Musical string

Abstract

The invention relates to a musical string (1) for bowed string instruments, said musical string comprising a supporting string core (2) and an outer winding layer (3), which has a first winding element (4), a second winding element (5), and a third winding element (6), wherein the first winding element (4), the second winding element (5) and the third winding element (6) are wound around the string core (2) in the form of a multi-threaded helical line. According to the invention, the first winding element (4), the second winding element (5) and the third winding element (6) are each made of tungsten or a tungsten alloy.

Description

[0001] musical string

[0002] The invention relates to a musical string according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0003] Musical strings have a core, which is subjected to tension when the string is tensioned. Strings for lower-pitched string instruments typically have windings or layers of winding to increase the mass of the string. The fundamental frequency at which a musical string vibrates depends on the vibrating length or scale of the string in question, the tension applied to the string, and the mass of the string.

[0004] The specific construction of a musical string has a significant influence on its sound, particularly its overtone distribution, as well as its playability, particularly its response and reaction to bow changes. Furthermore, the construction influences the internal damping, which has a significant impact on the dynamic transition between different fundamental tones. Insufficient damping negatively impacts the rapid transition between individual notes.

[0005] The object of the invention is therefore to provide a musical string of the type mentioned at the outset, with which the disadvantages mentioned can be avoided, and which has a good response and which supports fast tone sequences or a fast tone change.

[0006] According to the invention, this is achieved by the features of claim 1.

[0007] This creates a musical string with good response and supports fast note sequences. This musical string enables rapid pitch changes and supports the musician when playing very short notes. The three winding elements have a smaller pitch angle and a larger pitch compared to just two winding elements. Combined with the contact surfaces between the adjacent winding elements, this leads to an increased or changed bending stiffness of the taut musical string and to more pronounced overtones in a sound. The three tungsten winding layers also have a direct influence on the torsional behavior and torsional stiffness of the musical string, and in particular on torsional damping. This reduces inharmonic overtones caused by torsional vibrations. Furthermore, this construction supports the damping within the musical string, enabling fast note sequences.Due to the relatively high density of tungsten or tungsten alloys, a musical string can be created with a small diameter relative to its mass. This allows the amplitudes of torsional vibrations to be kept low.

[0008] The subclaims relate to further advantageous embodiments of the invention.

[0009] The invention will be described in more detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which only preferred embodiments are shown by way of example. In the drawings:

[0010] Fig. 1 is a detailed view of a first preferred embodiment of a musical string; and

[0011] Fig. 2 is a detailed view of a second preferred embodiment of a musical string.

[0012] 1 and 2 each show a schematic detailed view of a musical string 1 for string instruments, with a supporting string core 2 and an outer winding layer 3, which has a first winding element 4, a second winding element 5 and a third winding element 6, wherein the first winding element 4, the second winding element 5 and the third winding element 6 are wound around the string core 2 in the form of a multi-start helical line, wherein the first winding element 4, the second winding element 5 and the third winding element 6 are each made of tungsten or a tungsten alloy.

[0013] This creates a musical string 1 with good responsiveness and which supports fast note sequences. This musical string 1 enables rapid tone changes and supports the musician when playing very short notes. The three winding elements 4, 5, 6 have a smaller pitch angle and a larger pitch compared to just two winding elements. Combined with the contact surfaces between the adjacent winding elements 4, 5, 6, this leads to an increased or changed bending stiffness of the taut musical string 1 and to more pronounced overtones of a sound. The three tungsten winding layers also have a direct influence on the torsional behavior and torsional stiffness of the musical string 1, and in particular on the torsional damping. This can reduce inharmonic overtones caused by torsional vibrations.Furthermore, this design also supports the damping within the musical string 1, enabling rapid tonal sequences. Due to the relatively high density of tungsten or tungsten alloys, a musical string 1 can be created that has a small diameter relative to its mass. This allows the amplitudes of inharmonic torsional vibrations to be kept low.

[0014] The embodiments and detailed views shown in Figures 1 and 2 are simplified representations. The proportions may not necessarily correspond to the intended actual proportions. For better understanding, individual parts may be shown in greatly enlarged views or with significantly exaggerated proportions.

