stringed instrument

Abstract

An electric guitar includes a string rear end fixing portion that fixes a rear end of a string, a bridge having a base unit that is slidably provided on a bridge plate in a string tension direction, and a string saddle that supports the string on the base unit. A string back surface passing hole is provided in the bridge plate, and the string back surface passing hole guides a string passing through a back surface to the string rear end fixing portion. A long hole is provided in the base unit, and the long hole serves as a string passing hole that passes the string through the string back surface passing hole. The base unit includes a tail piece that fixes the rear end of the string. The base unit is configured to fix the rear end of the string instead of the string rear end fixing portion.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] This invention relates to stringed musical instruments with a bridge. Background Technology

[0002] As stringed instruments with a bridge, such as electric guitars and electric basses, multiple strings have their ends fixed to tuning pegs on the neck. Furthermore, the ends of these strings are supported by a bridge fixed to the body of the instrument. Multiple strings are thus strung. Additionally, the string height and length are adjusted on the bridge according to the expansion, contraction, warping of the neck or body, or the nature of the strings.

[0003] There are various types of piano bridges. In recent years, in order to prevent each of the multiple strings from being affected by the other strings, a separate, independent bridge design for each string has been proposed.

[0004] For example, Figure 17 This is a top view showing the electric bass 101 with multiple bridges 105 disclosed in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2000-214856.

[0005] like Figure 17 As shown, the electric bass 101 is strung with four strings 190. One end of the string 190 is supported by a bridge 105 fixed to the body 104, and the other end of the string 190 is wound onto a tuning peg 121 mounted on the headstock 102.

[0006] The bridge 105 finely adjusts the string height and length, and supports and secures the strings 190°. (For example...) Figures 18-20 As shown, the bridge 105 includes a bridge body 105a and a saddle member 170. The bridge 105 is a standalone bridge independent of other bridges 105.

[0007] The bridge body 105a is fixed to the instrument body 104. A front-to-back adjustment screw 134 is inserted through the rear of the bridge body 105a. The user can adjust the string length by rotating the front-to-back adjustment screw 134, which causes the saddle member 170 housed in the bridge body 105a to slide back and forth.

[0008] Additionally, a hanging part 124 is provided at the lower part of the bridge body 105a. One end of the string 190 is fixed to the hanging part 124.

[0009] Two up-and-down adjusting screws 137 and 138 are screwed into the front of the saddle member 170. With the lower ends of the up-and-down adjusting screws 137 and 138 abutting against the upper surface of the bridge body 105a, the saddle member 170 is supported in the bridge body 105a by moving freely up and down.

[0010] When adjusting the string length, rotate the front-to-back adjusting screw 134 to adjust the front-to-back position of the saddle member 170 within the bridge 105. When adjusting the string height, rotate the up-to-down adjusting screws 137 and 138 to adjust the height position of the saddle member 170 within the bridge 105.

[0011] In the stringed instruments disclosed in U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2005 / 0150347 and U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2006 / 0162528, although the illustrations are omitted, the string saddle is configured to support the strings fixed to the inside of the instrument, and the string length and string height can be adjusted by screws, just like in Japanese Patent Application Publication No. 2000-214856.

[0012] If it is a single-string bridge as disclosed in these documents, then the string length and string height of each string can be adjusted without being affected by other strings. Summary of the Invention

[0013] The problem that the invention aims to solve

[0014] In recent years, electric guitars with seven or more strings have been used not only in addition to the usual six-string guitars. Similarly, electric basses with five or more strings have been used not only in addition to the usual four-string electric basses. In these cases, to expand the tonal range, strings of significantly different thicknesses are sometimes used simultaneously on the same stringed instrument.

[0015] In this case, for thicker bass strings, it is preferable to fix the rear end of the string directly to a portion of the instrument body via a so-called "back-through" method on the back side of the bridge. In this fixing method, after bending the stretched string inwards towards the instrument body, it is fixed with a fixing part embedded in the surface of the instrument body. Alternatively, the string is fixed to the back side of the instrument body using a fixing part that passes through the instrument body. By fixing the back-through string directly to the bridge of the instrument body, the string can be stably fixed with lower tension. The aforementioned documents disclose the fixing of back-through strings.

[0016] On the other hand, for strings used in finer high notes, it is preferable to fix them to the surface of the bridge using a tailpiece.

[0017] Thus, especially in stringed instruments such as multi-stringed guitars, there is a desire to tension the strings in a way that corresponds to the type of string. However, in the past, only a single method could be used to tension the strings in a stringed instrument.

[0018] The objective of this invention is to provide a stringed instrument capable of performing appropriate processing corresponding to the type of string.

