Guitar with tuning mechanism, and tuning mechanism for a guitar

Abstract

The invention relates to a guitar (100) without a headstock or pegbox at the end of the neck that is remote from the body and having an ergonomically advantageously operable tuning mechanism, the guitar comprising: a body (10); a neck (11) attached to the body (10); multiple strings (12); and a tuning mechanism (200), wherein the tuning mechanism (200) comprises tuning pegs (13), wherein the tuning mechanism (200) is arranged at the end (14) of the body (10) that is remote from the neck (11).

Description

[0001] Lührs, Christian 15.10.2025

[0002] 1

[0003] Guitar with tuning mechanism and tuning mechanism for a guitar

[0004] The present invention relates to a guitar, in particular an electric guitar or bass guitar or acoustic guitar or bass guitar, comprising a body, a neck attached to the body, several strings and a tuning mechanism, wherein the tuning mechanism has tuning pegs.

[0005] Furthermore, the present invention relates to a tuning mechanism for a guitar, in particular for an electric guitar or bass guitar or an acoustic guitar or bass guitar.

[0006] Technological background

[0007] Tuning pegs for guitars are used to tune individual strings by changing the tension of the strings. Unlike simple tuning pegs, such as those used for tuning stringed instruments, tuning pegs have a gear mechanism to increase or decrease the speed of turning the peg handle on the tuning peg's shaft. Turning the handle rotates the shaft, causing the strings to wind onto it.

[0008] Tuning mechanisms with manually operated tuning pegs are usually located on the headstock or pegboard of the guitar's neck. However, the headstock or pegboard increases the weight at the end of the neck and necessitates countermeasures to prevent the guitar from becoming neck-heavy. Especially with electric guitars, the body weight cannot simply be reduced, as this would increase the neck-heaviness.

[0009] Furthermore, so-called headless guitars are known. These guitars, usually electric, have a tuning mechanism at the end of the body opposite the neck. The guitar strings are clamped in the tuning mechanism by means of a clamping mechanism. The strings can be tightened via rotating ferrules on the tuning mechanism. Since the ferrules rotate in

[0010] RGTH L241622W007365PT Lührs, Christian October 15, 2025

[0011] Since the two straight extensions of the strings are located at the end of the body furthest from the neck, they are very close together and not easily operated by hand. Therefore, a key, such as an Allen key, is usually provided to turn the swivels.

[0012] Description of the invention: Problem, solution, advantages

[0013] The present invention is based on the objective of creating a guitar without a headstock or tuning peg at the end of the neck facing away from the body, which has an ergonomically advantageous tuning mechanism.

[0014] To solve the problem underlying the invention, a guitar, in particular an electric guitar or bass guitar or an acoustic guitar or bass guitar, is proposed, comprising a body, a neck attached to the body, several strings and a tuning mechanism, wherein the tuning mechanism has tuning pegs, and wherein it is further provided that the tuning mechanism is arranged at an end of the body facing away from the neck.

[0015] The tuning mechanism of the guitar according to the invention has tuning pegs. In contrast to the rotary sleeves known from so-called headless guitars, these tuning pegs have an ergonomically easy-to-grip and operate handle, so that tuning the guitar using the tuning pegs of the tuning mechanism located at the end of the body furthest from the neck is easy and straightforward.

[0016] The guitar can be an electric guitar or an electric bass guitar, also called an e-bass. Furthermore, the guitar can be an acoustic guitar or an acoustic bass guitar.

[0017] A guitar can have four to eight strings. Specifically, an electric or acoustic guitar can have between six and eight strings. An electric or acoustic bass guitar can have between four and six strings.

[0018] RGTH L241622W007365PT Lührs, Christian October 15, 2025

[0019] 3

[0020] Preferably, each tuning pin should have one handle and one adjusting axis.

[0021] The tuning peg preferably has a bore running perpendicular to its axis. One end of each guitar string passes through the bore of the tuning peg. Turning the tuning peg rotates the tuning peg, winding the strings onto it. This allows the guitar to be tuned. In this respect, this guitar differs from known headless guitars, where the tuning mechanism at the end of the body opposite the neck does not have tuning pegs. Instead, on known headless guitars, the strings are clamped to the tuning mechanism by means of a clamping device. Clamping the strings in this device makes it more difficult to string the guitar on known headless guitars.