[0015] A preferred area of ​​application for such musical strings 1 are instruments of the violin family, hence the violin, the viola, the violoncello, and the bass or double bass. Other preferred instruments for using musical strings 1 according to the invention are the viola da gamba and the viola d'amore. Furthermore, they can also be advantageously used for guitars. Such musical strings 1 according to the invention can preferably be provided for all bowed and / or plucked string instruments in which the vibrating length of the musical string 1 is varied to generate sounds with different fundamental vibrations.

[0016] Musical strings 1 according to the invention are intended for generating tone-producing vibrations, wherein a specific type of musical string 1 is intended for use with a specific type of musical instrument, and further comprise a tuning pitch and a so-called tuning weight as features. The tuning pitch indicates the fundamental pitch with which a partial length of the musical string 1—within the total length of the musical string 1 between its end regions—of the length of the scale of the specific type of musical instrument vibrates when the musical string 1 is loaded with the tuning weight, thus tensioned, and has been excited to vibrate. The term "tuning weight" has long been used for musical strings 1 and refers to the force with which the musical string 1 is to be tensioned. Although it is a force, it is specified in a unit of mass, in particular in kilograms. An alternative term for "tuning weight" is "string tension force."

[0017] Musical strings 1 according to the invention have a string core 2, which is intended and designed to absorb the force or tension to which the musical string 1 is exposed when strung on a musical instrument. The string core 2 is therefore load-bearing. The string core 2 can be designed as a single wire, a wire rope, a plastic fiber bundle, or a natural gut. Preferably, the string core 2 comprises at least one plastic thread and / or a wire rope and / or a natural gut and / or an artificial gut and / or a plastic band and / or a plastic flat wire.

[0018] Musical strings 1 for fundamental tones with lower frequencies, in particular less than 500 Hz, generally have windings or at least a first winding layer in order to increase the mass of the musical string 1. The fundamental frequency at which a musical string 1 vibrates depends on the vibrating length or scale of the respective musical string 1, the force with which the respective musical string 1 is tensioned, and the mass of the musical string 1. It is provided that the musical string 1 has at least one winding layer. This at least one winding layer forms an outer contour or the outer surface of the musical string and is referred to herein as the outer winding layer.

[0019] To increase the mass coating, it is preferably provided that the musical string 1 further comprises at least one additional winding layer 12. This additional winding layer 12 is arranged between the outer winding layer 3 and the string core 2. Fig. 2 shows a sectional view of a section of a musical string 1 with such an additional winding layer 12. An additional winding layer further influences the internal damping of the musical string 1.

[0020] The outer winding layer 3 comprises a first winding element 4, a second winding element 5, and a third winding element 6. These three winding elements 4, 5, 6 are wound around the string core 2 in the form of a multi-threaded or triple-threaded helix. The outer winding layer 3 can also comprise four or five winding elements, which are wound together as a multi-threaded helix around the string core 2.

[0021] If an additional winding layer is provided, this additional winding layer 12 comprises at least one winding element 14, 15, which is wound helically around the supporting string core 2. In the preferred embodiment according to Fig. 2, the additional winding layer 12 has two winding elements 14, 15, a fourth winding element 14, and a fifth winding element 15, which are wound in a multi-threaded helical pattern around the string core 2. The additional winding layer 12 can also have three, four, or five winding elements.

[0022] The winding elements 4, 5, 6, 14, 15 can have different cross-sections or cross-sectional shapes. Preferred cross-sectional shapes are, in particular, essentially rectangular or round cross-sections.

[0023] A round cross-section includes, in particular, all cross-sections that are free of at least one edge or corner. Preferred round cross-sections are circles and ellipses. In the first preferred embodiment according to Fig. 1, the first, second, and third winding elements 4, 5, 6 each have—in the illustration—a substantially elliptical cross-section. A round cross-section is also understood, in particular, to be a cross-section that arises when a winding element 4, 5, 6, 14, 15, which has a substantially circular cross-section before the winding process, is wound around the string core 2 and is partially deformed during or as a result of the winding process. The illustration in Fig. 2 is intended to illustrate this by way of example.

[0024] Fig. 2 shows the second preferred embodiment, in which the first, second, and third winding elements 4, 5, 6 each have a rectangular cross-section. Rectangular cross-sections can have rounded corners. The fourth and fifth winding elements 14, 15, further illustrated in Fig. 2, each have a substantially circular cross-section.