[0019] Solution for solving the problem

[0020] To address the aforementioned issues, one aspect of the present invention provides a stringed instrument comprising a body and strings supported on the body. The stringed instrument includes: a string rear end fixing portion disposed on the body to fix the rear end of the string; a bridge having a base plate and a base unit, the base plate being fixed to the body and the base unit being slidably disposed on the base plate along the string tension direction; a saddle housed in a cavity disposed on the base unit and supporting the string; a string height adjustment mechanism configured to adjust the raising and lowering of the saddle; and a pitch adjustment mechanism configured to allow the base unit to slide on the base plate along the tension direction. A string back end passage hole is provided on the base plate for guiding the string supported on the saddle to the string rear end fixing portion of the body. A string through hole is provided on the base unit for allowing the string supported by the saddle to pass through the string back end passage hole. The base unit includes a tailpiece for fixing the rear end of the string, configured to fix the rear end of the string in place of the string rear end fixing portion. Attached Figure Description

[0021] Figure 1 This is a perspective view of the guitar according to this embodiment.

[0022] Figure 2 It's a 3D view of the back of a guitar.

[0023] Figure 3 This is a left view of a guitar.

[0024] Figure 4 It is along Figure 3 Partial sectional view of 4-4.

[0025] Figure 5 It is a 3D diagram of the area around the bridge of a guitar.

[0026] Figure 6 This is a 3D view of the bridge storage section, omitting the bridge itself.

[0027] Figure 7 This is a 3D view of the piano bridge.

[0028] Figure 8 From and Figure 7 The diagram shows the three-dimensional view of the bridge from different angles.

[0029] Figure 9 This is an exploded 3D view of the bridge.

[0030] Figure 10 This is an overhead view of the piano bridge.

[0031] Figure 11 It is along Figure 10 Sectional view of 11-11.

[0032] Figure 12 It is along Figure 10 Sectional view of 12-12.

[0033] Figure 13 This is a rear view of the bridge.

[0034] Figure 14 It is along Figure 13 A sectional view along line 14-14.

[0035] Figure 15 This is a diagram showing the movement of the base unit relative to the base plate.

[0036] Figure 16 This shows how to make the matrix unit from Figure 15 The diagram shows the state of the positional movement.

[0037] Figure 17 It is a 3D diagram of a guitar using existing technology.

[0038] Figure 18 It is a 3D diagram of the bridge of a guitar.

[0039] Figure 19 This is an exploded 3D view of the bridge.

[0040] Figure 20 It is along Figure 18 A partial sectional view of line 20-20. Detailed Implementation

[0041] The present invention will be described below using a guitar 1 as an example of a stringed instrument, where guitar 1 is a 7-string electric guitar. The present invention is not limited to this embodiment. In the following description of guitar 1, as... Figure 1 The X, Y, and Z directions are defined as shown.

[0042] (Summary of this implementation method)

[0043] like Figure 1 As shown, the guitar 1 has a generally trapezoidal body 4, a rod-shaped neck 3 extending from the body 4 in the X direction, and a headstock 2 located at the top of the neck 3. For ease of explanation, in the guitar 1, the part near the headstock 2 is considered the top, and the body 4 is considered the rear. The body 4 has a surface on which the bridge 5 is mounted, a back side opposite the surface, and a width along the Y direction.

[0044] Each string 90 has a top end 90a, which is wound around and fixed to the string post 21a of the string knob 21 in the headstock 2.

[0045] The rear end 90b of each string 90 is fixed using the following two methods. One method is called back-side pass, such as... Figure 2The diagram shows a method for securing the string 90 at the string rear end fixing part 41 located on the back of the instrument body 4. In this case, as shown... Figure 4 As shown, the top end 90a of the string 90 is inserted into the opening 41a of the string rear end fixing part 41 on the back of the instrument body 4. Then, the string 90, which has passed through the string guide path 41c of the instrument body 4, is led out to the bridge 5. The string 90 is wound onto the tuning peg 21 through the string passage hole 61 of the base unit 60 and the string saddle 70. A ball end 90c is installed at the rear end 90b of the string 90. The rear end 90b of the string 90 is fixed to the string rear end fixing part 41 via the ball end 90c. The string passage hole 61 is elongated in such a way that even if the base unit 60 slides to adjust the string length, it will not interfere with the wall of the string passage hole 61 and the string 90.

[0046] Another method for securing the rear end 90b of each string 90 is to use a tailpiece 80 located at the rear end of the bridge 5 to secure the string 90. Details will be described later. Figure 5 As shown, the middle part 90d of string 90 is introduced into... Figure 7 and Figure 8 The tailpiece 80 is shown with a string guide groove 81. Then, when the string 90 is wound onto the tuning peg 21... Figure 1 When stretched in the X direction, the ball end 90c of the rear end 90b of the string 90 is fixed to the rear end fixing part 83 of the string, which serves as the ball end mounting part, within the opening 82. Figure 14 ).

