WO2000045371A1

WO2000045371A1 - Stringed instrument and improved components thereof

Info

Publication number: WO2000045371A1
Application number: PCT/US2000/002066
Authority: WO
Inventors: Floyd D. Rose
Original assignee: Rose Floyd D
Priority date: 1999-01-28
Filing date: 2000-01-27
Publication date: 2000-08-03
Also published as: AU2633000A

Abstract

A stringed instrument (20), such as a guitar is provided. The stringed instrument (20) includes a body (22) and a neck (24) adjustably and releasably mounted on the body (22) so that the action of associated strings (114) can be customized to the user's liking and then locked into a selected position. The stringed instrument (20) may include a tuning system in which harmonic and pitch tuning are simultaneously obtained. A bridge assembly (34) is provided on the stringed instrument which includes a force conversion assembly capable of converting nonlongitudinal forces into longitudinal forces such that selective adjustment of a turning knob (74, 76) or similar control by a user results in slidable movement of saddle members (36). The stringed instrument (20) may include one or more covers (110, 112) mounted on the body of the instrument between the strings (114) thereof and one or more associated slidable pick-ups (176, 194). The stringed instrument (20) may further include a tremolo having a 'hidden' tremolo plate (92) for activating the tremolo. The stringed instrument may also include a headstock (32) releasably mounted to the neck. The headstock (32) may be replaced with an alternate headstock (134).

Description

STRINGED INSTRUMENT AND IMPROVED COMPONENTS THEREOF

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to stringed instruments, such as guitars and various components thereof. BACKGROUND ART

Inventors have expended great efforts over the years in their efforts to obtain an optimal tuning system for use with stringed musical instruments, such as guitars. These efforts are indicative of the need for improvement in this field. One particularly significant improvement was developed by the same inventor of the present invention and is disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,705,760. The disclosure in the '760 patent includes, among other improvements, a "convergence" tuning system where harmonic tuning and pitch tuning can be simultaneously and easily obtained by a user of the guitar.

Standard guitars typically include six strings corresponding to the musical notes E, A, D, G, B and E. Guitar strings are placed under tension and extend at a substantially constant height above a fretboard mounted on the neck and the guitar body. In order to produce the sounds associated with the musical notes, the strings are placed in contact with two critical contact points. The first critical contact point is generally at the nut of the instrument, which is usually arranged on the guitar neck adjacent to the first fret of the fretboard. The second critical contact point is generally at the bridge of the instrument, which is provided on an opposing end of the fretboard on the body of the instrument. The strings are fixed at a distance beyond the critical contact points at the nut and bridge.

As is known to those skilled in the stringed instrument art the sound produced by the strings is affected by the harmonic length (i.e. , the distance between where the strings contact the critical contact points at the nut and the bridge). Except for the guitar disclosed in the '760 patent, and in other cumulative patents obtained by the inventor herein, harmonic tuning of the strings has been a difficult process which needed to be performed by a professional. Harmonic tuning is accomplished by adjusting the distance between the critical contact points at the nut and bridge of the guitar.

The tension of the strings is a second factor which significantly affects the tone. String tension may be adjusted by tightening or loosening the string at the nut or bridge end of the guitar. Adjustment of the tension in the strings affects the pitch thereof and is commonly known as pitch tuning.

Except for the guitar disclosed in the '760 patent, and in certain other cumulative patents obtained by the inventor herein, prior art guitars required separate steps for pitch and harmonic tuning. For example, prior art toning systems required each string of a guitar to be independently pitch and harmonically tuned by adjusting individual tension control elements while the distance between the critical contact points at the nut and the bridge are separately adjusted. In most prior art systems, proper harmonic and pitch tuning is obtained when strings ultimately reach a tuned state after many individual adjustments of separate tensioning and distance modifying controls.

Even in the improved guitar disclosed in the '760 patent, the bridge assembly does not include a force conversion device which converts nonlongitudinal forces (such as rotational, vertical and angular forces) into longitudinal forces to effect slidable movement of one or more saddle members arranged on a bridge assembly. The present invention addresses this need.

When using electric guitars, it is often desirable to use pick-ups which include magneto-electro transducer elements designed to detect vibrations in associated guitar strings. Certain sophisticated guitar players demand the ability to adjust various aspects of their guitar including the arrangement of pick-ups with respect to the strings. Although prior art inventors have exerted efforts to create movable pick-up systems, all such prior art systems have drawbacks. No prior art system includes a mechanical control assembly, which allows a user to easily adjust the location of pick-ups to a desired position. The prior art also fails to disclose or teach a guitar including a pick-up assembly having covers arranged on the guitar body over a slidable pick-up assembly and beneath associated strings where the cover extends substantially parallel to the surface of the guitar body. Tremolos are well known devices that are typically used with electric guitars to simultaneously and significantly either reduce or increase the tension of the strings of the guitar so that a desired variation in tone is obtained. Significant improvements in tremolo devices are disclosed in U.S. Patent Nos. 4,171,661; 4,967,631; 4,497,236; and 4,882,967, all of which have been issued to the inventor of the present invention. Prior art tremolo systems typically include a raised tremolo arm which extends substantially above the surface of the guitar body. No prior art system discloses the use of a tremolo having a plate which extends substantially flush with the surface of the body of the guitar.

Another aspect of the present invention which is not disclosed in the prior art relates to a neck which is releasably and adjustably mounted on a guitar body. Sophisticated guitar players may wish to customize the action of the strings with respect to the fretboard for their own liking. This may involve adjusting the strings in any of three dimensions including the height of all of the strings on the fretboard, and the side-to-side alignment of the strings with respect to the fretboard (e.g. , most guitar players prefer the strings to be centered on the fretboard, but with the low and high strings at different heights from the surface of the fretboard). Prior art guitars do not provide the user with the ability to customize the action of the strings based on a readily adjustable arrangement between the neck and the body, where the neck can be removed and replaced during travel and storage without modifying the previously customized setting.

There is also a need for a guitar, or other stringed instrument, which includes a modular headstock. While efforts have been made to develop readily removable and replaceable headstocks for guitars, the prior art fails to teach a system which includes removable head stocks where one headstock does not include toning pegs, but the other head stock does.

The present invention addresses the shortcomings of the prior art by providing an improved stringed instrument, such as a guitar, which fills the foregoing needs.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the aforementioned prior art systems by providing a stringed instrument where the user can customize the action of the strings by adjusting the position of the neck with respect to the body. A memory lock structure is provided to "lock" the customized setting so that if the neck of the stringed instrument is subsequently removed from its assembled position on the body of the stringed instrument, the customized action setting is retained when the neck is replaced in its assembled position without requiring additional adjustments.

In a preferred embodiment, the stringed instrument comprises a body, a neck having a first end mounted on the body, and a second end remote from the body. A plurality of strings extending longitudinally along the neck and the body. The body preferably includes a receptacle having a concave surface, and the neck preferably includes a top surface and a bottom surface where the bottom surface has a convex portion. The convex portion of the neck may be adjustably arranged within the concave receptacle of the body such that a user is provided with the ability to customize and select a desired action of the strings.

The stringed instrument preferably includes a fretboard arranged at the top surface of the neck. It is also preferable for the stringed instrument to include a nut arranged at one end of the neck and a bridge arranged on the body where the strings extend between the nut and the bridge. The convex portion of the neck preferably comprises the bottom portion of a sphere, and the concave receptacle of the body is adapted to receive the convex portion to facilitate mounting of the neck thereon.

It is also preferable for the stringed instrument to comprise a wedge arranged on the bottom surface of the neck at the first end thereof, and a corresponding sized and shaped recess arranged within the receptacle of the body to receive the wedge. In this preferred embodiment, the wedge and recess combination serve as a memory lock so that subsequent adjustments and setting of the "action" are not necessary if the neck is disassembled from the body after a user initially adjusts the action of the strings and is later reassembled.

It is also preferable for the stringed instrument to comprise mounting hardware for releasably mounting the neck on the body. The mounting hardware may include a bolt. In this embodiment, the body includes a hole through which the bolt is arranged, and the neck may include a threaded passageway aligned with the hole of the body for receiving the bolt therein so that the neck can be secured to the body in a selected position.

In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a method of customizing the action of guitar strings is provided. The method comprises the steps of arranging a neck having a fretboard on a body of a guitar, adjusting the position of the neck with respect to the body of the guitar until the strings are arranged at a desired position with respect to the fretboard, securing a memory lock device in a desired position on the neck so that the selected string position can be repeated upon removal and replacement of the neck on the body without further adjustment, and releasably securing the neck in a similar position on the body. Preferably, the step of arranging the neck on the body comprises placing a convex surface of the neck in a corresponding concave receptacle of the body. It is also preferable for the step of arranging the neck on the body to comprise placing of the memory lock device in a corresponding recess within the concave receptacle of the body. The step of adjusting the position of the neck with respect to the body may comprise moving the convex surface of the neck within the concave receptacle of the body.