[0022] A further advantage is that the handle is a wing handle.

[0023] Wing-style tuning pegs feature plate-like projections or wings extending on one or both sides of the peg's axis of rotation. Wing-style tuning pegs are easy to grip by hand, allowing for simple and convenient tuning of the guitar strings. This offers improved usability compared to the rotary ferrules found on headless guitars.

[0024] A further advantage is that the tuning mechanism, in particular the tuning pins, has a gear system to translate a rotation of the handle onto the adjusting axis.

[0025] The gearbox is preferably a reduction gearbox, allowing for precise fine-tuning of the string tuning. The gearbox can be designed as a worm gear or a planetary gear.

[0026] RGTH L241622W007365PT Lührs, Christian October 15, 2025

[0027] 4

[0028] Preferably, a tailpiece may be arranged at one end of the neck facing away from the body, and the strings may be stretched between the tuning mechanism and the tailpiece.

[0029] On familiar guitars, whether they are guitars with a headstock or tuning pegs, or, especially as electric guitars, headless guitars, the tailpiece is located at the end of the body furthest from the neck. In the tuning mechanisms of headless guitars, the tailpiece serves as a clamping device for the guitar strings.

[0030] In the preferred embodiment, however, the tailpiece is arranged at an end of the neck that is attached to the body.

[0031] Preferably, the string holder is a knotted bridge.

[0032] The design of the tailpiece as a knotted bridge is particularly advantageous when the guitar is an acoustic guitar, especially a concert guitar or flamenco guitar.

[0033] A further advantage is that the string holder has recesses for sleeves, especially balls, attached to the ends of the strings.

[0034] This design is particularly advantageous for steel-stringed guitars, such as electric or acoustic guitars. Strings for electric or acoustic guitars have ferrules or balls at one end, which fit snugly into the slots of the tailpiece. On acoustic guitars, these slots are usually holes in the bridge. The strings are tensioned in these slots or holes using bridge pins. In the electric guitar world, tailpieces are also known as stoptail or hardtail tailpieces.

[0035] It is advantageously provided that a bridge and a string guide are arranged on the body, with the string guide being located between the bridge and the tuning mechanism.

[0036] RGTH L241622W007365PT Lührs, Christian October 15, 2025

[0037] 5

[0038] When the guitar is strung, the taut strings rest on the bridge. Between the bridge and a nut, preferably located at the end of the neck closest to the body, the strings can vibrate freely. The distance between the bridge and the nut is called the scale length. A string guide is located between the tuning peg and the bridge. This guide can serve to further secure the strings and also to guide their direction.

[0039] Preferably, the strings are guided through openings in the string guide.

[0040] A further advantage is that the strings between the end of the neck furthest from the body and the string guide run largely parallel to each other, and preferably to the neck, and rest on the bridge.

[0041] Between the end of the neck furthest from the body, particularly a nut located at the end of the neck closest to the body, and the bridge and / or string guide, the strings run largely parallel to each other and preferably also parallel to the neck. "Largely parallel to each other" here refers to the usual alignment of strings on known guitars. A largely parallel course therefore also means that immediately adjacent strings in the area of ​​the body, the bridge, or the end of the neck closest to the body may have a slightly greater distance from each other and from the neck than at the end of the neck closest to the body.

[0042] It is advantageous that the strings run fan-shaped from the string guide to the tuning pegs of the tuning mechanism.

[0043] In other words, the taut strings are deflected by the string guide in such a way that the distance between adjacent strings increases continuously from the string guide to the tuning mechanism, particularly to the tuning pegs. Thus, within the tuning mechanism, especially the tuning pegs, two adjacent strings are in a

[0044] RGTH L241622W007365PT Lührs, Christian October 15, 2025

[0045] The tuning pegs are spaced further apart than in the string guide area. This creates more space for the tuning pegs of the tuning mechanism, allowing them to be spaced further apart. This simplifies the operation of the tuning mechanism.

[0046] It is preferably provided that each pair of immediately adjacent strings runs apart from the string guide to the tuning pegs at an angle of at least 5°, preferably at least 10°, particularly preferably at least 15°, and further particularly preferably at least 20°.