[0047] In this embodiment, the string 90 passing through the back can be selectively fixed to the string rear end fixing part 41, and the string 90 can be fixed at the bridge 5 via the tail piece 80. For example... Figure 5 As shown, the first to third strings are fixed to the rear end 90b of the string 90 via the tail piece 80. The fourth to seventh strings are fixed to the rear end 90b of the string 90 passing through the back end to the string rear end fixing part 41.

[0048] (Structure of this embodiment)

[0049] Guitar 1

[0050] like Figure 1 As shown, the guitar 1 is entirely made of wood and has a body 4. It is a stringed instrument supported by the body 4 and strung with strings 90°. The following explanation uses a 7-string electric guitar as an example. Stringed instruments can also include electric basses. An electric guitar can have more than 7 strings, and an electric bass can have more than 5 strings. Stringed instruments are not limited to electric guitars or electric basses.

[0051] <Qintou 2>

[0052] like Figure 1As shown, the guitar 1 has a headstock 2 at its head and has a number of tuning pegs 21 for the strings 90 (seven in this embodiment). The tuning pegs 21 are configured to wind and fix the top end 90a of the strings 90 to the string post 21a. The user winds the strings 90 using the tuning pegs 21 to adjust the tension of the strings 90 for tuning.

[0053] <Neck 3>

[0054] The neck 3 is a rod-shaped section located between the body 4 and the headstock 2. The surface of the neck 3 has a gently curved fingerboard 32. On the fingerboard 32, frets 32a are positioned at predetermined locations with an orientation perpendicular to the strings 90. In a typical 6-string guitar, the frets 32a are spaced approximately parallel to each other. In the 7-string guitar of this embodiment, the string 90 has a significantly different thickness, therefore the bass side (in...) Figure 1 The string length of the 90-degree string (on the upper left side) becomes longer, and the high-pitched side (in) Figure 1 The string length of string 90 (located on the lower right side) becomes shorter. Therefore, on the bass side, the spacing of fret 32a becomes wider, and on the treble side, the spacing of fret 32a becomes narrower.

[0055] The string 90 is vibratingly tensioned between the nut 31 located at the upper end of the neck 3 and the saddle 70 of the bridge 5 of the body 4. By adjusting the height of the string 90 (hereinafter referred to as "string height"), the distance between the string 90 and the fret 32a changes, thereby altering the ease of pressing the string 90 and the interference with the fret 32a. Particularly on the bass side, the amplitude of the string 90 increases, making it easier to interfere with the fret 32a. The string height is adjusted using a string height adjustment mechanism described later.

[0056] <Qin Style 4>

[0057] like Figure 5 As shown, a bridge 5 is provided on the body 4 of the instrument. The bridge 5 has a metal plate-shaped base plate 50 fixed to the body 4.

[0058] like Figure 6 As shown, a bridge storage portion 4a is formed in the body 4. The bridge storage portion 4a is a recess provided in the body 4. The bridge storage portion 4a has a shape that follows the outline of the base plate 50 when viewed from the string height direction. The base plate 50 is stored in the bridge storage portion 4a without gap, but it can also be mounted on the flat surface of the body 4.

[0059] <Qinqiao 5>

[0060] like Figure 7 , Figure 8 As shown, the bridge 5 has a base plate 50 fixed to the body 4 and a base unit 60. The base unit 60 is slidably mounted on the base plate 50 along the tensioning direction of the string 90.

[0061] like Figure 5As shown, the bridge 5 is a single-unit bridge with each string 90 independently positioned. In this single-unit configuration, including the placement of the bridge 5, there is a high degree of freedom in how it corresponds to each string 90. In particular, the position of the bridge 5 has a high degree of freedom in the bass section where the string length is longer and the treble section where the string length is shorter.

[0062] <Base Plate 50>

[0063] like Figure 10 As shown, the base plate 50 is made of a plate-shaped metal sheet, such as stainless steel. Viewed from above, the base plate 50 is a rectangle extending along the tension direction of the chord 90, with rounded corners (R). Body mounting threaded holes 55 are provided at the front and rear ends of the base plate 50. A seat is formed in each body mounting threaded hole 55 to accommodate the head of the body mounting screw 54. Thus, the head of the body mounting screw 54 does not protrude from the base plate 50.

[0064] Additionally, a pair of front and rear slide rails 51 are formed on the base plate 50, extending from the front and rear seats to near the center. The slide rails 51 and 51 are rectangular recesses, which are groove-shaped.

[0065] like Figure 9 As shown, a string back pass hole 53 is provided approximately in the center of the slide rail 51 on the rear end side. The string 90, supported by the string saddle 70, is guided through the string back pass hole 53 to the string rear end fixing part 41 on the rear side of the instrument body 4.

