Stringed musical instruments with a reinforced headstock and neck assembly

Abstract

Reinforcement members for a neck and headstock assembly of a stringed musical instrument, and manufacturing methods therefor, are provided. The stringed musical instrument has a body and a neck attached to the body at a first end of the neck. The reinforcement member includes an elongate plate configured to fixedly attach to an upper surface of the neck and extend along the neck at least between the first end and a second end of the neck opposite the first end. The elongate plate has a stiffness greater than a stiffness of the neck.

Description

PATENTAttorney Docket No.: BALE002WOINTERNATIONAL PATENT APPLICATION FOR:Stringed Musical Instruments with a Reinforced Headstock and Neck AssemblyINVENTOR:Baruch Levi LEEDSATTORNEY DOCKET NUMBER: BALE002WOMOSER TAB 0 AD A 1040 Broad Street, Suite 103 Shrewsbury, NJ 07702 (732) 935-710011596475_1PATENTAttorney Docket No.: BALE002WOStringed Musical Instruments with a Reinforced Headstock and Neck AssemblyCROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims benefit of United States provisional patent application serial number 63 / 553,125 filed February 13, 2024, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.FIELD

[0002] This disclosure relates generally to stringed musical instruments and more specifically to a neck and headstock assembly for a stringed musical instrument that includes an improved reinforcing member.BACKGROUND

[0003] Stringed musical instruments are typically divided into two categories, either bowed instruments such as violins or plucked instruments such as guitars. For hundreds of years luthiers have known that stringed musical instruments having wooden necks and headstocks produce the most pleasing sounds. Such instruments usually comprise a wooden body, a wooden neck assembly extending outwardly from the body, a wooden headstock either formed integrally with the neck or fastened to the end of the neck assembly remote from the body, and a set of strings that extend from a plurality of tuning keys located on the headstock to a string fastening means located on the body. As a result, when the strings are strummed or plucked, the body of the instrument, along with the strings, resonate and produce pleasing sounds.

[0004] However, both categories of musical instruments suffer from a similar problem. A first and obvious problem is that the long and narrow wooden neck and headstock assembly are subject to breakage if the instrument is not handled carefully. Thus, owners of such instruments have learned to handle them carefully. However, even with careful handling, the strings impose large forces on the neck and headstock, often causing warping and twisting of the neck. For example, when the instrument is tuned to pitch, the strings are tightly stretched and impose an extensive longitudinal stress over the neck and body of the instrument. If this stress is not adequately countered, controlled, or resisted, warping and twisting of the neck will often occur and undesirably affect the21596475_1PATENTAttorney Docket No.: BALE002WO spacing between the strings and the neck of the instrument. As a result, the instrument may produce distorted notes when played or it may become difficult or impossible to press a string against the neck to produce a desired note. In some instances, this warping and twisting can become so great that the strings can contact the neck in undesirable locations, thereby rendering the instrument unplayable.

[0005] Over the years many attempts have been made at reinforcing the necks of stringed musical instruments in order to prevent breakage as well as to prevent and / or reduce the warping and twisting of the neck.

[0006] One example are metal neck guitars. Although guitars having a metal neck are advantageously known to have improved sustain and note definition, as well as resistance to warping, the inventor has observed that even a metal neck does occasionally warp under normal use, and in the event of warpage, adjustable bending of the neck cannot be easily corrected so as to provide neck adjustment and optimal playability of the instrument. Additionally, guitars having a neck substantially supported by metal are notoriously heavy.