In a preferred embodiment, the memory lock device comprises the combination of a wedge and a corresponding shaped recess in which the wedge is arranged. In this preferred embodiment, the step of securing the memory lock device on the neck comprises moving the wedge to a desired position within the corresponding wedge-shaped recess, and locking it in the desired position by tightening it with respect to the convex surface of the neck on which it is mounted. The step of releasably securing the neck in a similar position on the body may comprise placing a bolt having a threaded shaft through the neck and into a threaded receptacle on the body, and thereafter tightening the bolt until the neck is secured on the body.

It is also preferable for the method to comprise the step of removing the neck from its assembled position on the body and thereafter replacing the neck back into assembled position whereby the selected position of the strings with respect to the fretboard is maintained.

The present invention overcomes the shortcomings of the aforementioned prior art guitars by providing a stringed instrument having an improved toning system. The present invention is particularly directed toward a stringed instrument having a bridge assembly, which is adapted to convert nonlongitudinal forces (such as rotational, angular and vertical forces) to longitudinal forces whereby saddle members of the bridge assembly are caused to slide toward or away from a nut assembly of the stringed instrument. In a preferred embodiment, the stringed instrument comprise a body, a neck including a first end attached to the body and a second end remote from the body. A nut assembly is preferably connected to the neck at the second end thereof and a bridge assembly is preferably mounted on the body spaced from the nut assembly. A plurality of strings extend between the bridge and nut assemblies, and may contact such assembles at nut and bridge critical contact surfaces. The bridge assembly preferably includes a plurality of saddles and a force conversion assembly, which is constructed and arranged to convert a nonlongitudinal force applied by a user during toning of the guitar strings to a longitudinal force whereby at least one of the saddles is forced to slide toward or away from the nut assembly.

In a preferred embodiment, the force conversion assembly may comprise a rotatable toning knob and a plurality of lever arms operatively connected to each of the plurality of saddles. In this preferred embodiment, rotation of one of the tuning knobs will cause movement of corresponding lever arms whereby the original rotational force is converted to angular and vertical forces extending along the lever arms. The forces are ultimately converted to a longitudinal force (e.g. , parallel to the strings) which effects slidable movement of a corresponding saddle member. The rotatable toning knob may comprise a cylindrical head attached to a threaded shaft. The force conversion assembly may also comprise a riser having a threaded passageway therein where the riser is arranged for threadable movement along the threaded shaft. The riser is preferably mounted on a lever arm whereby threadable movement of the riser results in a change in the angular position of the lever arm. Preferably, a fretboard is arranged on the neck of the stringed instrument. It is also preferable for the nut assembly to comprise a plurality of string holder cavities and a plurality of nut critical contact surfaces associated with each of the string holder cavities.

The bridge assembly of the present invention may also comprise a plurality of bridge critical contact surfaces which correspond on a one-to-one basis with the nut critical contact surfaces.

Each of the plurality of strings may include a first anchor connected to a first end thereof, and a second anchor connected to a second end thereof. The first anchor may be arranged within one of the saddles of the bridge assembly, and the second anchor may be arranged within a corresponding one of the string holder cavities of the nut assembly.

In accordance with another embodiment of the present invention, the stringed instrument may comprise force conversion means for converting a nonlongitudinal force into a longitodinal force whereby slidable movement of at least one of the saddles is effected toward or away from the nut assembly. As used herein, the term force conversion means is intended to cover various structural embodiments of a bridge assembly where a nonlongitudinal force initially applied by a user during toning of the stringed instrument (such as the force applied when rotating a toning knob) is converted into a longitodinal force so that an associated saddle slides toward or away from a corresponding nut critical contact surface.

In a preferred embodiment where the force conversion means comprises a plurality of lever arms and a plurality of corresponding rotatable knobs, it is desirable for the structure and arrangement of the force conversion device to be such that rotation of one of the rotatable toning knobs through a certain rotatable distance will cause a corresponding one of the plurality of saddles to slide a relatively small distance when the tension in a corresponding one of the strings is relatively high, and a relatively large distance when the tension in the corresponding one of the strings is relatively low. In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, a bridge assembly is provided per se for use with a stringed instrument. The bridge assembly preferably includes the force conversion assembly described above.

The present invention further overcomes the shortcomings of the aforementioned prior art systems by providing a stringed instrument which has an improved cover for slidable pick-ups. Preferably, the stringed instrument comprises a body having a cavity therein. A neck having a first end is mounted on the body, while a second end of the neck is remote from the body. A plurality of strings extend longitudinally along the neck and the body. The stringed instrument may also comprise a pick-up slidably mounted within the cavity of the body beneath the plurality of strings. A cover is mounted on the body between the slidable pick-up and the plurality of strings.

Preferably, the cover is substantially planar. It is also preferable for the cover to be raised above the surface of the body so that the associated pick-up can be arranged in close proximity to corresponding guitar strings.

It is also preferable for the stringed instrument to comprise a plurality of pick-ups, each of which are slidably mounted within the cavity of the body beneath the strings. A pick-up assembly comprising a pick-up and a slidable carriage on which the pick-up is mounted may also be provided. Each pick-up of the pick-up assembly preferably include a transducer.

In a preferred embodiment, a plurality of covers are provided to correspond with each of a plurality of pick-up assemblies. The covers may extend substantially parallel to the surface of the body, and are preferably substantially planar and slightly raised above the surface of the body. It is also preferable for the covers to be at least slightly wider than the pick-up assemblies, so that the pick-up assemblies are free to slidably move without contacting the corresponding cover.

The present invention still further overcomes the shortcomings of the prior art by providing a stringed instrument which includes a hidden tremolo. A preferred embodiment may include a tremolo bridge having a tremolo plate, which extends substantially coplanar (i.e. , flush) with the surface of a body.

The stringed instrument preferably comprises a body including a substantially planar surface and a cavity arranged beneath the surface. A plurality of strings are also provided and extend above and along the body. The tremolo bridge may be mounted on the body. Preferably, the tremolo bridge includes a plate which encloses an opening to the cavity of the body. The plate may extend substantially coplanar with respect to the surface of the body.

The stringed instrument may also comprise a neck having a first end mounted on the body, and a second end remote from the body. It is also preferable for the stringed instrument to comprise a nut connected to the neck. In this preferred embodiment, the plurality of strings may extend between the tremolo bridge and the nut. It is also preferable for the stringed instrument to comprise a fretboard mounted on the neck such that the strings extend along and above the fretboard.

The tremolo bridge of the present invention is preferably operatively connected to the body such that a user of the stringed instrument can obtain a desired sound upon activation of the tremolo bridge by pressing on the tremolo plate whereby tension in the strings is momentarily decreased or increased and is then retorned. The tremolo bridge may be mounted for movement between a rest position where the plate is substantially coplanar with respect to the surface of the body, and an operative position where at least a portion of the plate extends below the surface of the body.

The tremolo bridge may include a spring arranged within the cavity of the body to bias the plate to the rest position. The plate preferably has a first end connected to a base of the bridge and a second end remote from the base. In this preferred embodiment, the second end is movable from its rest position where it is substantially coplanar with the surface of the body to an operative position where it extends below the surface of the body. In the preferred embodiment where the second end of the plate is movable from its rest position to an operative position where it extends below the surface of the body, tension in the strings is decreased. In an alternate embodiment, the tremolo bridge may also be movable from its rest position where the plate is substantially coplanar with the surface of the body, to an operative position where the plate extends above the surface of the body at which time tension in the strings is increased.

The present invention also overcomes the shortcomings of the aforementioned prior art systems by providing a stringed instrument which includes a removable and replaceable headstock. In a preferred embodiment, the stringed instrument comprises a body, a neck having a first end mounted on the body, and a second end remote from the body. A convergence headstock is releasably connected to the second end of the neck or to a nut housing arranged at the second end of the neck. The convergence headstock need not include toning pegs thereon. An alternate headstock is also provided which is selectively connectable to the second end of the neck (or to a nut housing) upon removal of the convergence headstock. The alternate headstock may include toning pegs. A plurality of strings is also provided as part of the instrument, and extend longitudinally along the neck and the body. Preferably, the stringed instrument comprises a bridge mounted on the body and a nut connected to the neck. The plurality of strings may extend between the bridge and the nut.