[0047] It is advantageous to provide that the tuning pins are arranged next to each other, and that the distance between two tuning pins lying directly next to each other is at least 0.5 cm, preferably at least 1.0 cm, and particularly preferably at least 1.5 cm.

[0048] The distances between adjacent tuning pins are therefore sufficiently large that they can be easily operated by hand.

[0049] Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the tuning mechanism, in particular the tuning pegs, are arranged on a peg plate, wherein the peg plate is arranged on the body, in particular on a cover or top of the body.

[0050] The tuning mechanism, especially the tuning pegs, can be attached directly to the body of the guitar. Alternatively, the tuning mechanism, particularly the tuning pegs, can be mounted on a pegboard, which in turn is attached to the body, especially to the top or upper surface of the body. Since string tension is very high, particularly on steel-stringed guitars like acoustic guitars, mounting the tuning mechanism on the pegboard can increase the guitar's stability without placing excessive stress on the soundboard.

[0051] A further advantage is that the tuning plate has a first section and a second section, with the tuning mechanism, in particular the

[0052] RGTH L241622W007365PT Lührs, Christian October 15, 2025

[0053] 7

[0054] tuning pinch, on which the first section is arranged, and that the first section is at an angle to the second section.

[0055] In a side view, where the strings run above the top and neck of the guitar, the tuning peg plate can be positioned and attached to the guitar such that its second section rests on the top, and the first section, with the attached tuning mechanism, is angled downwards so that the strings run diagonally downwards from the string guide to the tuning mechanism. When the strings are under tension, this improves their position in the string guide and / or on the bridge.

[0056] A further advantage is that the bridge and string guide are arranged on the peg plate.

[0057] The arrangement of the bridge and string guide on the peg plate allows for a simple guitar construction.

[0058] Furthermore, it may also be provided that a bridge plate is arranged on the peg plate, and that the bridge and the string guide are arranged on the bridge plate.

[0059] The peg plate is thus located between the top (or upper surface) of the body and the bridge plate. This multi-layered construction further increases the guitar's stability.

[0060] A further advantage is that the end of the neck facing away from the body is a free end, and in particular no headpiece, especially no headplate or pegplate, is arranged at the end of the neck facing away from the body.

[0061] Another solution to the problem underlying the invention consists of a tuning mechanism for a guitar as described above.

[0062] RGTH L241622W007365PT Lührs, Christian October 15, 2025

[0063] 8

[0064] All the design features described above relating to the tuning mechanism of the guitar can be transferred accordingly to the tuning mechanism according to the invention.

[0065] Brief description of the characters

[0066] The invention is explained in more detail below with reference to the accompanying figures. These show:

[0067] Fig. 1 shows a guitar with a body, a neck and a tuning mechanism,

[0068] Fig. 2 shows a side view of the guitar with a tuning peg,

[0069] Fig. 3 shows a side view of the guitar with an angled tuning peg,

[0070] Fig. 4 shows a side view of the guitar with a tuning peg and a bridge plate.

[0071] Fig. 5 shows a side view of the guitar with a bridge plate and an angled tuning peg plate, and

[0072] Fig. 6 shows a bass guitar with a body, a neck and a tuning mechanism.

[0073] Detailed description of the characters

[0074] Fig. 1 shows a guitar 100 with a body 10 and a neck 11 attached to the body 10. The guitar 100 also includes several strings 12, in this case six strings 12, and a tuning mechanism 200. The tuning mechanism 200 has several tuning pegs 13 and is located at an end 14 of the body 10 opposite the neck 11. Each of the tuning pegs 13 has a handle 15 and an adjusting shaft 16. The handles 15 are designed as wing-shaped handles 17.

[0075] At one end 18 of the neck 11, facing away from the body 10, a tailpiece 19 is arranged, so that the strings 12 are stretched between the tuning machine 200 and the tailpiece 19. The tailpiece 19 is equipped with receptacles 20 for ferrules or balls attached to the ends of the strings 12. A bridge 21 and a string guide 22 are arranged on the body 10. The string guide 22 is located between the bridge 21 and the tuning machine 200. The strings 12 are guided through openings in the string guide 22. The strings 12 stretched between the tailpiece 19 and the tuning machine 200 run

[0076] RGTH L241622W007365PT Lührs, Christian October 15, 2025

[0077] The strings 12 run largely parallel to each other between the end 18 of the neck 11 facing away from the body 10 and the string guide 22, resting on the bridge 21. Between the string guide 22 and the tuning pegs 13 of the tuning mechanism 200, the strings 12 fan out. This results in the tuning pegs 13, arranged side by side, having a relatively large distance of, for example, over 1 cm, and thus being easily operated by hand.