[0007] Thus, the inventor has provided a reinforcement member useful for both electric and acoustic stringed instruments that can substantially preserve the structure of the traditional wooden neck and its well-known and loved tonal qualities, while at the same time improve the strength of the neck and headstock in a manner that minimizes increased weight while providing increased performance, such as an increase in sustain.SUMMARY

[0008] Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure provide a reinforcement member for a neck and headstock assembly of a stringed musical instrument, and manufacturing methods therefor, that includes a reinforcing member positioned along a surface thereof without modification of the core of the neck. That is, a reinforcing member reinforces the neck in close proximity to both the body and headstock ends so as to reduce the possibility of breakage and warping, with little or no modification of the core section of the neck. Also, embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure provide such a reinforcing member along with an adjustable truss rod assembly positioned in a traditional manner within the neck to provide relief adjustment / correction in the event that a small amount of warpage does occur, or to control a desired amount of warpage of the31596475_1PATENTAttorney Docket No.: BALE002WO neck. Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure provide such reinforcement and the possibility of installing a traditional truss rod, in a manner that is easy and inexpensive to manufacture.

[0009] In some embodiments, a reinforcement for a stringed musical instrument having a body, a neck, and a headstock includes a reinforcing member that reinforces the neck at both the body and headstock ends thereof while subjecting the traditional cross-section of the wooden neck to no or only minor upper surface modification. The reinforcing member comprises a substantially elongate plate having substantially flat upper and lower surfaces, that extends along an upper surface of the neck and headstock, preferably from a point within or with-on the body of the instrument to a point near the free end of the headstock of the instrument. In some embodiments, the plate is formed using a strong light-weight material, for example a metal, such as aluminum, magnesium, titanium, or alloys thereof. In some embodiments, the plate is formed of other light and stiff materials, such as one or more non-metal materials, such as fiberglass, a thermoformed plastic, or the like.

[0010] In some embodiments, the plate resides along an upper surface of the neck so as to present a planar surface for later attachment of a fretboard to the neck. In some embodiments, the plate is slightly embedded within the upper surface of the neck so that together the upper surfaces of the plate and the neck present a planar surface for later attachment of the fretboard.

[0011] Where the plate is slightly embedded in the upper surface of the neck, the plate may provide at most a slight modification of the upper surface of the wooden neck and does not disturb the core of the neck. Accordingly, in either embodiment, an adjustable truss rod assembly of one or more truss rods can easily be positioned within the neck in a traditional manner.

[0012] In embodiments, positioning of the reinforcing member along the upper surface of the neck may be accomplished without modification of the core of the neck, and the reinforcing member may extend across the transition from the neck to the headstock so as to substantially comprises the upper surface of the headstock. Thus, when the reinforcing member is a metal plate, the metal plate may provide a durable and lightweight41596475_1PATENTAttorney Docket No.: BALE002WO yet shiny and eye-catching surface to the headstock. Alternatively, a veneer of other material can cover the portion of the reinforcing member that extends over the headstock.

[0013] In some embodiments, a stringed musical instrument includes: a body; an elongate neck having a first end attached to the body and having a second end opposite the first end; an elongate plate fixedly attached to an upper surface of the neck and extending along the neck at least between the first end and the second end of the neck, wherein the elongate plate has a stiffness greater than a stiffness of the neck; and a fretboard attached to the elongate plate and disposed over at least a portion of the elongate plate.

[0014] In some embodiments, a reinforcement member is provided for a stringed musical instrument, which has a body and a neck attached to the body at a first end of the neck. The reinforcement member includes an elongate plate configured to fixedly attach to an upper surface of the neck and extend along the neck at least between the first end and a second end of the neck opposite the first end. The elongate plate has a stiffness greater than a stiffness of the neck.

[0015] In some embodiments, a method of making a stringed musical instrument includes attaching an elongate plate to an upper surface of an elongate neck and extending along the neck at least between a first end and an opposing second end of the neck, wherein the elongate plate has a stiffness greater than a stiffness of the neck.

[0016] Other and further embodiments of the present disclosure are described below.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0017] Embodiments of the present disclosure, briefly summarized above and discussed in greater detail below, can be understood by reference to the illustrative embodiments of the disclosure depicted in the appended drawings. However, the appended drawings illustrate only typical embodiments of the disclosure and are therefore not to be considered limiting of scope, for the disclosure may admit to other equally effective embodiments.