It is also preferable for the stringed instrument to comprise mounting hardware for securing the convergence headstock to the second end of the neck (or to the nut housing), and for securing the alternate headstock to the second end of the neck (or to the nut housing) when the convergence headstock is removed. The mounting hardware may comprise an extension rod extending from the convergence and alternate headstocks. In this preferred embodiment, an aligned passageway may be arranged at the second end of the neck (or at the nut housing mounted at the second end of the neck) for receiving the extension rod. Alternatively, the locations of the extension rods and the passageway may be reversed as the extension member may be on the second end of the neck (or the nut housing) and the aligned passageway may be on the headstock.

The mounting hardware may also comprise a plurality of posts and aligned passageway corresponding with the extension members arranged at either the end of the headstocks or a nut housing at the end of the neck. The mounting hardware may also include a set screw for selectively locking the convergence or alternate headstock in assembled position at the second end of the neck (or at the nut housing). The above featores and advantages of the present invention will be more fully understood with reference to the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a guitar including the featores of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is an isolated perspective view of a portion of the guitar shown in FIG. 1 illustrating the tremolo plate in a depressed position. FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the bridge and tremolo assembly shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is an isolated assembled bottom perspective view of the bridge assembly shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 5 is an isolated view of the convergence headstock and nut assembly portion of the guitar shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 6 is a partially exploded view of the headstock with respect to the nut assembly and neck shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 7 is an isolated perspective view of an alternate headstock in assembled position. FIG. 8 is an enlarged isolated partially exploded view of the nut assembly and associated guitar strings shown in FIG. 4.

FIG. 9 is a partially exploded perspective view the neck and body of the present guitar.

FIG. 10 is a partially exploded view of the pick-up assembly and associated control mechanism of the present invention.

FIG. 11 is a cut away cross sectional view taken along line 11-11 of FIG. 1.

FIG. 12 is a cut away cross sectional view taken along line 12-12 of FIG. 1. FIG. 13 is a schematic isolated view of a second embodiment of a pick-up assembly used in connection with the present guitar.

FIG. 14 is a cut away cross sectional view taken along line 14-14 of FIG. 13. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

A guitar 20 in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. The guitar 20 may be an electric guitar. However, it should be appreciated that the present invention can be used in connection with various stringed instruments such as acoustic guitars, basses, violins, banjos and the like.

The guitar 20 includes a body 22 and a neck 24 secured to the body 22 at a first end thereof. A second end of the neck 24 is remote from the body 22 and is connected to a headstock 32. The neck 24 has a fretboard 26 mounted on the top surface. A nut assembly 28 is arranged between the second end of the neck 24 and the headstock 32 as shown in FIGS. 1 , 5 and 8.

The nut assembly 28 includes a plurality of string holder cavities 30, each of which retain a bullet- shaped anchor 116 arranged at one end of corresponding guitar strings 114. This aspect of the present invention is also shown in FIGS. 1 , 5 and 8. A bridge assembly 34 is mounted on body 22 spaced from nut assembly 28 at the second end of the neck. Various aspects of the bridge assembly 34 are unique and will now be discussed.

As shown in FIGS. 2-4, the bridge assembly 34 includes a plurality of saddles 36 in which bullet-shaped anchors 118 of an end of guitar strings 114 are arranged. FIGS. 1 , 5 and 8 also illustrate that each of the strings 114 include a pair of bullets at opposing ends. Bullet 116 is arranged at the "nut" end of the string and bullet 118 is arranged at the "bridge" end of the string. As noted above, and as used herein, the term "anchor" is intended to cover various types of objects which may be secured to one or both ends of an associated string for the purpose of facilitating fixation of the string with respect to the body and/or neck of the guitar. In a preferred embodiment, the anchor elements that are fixed to the ends of the string are bullet-shaped. The bullet- shaped anchor elements will be referred to herein as "bullets. " In other embodiments, the anchor elements may comprise balls, blocks, pegs, and may be arranged in various other shapes and sizes.

In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-4, the bridge assembly 34 includes six slidable saddle members 36 which are used to retain six corresponding bullets 118 of guitar strings 114. These six strings 114 may correspond to the musical notes E, A, D, G, B and E, respectively. Guitar strings having bullet- shaped anchors arranged at both ends thereof secured in bridge saddle members and string holder cavities of a nut assembly are also disclosed in U.S. Patent No. 5,705,760 which has been issued to Floyd D. Rose, the inventor of the present invention. The disclosure in the '760 patent is incorporated by reference herein.

The unique structure and operation of bridge assembly 34 is highly desirable when used in a stringed instrument, such as guitar 20 which includes a convergence toning system. The term "convergence" as used herein refers to the substantially simultaneous occurrence of harmonic and pitch toning of one or more strings of a guitar or other stringed instrument. This means that the string will simultaneously be harmonically toned and pitch toned upon performing a single adjustment which concurrently affects the string tension and the distance between a pair of critical contact surfaces on the associated instrument. The term "critical contact surface" is intended to designate the contact points on a guitar, or other stringed instrument, at which the strings are supported and between which the strings vibrate at a certain frequency so that a desired tone is obtained. The critical contact points typically exist at the nut and bridge of a guitar so that the distance between corresponding critical contact points at the nut and bridge define the harmonic length of an associated string. With respect to guitar 20, both the bridge assembly 34 and the nut assembly 128 includes critical contact surfaces between which the strings 114 vibrate. The bridge assembly 34 includes a base 35 in which the slidable saddle members 36 are arranged. Each of the saddle members 36 include a bullet holding portion 38, which may be considered the true saddle portion of saddle members 36. As best shown in FIG. 2, bullet holding portions 36 include a hollow cavity having an opening 40 for receiving bullet 118 at an end of a corresponding string 114. The saddle members 36 also include a slot 42 open to the bullet holding cavity through which a corresponding string 114 extends when in assembled position. String 114 then contacts critical contact surface 44 at the proximal-most end of the saddle member 36. Saddle member 36 also includes a central angled section 46 and a lower horizontally planar section 48. A downwardly extending vertical section 50 is arranged at the distal-most end of the lower planar section 48. As clearly shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a roller 52 is pinned into assembled position at the juncture of lower horizontal section 48 and vertical section 50. The bridge assembly 34 includes a unique force conversion assembly which performs the function of converting a nonlongitudinal force (e.g. , a rotational, angular or vertical force) into a longitodinal force which effects slidable longitodinal movement of saddle member 36. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1- 4, the force conversion assembly includes the combination of various levers, a toning knob, and other components in combination with a portion of saddle member 36. The function of the force conversion assembly will be discussed below following a description of the structural components thereof, which include a small central lever arm 54 having an upper end 56 and a lower end 58. The upper end 56 includes a passageway (unnumbered) that is placed in alignment with passageways (unnumbered) near the bottom-most end of lower vertical section 50. A pin 60

(shown in the exploded view of FIG. 3) is used to secure the upper end 56 of small lever arm 54 to the downwardly extending vertical portion 50 of saddle member 56.

As also shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, a large lever arm 62 is arranged below small lever arm 54. The large lever arm 62 includes an upper end 64 which is adapted to be connected to the base 35 of bridge assembly 34 via elongated pin 68. Although the structore can change in alternate embodiments, in the illustrated embodiment a single elongated pin 68 may be used to secure the upper end 64 of each of the six lower lever arms 62 to the base 35 through a common passageway (not shown).

The lower end 66 of large lever arm 62 includes a forked portion for receiving the cylindrical end members 88 of riser 84. As best shown in FIG. 3, riser 84 includes a central threaded aperture 86. A central portion of lever arm 62 includes a pair of apertures (unnumbered) which are aligned with apertures (also unnumbered) at a lower end 58 of small lever arm 54. A pin 70 is placed through the aligned apertures to secure the lower end of lever arm 54 to the central portion of lever arm 62.

Large lever arm 62 includes a recessed portion 67 which is sized and shaped to receive the downwardly extending vertical portion 50 of saddle member 36 when the lever arm 62 is in its most horizontal position. This structore will be discussed further below in connection with the operation of the toning system of the guitar 20.

A spring 72 is also secured by pin 70 at the lower end 58 of lever arm 54. The spring 72 will bias the lever arm 54 to an upward angular position with respect to lever arm 62.

Bridge assembly 34 includes a toning screw 74 which is used for toning guitar 20 and loading strings 114 therein as discussed further below. The toning screw 74 includes a cylindrical head 76 and an elongated threaded shaft 78 which is arranged within threaded aperture 86 of riser 84. The cylindrical head 76 of toning screw 74 is arranged within corresponding counter-bore 80 of bridge base 35 when in assembled position. In such position, threaded shaft 78 extends through central aperture 82 of the counter-bore 80.

