Vibrato Tailpiece String Tension Adjustment Mechanism
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Solution Overview
Problem
The 1950s-designed vibrato tailpiece experiences issues such as strings popping out of saddles due to insufficient downward pressure, poor sustain, and intonation problems, exacerbated by lighter gauge strings and aggressive playing styles, with no means to adjust the vibrato mechanism without removing the assembly.
Innovation Solution
A mechanism is introduced to lower the vibrato component between the base and fulcrum plates, with slots in the base plate allowing strings to pass through, and adjustable shims or wedges to increase string tension and angle, maintaining the original design's feel and functionality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the vibrato tailpiece is designed with the string plate above the body plane (original 1950s design), then the string angle from tailpiece to bridge is shallow, but this causes insufficient downward pressure on the bridge saddles leading to strings popping out, poor sustain, and intonation issues
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces an adjustable shim component that adds a vertical dimension to the string plate positioning system. By inserting shims of varying thicknesses between the string plate and the tailpiece body, the string plate can be raised or lowered along the vertical axis, thereby adjusting the string angle and downward pressure on the bridge saddles without affecting the horizontal string path clearance.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the positional parameter of the string plate relative to the tailpiece body through the use of adjustable shims. By varying the shim thickness, the string plate height can be precisely adjusted to optimize the downward pressure on the bridge saddles, transforming a fixed geometric relationship into an adjustable one that can be tuned for different playing conditions.
2Force
If aftermarket tension bars are mounted above the plate near the bridge to increase downward pressure, then downward pressure increases, but this creates additional friction points, negatively affects spring motion feel, and impedes the ability to pluck strings behind the bridge
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the tension adjustment function from the bridge area and relocates it to the tailpiece body through the adjustable shim mechanism. This removes the need for aftermarket tension bars near the bridge, eliminating the associated friction points and maintaining unobstructed access to the string area behind the bridge while still achieving the desired downward pressure increase.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces the shim as an intermediary component between the string plate and the tailpiece body. This intermediary allows for indirect adjustment of string tension and downward pressure on the bridge saddles through vertical positioning, rather than applying direct mechanical pressure near the bridge that would interfere with string accessibility and vibrato arm movement.
3Force
If the vibrato mechanism is lowered to increase downward pressure of strings at the bridge, then downward pressure increases, but this may interfere with string passage through the base plate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent resolves this contradiction by changing the adjustment mechanism from horizontal lowering of the entire vibrato assembly to vertical adjustment of the string plate position through shim insertion. This vertical adjustment in the third dimension achieves the desired downward pressure increase without interfering with the horizontal string passage path through the base plate.
4Device complexity
If the original 1950s vibrato unit with no tension adjustment means is used, then the design is simple, but the grip from the collet gets looser with use and the vibrato arm swings freely once the player releases it
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transforms the static, fixed-tension vibrato arm assembly into a dynamic, adjustable-tension system. The shim mechanism allows the user to adjust and reset the tension on the vibrato arm over time as the original collet grip loosens, extending the functional life of the component while maintaining the original simple construction philosophy.
Data Source
AI summary
Embodiments of the invention are directed to a vibrato tailpiece of a stringed instrument. The present invention provides a mechanism to lower the string plate, fulcrum plate, and vibrato apparatus beneath the base plate and thereby increase the downward pressure of the strings of the stringed instrument against the bridge.