[0066] like Figure 4 , Figure 11 As shown, the back of the string has a rounded corner (R-shaped portion) 53a at the point where it contacts the middle portion 90d of the string 90 supported on the string saddle 70 via the hole 53. The rounded corner 53a is configured to allow it to be fixed to the rear end fixing portion 41 of the string. Figure 4 The radius of curvature of the string 90 at the point of contact with the wall of the hole 53 on the back of the string does not exceed a specified curvature. That is, the radius is set to a relatively large value so that the string 90 supported on the saddle 70 bends at a gentle angle at the point of contact with the wall of the hole 53 on the back of the string and is guided into the string guide path 41c. The radius is appropriately set so that the string 90 is not damaged or deteriorated due to the thickness or material of the string 90 used.

[0067] like Figure 9 As shown, a base unit fixing threaded hole 52 is provided approximately in the center of the base plate 50. A base unit fixing screw 64 for fixing the base unit 60 is screwed into the base unit fixing threaded hole 52.

[0068] <Matrix Unit 60>

[0069] like Figures 7-9As shown, the base unit 60 is composed of a cuboid metal block, such as stainless steel. Slider 62 is provided at the front and rear portions of the lower surface of the base unit 60, respectively. The slider 62 extends along the long side of the base unit 60 and has a rectangular cross-section. Figure 9 As shown, the width of the slider 62 corresponds to the width of the slide rail 51 formed on the base plate 50. Therefore, the slider 62 can move along the tensioning direction of the chord 90 while being guided by the slide rail 51 on the base plate 50.

[0070] The base unit 60 is provided with a guide groove 63 extending along the tensioning direction of the chord 90. The base unit fixing screw 64, after passing through the guide groove 63 of the base unit 60 via a washer 65, is screwed into the base unit fixing threaded hole 52 of the base plate 50. Therefore, the axial movement of the base unit fixing screw 64 is guided by the guide groove 63 of the base unit 60. Thus, the base unit 60 slides on the base plate 50 along the tensioning direction of the chord 90, guided together by the base unit fixing screw 64 and the slider 62 sliding on the slide rail 51 via the guide groove 63.

[0071] By tightening the base unit fixing screw 64, the base unit 60 is pressed against the base plate 50 by the head of the base unit fixing screw 64, and is restricted from moving on the base plate 50. As a result, the pitch adjustment of the string 90 can be maintained.

[0072] like Figure 11 As shown, the base unit 60 has a string passage hole 61. The string 90, supported by the string saddle 70, passes through the string passage hole 61 and the string back-side passage hole 53 of the base plate 50. Preferably, the string 90 is tensioned between the string saddle 70 and the rounded corner 53a of the string back-side passage hole 53 without interfering with the base unit 60. On the other hand, the base unit 60 is displaced relative to the base plate 50 when the string 90 is tuned (see reference). Figure 15 , Figure 16 Therefore, the string through hole 61 is formed as an elongated hole extending along the tensioning direction of the string 90, so that even if the base unit 60 slides relative to the base plate 50, the string 90 does not interfere with the wall of the string through hole 61. Therefore, the pitch of the string 90 passing through the back side can be adjusted without interfering with the base unit 60.

[0073] in addition, Figure 7 The rear slider 62 shown is used to surround... Figure 10 The string is formed around the periphery of the hole 61. Therefore, even though the base unit 60 has the string through hole 61, the slider 62 can still be placed on the base unit 60. In addition, the tension of the string 90 is evenly distributed across the entire rear slider 62, thus stabilizing the posture of the base unit 60 on the base plate 50.

[0074] like Figures 9-11As shown, the base unit 60 has a sidewall 66. The base unit 60 has a cavity 71 at its top end to accommodate a string saddle 70, and a tail piece 80 at its rear end. Additionally, the base unit 60 has a string passage hole 61 at its center. A large force is exerted on the base unit 60 by the tensioned string 90; however, a decrease in strength occurs due to the string passage hole 61. Therefore, the base unit 60 has a sidewall 66 at a position between the cavity 71 and the tail piece 80 that does not interfere with the string 90 passing through the string passage hole 61. The sidewall 66 extends along the long side of the base unit 60 and also extends along the chord height direction.

[0075] <String rear end fixing part 41>

[0076] like Figure 4 As shown, the string rear end fixing part 41 fixes the rear end 90b of the string 90 to the instrument body 4. The string 90 from Figure 2 The back of the instrument body 4 is inserted into the opening 41a of the string rear end fixing part 41. After passing through the string back end through hole 53 of the bridge 5, it is pulled up towards the surface of the instrument body 4. The tip 90a of the string 90 passes through the string through hole 61 of the base unit 60 on the surface of the instrument body 4. In this state, as shown... Figure 5 As shown, from the saddle 70 and Figure 1 The nut 31 shown is supported and simultaneously wound by the tuning peg 21 of the headstock 2. Thus, as Figure 4 As shown, the rear end 90b of the string 90 is fixed to the hanging part 41b via the ball end 90c.

