 of slot 710 are covered with vibration-absorbing material. For example, the hard material on the sidewalls 720 of slot 710 may have been cut or milled and filled or overmolded with the vibration-absorbing material. When the saddle is snugly inserted into slot 710 of bridge 700 , the vibration-absorbing material on the sidewalls 720 of slot 710 serves to dampen longitudinal waves generated by the strings resting on the saddle, while still allowing transverse waves to be transmitted to the instrument's body via the bottom surface of slot 710. In alternative embodiments, vibration-absorbing material may be added to the sidewalls 720 without cutting or milling any portion of the sidewalls 720. In these embodiments, a smaller saddle may be inserted into slot 710.

[0056] Furthermore, in some embodiments, the bridge 700 includes a pickup system having sensors such as piezoelectric transducers.Thus, the vibration absorbing material may only cover portions of the sidewalls 710 that do not include the sensors.

[0057] Figure 7B The figure shows a saddle 750 disposed within the bridge 700 according to various embodiments of the present disclosure. For example, the saddle 750 may represent Figures 1A to 1F The prior art saddle 100 and saddle 700 may be Figure 7A The saddle is 700.

[0058] The saddle 750 fits tightly into the groove 710 of the bridge 700. The side surface of the saddle 700 contacts the vibration absorbing material on the side wall 720 of the groove 710.

[0059] With the saddle 750 and bridge 700 coupled in this manner, the lateral movement of the strings is readily transmitted unimpeded to the top of the stringed instrument (and, in some embodiments, to the sensors of the pickup system) via the bottom surface of the slot 710. However, the vibration-absorbing material of the sidewalls 720 serves to absorb and dampen unwanted longitudinal wave motion, which could interfere with the acoustic sound of the instrument and the acoustic signal when the instrument is coupled with an electromechanical pickup system. Thus, the use of the bridge 700, whether unplugged or with a pickup, improves the sound of the stringed instrument in which it is mounted.

[0060] Figure 8 A guitar 800 is depicted with which embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented.

[0061] exist Figure 8 In the example shown, the guitar is an acoustic guitar, where the top of the guitar serves as a soundboard, but the elements of the present disclosure are equally useful when applied to an electric guitar or any other stringed instrument. The guitar includes a body 810, a neck 820, and a headstock 830. The strings, including the strings 825, extend from the headstock, where they are tightened to a preferred tension by keys 840, to a bridge 850 (e.g., Figures 3A to 3B The bridge 300, Figures 5A to 5B The bridge 500 or 7A to 7B The strings are anchored to the bridge 700 by chord pins 855, one for each string. The nut 860 is located at the end of the fingerboard 865 adjacent to the headstock and controls the string spacing, the distance from the edge of the fingerboard, and the height of the strings above the first fret 870 on the fingerboard 865. The strings are slightly spread out in their length and extend beyond the nut 875, which is housed in the bridge 850. The nut 875 may be Figures 1A to 1F The saddle of 100, Figures 2A to 2F The lower saddle 200, or Figures 4A to 4F The portion of the string that vibrates to produce sound when plucked is the portion that extends between the nut 860 and the nut 875. When the string is pressed behind the fret, the string stops or effectively shortens.

[0062] It should be noted that while certain embodiments are described with respect to guitars, the technology provided herein may also be used with other types of stringed instruments. While the foregoing is directed to various embodiments of the present disclosure, other and further embodiments of the disclosure may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof, and the scope of the disclosure is determined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A saddle for a stringed instrument, the saddle comprising: a string-contacting surface comprising a first material; a lower saddle end surface, the lower saddle end surface generally opposite the string contacting surface and comprising the first material; as well as two opposing side surfaces, the two opposing side surfaces comprising a vibration absorbing material different from the first material, wherein: The vibration absorbing material is used to suppress longitudinal waves generated by the strings of the stringed instrument; The vibration absorbing material does not contact the string; and The first material is configured to allow transverse waves generated by the string to be transmitted to a body of the stringed instrument via the string contact surface and the saddle end surface.

2. The saddle according to claim 1, wherein: A first side surface of the two opposite side surfaces comprises: at least one first section, the first section comprising the first material; and A plurality of second sections, the second sections comprising the vibration absorbing material.

3. The saddle according to claim 2, wherein: Two second segments of the plurality of second segments are separated by the first segment.

4. The saddle according to claim 2, wherein: The first side surface is a peg side of the saddle.

5. The saddle according to claim 1, wherein: The vibration absorbing material is disposed within a recess in the first material on at least one of the two opposing side surfaces.

6. The saddle according to claim 5, wherein: An outer surface of the vibration absorbing material is substantially flush with an outer surface of the first material on the at least one side surface.

7. The saddle according to claim 1, wherein: The vibration absorbing material is selected from the following list: rubber, silicone or plastic.

8. The saddle according to claim 1, wherein: The vibration absorbing material is a foam material.

9. The saddle according to claim 1, wherein: The vibration absorbing material has a lower density than the first material.

10. The saddle of claim 1, further comprising two additional opposing side surfaces comprising the vibration absorbing material that are generally perpendicular to the two opposing side surfaces.

11. The saddle according to claim 10, wherein: The vibration absorbing material extends continuously around the two opposing side surfaces and the two other opposing side surfaces.

12. A guitar, comprising: Neck; body of the instrument; top; a bridge secured to the top, the bridge including a slot having a slot end surface and two side walls; as well as a saddle disposed at least partially within the slot, the saddle having: a string contacting surface comprising a first material; a lower saddle end surface generally opposite the string contacting surface and comprising the first material; and two opposing side surfaces comprising vibration absorbing material, wherein: The vibration absorbing material is used to suppress longitudinal waves generated by the strings of the guitar; The vibration absorbing material does not contact the string; and The first material is configured to allow transverse waves generated by the strings to be transferred to the body via the string contact surface and the saddle end surface.

13. The guitar of claim 12, further comprising at least a first transducer located on a side wall of the slot, the first transducer having a transducer contact surface that contacts a section of one of the two opposing side surfaces of the saddle, wherein The section of the side surface comprises a material different from the vibration absorbing material.

14. The guitar according to claim 12, wherein A first side surface of the two opposite side surfaces comprises: at least one first section, the first section comprising the first material; and A plurality of second sections, the second sections comprising the vibration absorbing material.

15. The guitar according to claim 14, wherein Two second segments of the plurality of second segments are separated by the first segment.

16. The guitar of claim 14, wherein: The first side surface is a peg side of the saddle.

17. The guitar of claim 12, wherein: The vibration absorbing material is disposed within a recess in the first material on at least one of the two opposing side surfaces.

18. The guitar of claim 17, wherein An outer surface of the vibration absorbing material is substantially flush with an outer surface of the first material on the at least one side surface.

19. The guitar of claim 12, wherein: The vibration absorbing material is selected from the following list: rubber, silicone or plastic.

20. The guitar of claim 12, wherein: The vibration absorbing material is a foam material.

21. The guitar of claim 12, wherein The vibration absorbing material has a lower density than the first material.

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