Split Piezo Pickup for Acoustic Guitar Signal Processing
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Solution Overview
Problem
Acoustic guitars using single piezo element pickups under the saddle produce thin and brittle sound due to direct string coupling, lacking the natural acoustical effects of the guitar body, and existing solutions for adding bass are either musically undesirable or too expensive for many performers.
Innovation Solution
Employing two or more smaller piezo pickups under specific strings, with separate pre-amp channels and digital signal processing to enhance bass and treble signals, including octave division and acoustical restoration algorithms, to create a stereo image and 3D presence in the amplified sound.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If a single piezo element pickup is used under the saddle, then the system is inexpensive and feedback is minimized, but the sound quality becomes thin and brittle without natural acoustical effects
Solution Approach 1:
The single piezo element pickup is divided into multiple separate piezo elements, with each element positioned under specific strings (e.g., bass strings and treble strings separated). This segmentation allows independent processing of different frequency ranges while maintaining the inexpensive piezo technology, resolving the contradiction between low cost and high sound quality
Solution Approach 2:
The invention transitions from a single-channel monophonic signal to a multi-channel stereo signal by using multiple piezo elements positioned at different locations under the saddle. This dimensional change in signal processing enables separation of bass and treble strings, allowing independent enhancement of each frequency range to achieve natural acoustical effects while maintaining cost-effectiveness
2Adaptability or versatility
If octave pedals are used to add bass, then bass accompaniment is generated, but the playing becomes greatly complicated
Solution Approach 1:
The bass enhancement capability is merged directly into the guitar's pickup and preamp system rather than requiring external octave pedals. Multiple piezo elements are combined with integrated signal processing circuits that automatically generate bass frequencies, providing bass enhancement while keeping the playing interface simple and unchanged
Solution Approach 2:
The guitar system performs bass enhancement automatically through its own integrated processing without requiring external devices or complex player intervention. The separate piezo elements and built-in signal processing work together to self-generate bass frequencies, eliminating the need for octave pedals and maintaining ease of operation
3Adaptability or versatility
If octave divider algorithms are integrated into guitar synthesizer systems, then per-note octave shifting is achieved, but the system becomes expensive due to hex pickup systems and specialized connectors
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts only the essential bass enhancement function from complex guitar synthesizer systems. Instead of implementing full octave divider algorithms with hex pickup systems and specialized connectors, the patent uses a simplified approach with standard piezo elements and basic signal processing to achieve per-string bass enhancement, reducing system complexity while maintaining the core capability
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces expensive, complex synthesizer components with inexpensive, simple piezo elements and basic processing circuits. By using standard piezo technology rather than specialized hex pickup systems, the patent achieves bass enhancement at a fraction of the cost of full synthesizer systems, making the solution economically viable
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
Produces a rich, pleasing, and natural-sounding amplified acoustic guitar sound with enhanced bass and acoustical properties, suitable for both players and listeners, without increasing manufacturing costs.
Implementation Method 1
The monophonic signal from this piezo transducer, comprising the summed signals of all 6 strings
Data Source
AI summary
A pickup processing system for a guitar or other musical instrument. According to one embodiment, a split pickup is employed that separates the sound from the two bass strings from the other four strings. The signal from the bass strings may be provided to an octave divider, which creates a bass sound to add back into the sound. The octave divider produces sound without discontinuities or other artifacts. Other effects include restored acoustical properties of the guitar body, stereo imaging, reverb and others. The present invention may be fully contained within the body of an acoustic guitar.