Guitar with neck setting feature

Abstract

To provide an easy, effective, and inexpensive method for correcting misalignment between a body and neck of a stringed instrument without disassembling components.SOLUTION: There is provided a method and device for adjusting a neck with a fretboard formed on top of a guitar having a body and the neck, in which the underside of the fretboard includes an unsupported section and adjustment means that allows an angle between the body and the neck to be adjusted.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 7

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to a system for adjusting the neck of a stringed instrument, such as a guitar, relative to its body. [Background technology]

[0002] A guitar typically has two main components: a neck and a body. To change the pitch of the notes played on the guitar strings, a musician presses the strings against frets located on the neck. Therefore, the design of the neck and the ease with which the strings can be pressed down are important parts of the guitar's performance.

[0003] Over time, years of string tension tend to distort or warp the angle at which the neck joins the body. The wood of the guitar changes shape, compromising the neck angle relative to the guitar body. Most commonly, this behavior in the guitar's wood raises the strings up and away from the fingerboard, eventually causing the instrument to no longer be easily playable due to the action being too high. The neck then needs to be removed from the instrument and reassembled to reestablish the correct geometry between the two major components and bring the strings closer to the fingerboard again. Because removing the neck typically requires either removing bolts and precision spacers or applying steam to the glued joints to soften the adhesive, reassembling a neck today is a precision repair best left to an experienced professional.

[0004] What is needed is an apparatus and method that simplifies neck rebuilding by eliminating the need to remove the neck from the guitar body. Summary of the Invention

[0005] The present disclosure generally provides an easy, effective, and inexpensive method for correcting misalignment between the body and neck of a stringed instrument without disassembling any components of the instrument. In one embodiment, the invention includes a guitar having a body and a neck with a fretboard formed thereon, the underside of the fretboard including an unreinforced section and an adjustment means therebetween that allows the angle between the body and the neck to be adjusted. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] A perspective view of an acoustic guitar. [Figure 2] A perspective view of an acoustic guitar. [Figure 3] 1 and 2 are exploded views showing the main components of the acoustic guitar. [Figure 4] FIG. 1 is a partial view of the neck portion of a guitar including the heel and fretboard, showing the pivot feature on the neck just below the fretboard. [Figure 5] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the connection between the neck and body of a guitar. [Figure 6] 1 is a top view of a guitar, with some section lines pointing to other views to facilitate understanding of the invention. [Figure 7] 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6, showing a first adjustment position between the guitar neck and body. [Figure 8] 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 6, showing a second adjustment position between the guitar neck and body. [Figure 9] 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of FIG. 6, showing a third adjustment position between the guitar neck and body. [Figure 10] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the connection arrangement between the neck and body of a guitar, showing the pivot feature at the body rather than the neck. [Figure 11] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the connection arrangement between the neck and body of a guitar, where the neck portion includes an extension with pivot features formed on either side. [Figure 12]FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing the connection between the neck and body of a guitar. [Figure 13] FIG. 10 is a cutaway view showing where and how adjustments are made. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] 1 and 2 are perspective views of an acoustic guitar 100. The guitar includes a body 105 having a top surface 110 and a neck 200 attached to the body. The neck includes a fretboard 205 having a tail portion 210 extending beyond a first end of the body and adjacent a sound hole 115 formed in the top surface, and a heel portion 220 that facilitates connection of the neck 200 to the guitar body 105. The fretboard 205 has a plurality of frets 206 mounted thereon. The guitar strings 120 are attached to the body 105 at a bridge 125 and to the distal end of the neck 200 at a headstock 225. Tuners 207 mounted on the headstock allow each string to be tensioned or loosened to change the string's pitch.