[0025] The individual cross-sections of the individual winding elements 4, 5, 6, 14, 15 each have a width 7, 8, 9 and a height 10, 11, wherein the heights 10, 11 are each arranged normal to the string core 2. Therefore, the first winding element 4 has a first cross-section with a first width 7 and a first height 10, the second winding element 5 has a second cross-section with a second width 8 and a second height, and the third winding element 6 has a third cross-section with a third width 9 and a third height 11. Preferably, and as shown in Figs. 1 and 2, the first width 7, the second width 8, and the third width 9 are essentially identical. This makes it possible to form a multi-start screw connection in which the gaps between individual winding elements 4, 5, 6, 14, 15 are essentially uniform across the entire musical string 1.Furthermore, the first height 10, the second height and the third height 11 are preferably substantially identical, as shown in Figs. 1 and 2.

[0026] According to the invention, it is provided that the first winding element 4 consists of tungsten or a tungsten alloy, that the second winding element 5 consists of tungsten or a tungsten alloy, and that the third winding element 6 consists of tungsten or a tungsten alloy.

[0027] Tungsten is preferably understood to mean so-called pure tungsten, which preferably has a purity of at least 99.5%, in particular at least 99.9%. The tungsten particularly preferably has a purity of at least 99.97%. The stated purity of 99.9% is to be understood as meaning that the material consists of 99.9 percent by weight of the chemical element tungsten. When pure tungsten is used, the special properties of tungsten can be specifically applied to the musical string. Pure tungsten has a high density, which means that a high mass coating can be achieved with small dimensions. Tungsten also has a high hardness and strength. This affects the tonal character of the musical string 1 .

[0028] Tungsten alloys sometimes exhibit very different mechanical and physical properties than pure tungsten and can be selected based on their properties and the desired effect. The tungsten alloy is preferably one of the following types of tungsten alloys: tungsten-heavy metal alloy, tungsten-molybdenum alloy, tungsten-potassium alloy, tungsten-lanthanum oxide alloy, tungsten-cerium oxide alloy, or tungsten-rhenium alloy.

[0029] Among tungsten heavy metal alloys, tungsten-nickel-iron alloys have proven particularly advantageous. A preferred variant of this type of tungsten-nickel-iron alloy is Triamet® G17B from Wolfram Industrie.

[0030] A TZC alloy is preferred as the tungsten-molybdenum alloy. These alloys exhibit good plasticity at room temperature, which is advantageous under the mechanical stresses of a musical string 1.

[0031] Tungsten-potassium alloys are very advantageous for the formation of wound elements 4, 5, 6, 14, and 15. WK65® from Plansee is a preferred tungsten-potassium alloy. In addition to the advantages of forming thin-walled wound elements 4, 5, 6, 14, and 15, these alloys also exhibit high dimensional stability.

[0032] Tungsten-lanthanum oxide alloys, particularly those with 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, or 2.0 weight percent lanthanum oxide (La2O3), have also proven advantageous. These exhibit high creep resistance. This slows down the aging process of the musical string, allowing the musician to rely on their musical instrument maintaining its tonal qualities over time.

[0033] Tungsten-cerium oxide alloys, which are primarily used for welding electrodes, have also proven advantageous in specifically influencing the sound character of musical strings 1 .

[0034] Tungsten-rhenium alloys are particularly preferred because they have high ductility.

[0035] The three winding elements 4, 5, and 6 of the outer winding layer 3 can be made of different types of tungsten or tungsten alloys. This allows the – often very – different properties of the different alloys of the pure metal to be combined in a targeted manner. This allows the sound of the musical string 1 to be specifically influenced. It has been shown that this allows, in particular, the dynamics of the musical string 1 to be predefined.