[0077] <End-of-line item 80>

[0078] like Figures 7-9 As shown, the base unit 60 has a tail piece 80 at its rear to fix the rear end 90b of the string 90. In this embodiment, instead of using the string rear end fixing part 41 to fix the rear end 90b of the string 90 passing through the back to the instrument body 4, the tail piece 80 can also be used to fix the rear end 90b of the string 90 to the bridge 5.

[0079] like Figure 10 As shown, the tail piece 80 is disposed at the rear end of the base unit 60. The tail piece 80 is formed into a cylindrical shape having a center line extending along the tensioning direction of the chord 90 indicated by the double-dotted line. A slit-shaped chord guide groove 81 extending along the tensioning direction of the chord 90 is provided on the upper part of the tail piece 80.

[0080] like Figure 11 and Figure 14As shown, the tail piece 80 includes a string rear end fixing portion 83. The rear end 90b of the string 90, supported by the string saddle 70, is locked in the string rear end fixing portion 83 when it is inserted from the string guide groove 81. The rear portion of the string rear end fixing portion 83 has a space that receives the ball end 90c of the string 90 and opens rearward. The inner diameter of the front portion of the string rear end fixing portion 83 is reduced in a manner that allows the string 90 to pass through and the ball end 90c of the string 90 to be hooked. Thus, the tail piece 80 can fix the ball end 90c of the rear end 90b of the string 90.

[0081] <Saddle 70>

[0082] like Figure 10 As shown, a cavity 71, which appears racetrack-shaped when viewed from the chord height direction, is formed at the front of the base unit 60. A saddle 70 is housed within the cavity 71, with a small gap between it and the cavity wall. The saddle 70 is made of metal. Like the cavity 71, the saddle 70 is racetrack-shaped when viewed from the chord height direction. The saddle 70 is slidably housed within the cavity 71 along the chord height direction.

[0083] like Figure 9 , Figure 12 As shown, a pair of chord height adjustment threaded holes 73 are provided in the chord saddle 70. A pair of chord height adjustment screws 72 are screwed into each of the two chord height adjustment threaded holes 73 from above. The chord height adjustment screws 72 maintain the height of the chord saddle 70 relative to the base unit 60 by having their top ends protrude from the lower end of the chord saddle 70 and abut against the bottom surface of the cavity 71. In addition, the chord height can be adjusted by rotating the chord height adjustment screws 72. Furthermore, the two chord height adjustment screws 72 are arranged such that the string 90 is positioned between the two chord height adjustment screws 72. With this configuration, the chord height can be adjusted while the string 90 is tensioned. Furthermore, the tilt of the chord saddle 70 centered on the tensioning direction can also be adjusted by adjusting the amount of screwing of each chord height adjustment screw 72 relative to the chord height adjustment threaded hole 73.

[0084] like Figure 9 As shown, the saddle fixing screw 74 is screwed into the saddle fixing threaded hole 75 in a direction orthogonal to the sliding direction of the saddle 70. By rotating the saddle fixing screw 74, the sliding of the saddle 70 within the cavity 71 is restricted. That is, the saddle 70 is reliably fixed within the cavity 71 by the saddle fixing screw 74. Thus, when playing the guitar 1, the vibration of the saddle 70 can be effectively suppressed.

[0085] The saddle 70 is made of a metal, such as brass, with a higher sliding coefficient than the stainless steel base unit 60. Therefore, the coefficient of friction between the string bearing portion 76 of the saddle 70 and the string 90 can be suppressed during tuning. Consequently, the string 90 slides easily during tuning, protecting it from friction with the saddle 70. The guitar 1 is configured to allow for interchangeable saddles 70. That is, the user can use various saddles 70 with different materials, heights, and curvatures of the string bearing portion 76 depending on the type of string 90.

[0086] (The function of this implementation method)

[0087] In guitar 1, it serves the following function.

[0088] <Pitch Adjustment Mechanism>

[0089] The guitar 1 includes a pitch adjustment mechanism that allows the base unit 60 to slide on the base plate 50 along the tension direction of the string 90. The pitch adjustment mechanism includes a slide rail 51 and a slider 62 respectively disposed on the base plate 50 and the base unit 60. The pitch adjustment mechanism is configured to allow the base unit 60 to slide relative to the base plate 50 in the tension direction. Through this structure, the pitch can be adjusted from the saddle 70 where the base unit 60 is located to the nut 31 (…). Figure 1 The distance is used to adjust the string length.

[0090] In pitch adjustment, firstly, Figure 15 In the state shown, loosen the base unit fixing screw 64 using a screwdriver (not shown). At this time, as... Figure 10 As shown, the string 90 is tensioned at the position of the offset base unit fixing screw 64. Therefore, the user can loosen the base unit fixing screw 64 without causing the screwdriver to interfere with the string 90, allowing the base unit 60 to move relative to the base plate 50. Figure 15 and Figure 16 In the example shown, the base unit 60 is made from Figure 15 The state moves towards the rear, that is, in the direction of increasing the string length. The base unit 60 slides on the base plate 50 while restricting the direction of movement to the tensioning direction of the string 90 via a pair of front and rear sliders 62 and a pair of corresponding front and rear slide rails 51. At the same time, the shaft of the base unit fixing screw 64 is guided by the guide groove 63, and slides within the guide groove 63 while restricting the direction of movement to the tensioning direction of the string 90. Then, the user adjusts the sound of each string 90 so that the sound when pressing the 12th fret of each string 90 and the harmonic of the 12th fret are the same interval.