[0008] FIG. 3 is an exploded view showing the major components of the acoustic guitar 100 of FIGS. 1 and 2. The body 105 includes, in addition to its top surface 110, a structural member 130 having an inverted L-shape. The member's vertical portion 130a includes a first connecting surface 135 (not visible in FIG. 3) formed on the front surface of the body and a second connecting surface 140 formed at a right angle to the first connecting surface 135 on the member's horizontal portion 130b. The neck 200, in addition to its fretboard 205 and headstock 225, includes a third connecting surface 245 for connection to the first surface 135 and a fourth connecting surface 251 (see FIG. 4) for connection to the second surface 140 of the horizontal portion 130b. Also visible in FIG. 3 are two fasteners disclosed herein: a retention fastener 155 that facilitates connection between the body portion 105 and the neck portion 200, and an adjustment fastener 160 that facilitates adjustment of the neck 200 relative to the body 105.

[0009] FIG. 4 is a partial view of the neck portion 200 of the guitar 100, including the heel 220, the fretboard 205, and a "pivot" 250 formed at the top end of the third connecting surface 245. In the illustration, the fourth connecting surface 251 includes a paddle 265 located on the underside of the tail portion 210 of the fretboard 205. The purpose of the pivot 250 is to allow the relatively flat surface of the first connecting surface 135 of the body 105 to pivot relative to the neck 200, thereby changing the angle between the two portions. In one embodiment, the pivot 250 includes a top 252 and an angled ramp 254 extending from the top in a direction away from the fretboard 205. The height of the top ensures contact between the neck 200 and the body 105 within the pivot 250, while providing an adjustable gap between the surfaces 245 and 135 below the pivot 250, as disclosed with respect to FIGS. 7-9. The top is rounded to withstand the physical forces exerted by the tensioned string 120 (not visible in FIG. 4) on the pivot 250 and first connecting surface 135. The relatively shallow angle of the bevel 254 facilitates the actual positioning of the body 105 relative to the neck 200 during adjustment.

[0010] In the illustrated embodiment, the pivot portion 250 is an integral part of the guitar neck portion 200 and is therefore made of the same material. However, it will be understood that the pivot portion can be a separate piece constructed to fit into a pre-formed opening in the third connecting surface 245. In this manner, the pivot portion can be made from a variety of different materials. In one embodiment, the pivot portion 250 is constructed of a harder wood than the neck portion. In another embodiment, the pivot portion is constructed of a metal or composite material. These and equivalent configurations are within the scope of the present invention.

[0011] Also shown in Figure 4 is a "flexible area," which in the illustrated embodiment includes an unreinforced section 272 of the fretboard. As is apparent, the unreinforced section 272 allows some flexibility for the fretboard 205 as the neck portion 200 and body portion 105 move relative to one another during tuning. The unreinforced section 272 is located between the pivot portion 250 of the neck 200 and the paddle 265 affixed to the body 105, and is therefore essentially between the two parts of the guitar 100 that will move relative to one another during neck adjustment.

[0012] FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating the connection configuration between the neck 200 and body 105 of the guitar 100. Visible is the body's first connecting surface 135, from which extend the retention fasteners 155 and adjustment fasteners 160. The fasteners 155, 160 are constructed and arranged to fit within upper and lower mating neck openings 255, 260 formed in the neck's third connecting surface 245. Also visible are the pivot 250 formed at the upper end and extending the width of the third connecting surface 245, as well as the paddle 265 formed on the underside of the fretboard 205 for mating with the body's second connecting surface 140 (FIG. 3). The unreinforced section 272 of the fretboard described with reference to FIG. 4 is not visible in FIG. 5 but extends between the pivot 250 and the paddle 265.

[0013] FIG. 6 is a top view of guitar 100 with several cutaways, best understood by reference to the indicated figures.

[0014] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 7-7 of FIG. 6, showing a first adjustment position between the guitar neck 200 and body 105. Understanding the figure requires an explanation of the internal components of the device. The guitar body portion 105 is shown on the left side of the figure, and the neck portion 200 is shown on the right side. Retention fasteners 155 and adjustment fasteners 160 extend from the interior of the body through body retention openings 170 and body adjustment openings 175 formed in the vertical portion 130a (first connecting surface) of the body structural member 130. The fasteners 155, 160 are adjustable by bolt heads 156, 161 within the body that are accessible through the sound hole 115. From the body, the fasteners extend through gaps 300 formed between surfaces 135 and 245 and into neck openings 255, 260 formed in the third connecting surface 245 (see FIG. 3). Also visible in this view are second connecting surface 140 and fourth connecting surface 251. In the illustrated embodiment, the underside (surface 251) of paddle 265 serves as the fourth connecting surface and interfaces with guitar body 105 at recess 231 formed in horizontal portion 130b of structural member 130, where it is secured by fastener 232.