A significant aspect of the present invention relates to the structore and operation of bridge assembly 34. In particular, slidable movement of a particular saddle 36 may be obtained by rotating the head 76 of a corresponding toning screw 74. For example, as the head 76 of toning screw 74 is rotated clockwise, it causes an associated saddle member 36 to slide away from the nut. Thus, the corresponding critical contact point 44 is moved away from the critical contact point at the nut assembly 28. Similarly, when head 76 of toning screw 74 is rotated counterclockwise, the corresponding saddle 36 slides toward the nut assembly 28 thus moving the bridge critical contact point 44 closer to the nut critical contact point.

Slidable movement of the saddles 36 is obtained by the unique structore and operation of the force conversion assembly components shown in FIG. 3. The unique arrangement of levers, and other components facilitate the conversion of rotational, vertical and angular forces to a slidable force which effects slidable movement of saddles 36 along the longitudinal axis of neck 24 (i.e. , along the length of strings 114). In operation, when it is desired to load a string 114 into assembled position where bullet 116 is arranged within a corresponding cavity 30 of the nut assembly 28, and bullet 118 is arranged within a corresponding cavity of a saddle member 36 at bridge assembly 34, the saddle member 36 should be adjusted to slide forward toward the nut assembly 28. This may be accomplished by rotating toning screw 74 counter clockwise until a corresponding saddle 36 moves to a sufficiently forward position where a string 114 can be loaded without a great deal of tension. As the toning screw 74 is rotated counter clockwise, the riser 84 is threaded downwardly along the threaded shaft 78. This downward movement of riser 84 forces the lower end 66 of lever arm 62 downwardly so that the lever arms 54 and 62 become arranged in a more extended (i.e. , vertically oriented) position.

Similarly, when toning screw 74 is rotated clockwise, the riser 84 is threaded upwardly along the threaded shaft 78. This upward movement of riser 84 forces the lower end 66 of lever arm 62 upwardly toward the vertically extending portion 50 of the saddle member 36. Thus, lever arms 62 and 54 both become arranged in a more compressed (i.e. , horizontally oriented) position. This causes the saddle member 36 to slide away from the nut assembly 28 such that the tension on an associated string 114 is increased until a convergently toned state is obtained (i.e. , when harmonic and pitch tuning are simultaneously achieved). At its uppermost position, the bottom of vertical extension 50 at the end of saddle member 36 fits within recess 67 of lever 62.

The force conversion assembly includes various components including the combination of a portion of saddle member 36, lever arms 54 and 62, toning screw 74, riser 84 and other components which maintain the foregoing components in assembled position. This assembly allows rotational movement of toning screw 74 to convert both vertical and angular forces along lever arms 54 and 62 as the riser 84 is moved upwardly and downwardly along the threaded shaft 78. Contact between roller 52 and the underside of base 35 also facilitate conversion of the rotational, vertical and angular forces to a horizontal force which effects longitodinal slidable movement of the saddle member 36.

The structore and operation of the force conversion assembly is such that rotation of toning screw 74 through a certain rotational distance will effect a relatively large longitodinal movement of a corresponding saddle member 36 when tension in an associated string 114 is relatively small (i.e. , when the saddle member 36 is arranged relatively close to the nut assembly 28). Conversely, when the tension in an associated string 114 is relatively high (i.e. , when the saddle member 36 is arranged relatively far from the nut assembly 28) rotation of toning screw 74 through the same rotational distance will effect a relatively small longitodinal movement of saddle member 36. Notwithstanding the disproportional distance of longitodinal movement of saddle member 36 in response to rotation of toning screws 74 when a corresponding string 114 is under different tensions, the structore and operation of the lever arms 54 and 62 render it relatively easy to rotate an associated toning screw 74 at all times regardless of the string tension. This is because when the tension in an associated string 114 is relatively high the relatively horizontal orientation of the lever arms 54 and 62 are positioned to provide additional leverage which reduces, or at least substantially maintains, the amount of rotational force required to torn toning screw 74.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the bridge assembly 34 is shown as a tremolo bridge, which includes a tremolo plate 92. However, it should be appreciated that the present invention covers bridge assemblies that do not pivot and thus are not tremolos. As is known in the stringed instrument art, a tremolo may be used when it is desired to obtain unusual tone variations. This occurs when the tension in all of the strings is rapidly increased or decreased during playing of an electrical guitar. However, it should be understood that various featores of the present invention may be used in guitars which do not include a tremolo.

The bridge assembly 34 includes a significant improvement over prior art designs in that it has a tremolo plate 92 with a surface arranged substantially coplanar (i.e. , flush) with the surface of the body 22. This provides the advantage of a "hidden" tremolo where it is not apparent that guitar 20 includes a tremolo (as it does not have a traditional tremolo arm), but a tremolo effect may be obtained by depressing the tremolo plate 92 downwardly. The tremolo plate 92 includes a first end 94 connected to the base 35 of bridge assembly 34. A second end 96 of tremolo plate 92 is remote from the base 35. When arranged in assembled position on guitar body 22, the tremolo plate 92 may appear as shown in FIG. 1.

As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 11 , the bridge assembly 34 includes an L-shaped bracket 98 which is secured to a lower fixed portion of the bridge base 35. The L-shaped bracket 98 has a vertically extending section and a circular spring connector 100 thereon. A coil spring 102 extending within the body 22 includes a first end connected to connector 100 and a second end secured to a head of mounting screw 104. The mounting screw 104 includes a threaded shaft arranged within a threaded passageway of locking hardware 106 when in assembled position. Locking hardware 106 is arranged within a passageway 107 that extends through the body 22 of guitar 20 at the end thereof. Passageway 107 facilitates access to locking hardware 106 and the mounting screw 104 therein so that a user may selectively adjust the tension in coil spring 102.

With reference to FIGS. 1, 3 and 10, the surface of tremolo plate 92 includes a recess and a passageway (unnumbered) in which adjustable volume control knob 108 is arranged. As also shown in FIG. 1, a receptacle 89 is arranged on the body 22 and is adapted to receive a guitar cord which may be plugged into an associated amplifier (not shown).

FIG. 2 illustrates the tremolo plate 92 when a user exerts a downward force upon the second end 96 thereof and causes it to become depressed into the cavity of the body 22 below the surface of body 22. The functionality of tremolo bridge assembly 34 is similar to prior art tremolos in that as tremolo plate 92 is pushed downwardly, the entire bridge assembly 34 rotates toward the nut assembly 125 and thus tension is decreased in strings 114. When the user releases the force from the forward end 96 of tremolo plate 92, the coil spring 102 biases the bridge assembly 34 and the tremolo plate 92 back to its at rest position as shown in FIG. 1 and tension is retorned to guitar strings 114.

If a user desires to momentarily increase the tension in strings 114 while playing the guitar 20, the stopping screw 105 shown in FIG. 11 must initially be adjusted so that it is remote from the bottom of the bridge assembly 34. This will permit the user to increase the tension in associated strings 114 by pressing downwardly on the rear most portion of bridge assembly 34. The second end 96 of tremolo plate 92 will then become raised above the surface 22 of guitar 20. In effect, this creates a higher pitched sound. The flush arrangement of tremolo plate 92 in its at rest position provides advantages in both use of the tremolo bridge assembly 34 and the overall appearance of the guitar 20. One advantage of the flush tremolo plate 92 is that it provides an open playing surface that does not interfere with movement of a user's hands on the guitar body 22. This arrangement overcomes a problem that existed with prior art guitars where a tremolo arm was raised above the surface of a guitar body. Such prior art tremolo arms did not provide an open playing surface and thus have the drawback of sometimes interfering with a user's hands during playing of the guitar. Another feature of the present invention relates to a readily removable and replaceable headstock. This aspect of the present invention is shown in FIGS. 1 and 5-7. When a user desires to take advantage of the unique convergence toning aspect of the present invention, headstock 32 may be utilized. In this embodiment, convergence toning is accomplished by selective adjustment of toning knobs 76 of the bridge assembly 34. There is no need to perform any adjustment of the strings 114 at the nut assembly 28. Thus, head stock 32 does not include any rotatable toning pegs as required for pitch toning in conventional guitars.