[0078] In the side view shown in Fig. 2, it can be seen that the tuning pegs 13 of the tuning mechanism 200 are arranged on a peg plate 23. The peg plate 23 rests on the upper surface 24 of the body 10. The handles 15 of the tuning pegs 13 are located below the peg plate 23. The adjusting shaft 16 passes through the peg plate 23 and projects upwards. The respective strings 12 are wound onto the adjusting shafts 16. Each tuning peg 13 has a gear 25 by means of which rotations of the handle 15 are reduced to rotations of the adjusting shaft 16. In the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, the bridge 21 and the string guide 22 are also arranged on the peg plate 23. Between the string guide 22 and the tuning pegs 13, the strings 12 run at a slight downward angle, so that the strings 12 bear sufficient pressure on the bridge 21.

[0079] As shown in Fig. 3, the tuning peg plate 23 can have a first section 26 and a second section 27. The tuning mechanism 200, comprising the tuning pegs 13, is arranged on the first section 26. The first section 26 and the second section 27 are at an angle to each other, so that, as shown in the side view of Fig. 3, the strings 12 run at a steeper downward angle between the string guide 22 and the tuning mechanism 200 than in the embodiment of Fig. 2.

[0080] Fig. 4 shows a further embodiment of the guitar 100. In addition to the tuning peg plate 23 according to Figs. 2 and 3, a bridge plate 28 is provided. The bridge plate 28 is arranged on the tuning peg plate 23, so that the tuning peg plate 23 is located between the bridge plate 28 and the body 10 of the guitar 100. The bridge 21 and the string guide 22 are arranged on the bridge plate 28. The resulting increase

[0081] RGTH L241622W007365PT Lührs, Christian October 15, 2025

[0082] 10 of bridge 21 and string guide 22 causes a greater drop in the strings 12 between the string guide 22 and the tuning pegs 13.

[0083] The configurations according to Figs. 3 and 4 can also be combined, as shown in Fig. 5. In the configuration according to Fig. 5, a bridge plate 28, which carries the string guide 22 and the bridge 21, is also located above the peg plate 23. The peg plate 23 according to Fig. 5, like the peg plate 23 according to Fig. 3, is also formed with two sections 26, TI, wherein the first section 26, which carries the tuning pegs 13, is at an angle to the second section TI, which rests on the upper surface 24 of the body 10.

[0084] Returning to Fig. 1, it can be seen that the end 18 of the neck 11 facing away from the body 10 is a free end 29, so that no head part, in particular no head plate or vertebra plate, is arranged at the end 18 of the neck 11 facing away from the body.

[0085] Fig. 6 shows another guitar 100, which is configured as a bass guitar 30. The bass guitar 30 also comprises a body 10 and a neck 11 attached to the body 10. The bass guitar 30 further comprises four strings 12 and a tuning mechanism 200. Like the tuning mechanism 200 of the guitar 100 in Fig. 1, the tuning mechanism 200 has several tuning pegs 13 and is located at an end 14 of the body 10 opposite the neck 11. Each of the tuning pegs 13 has a handle 15 and an adjusting shaft 16. The handles 15 are designed as wing-shaped fingerboards 17. The tuning mechanism 200 of the bass guitar 30 corresponds in terms of construction and function to the tuning mechanism 200 of the guitar 100 in Fig. 1.