[0018] Figure 1A illustrates a stringed musical instrument in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0019] Figure 1 B illustrates a stringed musical instrument in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.51596475_1PATENTAttorney Docket No.: BALE002WO

[0020] Figure 1 C illustrates an exploded, schematic section view of a joint between a neck and reinforcement member in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0021] Figure 1 D illustrates an exploded, schematic section view of a joint between a neck and reinforcement member in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0022] Figure 1 E illustrates an exploded, schematic section view of a joint between a neck and reinforcement member in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0023] Figure 1 F illustrates an exploded, schematic section view of a joint between a neck and reinforcement member in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0024] Figure 1 G illustrates an exploded, schematic section view of a joint between a neck and reinforcement member in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0025] Figure 2A illustrates a stringed musical instrument in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0026] Figure 2B illustrates a stringed musical instrument in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0027] Figure 3 illustrates a stringed musical instrument in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0028] Figure 4 illustrates a stringed musical instrument in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0029] Figure 5 illustrates a stringed musical instrument in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0030] Figure 6 illustrates a stringed musical instrument in accordance with some embodiments of the present disclosure.

[0031] To facilitate understanding, identical reference numerals have been used, where possible, to designate identical elements that are common to the figures. The figures are not drawn to scale and may be simplified for clarity. Elements and features of one61596475_1PATENTAttorney Docket No.: BALE002WO embodiment may be beneficially incorporated in other embodiments without further recitation.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0032] Embodiments of a reinforcement memberfor stringed musical instruments, electric or acoustic, that can substantially preserve the traditional structure of the neck while at the same time improving the strength of the neck and headstock are provided herein. The disclosed reinforcement member advantageously enhances the reliability of the neck and / or headstock (e.g., resistance to warpage and / or breakage) while being easy to incorporate into a manufacturing process for producing stringed instruments having such reinforcement members.

[0033] Figure 1A illustrates a stringed musical instrument (an acoustic guitar is illustratively shown in Figure 1A) having a body 109, an elongate neck 104 attached to the body 109, and a headstock 108 attached to the neck 104. In Figure 1 A, the body 109 shown is hollow, although in some embodiments, the body 109 may be solid. In embodiments, the neck 104 and headstock 108 may be made from wood, such as from one or more hardwoods.

[0034] The neck 104 has a first end at the body 109 and an opposing second end at the headstock 108. The neck 104 has a body that predominantly defines the shape of the neck 104. The body has a back or lower surface 104b that defines a hand grip support surface. The lower surface 104b may be curved, for example, in a C shape, V shape, or U shape. A profile of the body of the neck 104 may change over a length of the neck 104. The body of the neck 104 has a front or upper surface 104a configured to receive a reinforcement member, which is shown as a plate 102 (described in greater detail below) and / or a fretboard 101 , which may be of traditional design. The neck 104 may be reinforced with the plate 102. In embodiments, the plate 102 has a substantially flat and planar upper surface 102a and a substantially flat and planar lower surface 102b. In some embodiments described herein, side edges of the plate 102 may have a non-planar surface for forming a joint with the neck 104.

[0035] In some embodiments, and as shown in Figure 1A, the plate 102 may extend to the first and second ends of the neck 104. The neck 104 shown in Figure 1A is reinforced by the plate 102 up until the first end of the neck 104 (e.g., where it abuts the body 109).71596475_1PATENTAttorney Docket No.: BALE002WOIn some embodiments, and as shown in Figure 4, the entire length of the neck 104 and the headstock 108 may be reinforced by a relatively thin flat plate 102 affixed to the neck 104, such as with an adhesive (e.g., glue or epoxy), or other suitable fixing types, such as screws 412 (for example, shown in Figures 3 and 6).