In this embodiment, the nut assembly 28 may be separately connected at an end of the neck 24. However, it should be appreciated that in alternate embodiments, the nut assembly 28 may be formed as part of the neck 24. Regardless of whether the nut assembly 28 is formed as part of the neck 24 or is separately connected to an end of the neck 24 remote from the body 22, it should be appreciated that for the purpose of the terminology used herein, the headstock 32 will be considered to be "connected" to the second end of the neck 24. In the description of the preferred embodiment shown in FIG. 6 which follows, the headstock 32 and alternate headstock 134 are actually directly connected to the housing 125 of nut assembly 28 and are thus, indirectly connected to the end of neck 24. In this arrangement, it is considered as if the headstocks 32 and 134 are still "connected" to the neck 24. With reference to FIG 6, a partially exploded rear view is illustrated, where it is apparent that the headstock 32 can be selectively attached to and detached from nut assembly 28. A plate 120 which forms part of the rear portion of cavities 30 of the nut assembly 28 extends outwardly from the connecting end of head stock 32. In assembled position, the plate 120 is arranged adjacent to cavity forming section 122 of the nut assembly 28. In the embodiment shown in FIGS. 6 and 8, the nut assembly 28 includes a housing 125 and the nut plate 131 including the nut critical contact points (unnumbered) which support strings 114.

The head stock 32 has mounting hardware including a central extension rod 124 and a plurality of post holes 130 arranged on the end of headstock

32 on either side of central extension rod 124. These components are useful to facilitate removal and replacement of the headstock 32 with respect to the nut assembly 28 and the neck 24.

As also shown in FIG. 6, nut housing 125 includes an end which abuts the end of the headstock 32 when in assembled position. Nut housing 125 includes a central passageway 126 which is sized and shaped to receive central extension rod

124 of headstock 32. A pair of pins 128 extend from opposing sides of nut housing

125 and are adapted to be inserted within post holes 130 of the headstock 32.

The nut plate 131 is secured to the nut housing 125 by a pair of screws (not shown) which extend within corresponding passageways 127. The entire nut assembly 28 including nut housing 125 and nut plate 131 may be secured to an end of the neck 24 by locking screws 129, the heads of which are visible in FIG. 6.

When the end of the headstock 32 is placed in abutment with the end of nut housing 125, a set screw 132 may be used to secure the headstock 32 in assembled position. In order to remove headstock 32, a user may simply loosen set screw 132. Headstock 32 can then be pulled from its assembled position on nut housing 125.

As shown in FIG. 6, the extension rod 124 includes a flat surface against which an inner end of set screw 132 will abut when head stock 32 is arranged in assembled position. The inner end of set screw 132 may include a teflon coating so that it is free to slide along the flat underside of extension rod 124 when it is not fully tightened thereon. This will allow the user to slide the headstock 32 between a string loading position (shown in FIG. 5), where the headstock 32 is pulled away from the nut housing 125, and a string retaining position where headstock 32 fully abuts against nut housing 125 (shown in FIG. 8). A raised portion (unnumbered) at the end of extension rod 124 acts as a stopping surface with respect to set screw 132 so that headstock 32 cannot be fully removed unless set screw 132 is further loosened or removed. It may be desirable in certain circumstances to modify the aesthetic appearance of headstock 32. Thus, the present invention allows for readily removing and replacing various headstocks provided that such headstocks include the connecting system featores discussed above and shown in FIG. 6. In certain circumstances, it may also be desirable to convert the present guitar 20 from a convergence toning system to a more traditional toning system. Such a traditional toning system may include strings having at least one end without bullets thereon. This embodiment is shown in FIG. 7 where alternate headstock 134 is arranged on nut assembly 28. Alternate headstock 134 includes somewhat traditional toning pegs (unnumbered) which retain an end of associated guitar strings for increasing or decreasing the tension thereof. This more traditional type of headstock may also be used in connection with the convergence tuning system of the present invention. In order to facilitate readily removing and replacing headstock 32 with alternate headstock 134, the mounting hardware on the end of headstock 134 should be substantially the same as the mounting hardware on the end of headstock 32. Another advantageous feature of the present invention relates to a releasable and adjustable "ball and socket" connection between the neck 24 and the body 22. In particular, the exploded view of FIG. 9 shows the convex bottom surface 136 of the neck 24 at an end which is adapted to be mounted on the body 22. The convex bottom surface 136 comprises a portion of a sphere, and will thus be described herein as spherical. A wedge 138 which is used as a "memory lock" as discussed below, is adjustably mounted on convex surface 136 by mounting screws

137 and 139. A threaded passageway 140 is arranged adjacent to the end of wedge

138 for facilitating releasable attachment of the neck 24 to the body 22. The body 22 includes a concave socket 142 for receiving convex surface 136 of neck 24. A wedge-shaped recess 144, which is slightly larger than wedge 138, is arranged within socket 142. The wedge-shaped recess 144 includes passageways 143 and 145 which permit access to adjustment screws 137 and 139, respectively. Wedge shaped recess 144 also includes elongated passageway 146 which may be slot shaped to permit adjustable alignment with threaded passageway 140. A protective external plate 150 is arranged on the rear side of body 22 and includes through holes (unnumbered) which are aligned with passageways 143, 145 and 146. A bolt 148 having a threaded shaft is extended upwardly through a corresponding hole of plate 150 and aligned slotted passageway 146 and into threaded passageway 142 to secure the neck 24 in assembled position on the body 22.

The convex surface 136 at the end of neck 24 is preferably curved in all directions, as is the bottom of a sphere. The relationship between the size and shape of the concave pocket 142 on the body 22 and the convex surface 136 permits the neck 24 to be adjustable on the body 22 before it is secured in assembled position so that the user can customize a "desired action. " As used herein, and as known in the art, the term "action" relates to the height distance between the fret board 26 and the strings 114, as well as the side-to-side positioning of the strings 114 with respect to the fretboard 26. Thus, the neck 24 can be adjusted within concave pocket 142 of the body 22 in three dimensions (i.e. , along the x, y and z axes).

When assembling the neck 24 onto the body 22 of guitar 20, the convex surface 136 of the neck 24 is placed within the concave surface 142 of the body 22. At this time, the wedge 138 is placed within corresponding recess 144. The passageways 143 and 145 within the recess 144 are sufficiently large to permit adjustment of the neck 24 and the wedge 138 while retaining access to adjustment screws 137 and 139 through corresponding passageways 143 and 145. Similarly, slotted passageway 146 is large enough to allow sufficient adjustment of the neck 24 while permitting bolt 148 to pass through passageway 146 and into threaded passageway 140 so that the neck 24 can be secured in assembled position.

In accordance with the present method of customizing the action of guitar strings 114 after the convex surface 136 of the neck 24 is placed within the concave surface 142 of the body 22, it is preferable to initially tighten bolt 148 within threaded passageway 140 so that the neck 24 is snug (but not fully tightened) with respect to the body 22. This "snug" arrangement permits a user to then adjust the position of the neck 24 so that a desired action setting can be obtained in any of the three dimensions. As the neck 24 is being adjusted, the wedge 138 is adjusted to a corresponding position within wedge-shaped recess 144.

When a desired action setting is achieved, bolt 148 should be securely tightened against cover plate 150 so that the neck 24 is secure and cannot be manipulated within concave socket 142 of the body 22. In order to secure the wedge 38 in a locked position, it is preferable for a user to initially tighten adjustment screw 137 until it is snug. This will pull the wedge 138 to a desired locked position against the side walls of wedge-shaped receptacle 144. Adjustment screw 139 should then be securely tightened and adjustment screw 137 can then be fully tightened to secure the wedge 138 in its final locked position.

The combination of the wedge 138 and corresponding shaped recess 144 may be considered a memory lock device which provides two important functions. First, it is a stabilizer which facilitates the stable and secure mounting of the neck 24 to the body 22 of the guitar 20. Second, it serves as a memory lock so that a user can disassemble the neck 24 with respect to the body 22 by removing the bolt 148 from its tightened position within threaded recess 140, and can later reassemble the neck 24 to the body 22 without time consuming readjustment procedures required to obtain a customized action setting. More particularly, when the convex surface 136 of the neck 24 is retorned into the concave pocket 142, the wedge 138 will automatically return to its previously locked position within corresponding wedge-shaped recess 144 whereby the user's customized action setting is restored without additional adjustment after the bolt 148 is fully tightened.

