Semi-Hollow Guitar Body Structure for Feedback Control

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Solution Overview

Problem

Electric guitars with hollow bodies suffer from uncontrolled resonance issues leading to feedback, while solid-body guitars lack resonant complexity, necessitating a structure that optimizes resonant characteristics, sustains notes, and minimizes feedback.

Innovation Solution

A support structure for the guitar body featuring an annular member with a block attached to both top and bottom plates, and a structural element extending into the chamber to provide stiffness and controlled vibration, reducing uncontrolled feedback while maintaining resonant complexity.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Ease of manufacture

If a hollow body structure is used in electric guitar, then resonant complexity and sound quality are improved, but feedback susceptibility increases due to uncontrolled resonance

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveresonant complexityVSAvoidfeedback susceptibility

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of manufactureVSObject-affected harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by implementing a semi-hollow body structure where only specific portions of the body are hollow while other areas are solid or partially solid. This allows different regions to have different resonance characteristics - the hollow portions provide resonant complexity while the solid portions reduce feedback susceptibility. The bridge assembly and internal bracing create localized solid structures within the hollow body to control unwanted vibrations.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

The patent employs composite construction by combining hollow and solid body sections, using materials with different acoustic properties in specific locations. The body may incorporate wood layers, metal bracing, and plastic components that work together to achieve both resonance and feedback control. The bridge assembly itself may be composite, combining materials that provide both vibration transmission and damping.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #40Composite materials

2Object-affected harmful factors

If a solid body structure is used in electric guitar, then feedback susceptibility is reduced, but resonant complexity and sound quality deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeedback susceptibilityVSAvoidresonant complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

3Object-affected harmful factors

If traditional semi-hollow body structure is used, then feedback is reduced compared to hollow body, but resonant complexity and note sustain are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvefeedback reductionVSAvoidnote sustain

Core Design Contradiction:

Object-affected harmful factorsVSDuration of action of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by designing a bridge assembly and body structure that allow controlled vibration and note sustain while preventing feedback. The bridge may incorporate movable or adjustable components that optimize the balance between vibration transmission for sustain and damping for feedback control. The internal bracing and body structure are designed to vibrate in specific modes that enhance sustain without creating feedback problems.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent uses the bridge assembly as an intermediary element between the strings and the body. The bridge is designed to transmit string vibrations effectively to the body for sustain while its specific construction (including potential damping materials or structures) prevents those vibrations from causing feedback. The bridge acts as a mediator that allows beneficial vibration transmission while blocking harmful feedback paths.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Applied Scientific Principles

This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.

Function Achieved in This Case

The structure enhances the guitar's sustainability and resonant characteristics, reducing feedback susceptibility while allowing for distinct sound production.

Implementation Method 1

The structural element is spaced from the top plate and bottom plate to allow for controlled vibration of the respective top and bottom plates

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectVibration: Vibration

Implementation Method 2

the body of the guitar forms a resonating chamber that further shapes and projects the sound

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectResonance: Resonance

Data Source

PatentUS7507885B2Structure for musical instrument body

Publication Date: 2009.03.24 COKE DAVID A

AI summary

A structure for a musical instrument body that limits vibration of various components or parts of the body while controlling and providing for overall resonance of the instrument. The structure is suitable for use with a musical instrument, specifically an electric guitar. The structure includes a support member or block positioned in a chamber created between a top plate and bottom plate of the guitar body and a structural element, spaced from the top and bottom plates, that engages the block to provide additional support and stiffness enabling further control of the overall vibration and thus resonance of the instrument. Varying the design of the structure along with the various body components provides an apparatus for uniquely tuning the acoustic characteristics of the guitar body.