[0015] Each neck opening 255, 260 extends through a vertically shaped, preferably metallic, fastener member 270 and then into the neck material on the other side of the member. If the fasteners 155, 160 are threaded, their simple threading relationship for transmitting motion corresponds to the internal threads 271 formed within the fastener member. In this manner, the fastener simply "rolls through" the other component of the device through which the opening extends. The bottom end of each opening is constructed in a way that prevents the fastener from "bottoming," allowing each fastener to extend and retract a specific amount within its opening as adjustments are made to the neck position. The retention fastener 155 is equipped with a compensating washer 157 intended to compensate for any axial movement caused by the axial movement of the adjustment fastener 160. While the illustrated embodiment shows a retention fastener, it will be understood that the fastener 155 is intended to support a component and is not essential to the operation of the neck adjustment device. To allow for more precise control of the gap 300 and thus the precise distance of the strings above the fretboard, in one embodiment, adjustment is accomplished by an adjustment fastener that is mounted relatively low relative to the pivot 250.

[0016] Visible in Figure 7 is the pivot 250 described with reference to Figure 4 and located on the upper portion of the third connecting surface 245 of the neck 200. The pivot 250 is shown in contact with the relatively flat first connecting surface 135 of the body 105. In the illustrated first position, pivotal movement between the body 105 and the neck 200 about the pivot 250 results in a gap 300 between the components, increasing its width from the top of the connection to the bottom of the connection. It will be appreciated that the forces generated by string tension along the fretboard 205 of the guitar 100 urge the components to assume the position of Figure 7, where the gap 300 has an increased width. The adjustment fastener 155 is responsible for overcoming the string forces and creating and maintaining the positions shown in Figures 8 and 9. The guitar's strings 120 are visible above the fretboard 205 and, as with all guitars, increase in height gradually along the length of the guitar from the headstock 225 to the bridge 125 (see Figures 1 and 2). A comparison of Figures 7, 8, and 9 reveals that the strings are relatively elevated above the neck and fretboard in Figure 7. The distance 121 of the strings above the fretboard is indicated in each figure.

[0017] FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 8-8 of FIG. 6 , showing a second adjustment position between the guitar neck 200 and the body 105. By turning the adjustment fastener 160 clockwise, imparting motion through the threaded relationship between the fastener's threads and the internal threads of the fastening member 270, the two components 105, 200 are drawn together about the pivot 250 against the biasing force of the strings 120, thereby partially closing the gap 300, thereby achieving the second position. The resulting gap 300 has parallel sides, resulting in a lower position of the strings 120 relative to the fretboard 205 and neck 200. Additionally, the changed position is indicated by the position of the adjustment fastener 160 relative to the bottom 260a of its opening 260. Also visible is the fastener's compensation washer 157, which has expanded to "compensate" for the axial movement of the adjustment fastener 160, which causes the head of the retention fastener 155 to move away from the internal wall of the body.

[0018] Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 9-9 of Figure 6, showing a third adjustment position between the guitar neck 200 and body 105. In this position, the body and neck portions have been further rotated about pivot 250 to a position where gap 300 is closed at the bottom end and strings 120 are lower relative to fretboard 205. Compensating washer 156 has expanded further, and the end of adjustment fastener 160 is nearer to the bottom 260a of its corresponding opening 260.

[0019] Also visible in Figures 7-9 are fretboard extension 220 and paddle 265 fastened to surface 140 at portion 130b. The flexibility of unreinforced section 272 (Figure 4) allows this portion to remain stable throughout the adjustment range shown in Figures 7-9.