Another significant feature of the present invention is the arrangement of a planar cover for slidable pick-up assemblies. As shown in FIGS. 1 , 2 and 10, a pair of covers 110 and 112 are arranged on the body 22 of guitar 20 beneath and in close proximity to strings 114. These covers are unique in that slidable pick-ups which detect vibrations of the strings 114 and facilitate amplification thereof are arranged beneath such covers and are free to move within the cavity of guitar body 22 as discussed below. It is also significant that pick-up covers 110 and 112 are preferably raised slightly above the surface of the guitar body 22 so that the associated pick-ups can be arranged in close proximity to the strings 114. However, it should be appreciated that covers which are flush or even slightly recessed below the surface of the guitar body 22 are within the scope of the present invention.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 12, guitar 20 includes a pair of slidable pick-ups 176 and 194 are arranged on corresponding pick-up assemblies (not generally numbered). In alternate embodiments of the present invention, one or more fixed or slidable pick-ups may be employed. A "split" pick-up embodiment is discussed below in connection with FIGS. 13 and 14.

Yet another significant aspect of the present invention relates to mechanical control assemblies for controlling slidable movement of pick-ups within the cavity of body 22. A preferred embodiment of such control assemblies will now be described with reference to FIGS. 1 and 10. Each control assembly includes a slidable control rod. A pair of control rods 152 and 182 extend out of the surface of body 22 and are free for slidable movement within corresponding slots (unnumbered). A first vertical control rod 152 is the rear most pick-up control rod. It includes a threaded lower end 154 which is received within a threaded passageway of a first longitudinally extending block 156. A further extension rod 158 extends longitudinally from an end of block 156. A transverse rod 160 is secured to an end of the extension rod 158 and is received within a passageway of mounting plate 172. A second mounting plate 174 includes a slot for retaining first pick-up 176 therein and is secured by screws to the top surface of mounting plate 172.

Pick-up 176 includes detachable leads 178 which are adapted to be plugged into electrical receptacles 180 as shown in FIG. 10. A guide block 162 is also shown in FIG. 10. It is mounted within body 22 of guitar 20 when in assembled position. Guide block 162 includes a lower track 164 which is sized and shaped to receive longitudinally extending block 156 for slidable movement therein. Guide block 162 also includes an upper track 166 which is sized and shaped to receive a second slidable block 186 associated with a second pick-up control assembly as discussed further below.

Guide block 162 also includes a rear guide slot 168 through which the first vertical control arm 152 extends and a forward guide slot 170 through which a second vertical control arm 182 extends. This second control arm also includes a threaded lower end 184 which is secured within a threaded passageway of associated slidable block 186. A longitudinally extending rod 188 is attached to one end of slidable block 186. A transverse rod 190 is then secured to a remote end of longitudinally extending rod 188 and secured to mounting plate 192. A second mounting plate 193 is arranged on the surface of mounting plate 192 and second pick-up 194 is carried in assembled position within a slot of mounting plate 193. Although not shown in FIG. 10, second pick-up 194 also includes leads removably connected to corresponding receptacles within the body 22 of guitar 20.

No prior art pick-up arrangement includes a mechanical control assembly which can be simply and manually adjusted by the user to obtain a desired sound. As also shown in FIG. 10, the combination of mounting plates 172 and 174 form a first slidable carriage on which first pick-up 176 is arranged while the combination of mounting plates 192 and 193 form a second slidable carriage on which second pick-up 194 is arranged. The location of the electrical receptacles 180 can vary within the scope of the present invention. For example, in an alternate embodiment, the electrical receptacles may be mounted on the first and second slidable carriages to facilitate a plug-in pick-up arrangement.

In the preferred embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-12, first pick-up 176 and second pick-up 194 are arranged within the same track 195. First pick-up 176 is used to detect vibrations in strings 114 which are relatively closer to bridge assembly 34 while second pick-up 194 are used to detect vibrations in strings 114 which are relatively closer to nut assembly 28. Thus, raised cover 112 corresponds to first pick-up 176 while raised cover 110 corresponds to second pick-up 194. The width of these covers is at least slightly greater than the width of the corresponding pick-ups so that the pick-ups are free for slidable movement beneath the covers.

Where two or more pick-ups are used as part of the present invention, as in the embodiments of FIGS. 1-12, the guitar 20 may include a pick-up selection switch 109 extending from the body 22. Pick-up selection switches are known in the art and provide the user of the guitar with the ability to selectively activate one or more of the associated pick-ups. For example, pick-up selector switch 109 may have three positions (1) upward - where it is directed away from the strings; (2) center; and 3) downward - where it is directed toward the strings. When pickup selection switch 109 is in its upward position, only second pick-up 194 is activated. When pick-up selection switch 109 is in its center position, both pick-ups 176 and 194 are activated. Finally, when pick-up selection switch 109 is in its downward position, only pick-up 176 is activated.

FIGS. 13 and 14 relate to another embodiment of the present invention where split pick-ups are used. Instead of including transducers corresponding to each of the six strings 114, a first pick-up 196 and a second pick-up 198 are arranged in a side by side relationship, each pick-up including three transducer members corresponding to three of the strings 114. The first pick-up 196 is arranged for slidable movement within track 204 as it is mechanically connected to control arm 200. Control arm 200 is free for selective slidable movement within corresponding track 208. Similarly, control arm 202 is free for selective slidable movement within track 210 and is used to control movement of pick-up 198 within corresponding track 206.

While the foregoing detailed description and drawings are directed toward the preferred embodiments of the present invention, it should be appreciated that numerous modifications can be made to the structore and orientation of the various components of the present stringed instrument. Indeed, such modifications are encouraged to be made in the materials, structore and arrangement of the components of the present stringed instrument without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention. Accordingly, the foregoing description of the preferred embodiments should by taken by way of illustration rather than by way of limitation as the present invention is defined by the claims set forth below.

Claims

CLAIMS:

1. A stringed instrument comprising: a body; a neck having a first end mounted on said body, and a second end remote from said body; and a plurality of strings extending longitudinally along said neck and said body, said body including a receptacle having a concave surface, said neck including a top surface and a bottom surface, said bottom surface of said neck having a convex portion, said convex portion of said neck being adjustably arranged within said concave receptacle of said body such that a user is provided with the ability to adjust the desired action of said strings.

2. The stringed instrument of claim 1 wherein a fretboard is arranged at said top surface of said neck and extends longitudinally therealong.

3. The stringed instrument of claim 1 wherein said convex portion of said neck comprises a portion of a sphere, and said receptacle of said body is concave to facilitate the ability of a user to adjust said neck with respect to said body when said convex portion of said neck is arranged within said concave receptacle of said body.

4. The stringed instrument of claim 1 further comprising a wedge arranged on said bottom surface of said neck at said first end thereof, and a sized and shaped recess arranged within said receptacle of said body in which said wedge is arranged.

5. The stringed instrument of claim 1 further comprising mounting hardware for releasably mounting said neck on said body.

6. A stringed instrument comprising: a body having a concave receptacle thereon; a neck having a first end including a spherical surface mounted within said concave receptacle, a second end remote from said body, and a wedge arranged on said spherical surface, said receptacle having a corresponding shaped recess in which said wedge is arranged when said neck is mounted on said body; and a plurality of strings extending longitudinally along said neck.

7. The stringed instrument of claim 6 further comprising mounting hardware for securing said neck on said body.

8. The stringed instrument of claim 6 wherein said neck includes a top surface having a fretboard, and is adjustably mounted on said body so that a user can select a desired action of said strings with respect to said fretboard.

9. The stringed instrument of claim 7 wherein said mounting hardware includes a bolt, said body including a hole through which said bolt is arranged, and said neck including a threaded passageway aligned with said hole of said body for receiving said bolt therein so that said neck can be secured to said body in a selected position.

10. The stringed instrument of claim 6 further comprising a bridge mounted on said body, and a nut connected to said neck, said plurality of strings extending between said bridge and said nut.

11. A stringed comprising: a body; a neck having a first end mounted on said body, and a second end remote from said body; and a plurality of strings extending longitudinally along said neck and said body, said neck being adjustably arranged on said body such that a user is provided with the ability to adjust the desired action of said strings; and a memory lock device arranged on said neck and said body for locking a selected action setting and facilitating replacement of said neck on said body without readjusting the desired action of said strings after said neck is removed and replaced in assembled position on said body.

12. The stringed instrument of claim 11 wherein said memory lock device comprises a wedge.

13. The stringed instrument of claim 11 wherein said memory lock device comprises the combination of a wedge and a corresponding shaped recess.

14. The stringed instrument of claim 13 wherein said wedge is arranged at said first end of said neck, and said corresponding shaped recess is arranged on said body and is adapted to receive said wedge therein.

15. The stringed instrument of claim 14 wherein said wedge is adjustably mounted on said first end of said neck to facilitate a user's selection of a desired action of said strings.