[0086] RGTH L241622W007365PT Lührs, Christian October 15, 2025

[0087] 11

[0088] List of reference symbols

[0089] 100 guitar

[0090] 200 tuning mechanisms

[0091] 10 Corpus

[0092] 11 Neck

[0093] 12 string

[0094] 13 tuning pins

[0095] 14 End

[0096] 15 handle

[0097] 16 actuators

[0098] 17 Wing handle

[0099] 18 End

[0100] 19 tailpieces

[0101] 20 recordings

[0102] 21 Bridge

[0103] 22 string guide

[0104] 23 Vertebral plate

[0105] 24 Top

[0106] 25 gearboxes

[0107] 26 First Section

[0108] 27 Second Section

[0109] 28 multiwall sheets

[0110] 29 Free End

[0111] 30 Bass guitar

[0112] RGTH L241622W007365PT

Claims

Lührs, Christian 15.10.2025 12 Protection claims 1. Guitar (100)7in particular electric guitar or bass guitar (30) or acoustic guitar or bass guitar (30), comprising a body (10), a neck (11) attached to the body (10), several strings (12) and a tuning mechanism (200), wherein the tuning mechanism (200) has tuning pegs (13), characterized in that the tuning mechanism (200) is arranged at an end (14) of the body (10) facing away from the neck (11).

2. Guitar (100) according to claim 1, characterized in that each tuning peg (13) has a handle (15) and an adjusting shaft (16).

3. Guitar (100) according to claim 2, characterized in that the handle (15) is a wing handle (17).

4. Guitar (100) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the tuning mechanism (200), in particular the tuning pegs (13), has a gear (25) for translating a rotation of the handle (15) onto the adjusting shaft (16).

5. Guitar (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a tailpiece (19) is arranged at an end (18) of the neck (11) facing away from the body (10), and that the strings (12) are stretched between the tuning mechanism (200) and the tailpiece (19).

6. Guitar (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that the string holder (19) is a knotted bridge.

7. Guitar (100) according to claim 5, characterized in that the tailpiece (19) has receptacles (20) for sleeves, in particular balls, attached at the ends of the strings (12).

8. Guitar (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a bridge (21) and a string guide (22) are arranged on the body (10). RGTH L241622W007365PT Lührs, Christian 15.10.2025 13 are, wherein the string guide (22) is arranged between the bridge (21) and the tuning mechanism (200).

9. Guitar (100) according to claim 8, characterized in that the strings (12) are guided through passages of the string guide (22).

10. Guitar (100) according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the strings (12) run largely parallel to each other, and preferably to the neck (11), between the end (18) of the neck (11) facing away from the body (10) and the string guide (22) and rest on the bridge (21).

11. Guitar (100) according to one of claims 8 to 10, characterized in that the strings (12) extend fan-like from the string guide (22) to the tuning pegs (13) of the tuning mechanism (200).

12. Guitar (100) according to claim 11, characterized in that each pair of immediately adjacent strings (12) run apart from the string guide (22) to the tuning pegs (13) at an angle of at least 5°, preferably at least 10°, particularly preferably at least 15°, and further particularly preferably at least 20°.

13. Guitar (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tuning pegs (13) are arranged next to each other, and that a distance between two immediately adjacent tuning pegs (13) is at least 0.5 cm, preferably at least 1.0 cm, in particular preferably at least 1.5 cm.

14. Guitar (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the tuning mechanism (200), in particular the tuning pegs (13), is arranged on a peg plate (23), wherein the peg plate (23) is arranged on the body (10), in particular on a top or upper surface (24) of the body (10).

15. Guitar (100) according to claim 14, characterized in that the tuning peg (23) has a first section (26) and a second section (27), wherein RGTH L241622W007365PT Lührs, Christian 15.10.2025 14 the tuning mechanism (200), in particular the tuning pins (13), is arranged on the first section (26), and wherein the first section (26) is at an angle to the second section (27).

16. Guitar (100) according to claim 14 or 15, characterized in that the bridge (21) and the string guide (22) are arranged on the peg plate (23).

17. Guitar (100) according to one of claims 14 to 16, characterized in that a bridge plate (28) is arranged on the tuning peg plate (23), and that the bridge (21) and the string guide (22) are arranged on the bridge plate (28).

18. Guitar (100) according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that an end (18) of the neck (11) facing away from the body (10) is a free end (29), wherein in particular no headstock, in particular no headplate or tuning peg plate, is arranged at the end (18) of the neck (11) facing away from the body (10).

19. Tuning mechanism (200) for a guitar (100) according to one of the aforementioned claims. RGTH L241622W007365PT

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