[0020] Figure 10 is a perspective view showing the connection configuration between neck 200 and body 105 of guitar 100, with pivot 250 formed in body portion 105 rather than neck portion 200. Rather than pivot 250 operating against an essentially flat surface of the body, in Figure 10 pivot 250 acts against a relatively flat surface of third connecting surface 245 of the neck. In other respects, operation of the neck adjustment mechanism is the same as that shown in Figures 7-9.

[0021] 11 is a partial view of the neck portion of guitar 100, including heel 220 and fretboard 205, where a third connecting surface 245 of the neck portion includes an extension 246, with pivots 250 formed on either side of extension 246. Due to extension 246 and its location relative to the corresponding part of the body, unreinforced section 272 in this embodiment is significantly narrower than the unreinforced section shown in the embodiment of FIG. 4, while still allowing for flexibility.

[0022] 12 is a perspective view showing the connection configuration between the neck and body of a guitar, where the third connection surface 245 of the neck portion 200 includes an extension 246. The extension provides additional stability to the connection between the parts, and the first connection surface 135 of the body 105 includes a deeper "pocket" to receive the extension.

[0023] 13 is a cutaway view showing the location and method of neck adjustment. As previously described, the bolt head 161 of the adjustment fastener 160 is accessible facing the vertical portion 130a of the structural member 130. As shown, tool 400 can be used to rotate the fastener in either a clockwise or counterclockwise direction, depending on the desired string height. In one embodiment, the bolt head is accessible from the sound hole 115 (not shown) in the top surface 110 (not shown) of the guitar.

[0024] This disclosure presents a simple and easy method for adjusting a guitar neck relative to the body without disassembling those components. As disclosed, the invention preferably includes a pivot in either the neck or body portion, configured in such a way that the components rotate about one another to change the angle of the neck relative to the body. In one embodiment, the pivot includes a top and an angled bevel that allows for any number of precise positions between the components. In one embodiment, angular movement between the neck and body is achieved by an adjustment fastener, a threaded member that can move the component about the pivot to change the height of the strings passing over the neck fretboard. In one embodiment, the adjustment fastener is accessible through a sound hole in the body. In one embodiment, in addition to the adjustment fastener, the device includes a retention fastener, a threaded member that serves to grip the components together. In either case, adjustment is facilitated by an unreinforced section of the fretboard near the pivot point.

[0025] In practice, the angle of a guitar's neck is adjusted as follows: The neck and body are typically factory-set, setting the adjustment devices to a neutral setting such as that shown in FIG. 8. When and if a player wishes to adjust the string height, either due to environmental influences on the instrument or simply a desire to play the guitar at a different string height, the adjustment fasteners are typically rotated either clockwise or counterclockwise with a tool inserted into the sound hole of the body to engage the head of the adjustment fastener. In this manner, a motion is imparted that either urges the parts together or urges them apart about a pivot point. In one embodiment, clockwise rotation of the fasteners results in a lower string height, while counterclockwise rotation raises the strings.

[0026] It is contemplated that any one or more elements or features of any disclosed embodiment may be beneficially incorporated in any one or more other non-mutually exclusive embodiments. While the foregoing is directed to embodiments of the present disclosure, other and further embodiments of the present disclosure may be contemplated without departing from the basic scope of the present disclosure, the scope of which is defined by the following claims.

Claims

1. A guitar with a neck adjustment feature, a fuselage section having a first connecting surface and a second connecting surface, said surfaces being generally perpendicular to one another; a neck portion connectable to the body, the neck portion having third and fourth connecting surfaces for alignment with the first and second surfaces; Equipped with the first connecting surface is in a recess formed in a front surface of the body and aligns with the third connecting surface of the neck portion to create a connection between the body and the neck; The guitar is: a pivot portion formed at an upper end of the third connecting surface, the pivot portion being constructed and arranged to contact the first connecting surface and forming a pivot point between the neck and the body in such a manner that the body and the neck are rotatable about the pivot point to form a predetermined angle therebetween; a fretboard formed on and supported by an upper surface of the neck, the fretboard having a tail portion extending beyond the body and supported by the body; Equipped with the underside of the fretboard includes an unreinforced section near the pivot point; guitar.

