GB2304224A - Saddle assembly for a tremolo device - Google Patents

Abstract

A saddle assembly 26 for a string 11 terminated in a ball end 10 of a stringed musical instrument, which saddle assembly comprises a saddle body 15 adapted for adjustable mounting on the instrument. The saddle body comprises a bridge 19 over which the string extends and securing means releasably to secure to the saddle body 15 the ball end 10 of a string passing over the bridge 19, which securing means is provided at a location spaced from and below the bridge. The securing means may comprise an opening through the saddle body that is of a smaller size than the ball end of the string or may comprise a pin 13 upstanding from the saddle body for receiving with clearance the ball end of the string and with releasable means 14 to retain the ball end on the pin whilst allowing the ball end to turn about the pin. A plurality of such saddle assemblies when mounted on a base plate 18 that is adjustably mounted on an instrument to permit the tension of all the supported strings to be simultaneously varied, provides a tremolo device (21, Figure 1).

Description

STRINGING OF MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS This invention relates to a saddle assembly for a string of a stringed musical instrument. The invention further relates to a musical instrument incorporating such a saddle assembly. The invention further relates to a tremolo or vibrato device for a musical instrument such as a guitar, which device includes one or more saddle assemblies of the invention.

It is commonly known by those skilled in the art of playing or maintaining stringed musical instruments such as guitars that each string of the instrument is supported on and extends between two critical contact points, typically provided respectively on, at, or in the nut or zero fret of the instrument, and on or at the bridge or string saddle of the instrument. Each string typically extends beyond one or most frequently both contact points. One end of the string, traditionally that which extends beyond the first critical contact point or nut, is secured to a device for adjusting the tension of the string, which device is commonly called a tuning peg or tuning machine. The other end of the string extends beyond the second critical contact point and is anchored in one of a variety of ways.

It is also commonly known to those skilled in the art of playing or maintaining stringed musical instruments such as guitars, that the sound produced by the string, ignoring the artistic skill of a musician, is affected by two factors. The first factor is the distance between the two critical contact points, known as the harmonic, or string length, tuning. The string length tuning is established by adjusting an adjustable mechanism which increases or decreases the distance between the two critical contact points, and usually is provided for at the bridge or saddle of the instrument.

The second factor is the tension of the string and is controlled by operating the tuning machine individually to increase or decrease the tension of each string.

This adjustment is referred to as pitch tuning of a string.

A musical instrument, typically a guitar, will be equipped with apparatus to permit harmonic tuning and pitch tuning to be effected on each string individually and independently of the other strings of the musical instrument.

Devices for significantly and simultaneously increasing and, or more commonly, decreasing the tension in all the strings of a musical instrument are traditionally known as tremolo devices. Guitars are the most common stringed musical instruments to be fitted with tremolo devices.

A tremolo device frequently comprises a knife edge pivot arrangement providing support for an assembly which balances the combined tension of all of the strings of the instrument against one or more springs.

When the equilibrium of such an assembly is upset, the result will be a change in the tension and hence the pitch tuning of the strings. If the tremolo device is returned to its equilibrium position, then the tension and pitch tuning of the strings should revert to that which was set at the previous balanced state. This description of a typical tremolo device disregards the possibility of system hysteresis, errors due to friction, and elastic limit deformation of one or more of the strings.

To a skilled musician, a tremolo device will afford an additional expressive dimension to enhance a performance. A tremolo device can be used to create soft vibrato, and also more extreme string tension and pitch changes giving rise to unusual sound effects. It is for these reasons that a tremolo device is a familiar and popular attachment for stringed instruments, particularly guitars.

There are however problems directly associated with the use of a tremolo device that have persuaded, and still persuade, musicians to reject their use.

The most important of these is the possible variation in string tension between the two critical contact points.

Following the correct installation and pitch tuning of the strings of a stringed musical instrument equipped with a tremolo device, and prior to the operation of the tremolo device, it can be stated and confirmed by electronic frequency measurement of the vibrating strings that the instrument is "in tune" with a given recognised standard. A typical tremolo device can be operated to cause the pitch of any of the strings to be reduced by an interval of a fourth, followed by the return of the tremolo device to its equilibrium position. Such operation is well within the range of tremolo devices routinely fitted to guitars. However, it will often be discovered that although the tremolo device appears to have returned to equilibrium, the tension, and hence pitch tuning, of one or more of the strings is no longer that which it was prior to the operation of the tremolo device.This will most commonly result in the instrument sounding "out of tune" with the given standard, or with other instruments to which the instrument was previously matched.