[0091] In the pitch adjustment of this embodiment, the same method can be used whether the string 90 passing through the back end is fixed by the string rear end fixing part 41 or the string 90 is fixed by the tail piece 80 on the bridge 5. In particular, when fixing the string 90 passing through the back end, the positions of the string back end through hole 53 on the base plate 50 and the string through hole 61 on the base unit 60 are sometimes misaligned during pitch adjustment. In this embodiment, the string through hole 61 is formed as an elongated hole in a way that does not interfere with the string 90. As a result, the string 90 can pass through the string back end through hole 53 from the saddle 70 without interfering with the wall of the string through hole 61.

[0092] After the pitch adjustment of string 90 is completed, the base unit fixing screw 64 is tightened with a screwdriver to maintain the pitch adjustment state.

[0093] <String Height Adjustment Mechanism>

[0094] The guitar 1 features a string height adjustment mechanism. This mechanism adjusts the height of the saddle 70. The string height can be adjusted by raising or lowering the saddle 70. Figure 10 , Figure 12 As shown, the string height is adjusted by rotating the string height adjusting screw 72, which raises or lowers the string saddle 70. The two string height adjusting screws 72 are positioned such that the string 90 is positioned between them. To adjust the string height, first, a screwdriver is used to loosen the string saddle fixing screw 74. Then, with the string 90 tensioned, the string height adjusting screw 72 is rotated using the screwdriver to adjust the string height.

[0095] like Figure 12 As shown, the saddle 70 is housed within a cavity 71 extending along the string height direction. Furthermore, the saddle 70 can slide within the cavity 71 along the string height direction. Thus, the string height adjustment mechanism has a structure that has almost no impact on pitch adjustment.

[0096] After adjusting the string height, tighten it using a screwdriver. Figure 9 The saddle fixing screw 74 is shown. At this time, the saddle 70 is pressed against the inner wall of the rear side of the cavity 71. In addition, the saddle 70 is fixed in a fixed position without wobbling by the contact between the curved surface of the saddle 70 and the curved surface of the cavity 71.

[0097] (Effects of this implementation method)

[0098] The stringed instrument according to this embodiment can achieve the following effects.

[0099] (1) Based on guitar 1, appropriate processing can be performed according to the type of string 90.

[0100] (2) The bridge 5 has a base unit 60 on the base plate 50, which is slidably mounted along the tension direction of the string 90. The saddle 70 is housed in the cavity 71 of the base unit 60 and supports the string 90. Therefore, pitch adjustment can be easily performed simply by sliding the base unit 60.

[0101] (3) A string back-side passage hole 53 is provided on the base plate 50. After passing through the string back-side passage hole 53, the string 90, supported by the string saddle 70, is led to the string rear end fixing part 41 on the back side of the instrument body 4. In addition, the base unit 60 has a string passage hole 61. The string 90 supported by the string saddle 70 passes through the string passage hole 61 and the string back-side passage hole 53. The string passage hole 61 is provided as an elongated hole that extends along the tensioning direction of the string 90 so that the string 90 does not interfere with the wall of the string passage hole 61 when the base unit 60 slides relative to the base plate 50. Therefore, the pitch of the string 90 passing through the back side can be adjusted without interfering with the base unit 60.

[0102] (4) The base unit 60 includes a tail piece 80 for fixing the rear end 90b of the string 90. With this structure, instead of using the string rear end fixing part 41 to fix the rear end 90b of the string 90 that passes through the back, the tail piece 80 can also be used to fix the rear end 90b of the string 90 to the bridge 5. In this way, within the same guitar 1, the method of fixing the rear end 90b of the string 90 can be freely selected depending on the type of string 90.

[0103] (5) The pitch adjustment mechanism includes a slide rail 51 and a slider 62 respectively provided on the base plate 50 and the base unit 60. The pitch adjustment mechanism is configured to allow the base unit 60 to slide relative to the base plate 50 along the tensioning direction of the chord 90. A guide groove 63 extending along the tensioning direction of the chord 90 is provided on the base unit 60. The base unit fixing screw 64 is screwed into the base unit fixing threaded hole 52 of the base plate 50. Therefore, the movement of the shaft of the base unit fixing screw 64 is guided by the guide groove 63. As a result, the base unit 60 can move relative to the base plate 50 along the tensioning direction of the chord 90. Therefore, during pitch adjustment, the base unit 60 can move stably and correctly along the tensioning direction of the chord 90.