16. A method of customizing the action of guitar strings comprising the steps of: arranging a neck having a fretboard on a body of a guitar; adjusting the position of the neck with respect to the body of the guitar until the strings are arranged at a desired position with respect to the fretboard; securing a memory lock device in a desired position on the neck so that the selected string position can be repeated upon removal and replacement of the neck on the body without further adjustment; and releasably securing the neck in an assembled position on the body.

17. The method of claim 16 wherein said step of arranging the neck on the body comprises placing a convex surface of the neck in a corresponding concave receptacle of the body.

18. The method of claim 17 wherein said step of adjusting the position of the neck with respect to the body comprises moving the convex surface of the neck within the concave receptacle of the body.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the memory lock device comprises the combination of a wedge and the corresponding recess in which it is placed, said step of securing the memory lock device comprises moving the wedge to a desired position within the corresponding recess, and tightening the wedge with respect to the convex surface of the neck on which it is mounted.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein said step of releasably securing the neck in an assembled position on the body comprises placing a bolt having a threaded shaft through the neck and into a threaded receptacle on the body, and thereafter tightening the bolt until the neck is secured on the body.

21. The method of claim 20 further comprising the step of removing the neck from its assembled position on the body, and thereafter replacing the neck back into assembled position whereby the selected position of the strings with respect to the fretboard is maintained.

22. A stringed instrument comprising: a body; a neck including a first end attached to said body, and a second end remote from said body; a nut assembly connected to said neck at said second end; a bridge assembly mounted on said body; and a plurality of strings extending between said nut and bridge assemblies, said bridge assembly including a plurality of saddles and a force conversion assembly constructed and arranged to convert a nonlongitudinal force applied by a user during toning of said strings to a longitodinal force whereby at least one of said saddles is forced to slide toward or away from said nut assembly.

23. The stringed instrument of claim 22 wherein said force conversion assembly comprises a rotatable toning knob and a plurality of lever arms operatively connected to each of said plurality of saddles.

24. The stringed instrument of claim 23 wherein said rotatable toning knob comprises a cylindrical head attached to a threaded shaft.

25. The stringed instrument of claim 24 wherein said force conversion assembly further comprises a riser having a threaded passageway arranged for threadable movement along said threaded shaft.

26. The stringed instrument of claim 22 further comprising a fretboard arranged on said neck.

27. The stringed instrument of claim 22 wherein said nut assembly comprises a plurality of string holder cavities and a plurality of corresponding nut critical contact surfaces.

28. The stringed instrument of claim 27 wherein said bridge assembly further comprises a plurality of bridge critical contact surfaces.

29. The stringed instrument of claim 28 wherein each of said plurality of strings includes a first anchor connected to a first end thereof, and a second anchor connected to a second end thereof, said first anchor being arranged within one of said saddles of said bridge assembly, said second anchor being arranged within a corresponding one of said string holder cavities of said nut assembly.

30. A stringed instrument comprising: a body; a neck including a first end attached to said body, and a second end remote from said body; a nut assembly connected to said neck at said second end; a bridge assembly mounted on said body; and a plurality of strings extending between said nut and bridge assemblies, said bridge assembly including a plurality of saddles and force conversion means for converting a nonlongitudinal force applied by a user during toning of said strings into a longitodinal force to thereby effect slidable movement of at least one of said saddles toward or away from said nut assembly.

31. The stringed instrument of claim 30 wherein said force conversation means comprises a rotatable tuning knob and a plurality of lever arms operatively connected to each of said plurality of saddles.

32. The stringed instrument of claim 31 wherein said rotatable toning knob includes a threaded shaft, said stringed instrument further comprising a riser having a threaded passageway arranged for threadable movement along said threaded shaft.

33. The stringed instrument of claim 30 further comprising a fretboard arranged on said neck.

34. The stringed instrument of claim 30 wherein said nut assembly comprises a plurality of string holder cavities and a plurality of corresponding nut critical contact surfaces.

35. The stringed instrument of claim 34 wherein said bridge assembly comprises a plurality of bridge critical contact surfaces.

36. The stringed instrument of claim 35 wherein each of said plurality of strings includes a first anchor connected to a first end thereof, and a second anchor connected to a second end thereof, said first anchor being arranged within one of said saddles of said bridge assembly, said second anchor being arranged within a corresponding one of said string holder cavities of said nut assembly.

37. The stringed instrument of claim 31 wherein said plurality of lever arms of said bridge assembly are constructed and arranged such that rotation of one of said rotatable toning knobs through a certain rotatable distance will cause a corresponding one of said plurality of saddles to slide a relatively small distance when the tension in a corresponding one of said strings is relatively high, and a relatively large distance when the tension in the corresponding one of said strings is relatively low.

38. A stringed instrument comprising: a body; a neck having a longitodinal axis along the length thereof, and including a first end attached to said body, and a second end remote from said body; a nut assembly connected to said neck at said second end; a bridge assembly mounted on said body; and a plurality of strings extending between said nut and bridge assemblies substantially parallel to said longitodinal axis of said neck, said bridge assembly including a plurality of saddles, a plurality of lever arms operatively connected to each other and corresponding ones of said plurality of saddles, and a plurality of rotatable toning knobs operatively connected to said plurality of lever arms such that a corresponding one of said plurality of saddles is forced to slide toward or away from said nut assembly along a plane substantially parallel to said longitudinal axis of said neck upon rotation of one of said toning knobs.

39. The stringed instrument of claim 38 wherein said plurality of lever arms of said bridge assembly are constructed and arranged such that rotation of one of said rotatable toning knobs through a certain rotatable distance will cause a corresponding one of said plurality of saddles to slide a relatively small distance when the tension in a corresponding one of said strings is relatively high, and a relatively large distance when the tension in the corresponding one of said strings is relatively low.

40. A bridge assembly for use with a stringed instrument, said stringed instrument having a body, a neck attached to said body, a nut assembly connected to said neck, said bridge assembly being mounted on said body of said stringed instrument, and a plurality of strings extending between said nut and bridge assemblies, said bridge assembly comprising: a plurality of saddles and a force conversion assembly constructed and arranged to convert a nonlongitudinal force applied by a user during toning of said strings to a longitodinal force whereby at least one of said saddles is forced to slide toward or away from said nut assembly.

41. The bridge assembly of claim 40 wherein said force conversion assembly comprises a rotatable tuning knob and a plurality of lever arms operatively connected to each of said plurality of saddles.

42. The bridge assembly of claim 41 wherein said rotatable toning knob comprises a cylindrical head attached to a threaded shaft.

43. The bridge assembly of claim 42 wherein said force conversion assembly further comprises a riser having a threaded passageway arranged for threadable movement along said threaded shaft of said toning knob.

44. A stringed instrument comprising: a body having a cavity therein; a neck having a first end mounted to said body, and a second end remote from said body; a plurality of strings extending longitudinally along said neck and said body; a pick-up slidably mounted within said cavity of said body beneath said plurality of strings; and a cover mounted on said body between said pick-up and said plurality of strings, wherein said cover is not connected to said pick-up.

45. The stringed instrument of claim 44 wherein said cover is substantially planar.

46. The stringed instrument of claim 44 further comprising a plurality of pick-ups slidably mounted within said cavity of said body beneath said plurality of strings.

47. The stringed instrument of claim 46 further comprising a pickup assembly including said pick-up and a slidable carriage on which said pick-up is mounted, said pick-up including a transducer.

48. The stringed instrument of claim 46 further comprising a plurality of covers mounted on said body between said pick-ups and said plurality of strings.

49. The stringed instrument of claim 44 wherein said cover is substantially planar and is arranged substantially parallel with a surface of said body.

50. A stringed instrument comprising: a body having a cavity therein; a neck having a first end mounted to said body, and a second end remote from said body; a plurality of strings extending longitudinally along said neck and said body; a pick-up assembly slidably mounted within said body beneath said plurality of strings; a control assembly connected to said pick-up assembly to effect slidable movement of said pick-up assembly within said body; and a cover mounted on said body between said pick-up assembly and said plurality of strings, wherein said cover is not connected to said pick-up.

51. The stringed instrument of claim 50 wherein said cover is substantially planar.

52. The stringed instrument of claim 51 wherein said pick-up assembly comprises at least one transducer and a carriage on which said at least one transducer is mounted.

53. The stringed instrument of claim 52 wherein said carriage is slidable within said cavity.

54. The stringed instrument of claim 50 wherein said control assembly comprises a control arm having a first portion arranged at least partially within said body and being connected to said pick-up assembly, and having a second portion extending outside of said body to be handled by a user of said stringed instrument whereby the user can selectively manipulate said control assembly slide said at least one pick-up assembly longitudinally to a desired position with respect to one or more of said plurality of strings.

