Neck-to-body junction carve-out for acoustic guitar access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Acoustic and semi-acoustic stringed instruments face playability issues due to the traditional neck heel obstruction, which limits access to higher positions on the fingerboard when played in the normal position, while also requiring a strong neck-to-body junction to withstand high string tension and maintain resonating capability.

Innovation Solution

A neck-to-body junction with a smoothly-curved carve-out extending from the base of the neck into the upper body in both perpendicular and radial directions, allowing enhanced access to higher positions on the fingerboard and maintaining structural integrity and resonating capacity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of operation

If a traditional neck heel is used to join the neck to the body, then the neck-to-body junction maintains structural strength, but the player's access to higher positions on the fingerboard is obstructed

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveaccess to higher positions on fingerboardVSAvoidneck-to-body junction strength

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

The patent removes the traditional neck heel obstruction from the instrument body, extracting only the necessary structural support elements while eliminating the portion that blocks player access. The neck is joined to the body without a protruding heel, allowing the player's hand to reach higher frets unobstructed while maintaining junction strength through alternative structural design.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent modifies the neck-to-body junction by extending the neck structure into the body along the longitudinal axis rather than using a perpendicular heel extension. This dimensional change allows the neck to integrate with the body in a way that maintains strength without creating lateral obstruction, solving the contradiction between structural integrity and player accessibility.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #17Another dimension (Dimensionality change)

2Ease of operation

If the neck is extended into the body without a heel, then player access to higher positions is improved, but the structural integrity to withstand string tension may be compromised

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveplayability and access to higher fretsVSAvoidneck-to-body junction reliability under string tension

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent employs composite construction techniques in the neck-to-body junction, combining different materials with complementary properties. The neck and body are constructed from materials that provide both strength and flexibility, allowing the junction to withstand high string tensions (approximately 200 pounds for a six-string acoustic guitar) while maintaining the heel-less design for improved playability.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

Solution Approach 2:

The patent features a smoothly curved surface at the neck-to-body junction that extends into the body, creating an ergonomic carve-out that eliminates the angular heel obstruction. This curved design maintains structural continuity and strength distribution while providing unobstructed access to higher frets, resolving the contradiction between reliability and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Strength

If a heel plate is used to attach the neck, then the neck-to-body connection is strong, but the player's hand cannot easily reach higher frets when played in normal position

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveneck-to-body connection strengthVSAvoidhand access to upper frets

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts and eliminates the heel plate structure that causes obstruction, retaining only the essential neck-to-body connection functionality. By removing the protruding heel plate, the design maintains the strength of the joint while eliminating the barrier to player access, allowing the hand to reach upper frets without interference.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of extending the neck connection outward with a heel plate, the patent inverts the approach by having the neck integrate smoothly into the body with a carve-out that follows the body's contour. This inverted design philosophy maintains connection strength while prioritizing player access, effectively solving the contradiction between structural strength and operational ease.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS8207432B2Acoustic and semi-acoustic stringed instruments having a neck-to-body junction

Publication Date: 2012.06.26 FODERA GUITARS LLC

AI summary

An instrument comprising a neck-to-body junction including a solid upper body portion to which the instrument's neck and fingerboard are attached forming a neck member. The neck member is then engaged with a hollow cavity representative of the lower body an acoustic or semi-acoustic stringed instruments. The upper body portion of the neck member extends into the hollow cavity of the lower body to create a uniform body structure. A carve-out feature is then formed in close proximity to the base of the neck and extends into the underside of the upper body portion. The carve-out comprises a smooth and continuous surface that enables a player's hand to comfortably access higher positions on the instrument's neck when the instrument is played in the normal playing position.