The cause of the string tension variation following use of a tremolo device is frequently attributed to frictional resistance at, in, or on one or both of the critical contact points. The frictional resistance at, in, or on the critical contact points will result in a variation in string tension between that portion of the string which is supported by and extends between the critical contact points, and that portion of the string which extends between the first critical contact point and the tuning machine, as well as that portion of the string which extends from the second critical contact point to an anchor point for the string in the tremolo device. This variation is due to the string moving across the contact points during tremolo operation, but failing fully to return to its original position when the tremolo device is returned to equilibrium.

Attempts have been made over the years to resolve the problem of string tension variation subsequent to operation of a tremolo device, and the resulting pitch tuning errors. Generally the most commonly used method for maintaining correct string tension, whilst permitting a musician to exploit the interesting effect of a tremolo device, is known as a "double locking tremolo" device. A double locking tremolo device employs clamps on, at, in, or as near as possible to the two critical contact points, to inhibit movement of the strings longitudinally across either of the critical contact points, in an attempt to enhance string tension stability. However, the action of clamping a string will often vary the tension in the string and hence alter pitch tuning.To overcome this, fine tuning mechanisms have been designed that allow the tension of individual strings to be adjusted whilst clamped, to maintain the string length or harmonic tuning.

Despite the success of double locking tremolo devices for maintaining pitch tuning, many musicians are now rejecting this device because the apparatus is relatively complicated and bulky. In turn, this can have an adverse affect on the musician's performance.

Mid-performance string breakage for a musician using an instrument fitted with a double locking tremolo device is a major problem, as string replacement is a relatively complex and time consuming procedure, in comparison to that of a "non locking" tremolo device.

Compared to a non locking tremolo device, string breakage is more frequent on a double locking tremolo device typically at the string clamps, and most commonly at the bridge clamp. This indicates that clamping the strings, at best, damages the string at the clamp point, and possibly also induces fatigue in the string at the bridge clamp due to the movement of the tremolo device bending the string.

A recent innovation to eliminate the need to clamp a string at the nut (first contact point) is to provide the nut with, or to make the nut from, a "self lubricating" material. In this way, tuning errors resulting from friction at the nut, during operation of a tremolo device, are likely to be minimised. There is still a problem at the bridge-end, and it is clear that there is a need for a device which alleviates the need to clamp a string at the bridge (second contact point) to achieve pitch tuning stability, when incorporated as part of a tremolo device, and which has a negligible detrimental effect on the durability of the string, but which also facilitates relatively quick and simple string changes. The present invention aims at providing such a device.

Metallic strings routinely fitted to guitars are typically manufactured and supplied in the form of individual pre-cut lengths, where one end of the string incorporates, and is terminated by, a "ball end", which facilitates fastening of the string to an instrument.

Such a ball end is in the form of a collar having a central hole, and an external groove around which the string extends, the free end portion of the string being secured to the main part of the string in such a way that the ball end is located in an eye formed in the string. Typically, the free end portion is secured to the main part of the string by being tightly twisted therearound, for a length of perhaps 25mm or so of the main part of the string. The hole through the ball end is used to hold the string to the instrument, usually by being located on a hook disposed close to the second critical contact point (bridge).

In a conventional guitar, there may be a significant angle between that part of a string extending between the two critical contact points, and the string end portion between the second critical contact point (the bridge) and the string end anchor.

Such an angle may be of the order of 600, or perhaps even as much as 900. Whilst it is important that a string makes good contact with the bridge, the greater the deflection of the string at the bridge the greater will be the friction between the string and the bridge.

Also, in many tremolo devices, there is a significant length of string between the bridge and the string end anchor, which usually is provided as a part of the base plate of the tremolo device.

The present invention stems from research into improved forms of saddle assembly to provide a bridge (second critical contact point) for an individual string. As a result of that, the present invention provides a saddle assembly for a string terminated in a ball end (as defined herein) of a stringed musical instrument, which saddle assembly comprises a saddle assembly for a string terminated in a ball end (as defined herein) of a stringed musical instrument, which saddle assembly comprises a saddle body adapted for adjustable mounting on the instrument, the saddle body defining an upstanding bridge over which the string extends, and securing means releasably to secure to the saddle body the ball end of a string passing over the bridge, which securing means is provided at a location spaced from and below the bridge.

The saddle assembly of the present invention particularly lends itself for use on a guitar and may be made most compact, to allow the termination of the string in such a way that it does not interfere with the performance of a musician. The saddle assembly is configured to permit the anchoring of a string directly thereto, rather than to a base plate of a tremolo device or even to the guitar itself. In turn, this allows the deflection of a string passing over the bridge to be made relatively small, and in turn this leads to reduced friction. Moreover, the length of the string between the bridge and the securing means, at which the string is anchored to the saddle assembly, may be made very small, so minimising the tendency for a string to move over the bridge.By these measures, string tension variation following operation of a tremolo device, into which the saddle assembly may be incorporated, may be minimised.