[0036] In some embodiments, and as shown in Figure 1 A, the stringed musical instrument includes a separate attachable headstock 108 that has a reinforcing plate 115 covering the top of the headstock 108. In some embodiments, the reinforcing plate 115 may be covered with an optional veneer 106, such as a wood veneer. In some embodiments, the reinforcing plate 115 may be joined to the plate 102. For example, plate 102 may have an end plate 103 at the second end of the plate 102 and the reinforcing plate 115 may have a connection or flange 110. The end plate 103 and flange 110 may be connected (e.g., with fasteners, adhesive, or by welding) to one another to join the reinforcing plate 115 to the plate 102. When joined together, the plate 102 and plate 115 may form a continuous plate that reinforces both the neck 104 and the headstock 108. In some embodiments, the reinforcing plate 115 may be part of the plate 102 (i.e. , the plate 102 and the plate 115 may be one continuous and unitary member). The plate 115 may be inlaid into the headstock 108 or may rest against an upper surface of the headstock 108. In some embodiments, the plate 115 may be inlaid into or otherwise joined to the upper surface of the headstock 108 using any of the techniques described herein for joining the plate 102 to the neck 104. In some embodiments, the plate 115 may be coupled to the headstock 108 via other components of the headstock 108, such as tuning pegs or tuning machines (not shown) that extend through the headstock 108 for securing one end of the strings of the musical instrument.

[0037] In the embodiments shown in Figures 1A and 1 B, the headstock 108 may either be part of the neck 104 or it may be detachable. In some embodiments, and as shown in Figures 1A and 1 B, the plate 102 has end plate 103. The end plate 103 can be attached to the plate 102 in various ways, such as via fasteners (e.g., bolts, screws), weld, adhesive, etc., or the end plate 103 may be formed integrally with the plate 102 from the same piece.

[0038] In some embodiments, and as shown in Figures 1A and 1 B, a fretboard 101 of traditional design may be affixed in a traditional manner over the neck 104 and the plate81596475_1PATENTAttorney Docket No.: BALE002WO102. The fretboard 101 extends beyond the first end of the plate 102 over a portion of the body 109 towards the sound hole 105. In some embodiments, and as shown in Figure 1A, the plate 102 substantially completely covers the neck 104 from edge to edge (i.e., side to side), and a plate 115 substantially completely covers the headstock 108 from edge to edge (i.e., side to side). The plate 102 acts as a reinforcement member for the neck 104, thereby helping prevent warping of the neck 104, as well as breakage of the neck 104 at either end thereof, that is, at the headstock 108 as well as the body 109. The plate 115 also acts as a reinforcement member for the headstock 108.

[0039] In embodiments, the plate 102 is relatively thin (in comparison to the neck 104), thereby not adding significant weight to the neck 104, nor changing the composition of the neck 104. As a result, the pleasing tonal qualities supplied by the neck 104 are retained, yet the plate 102 is thick enough to help reduce breakage and prevent warping of the neck 104. Additionally, since neck reinforcement is provided without modification of the core of the neck 104, there is the possibility to provide an optional truss rod assembly of one or more traditional designs within the neck 104. The plate 102 can have a stiffness greater than that of the neck 104.

[0040] The plate 102, when attached to the neck 104, may improve the stability, strength, and resistance to flexural deformation of the neck 104 (including deformation that would otherwise break the neck 104). The attachment of the plate 102 to the neck 104 may effectively increase the stiffness of the overall plate / neck assembly (i.e., the extent to which the neck resists deformation in response to an applied force, e.g., from strings, or internal stresses such as from material warpage). The combination of the plate 102 and the neck 104 has a higher bending modulus than the bending modulus of the neck 104 alone. As a result, the combination of the plate 102 and the neck 104 can withstand greater bending moments before failure (i.e., excessive warpage affecting playability, and / or breakage) of the neck 104 (i.e., ultimate bending moment) than the neck 104 alone.

[0041] Moreover, the plate 102 may be made of a material that is more structurally and / or thermally stable than a material of the neck 104. For example, a wooden neck may experience more warpage, bending, or change in length in response to changes in humidity and temperature than a flat plate of steel or aluminum or other thermally stable91596475_1PATENTAttorney Docket No.: BALE002WO and stiff material. Thus, the combination of the plate 102 with the neck 104 may provide added stability to the neck 104.