[0104] (6) By tightening the base unit fixing screw 64, the movement of the base unit 60 on the base plate 50 is restricted. This maintains the state of completing the pitch adjustment of the string 90.

[0105] (7) The rear slider 62 is formed in such a way that it surrounds the periphery of the chord through hole 61. Therefore, the base unit 60 can slide stably on the base plate 50 without interfering with the chord 90.

[0106] (8) The string end fixing part 41 fixes the end 90b of the string 90 that is introduced from the back side of the instrument body 4. Therefore, even the bass string 90 can be stretched with greater tension and fixed in a stable state.

[0107] (9) The back of the string through hole 53 has a rounded corner 53a at the point where it contacts the middle portion 90d of the string 90, which is supported on the string saddle 70 and whose rear end 90b is fixed to the string rear end fixing portion 41. The rounded corner 53a is configured such that the string 90 does not bend beyond a predetermined curvature at the point where it contacts the wall of the back of the string through hole 53. Therefore, even if the tensioning direction of the string 90 changes at a large angle, the string 90 is less likely to break or deteriorate.

[0108] (10) The tail piece 80 is formed in a generally cylindrical shape. The tail piece 80 has a chord guide groove 81 extending along the tensioning direction of the chord 90. Therefore, the chord 90 can be guided into the tail piece 80 from the chord guide groove 81. Therefore, the tensioning operation of the chord 90 becomes easier.

[0109] (11) The tail piece 80 has a string rear end fixing part 83, which hooks the rear end 90b of the string 90 when the string 90 supported on the string saddle 70 is inserted from the string guide groove 81. With this structure, the string 90 tensioning operation is also made easier.

[0110] (12) The saddle 70 is slidably housed in the cavity 71 of the base unit 60 along the chord height direction. A pair of chord height adjustment threaded holes 73 are provided in the saddle 70. A chord height adjustment screw 72 is screwed into the two chord height adjustment threaded holes 73 from above. The chord height adjustment screw 72 maintains the height of the saddle 70 by having its top end protrude from the lower end of the saddle 70 and abut against the bottom surface of the cavity 71. In addition, the chord height can be adjusted by rotating the chord height adjustment screw 72. With this configuration, the chord height can be easily adjusted when the chord 90 is tensioned.

[0111] (13) The two string height adjustment screws 72 are arranged such that the string 90 is positioned between the two string height adjustment screws 72. With this arrangement, the string height can be adjusted without causing the tensioned string 90 to interfere with the string saddle 70.

[0112] (14) The saddle fixing screw 74 is screwed into the saddle fixing threaded hole 75 in a direction orthogonal to the sliding direction of the saddle 70. By fastening the saddle fixing screw 74 to the saddle fixing threaded hole 75, the sliding of the saddle 70 within the cavity 71 is restricted. Therefore, the state of completing the saddle height adjustment can be maintained.

[0113] (15) The saddle 70 is made of a metal with higher sliding properties than the base unit 60. As a result, the string 90 will not deteriorate due to friction with the saddle 70 during string setting and pitch adjustment.

[0114] (16) The saddle 70 slides on the surface of the base unit 60, which defines the cavity 71 and is annular when viewed from the sliding direction of the saddle 70. Thus, after the chord height adjustment is completed, the saddle fixing screw 74 can be tightened to secure it, and the saddle 70 can be stably stored in the cavity 71 without shaking.

[0115] (17) The bridge 5 is set independently for each string 90°. Therefore, the degree of freedom is increased when setting the string length, etc., for each string 90°.

[0116] (18) The base unit 60 has a sidewall 66 between the cavity 71 and the tail piece 80. The sidewall 66 extends along the long side of the chord through hole 61 and the chord height direction, respectively. Therefore, the strength of the base unit 60 can be such that it can withstand the tension of the chord 90.

[0117] (19) The base plate 50 is housed in a bridge housing portion 4a, which is formed by a recess in the body 4 and has depth in the string height direction. The bridge housing portion 4a has a shape that follows the outline of the base plate 50 when viewed from the string height direction. Therefore, the bridge 5 is prevented from protruding from the surface of the body 4. In addition, the strength of the bridge 5 is sufficient to withstand the tension of the string 90.

[0118] (20) The stringed instrument of the present invention has been described using a multi-string electric guitar consisting of 7 strings, but is not limited to an electric guitar. The effects of the present invention can be achieved in electric basses, especially multi-string electric basses with 5 or more strings.

[0119] (Other examples)

[0120] This invention is not limited to this embodiment; for example, it can be implemented as follows.

[0121] Alternatively, a slider 62 can be set on the base plate 50, and a slide rail 51 can be set on the base unit 60.

[0122] The structure of the slide rail 51 and the slider 62 is not limited as long as the base unit 60 slides along the tensioning direction of the chord 90.