Appropriate configuration of the saddle assembly allows the angle through which the string is deflected to be not greater than 300, and perhaps even as small as 3 .

In a simple form of saddle assembly of this invention, the securing means may comprise an opening through the saddle body, which opening is of a smaller size than the ball end of the string. The string may thus be threaded up through the opening and led over the bridge to the nut and the tuning machine, the ball end engaging the saddle body to anchor the string.

Alternatively, said securing means may comprise a pin upstanding from the saddle body for receiving with clearance the ball end of the string, together with releasable means to retain a received ball end on the pin whilst allowing that ball end to turn about the pin.

In the latter case, the releasable means for retaining a received string ball end preferably comprises a screw-threaded fastener threaded into the saddle body to extend substantially parallel to and spaced from the pin. Such a fastener may have a shoulder which overlies the ball end of a string received on the pin. In this way, a received ball end may be located between a base of the saddle body, from which the pin upstands, and the shoulder of the fastener.

The bridge is conveniently defined by the upper surface of a wall upstanding from one end of the base.

That wall may be grooved to receive a string, and could be coated or otherwise provided with a low-friction material. The bridge should be spaced from the securing means by a distance sufficient to accommodate a termination region of a received string (such as that part of the string where the string end portion is twisted around the main part of the string) so that only the string proper extends over the bridge.

In a preferred embodiment, a base plate is provided, on which is mounted a plurality of saddle assemblies of this invention, the saddle body of each such assembly being adjustable with respect to the base plate. Each saddle body may be adjusted to vary both the harmonic length of a received string and the height of the bridge above the base plate.

A further aspect of the present invention provides a saddle assembly as described above in combination with a musical instrument, wherein the base plate is adjustably mounted on the instrument to permit the tension of all of the supported strings to be varied simultaneously. Thus, this aspect provides a tremolo device, typically for a guitar. A lever may be attached to the base plate as with a conventional tremolo device, to permit the operation of the device and so the simultaneous adjustment of the tension in all of the strings.

Yet another aspect of this invention provides a guitar whenever incorporating a saddle assembly of this invention, or a tremolo device itself including a plurality of saddle assemblies of the present invention.

By way of example only, and to aid the full understanding of the invention, one specific embodiment thereof will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1 is an isometric projection of a tremolo device incorporating said embodiment of the invention; Figure 2 is an isometric projection of an electric type guitar including the embodiment of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an isometric projection of a string termination according to the invention, as incorporated in the tremolo device shown in Figure 2; Figure 4 is a cross-sectional view on line X-X marked on Figure 3; and Figure 5 is a schematic of a tremolo device with parts cut-away and deleted for clarity, and is included as an aid to understanding the invention.

Figure 2 shows an electric type guitar 29 which comprises a body portion 22, and a neck 27 attached to and extending away from the body portion 22. Near one end of the neck 27 is a nut 24, also referred to herein as the "first critical contact point". Beyond the nut 24 are tuning machines 23. In this example six tuning machines 23 are provided, one for each of the six strings 11 of the guitar. Each string 11 is attached to a respective tuning machine 23 and follows a path across the nut 24, down the neck 27 and across the body 22 to a tremolo device 21. That device 21 has a base plate 18 on which is adjustably mounted a plurality of string saddles 26.

Each string saddle 26 comprises a saddle body 15, jacking grub screws 20 for saddle height adjustment, a pin 13 secured to the saddle body 15 for receiving the ball end 10 of a string 11, and a knurled thumb screw 14 to retain the ball end 10 on the pin 13. Each saddle 26 also incorporates a bridge 19 (frequently referred to as the second critical contact point) and means for adjusting the position of the saddle 26 and hence also the bridge with reference to the nut 24.

The adjusting means permits harmonic or string length tuning of the string 11 and comprises an adjustment screw 16 threaded into the saddle and acting on the base plate 18. The adjustment is achieved by loosening a saddle clamp screw 17 and then turning the adjustment screw 16, the saddle 26 moving over the base plate 18 during this. When the correct harmonic tuning has been achieved the clamp screw 17 is tightened, so locking the saddle 26 to the base plate 18.

As can be seen clearly in Figure 4, the path of the string 11 across the bridge 19 and on to the pin 13 is arranged such that the string 11 makes contact with the bridge 19. However, it is important that the path followed generally by the twisted termination portion 12 of the string 11 to the ball end 10 does not force the string 11 on to the bridge 19, so that no relatively high frictional contact is causes between the string 11 and the bridge 19. It is therefore advantageous that the path followed by the twisted termination portion 12 of the string 11 from the bridge 19 to the pin 13 shall be at an angle not substantially greater than 30C to the path followed by the string from the bridge 19 towards the nut 24.

It can also be seen clearly on Figure 4 that the position of the pin 13 in relation to the bridge 19 is such that the twisted termination portion 12 of the string 11 does not make contact with the bridge 19.