[0042] The plate 102 and / or the plate 115 may be made from metal such as steel, aluminum, magnesium, or titanium steel, or any other relatively stiff (e.g., as compared to the primary neck material), and optionally lightweight, natural or man-made material such as, carbon fiber, fiberglass, thermoplastic, or any other man-made or natural stiffening or structural material, and can typically have a thickness in the range of 0.001” to 0.5”. In some embodiments, the plate 102 may have a thickness of 0.01” to 0.5”. In some embodiments, the plate 102 may have a thickness of 0.05” to 0.5”. The thickness of the plate 102 can be selected based at least in part upon the physical properties of the material of the plate 102. For example, the minimum thickness may vary dependent upon the material selected for the plate 102. Additionally, the desired thickness of the plate 102 can vary dependent upon the material selected. One of ordinary skill in the art could readily determine the appropriate thickness for the plate 102 dependent upon the material of the plate 102. In some embodiments, the total weight of the neck 104 (made of a certain material) and the plate 102 may be less than a neck 104 (made of the same or different material) without the plate 102, in a case where both structures have equal stiffness. Thus, an assembly of the neck 104 and plate 102 in accordance with the present disclosure may result in a neck that is significantly lighter than building a full neck without the plate 102.

[0043] In some embodiments, and as shown in Figures 1A and 2A, the upper surface 104a of the neck 104 may be flat across the entire upper surface 104a. In some embodiments, and as shown in Figures 1 B, 2B, 3, and 4, the upper surface 104a of the neck 104 may have a groove 113 defining a central shallow recess 119 to receive the plate 102 as an inlaid member. The recess 119 is relatively shallow so as not to affect the core of the neck 104. The depth of the groove 113 may match the thickness of the plate 102. The groove 113 is configured to receive side edges of the plate 102 so that the plate 102 may be recessed and centered within an upper surface of the neck 104 (i.e. , so that an upper surface of the plate 102 and the upper surface of the neck 104 are coplanar).101596475_1PATENTAttorney Docket No.: BALE002WO

[0044] In some embodiments, and as shown in Figure 1 C, the attachment of plate 102 to the neck 104 may be made by a rabbet joint 111. As shown in Figure 1 C, the groove 113 may be formed as a female portion of a rabbet joint 111 and ledges 114 of the plate 102 may be formed as male portions of the rabbet joint 111. The groove 113 may be routed into the neck 104. The ledges 114 of the plate 102 may have a thickness equal to the thickness of the groove 113 so that the ledges 114 may be inserted into the groove 113 of the neck 104 to create a secure attachment via rabbet joint 111. Also, the grooves 113 may be routed into the neck 104 at a depth below the upper surface of the neck 104 such that the upper surface of the neck 104 and the upper surface of the plate 102 are co-planar (i.e., flush) when the plate 102 is attached to the neck 104. While a rabbet joint is shown in Figure 1 C, it is contemplated that other joints and joinery techniques can be used, such as dovetail joints, lap joints, half-lap joints, or the like.

[0045] Figure 1 C shows that the body of the neck 104 may have an open channel shaped profile with an open or hollow core. The profile of the neck 104 shown in Figure 1 C may improve stiffness of the neck 104 and reduce weight in comparison to a neck having a solid core of similar overall dimensions and material composition. The open or hollow core may provide space for placement of an optional truss rod 401 shown in Figure 1 C. In some embodiments, including embodiments consistent with Figures 1 C-1 G, the open channel in the neck 104 may be sized to snugly fit the truss rod 401 (i.e., removal of just enough material to install the truss rod 401 ).

