Electric Guitar Tailpiece Dual String Locking Modes

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional electric guitar tailpieces lack the ability to lock strings in different string-locking modes, limiting versatility and string tension management.

Innovation Solution

A tailpiece design featuring parallel first and second string passing paths, with the latter curving from the front to the bottom surface, allowing strings to be locked in two modes by passing through either the tailpiece or body-side holes, maintaining tension and harmonic overtones without altering the guitar's appearance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a conventional tailpiece with linear string through-holes is used, then the structure is simple and manufacturing is easy, but the tailpiece cannot lock strings in different string-locking modes

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestring-locking modesVSAvoidtailpiece structure

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The tailpiece is divided into multiple functional regions with different string passing paths: first string passing paths for conventional locking mode and second string passing paths for alternative locking mode. This segmentation allows the tailpiece to support multiple string-locking modes while maintaining a relatively simple overall structure.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The tailpiece is designed with dual functionality by incorporating both first string passing paths (linear) and second string passing paths (curved). This multi-functionality enables the same tailpiece to accommodate different string-locking modes, increasing adaptability without requiring multiple separate components.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Reliability

If strings are passed through the tailpiece in conventional mode, then the structure is simple, but the string oscillation transfer efficiency is limited

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestring oscillation transferVSAvoidstring passing path

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The second string passing paths are designed with curved configurations rather than straight lines. This curvature optimizes the string oscillation transfer by allowing more natural vibration patterns, improving reliability of string oscillation transfer while the curved path remains relatively simple to manufacture.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #14Spheroidality (Curvature)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the tailpiece is modified to support multiple locking modes, then versatility increases, but the appearance of the front surface may be altered

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestring-locking modesVSAvoidfront surface appearance

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSShape

Solution Approach 1:

The modifications to support multiple locking modes are implemented in specific local regions of the tailpiece (such as the rear portion and side openings) rather than altering the overall front surface design. This allows versatility to increase while the main aesthetic appearance remains preserved.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Reliability

If additional string passing paths are added to the tailpiece, then string tension management improves, but manufacturing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestring tension managementVSAvoidtailpiece fabrication

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The first and second string passing paths are integrated into a single tailpiece structure rather than being separate components. This merging allows improved string tension management through multiple paths while avoiding the manufacturing complexity of assembling multiple separate parts, as the paths are formed as integral features of the tailpiece.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentUS9018501B2String locking structure for electric guitar and tailpiece

Publication Date: 2015.04.28 FUJIGEN

AI summary

A string locking structure for an electric guitar is provided with a first string passing path and a second string passing path that are formed in a tailpiece, and a body-side string passing hole that is formed in a body. The first string passing path is a through-hole extending from a front surface part to a rear surface part of a tailpiece body member. A first half part of the second string passing path is a path shared with a first half part of the first string passing path, and a latter half part thereof is a through-hole curved at a right angle and leading to a bottom surface part of the tailpiece body member and communicates with the body-side string passing hole. Each string can be locked in two modes: a first string locked mode in which the string is passed through the first string passing path of the tailpiece and locked, and a second string locked mode in which the string is passed by way of the tailpiece attached to the surface of the body from the back surface side of the body.