However the distance between the pin 13 and the bridge 19 should be as small as possible consistent with the requirement that the twisted termination 12 should not contact the bridge 19. It is significant also that the portion of the string 11 between the bridge 19 and its ball end 10 received on pin 13 makes no contact with any other element.

Pin 13 has such a diameter that the ball end 10 is freely rotatable about the neutral axis of the pin 13.

The saddle body and thumb screw 14 are proportioned such that when the screw 14 is fully tightened, the ball end 10 may still freely rotate about the neutral axis of the pin 13.

The tremolo device 21 has a tremolo arm 25 attached to the base plate 18 in such a manner that operation of the lever causes the assembly to pivot about a knife edge 31 of the base plate 18, supported by "v" grooved screws 32. One or more springs 30 are arranged between lower end 28 of the lever 25 and the guitar body portion 22. Lever operation causes the tension in all the strings 11 to significantly reduce, and the tension in the or each spring 30 to increase.

It can be appreciated then that the tension of the portions of the strings extending between the saddle 19 and the respective pins 13 will also reduce. When the tremolo is returned to a state of equilibrium, the string 11 will be required to slip across the bridge 19 to ensure equal tension in all portions of the string.

The shallow angle between the two portions of each string 11 to both sides of the bridge 19 results in very low friction between the string and the bridge.

In this way, the effect of any differential string tension that could occur on either side of the bridge 19 is minimised by the limited string length between the bridge and the pin 13, where the ball end of the string is retained.

String life is improved due to minimal frictional resistance between the string 11 and the bridge 19.

The smooth string path further improves string life due to the absence of fatigue-inducing bends in the string 11, and the absence of elements contacting the string alleviates the possibility of string failure due to work-hardening.

Claims (19)

1. A saddle assembly for a string terminated in a ball end (as defined herein) of a stringed musical instrument, which saddle assembly comprises a saddle body adapted for adjustable mounting on the instrument, the saddle body defining an upstanding bridge over which the string extends, and securing means releasably to secure to the saddle body the ball end of a string passing over the bridge, which securing means is provided at a location spaced from and below the bridge.

2. A saddle assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said securing means comprises an opening through the saddle body, which opening is of a smaller size than the ball end of a string.

3. A saddle assembly as claimed in claim 1, wherein said securing means comprises a pin upstanding from the saddle body for receiving with clearance the ball end of the string, and releasable means to retain a received ball end on the pin whilst allowing that ball end to turn about the pin.

4. A saddle assembly as claimed in claim 3, wherein the releasable means comprises a screw-threaded fastener threaded into the saddle body to extend substantially parallel to and spaced from the pin, the fastener having a shoulder which overlies the ball end of a string received on the pin.

5. A saddle assembly as claimed in claim 4, wherein the saddle body has a base from which upstands the pin and into which is threaded the fastener, and a received ball end is located between the base and the shoulder of the fastener.

6. A saddle assembly as claimed in claim 5, wherein the bridge is defined by the upper surface of a wall upstanding from one end of said base.

7. A saddle assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the bridge is spaced from the securing means by a distance sufficient to accommodate a termination region of a received string whereby only the string extends over the bridge.

8. A saddle assembly as claimed in any of the preceding claims, wherein the saddle body is adjustably mounted on a base plate.

9. A saddle assembly as claimed in claim 8, wherein the mounting of the saddle body on the base plate permits the adjustment of the harmonic length of a received string.

10. A saddle assembly as claimed in claim 8 or claim 9, wherein the mounting of the saddle body on the base plate permits the adjustment of the height of the bridge above the base plate.

11. A saddle assembly as claimed in any of claims 8 to 10, wherein a plurality of like saddle bodies are individually adjustably mounted on a common base plate.

12. A saddle assembly as claimed in claim 1 and substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.

13. A saddle assembly as claimed in claim 11 or claim 12 in combination with a musical instrument, the base plate being adjustably mounted on the instrument such that the tension in all of the strings may simultaneously be varied by adjusting the base plate.

14. A combination as claimed in claim 13, wherein the base plate is pivoted to the instrument and a lever is attached to the base plate to permit the adjustment of the string tensions.

15. A combination as claimed in claim 14, wherein the base plate is spring-biased to a first position and operation of the lever moves the base plate against its spring bias to a position where the string tension is reduced.

16. A combination as claimed in any of claims 13 to 15, wherein the angle between the main part of the string and that portion extending between the bridge of the saddle assembly and the securing means is not substantially greater than 300.

17. A combination as claimed in claim 16, wherein said angle is at least 30.

18. A combination as claimed in any of claims 13 to 17, wherein the instrument is configured as a guitar.

19. A guitar substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to and as illustrated in the accompanying drawings.