[0046] In some embodiments, and as shown in Fig. 1 D, the upper surface 104a of the neck 104 may have a groove 113 defining a shoulder 122 over which ledges 114 of the plate 102 are seated such that the upper surface 102a of the flat plate 102 extends over and covers the upper surface 104a of the neck 104. In some embodiments, and as shown in Fig. 1 D, the core of the neck 104 may optionally be hollowed out. In some embodiments, and as shown in Fig. 1 D, an optional truss rod 401 may extend in a longitudinal channel 118 in the neck 104 if the core of the neck is solid or may extend in the hollowed core.

[0047] In some embodiments, and as shown in Figure 1 E, the upper surface 104a of the neck 104 may have a groove 113 defining a shoulder 122 over which ledges 114 of the plate 102 are seated such that the upper surface 102a of the flat plate 102 is co-planar111596475_1PATENTAttorney Docket No.: BALE002WO or flush with the upper surface 104a of the neck 104. In some embodiments, and as shown in Fig. 1 E, the core of the neck 104 may optionally be hollowed out. In some embodiments, and as shown in Fig. 1 E, an optional truss rod 401 may extend in a longitudinal channel 118 in the neck 104 if the core of the neck is solid or may extend in the hollowed core.

[0048] In some embodiments, and as shown in Figures 1 F, the flat plate 102 extends across the entire width of the neck 104 and the lower surface 102b of the plate is in contact only with the upper surface 104a of the neck 104. In some embodiments, and as shown in Fig. 1 F, the core of the neck 104 may optionally be hollowed out. In some embodiments, and as shown in Fig. 1 F, an optional truss rod 401 may extend in a longitudinal channel 118 in the neck 104 if the core of the neck is solid or may extend in the hollowed core.

[0049] In some embodiments, and as shown in Figure 1 G, the plate 102 is seated in a recessed groove 113 formed in the upper surface 104a of the neck 104 so that the upper surface 102a of the plate 102 is co-planar or flush with the upper surface 104a of the neck. In some embodiments, and as shown in Fig. 1 G, the core of the neck 104 may optionally be hollowed out. In some embodiments, and as shown in Fig. 1 G, an optional truss rod 401 may extend in a longitudinal channel 118 in the neck 104 if the core of the neck is solid or may extend in the hollowed core.

[0050] In some embodiments, and as shown in Figures 2A and 2B, the first end of the plate 102 may extend partially over or otherwise onto the body 109 (e.g., the plate 102 extends over a portion of the body 109). In some embodiments, in instruments where the body includes a sound hole 105, the first end of the plate 102 may extend over the body 109 to a point near and adjacent to the sound hole 105.

[0051] In the embodiment shown in Figure 2A, the first end of the plate 102 may be disposed on the upper surface of the body 109, whereas in the embodiment shown in Figure 2B, the first end of the plate 102 may be at least partially recessed in a routed pocket 116 formed in the body 109. In some embodiments, the first end of the plate 102 may be joined to the body 109 by a joint, such as the rabbet joint 111 described above with reference to Figure 1 C.121596475_1PATENTAttorney Docket No.: BALE002WO

[0052] In some embodiments, and as shown in Figures 1A-3, both the neck 104 and the headstock 108 may be separable. The neck 104 and the headstock 108 may be formed of the same material (e.g., wood). In some embodiments, and as shown in Figure 3, the headstock 108, the neck 104 may be attached to one another via end plates 402 and 406. As shown in Figure 3, the plate 102 may be attached to the end plate 403, such as with screws 412. End plate 406 may be secured to the headstock 108 by fasteners (e.g., screws) 405 longitudinally inserted into a receiver 408. The receiver 408 may be inserted into a cavity 409 within the headstock 108. The end plate 402 may be inserted into a cavity 410 in the second end of the neck 104. The end plate 402 may be secured to the neck 104 with either adhesive or fasteners (e.g., screws) or both. After both end plates 402 and 406 are affixed at their designated positions on the edge of the neck 104 and headstock 108, the headstock 108 may be secured to the neck 104 by optional set pins 404 and a fastener (e.g., bolt) 413 that passes through the receiver 408 and end plate 406 and is threaded securely in end plate 402. In some embodiments the receiver 408 and end plate 406 are not used. Rather, in such embodiments the bolt 413 may be passed through a hole in the headstock 108 and threaded securely into the end plate 402.