2. 2. The guitar of claim 1, wherein the pivot portion includes a top and a beveled surface extending from the top in a direction away from the fretboard.

3. 3. The guitar of claim 2, wherein the adjustable angle includes a first position in which a gap formed between the body and the neck increases in width between an upper end and a lower end of the gap, an intermediate position in which the gap maintains a substantially uniform width between the upper end and the lower end, and a third position in which the gap decreases in width between the upper end and the lower end.

4. 3. The guitar of claim 2, wherein adjustable angles include a first position in which the strings are higher above the upper surface of the fretboard, an intermediate position in which the strings are lower, and a third position in which the strings are lowest, by movement of the neck and body about the pivot point.

5. 5. The guitar of claim 4, wherein rotation about the pivot point is accomplished with an internal adjustment member constructed and arranged to move the body and neck to any of a plurality of positions about the pivot point.

6. 6. The guitar of claim 5, wherein said adjustment member is a threaded fastener accessible from within said body through a sound hole formed in said top surface and in threaded relationship with said neck portion.

7. 7. The guitar of claim 6, further comprising a retaining fastener, said retaining fastener being in threaded relationship with said neck portion.

8. 8. The guitar of claim 7, wherein the adjustment fastener and the retention fastener are threaded into a fastening member, the member being disposed within the neck behind the third connecting surface.

9. 3. The guitar of claim 2, wherein the pivot extends across the width of the third connecting member.

10. 3. The guitar of claim 2, wherein the third connecting surface includes an extension extending therefrom, the pivot portion being formed on either side thereof.

11. A guitar with a neck adjustment feature, a fuselage section having a first connecting surface and a second connecting surface, said surfaces being generally perpendicular to one another; a neck portion connectable to the body, the neck portion having third and fourth connecting surfaces for alignment with the first and second surfaces; Equipped with the first connecting surface is in a recess formed in a front surface of the body and aligns with the third connecting surface of the neck portion to create a connection between the body and the neck; The guitar is: a pivot portion formed at an upper end of the first connecting surface, the pivot portion being constructed and arranged to contact the third connecting surface and forming a pivot point between the neck and the body in such a manner that the body and the neck are rotatable about the pivot point to form a predetermined angle therebetween; a fretboard formed on and supported by an upper surface of the neck, the fretboard having a tail portion extending beyond the body and supported by the body; Equipped with the underside of the fretboard includes an unreinforced section passing over the pivot point; guitar.

12. 1. A method of adjusting a guitar neck, comprising: providing a body section having a first connecting surface; providing a neck portion having a second connection surface for connection to the first connection surface of the fuselage, the second connection surface including a pivot portion formed thereon in a manner that the pivot portion acts against the first surface of the fuselage to create an angle between the fuselage and the neck; providing an adjustment fastener extending from the body to the neck, the fastener constructed and arranged to increase or decrease the angle between the body and the neck; rotating the fastener to change the angle and thereby change the height of the strings above the fretboard; A method comprising:

13. 13. The method of claim 12, wherein the fastener is located on the body of the guitar and is accessible through a sound hole formed in a top surface of the body.

14. A guitar with a neck adjustment feature, The torso and a neck having a fretboard formed thereon, the underside of the fretboard including an unreinforced section; an adjustable means between the body and the neck for adjusting the angle therebetween; A guitar equipped with.

15. 15. The guitar of claim 14, wherein the adjustable means includes a threaded member disposed within the body and accessible through a sound hole in a top surface of the body.

16. 16. The guitar of claim 15, wherein the angle is created by a pivot that allows separation between the body and the neck at a predetermined location therebetween.

17. 17. The guitar of claim 16, wherein rotation of the threaded member changes the angle.

18. 18. The guitar of claim 17, wherein clockwise rotation of the threaded member causes a reduction in the height of the guitar strings above the fretboard.

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