[0123] The saddle 70 can also be integrally formed with the base unit 60.

Claims

1. A stringed instrument, wherein, have: The body of the instrument; The strings supported by the instrument body; A string rear end fixing part is provided on the instrument body and is configured to fix the rear end of the string; The bridge has a base plate and a base unit. The base plate is fixed to the body of the instrument, and the base unit is slidably disposed on the base plate along the tension direction of the strings. The saddle is housed in a cavity provided in the base unit to support the string; The string height adjustment mechanism is configured to adjust the raising and lowering of the string saddle; as well as The pitch adjustment mechanism is configured to allow the base unit to slide on the base plate along the tensioning direction. The base plate is provided with a string back-side through hole, which is used to guide the string supported on the string saddle to the string rear end fixing part of the instrument body. The base unit is provided with a string passage hole, which allows the string supported by the string saddle to pass through the string back passage hole. The base unit includes a tail member for fixing the rear end of the string, and is configured to fix the rear end of the string in place of the string rear end fixing part.

2. The stringed instrument according to claim 1, wherein, The string through hole is an elongated hole that extends along the tensioning direction so that the string does not interfere with the wall of the string through hole when the base unit slides relative to the base plate.

3. The stringed instrument according to claim 1, wherein, The pitch adjustment mechanism includes slide rails and sliders respectively disposed on the base plate and the base unit. The pitch adjustment mechanism is configured to allow the base unit to slide relative to the base plate along the tensioning direction. The base unit is provided with guide grooves extending along the tensioning direction. The base plate is provided with a base unit fixing threaded hole. The shaft of the base unit fixing screw is screwed into the fixing threaded hole of the base unit. The shaft of the base unit fixing screw is guided by the guide groove. By tightening the fixing screws of the base unit, the movement of the base unit relative to the base plate along the tensioning direction is restricted.

4. The stringed instrument according to claim 3, wherein, The slider is formed to surround the periphery of the string through hole.

5. The stringed instrument according to claim 1, wherein, The string rear end fixing part is configured to fix the rear end of the string that is introduced from the back of the instrument body.

6. The stringed instrument according to claim 1, wherein, The back of the string has a rounded corner at the point where it contacts the middle portion of the string supported by the string saddle and whose rear end is fixed to the string rear end fixing part, through a hole. The curvature of the rounded corner is set such that the string bends at a value not exceeding a predetermined curvature at the point where it contacts the wall of the hole on the back side of the string.

7. The stringed instrument according to claim 1, wherein, The tail piece is formed in a cylindrical shape and has a chord guide groove extending along the stretching direction.

8. The stringed instrument according to claim 7, wherein, The tail piece has a ball-end hook portion that hooks the rear end of the string when the string supported on the string saddle is inserted into the string guide groove.

9. The stringed instrument according to claim 1, wherein, In the chord height adjustment mechanism, the chord saddle can be slidably housed within the cavity of the base unit in the chord height direction. The chord saddle is provided with a chord height adjustment threaded hole. Screw the chord height adjusting screw into the chord height adjusting threaded hole from above. The string height adjustment screw maintains the height of the string saddle by having its top protrude from the lower end of the string saddle. The string height can be adjusted by turning the string height adjustment screw.

10. The stringed instrument according to claim 9, wherein, The chord height adjusting screw consists of a pair of chord height adjusting screws. The pair of string height adjustment screws are arranged such that the string is positioned between the two string height adjustment screws.

11. The stringed instrument according to claim 9, wherein, It also has saddle fixing screws. The sliding of the saddle can be restricted by rotating the saddle fixing screw, which is screwed into the saddle fixing threaded hole in a direction orthogonal to the sliding direction of the saddle.

12. The stringed instrument according to claim 9, wherein, The saddle is made of a metal with higher sliding properties than the base unit.

13. The stringed instrument according to claim 9, wherein, The saddle slides on the surface of the base unit, the surface defining the cavity and appearing annular when viewed from the sliding direction of the saddle.

14. The stringed instrument according to claim 1, wherein, The string is one of many strings. The bridge in question is one of several bridges. Each of the multiple bridges is located on a corresponding string among the multiple strings.

15. The stringed instrument according to claim 1, wherein, The base unit has a sidewall between the cavity and the tail piece, the sidewall extending along the long side direction and the chord height direction of the chord through hole.

16. The stringed instrument according to claim 1, wherein, The base plate is housed in a bridge housing formed by recesses, which are located on the instrument body and have depth in the string height direction. The bridge housing has a shape that follows the outline visible when the base plate is viewed from the string height direction.

17. The stringed instrument according to claim 1, wherein, The stringed instrument is an electric guitar or an electric bass.

18. The stringed instrument according to claim 17, wherein, The string is one of many strings. The electric guitar has seven or more strings.

19. The stringed instrument according to claim 17, wherein, The string is one of many strings. The electric bass has five or more strings.

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