[0053] In some embodiments, such as that in Figure 4, the neck 104 and the headstock 108 are formed as a unitary piece (e.g., of one or more materials joined together to form a unitary block of material from with the neck and headstock can be fabricated). In some embodiments, and as shown in Figure 4, the plate 102 extends continuously the entire length of the neck 104 and headstock 108. The plate 102 may be made from one continuous piece of material, or it may be made of a plurality of pieces joined together. For example, in some embodiments where the plate 102 is metal, the plate 102 may be formed from multiple pieces welded together to form one single piece. The first end of the plate 102 extends at least partially over the body 109 in close proximity to the sound hole 105, similar to the embodiments shown in Figures 2A and 2B. Any of the methods of attachment of the plate 102 to the neck 104 as described herein with regard to Figures 1 A-1 C, may be used for the attachment of the plate 102 to the body 109 shown in Figure 4.

[0054] Figure 5 illustrates an embodiment of a stringed musical instrument in which the neck 104 and headstock 108 may be formed from the same piece of material (e.g., wood).131596475_1PATENTAttorney Docket No.: BALE002WOIn some embodiments, and as shown in Figure 5, the plate 102 may extend from the body 109 to the second end of the neck 104. The embodiment of a stringed musical instrument shown in Figure 5 has the advantages of simplicity and cost effectiveness for manufacturing.

[0055] In some embodiments and as shown in Figure 6, the plate 102 may extend to the second end of the neck 104. The plate 102 is attached to an end plate 402, as shown and described with reference to Figure 3. However, the embodiment of the stringed musical instrument shown in Figure 6 may be built to function without the headstock 108. Instead, the stringed musical instrument shown in Figure 6 may use a locking nut 601 having attachment points 602 to secure strings (not shown). The locking nut 601 may be attached to the neck 104 via the end plate 402. The set pins 404 may optionally be used to align and anchor the locking nut 601 to the end plate 402. Once the locking nut 601 is set in place, a bolt 413 may be passed through a center hole of the locking nut 601 , and threaded into the end plate 402, thereby securely fastening the locking nut 601 to the neck 104.

[0056] In some embodiments, the plate 102 extends past the neck 104 (as is shown in Figure 4) but is not covered by the veneer 106, so as to substantially completely cover the headstock 108 thereby leaving an interesting, strong, and durable surface over the headstock 108. In some embodiments, the plate 115 over the headstock 108 may be covered by a veneer 106. By covering the plate 115 with a veneer 106, a traditional wooden look to the headstock 108 is achievable. This allows the instrument to be marketed to a larger audience than if it remained with a metal plate finish, as many players are traditional and prefer the original wooden look to the headstock. The plate 102 and plate 115 may be formed by extrusion or cut from sheet metal stock material, such as for example aluminum, as a single piece or can be formed separately and firmly joined together by attachment means such as welding.

[0057] All embodiments of the present disclosure lend themselves to a method of manufacturing a stringed musical instrument having reduced probability of breakage and warping. In some embodiments, the method includes affixing the plate 102 (e.g., of unitary construction) over an upper surface of the neck 104, from a first end of the neck where the neck extends into the body 109 to a second end of the neck where it would either141596475_1PATENTAttorney Docket No.: BALE002WO transition into the headstock or have a locking nut secured at the end of the neck in the case of a headless stock stringed musical instrument. The affixing can be by fasteners (e.g., screws 412) from a top side of the plate 102 into the upper surface of the neck 104, or by the application of a glue or epoxy adhesive along a lower substantially flat bottom portion of the plate 102, so as to permanently affix the plate 102 to the neck, or by both screws and adhesive.

[0058] Although the illustrations in Figures 1A-6 show an acoustic guitar, the disclosure is not limited to acoustic guitars but is applicable to any stringed musical instrument having a neck extending from a body, including an electric guitar or bass.