[0036] Preferably, the first winding element 4, the second winding element 5, and the third winding element 6 are made of the same material. The musical string 1 in question can be compared, for example, to delicacies. Delicacies are both delicious and unusual, and do not correspond to the characteristics of a food product, which was developed to be accepted by as many people as possible. The characteristics or characteristics of delicacies are not average. Instead, they have individual characteristics or characteristics that are very pronounced or dominant. Combinations of different materials with very different properties can lead to a certain balance.However, this also means that individual properties are no longer dominant, and the properties of the musical string 1 are merely an average of the specific properties caused by individual materials. By using the same material for at least three winding elements 4, 5, 6, it is possible to specifically promote individual properties of a musical string 1. This makes it possible to create musical strings 1 with very pronounced and dominant properties or characteristics, which have a very specific, recognizable, distinct, and / or unique sound and character. This makes it possible to produce musical strings 1 for very specific musical styles and / or composers.

[0037] Furthermore, it can be provided that at least one coating is arranged on the first winding element 4 and / or the second winding element 5 and / or the third winding element 6 and / or the fourth winding element 14 and / or the fifth winding element 15. In particular, it is provided that the surface of the first and / or the second and / or the third and / or the fourth and / or the fifth winding element 4, 5, 6, 14, 15 is coated with at least one metal, in particular brass, tin, nickel, and / or a plastic, in particular a polymer.

[0038] In particular, it is provided that the at least one coating is formed as an oxide layer and / or nitride layer and / or sulfide layer. These can be applied to the winding elements 4, 5, 6, 14, 15 using PVD or CVD processes, for example. Preferably, a predeterminable number of coatings can be arranged one above the other.

[0039] The arc noise can be influenced by applying a coating. The coating influences the surface properties of the respective winding element. Due to the small thickness of such a coating in relation to the cross-section of a winding element 4, 5, 6, 14, 15, the coating generally has a minor influence on heat transfer through the winding element. It has been shown that the surface quality, which is directly influenced by the coating, also has the potential to influence the arc noise.

[0040] Preferably, a polymeric damping layer 13 is arranged at least on a region of the outer winding layer 3 facing the string core 2. Oil-wax mixtures are particularly used as the polymer. In particular, the damping layer lies adjacent to the string core 2, and the outer winding layer 3 or another winding layer partially penetrates it.

[0041] The following are principles for understanding and interpreting the disclosure in question.

[0042] Characteristics are usually introduced with an indefinite article, "ein, eine, eines, einer." Therefore, unless the context indicates otherwise, "ein, eine, eines, einer" is not to be understood as a number.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. Musical string (1) for string instruments, with a supporting string core (2) and an outer winding layer (3) which has a first winding element (4), a second winding element (5) and a third winding element (6), wherein the first winding element (4), the second winding element (5) and the third winding element (6) are wound around the string core (2) in the form of a multi-start helical line, characterized in that the first winding element (4), the second winding element (5) and the third winding element (6) are each made of tungsten or a tungsten alloy.

2. Musical string (1) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first winding element (4), the second winding element (5) and the third winding element (6) are made of the same material.

3. Musical string (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the tungsten has a purity of at least 99.5%, in particular at least 99.9%.

4. Musical string (1) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the tungsten alloy is a tungsten-heavy metal alloy or a tungsten-molybdenum alloy or a tungsten-potassium alloy or a tungsten-lanthanum oxide alloy or a tungsten-cerium oxide alloy or a tungsten-rhenium alloy.

5. Musical string (1) according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first winding element (4) has a first cross-section with a first width (7), the second winding element (5) has a second cross-section with a second width (8) and the third winding element (6) has a third cross-section with a third width (9), and that the first width (7), the second width (8) and the third width (9) are substantially identical.

6. Musical string (1) according to one of claims 1 to 5, characterized characterized in that the musical string (1) has at least one further winding layer (12) which is arranged between the outer winding layer (3) and the string core (2).

7. Musical string (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the string core (2) is designed as a single wire, as a wire rope, as a plastic fiber bundle or as a natural gut.

8. Musical string (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a polymeric damping layer (13) is arranged at least on a region of the outer winding layer (3) facing the string core (2).

9. Musical string (1) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that at least one coating is arranged on the first winding element (4) and / or the second winding element (5) and / or the third winding element (6).

10. Musical string (1) according to claim 9, characterized in that the at least one coating is formed as an oxide layer and / or nitride layer and / or sulfide layer.

11. Musical string (1) according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the first winding element (4) and / or the second winding element (5) and / or the third winding element (6) have a substantially round cross-section.

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