Reverse Taper String Instrument Neck Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Traditional string instrument necks with a positive taper design can cause discomfort and fatigue in the player's hand, especially when playing higher frets, due to increased thickness and bulkiness, which also affects the instrument's tonal quality and structural integrity.

Innovation Solution

A neck design with a reverse taper, where the distal end portion is thicker than the proximal end portion, providing improved access to higher frets and reducing hand fatigue, while also enhancing the structural integrity and acoustic benefits of the instrument.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Strength

If a positive taper design is used (proximal end thicker than distal end), then structural integrity is improved, but hand comfort and accessibility to higher frets deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidhand comfort

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

The patent inverts the traditional positive taper design by implementing a reverse taper where the distal end portion is thicker than the proximal end portion. This inversion directly addresses the contradiction by prioritizing hand comfort and fret accessibility over traditional structural integrity considerations, allowing players easier access to higher frets with reduced hand fatigue.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different thickness characteristics to different portions of the neck shaft. The distal end portion is made thicker to improve hand comfort and fret access, while the proximal end portion is made thinner. This local differentiation of quality allows each portion to serve its specific function optimally, resolving the contradiction between structural integrity and ease of operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

2Strength

If a positive taper design is used (proximal end thicker than distal end), then structural integrity is improved, but accessibility to higher frets deteriorates

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvestructural integrityVSAvoidaccessibility to higher frets

Core Design Contradiction:

StrengthVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

3Ease of operation

If a reverse taper design is used (distal end thicker than proximal end), then hand comfort and fret accessibility are improved, but structural integrity may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvehand comfortVSAvoidstructural integrity

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSStrength

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

4Ease of operation

If a reverse taper design is used (distal end thicker than proximal end), then playability is improved, but tonal quality may deteriorate

Engineering Contradiction:

ImproveplayabilityVSAvoidtonal quality

Core Design Contradiction:

Ease of operationVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Data Source

PatentUS12205563B2Necks for use in string instruments

Publication Date: 2025.01.21 KURILCHIK PHILLIP

AI summary

At least some embodiments of the present disclosure are directed to necks for use in a string instrument having a proximal end, a distal end that opposes the proximal end, and an elongated neck shaft extending from the proximal end to the distal end so as to define a frontside disposed proximate a fingerboard and a backside that is opposite the fingerboard. A thickness of the elongated neck shaft is defined between the fingerboard and a backmost portion of the backside. The elongated neck shaft may include distal end portion having a distal end portion thickness that is larger than a proximal end portion thickness of the proximal end portion of the elongated neck shaft.