[0059] It is contemplated that various combinations and / or sub-combinations of the specific features and aspects of the above embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the disclosure. Accordingly, it should be understood that various features and aspects of the disclosed embodiments may be combined with or substituted for one another in order to form varying modes of the disclosure. Further, the scope of the present disclosure is herein described by way of examples and should not be limited by the particular embodiments as described above.

[0060] While the foregoing is directed to describing several example embodiments of the present disclosure, other and further embodiments of the disclosure may be devised without departing from the basic scope thereof.151596475_1

Claims

PATENTAttorney Docket No.: BALE002WOCLAIMS1 . A stringed musical instrument, comprising: a body; an elongate neck having a first end attached to the body and having a second end opposite the first end; an elongate plate fixedly attached to an upper surface of the neck and extending along the neck at least between the first end and the second end of the neck, wherein the elongate plate has a stiffness greater than a stiffness of the neck; and a fretboard attached to the elongate plate and disposed over at least a portion of the elongate plate.

2. The stringed musical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the elongate plate is formed of at least one of metal, carbon fiber, fiberglass, or plastic.

3. The stringed musical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the elongate plate has a thickness in the range of 0.001” to 0.5”.

4. The stringed musical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the elongate plate fits within a groove formed in the upper surface of the neck so that an upper surface of the elongate plate is coplanar with the upper surface of the neck.

5. The stringed musical instrument of claim 1 , wherein the elongate plate extends from the second end of the neck to a point onto or into a portion of the body.

6. The stringed musical instrument of claim 1 , further comprising a headstock extending from the second end of the neck.

7. The stringed musical instrument of claim 6, further comprising a second plate extending from an end of the elongate plate, wherein the second plate extends over the headstock.161596475_1PATENTAttorney Docket No.: BALE002WO8. The stringed musical instrument of claim 7, wherein the elongate plate and the second plate form a continuous plate extending over the neck and the headstock.

9. The stringed musical instrument of claim 7, further comprising a veneer covering the second plate.

10. The stringed musical instrument of claim 1 , further comprising a locking nut attached to an end of the elongate plate, the locking nut having attachment points for strings.

11. A reinforcement member for a stringed musical instrument, which has a body and a neck attached to the body at a first end of the neck, the reinforcement member comprising: an elongate plate configured to fixedly attach to an upper surface of the neck and extend along the neck at least between the first end and a second end of the neck opposite the first end, wherein the elongate plate has a stiffness greater than a stiffness of the neck.

12. The reinforcement member of claim 11 , wherein the elongate plate is formed of at least one of metal, carbon fiber, fiberglass, or plastic.

13. The reinforcement member of claim 11 , wherein the elongate plate has a thickness in the range of 0.001” to 0.5”.

14. The reinforcement member of claim 11 , wherein the elongate plate is configured to fit within a groove formed in the upper surface of the neck so that an upper surface of the elongate plate is coplanar with the upper surface of neck.

15. The reinforcement member of claim 11 , wherein when attached to the neck, the elongate plate is configured to extend onto or into a portion of the body.171596475_1PATENTAttorney Docket No.: BALE002WO16. The reinforcement member of claim 11 , further comprising a second plate extending from an end of the elongate plate, wherein the second plate is configured to extend over a headstock of the stringed musical instrument.

17. A method of making a stringed musical instrument, the method comprising: attaching an elongate plate to an upper surface of an elongate neck and extending along the neck at least between a first end and an opposing second end of the neck, wherein the elongate plate has a stiffness greater than a stiffness of the neck.

18. The method of claim 17, wherein attaching the elongate plate includes inserting the elongate plate into at least one groove formed in the neck to position an upper surface of the elongate plate to be coplanar with the upper surface of the neck.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising attaching at least one of a locking nut, a fretboard, or a headstock to the elongate plate.

20. The method of claim 17, further comprising coupling the neck to a body of the musical instrument.181596475_1

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