55. The stringed instrument of claim 50 further comprising a plurality of pick-up assemblies.

56. The stringed instrument of claim 55 further comprising a plurality of covers mounted on said body between said pick-up assembly and said plurality of strings.

57. The stringed instrument of claim 56 wherein said covers are substantially planar and are arranged substantially parallel with a surface of said body.

58. The stringed instrument of claim 50 further comprising a bridge mounted on said body, and a nut connected to said neck, said plurality of strings extending between said bridge and said nut.

59. A stringed instrument comprising: a body including a substantially planar surface and a cavity arranged beneath said surface; a plurality of strings extending above and along said body; and a tremolo bridge mounted on said body, said tremolo bridge including a plate enclosing an opening to said cavity, said plate extending substantially coplanar with respect to said surface of said body.

60. The stringed instrument of claim 59 further comprising a neck having a first end mounted on said body, and a second end remote from said body, said plurality of strings extending longitudinally along said neck.

61. The stringed instrument of claim 60 further comprising a nut connected to said neck, said plurality of strings extending between said bridge and said nut.

62. The stringed instrument of claim 61 wherein said tremolo bridge is operatively connected to said body such that a user of said stringed instrument can obtain a desired sound upon activation of said tremolo bridge by pressing on said tremolo plate whereby said tension in said strings is momentarily decreased or increased and is then retorned.

63. The stringed instrument of claim 59 wherein said tremolo bridge is arranged for movement between a rest position where said plate is substantially coplanar with respect to said surface of said body, and an operative position where at least a portion of said plate extends below said surface of said body.

64. The stringed instrument of claim 63 wherein said tremolo bridge includes a spring arranged within said cavity of said body to bias said plate to said rest position.

65. The stringed instrument of claim 63 wherein said tremolo bridge includes a base, said plate has a first end connected to said base and a second end remote from said base, said second end being movable to extend below said surface of said body when said plate is urged to said operative position.

66. A stringed instrument comprising: a body including a substantially planar surface and a cavity arranged beneath said surface; a neck having a first end mounted on said body, and a second end remote from said body; a plurality of strings extending longitudinally along said neck and said body; a nut connected to said neck; and a tremolo bridge connected to said body, said plurality of strings extending between said bridge and said nut, said tremolo bridge including a plate enclosing an opening to said cavity of said body, said plate being arranged for movement between a rest position where it is substantially coplanar with respect to said surface of said body, and an operative position where at least a portion thereof extends below said surface of said body.

67. The stringed instrument of claim 66 wherein said tremolo bridge is operatively connected to said body such so that a user of said stringed instrument can obtain a desired sound upon activation of said tremolo bridge by pressing on said tremolo plate whereby said tension in said strings is momentarily decreased and is then returned.

68. The stringed instrument of claim 66 wherein said tremolo bridge includes a spring arranged within said cavity of said body to bias said plate to said rest position.

69. The stringed instrument of claim 68 wherein said tremolo bridge includes a base, said plate has a first end connected to said base and a second end remote from said base, said second end being movable to extend below said surface of said body when said plate is urged to said operative position.

70. A stringed instrument comprising: a body including a substantially planar surface and a cavity arranged beneath said surface; a plurality of strings extending across said body; and a tremolo bridge mounted on said body, said tremolo bridge including a plate enclosing an opening to said cavity, said plate being arranged for movement between a rest position where it extends substantially coplanar with respect to said surface of said body, and an operative position where it extends at an acute angle with respect to said surface of said body.

71. The stringed instrument of claim 70 further comprising a neck having a first end mounted on said body, and a second end remote from said body, said plurality of strings extending longitudinally along said neck.

72. The stringed instrument of claim 70 wherein said tremolo bridge includes a spring arranged within said cavity of said body to bias said plate to said rest position.

73. The stringed instrument of claim 70 wherein said plate has a first end connected to said bridge and a second end remote from said bridge, said second end being movable to extend below said surface of said body when said plate is urged to said operative position.

74. The stringed instrument of claim 73 wherein said tremolo bridge is operative to decrease tension of said plurality of strings as said plate is moved below said surface of said body.

75. The stringed instrument of claim 70 wherein said plate has a first end connected to said bridge and a second end remote from said bridge, said second end being movable to extend above said surface of said body when said plate is urged to said operative position at which time tension in said plurality of strings is increased.

76. A stringed instrument comprising:

a body;

a neck having a first end mounted on said body, and a second end

remote from said body;

a convergence headstock releasably connected [either directly or

indirectly] to said second end of said neck, said convergence headstock not including

rotatable toning pegs;

an alternate headstock being selectively connectable to said second end

of said neck upon removal of said convergence headstock, said alternate headstock

including toning pegs; said neck having a structore that can selectively engage said

convergence and alternate headstocks; and

a plurality of strings extending longitudinally along said neck and said

body.

77. The stringed instrument of claim 76 further comprising a bridge

mounted on said body, and a nut including a housing connected to said neck, said

nut housing being arranged between said second end of said neck and one of said

convergence and alternate headstocks such that one of said convergence and

alternate headstocks are indirectly connected to said second end of said neck, said

plurality of strings extending between said bridge and said nut.

78. The stringed instrument of claim 77 further comprising mounting hardware for securing said convergence headstock to said second end of said neck.

79. The stringed instrument of claim 78 wherein said mounting hardware comprises an extension member arranged on at least one of said convergence headstock and said second end of said neck and extending coaxial with a longitodinal axis of said neck, and an aligned passageway opposing said extension member on at least one of said convergence headstock and said second end of said neck in which said extension member is arranged when said stringed instrument is fully assembled.

80. The stringed instrument of claim 79 further comprising a plurality of extension members and a plurality of aligned passageways corresponding with said extension members.

81. The stringed instrument of claim 78 wherein said mounting hardware includes a set screw for selectively locking said convergence headstock in assembled position to said second end of said neck.

82. The stringed instrument of claim 76 further comprising mounting hardware for securing said alternate headstock to said second end of said neck.

83. The stringed instrument of claim 82 wherein said mounting hardware comprises an extension member arranged on at least one of said alternate headstock and said second end of said neck and extending coaxial with a longitodinal axis of said neck, and an aligned passageway opposing said extension member on at least one of said alternate headstock and said second end of said neck in which said extension member is arranged when said stringed instrument is fully assembled.

84. The stringed instrument of claim 83 further comprising a plurality of extension members and a plurality of aligned passageways corresponding with said extension members.

85. The stringed instrument of claim 82 wherein said mounting hardware includes a set screw for selectively locking said alternate headstock in assembled position to said second end of said neck.

86. A stringed instrument comprising:

a body;

a neck having a first end mounted on said body, and a second end

remote from said body;

a convergence headstock releasably connected [either directly or

indirectly] to said second end of said neck, said convergence headstock including at

least a portion of a plurality of string holder cavities_and not including rotatable

toning pegs;

an alternate headstock being selectively connectable to said second end

including toning pegs thereon; said neck having a structore that can selectively

engage said convergence and alternate headstocks;

a bridge mounted on said body;

a nut including a housing connected to said second end of said neck;

and

a plurality of strings extending between said bridge and said nut.

87. The stringed instrument of claim 86 wherein each of said plurality of strings includes an anchor at one end thereof, and said bridge includes a plurality of saddles, said anchors of said plurality of strings being arranged within corresponding ones of said saddles when said stringed instrument is in assembled position.

88. The stringed instrument of claim 87 wherein each of said plurality of strings includes an anchor at both ends thereof, one of said anchors being arranged within a corresponding one of said saddles, and the other of said anchors being arranged within a corresponding one of said string holder cavities of said convergence headstock.

89. The stringed instrument of claim 87 wherein the end of each of said strings opposing said anchor is secured to corresponding ones of said toning pegs.

90. The stringed instrument of claim 86 further comprising mounting hardware for securing said convergence headstock to said second end of said neck.

91. The stringed instrument of claim 90 wherein said mounting hardware comprises an extension member arranged on at least one of said headstock and said second end of said neck and extending coaxial with a longitudinal axis of said neck, and an aligned passageway opposing said extension member on at least one of said headstock and said second end of said neck in which said extension member is arranged when said stringed instrument is fully assembled.

92. The stringed instrument of claim 91 further comprising a plurality of extension members and a plurality of aligned passageways corresponding with said extension members.

93. The stringed instrument of claim 90 wherein said mounting hardware includes a set screw for selectively locking said convergence headstock in assembled position to said second end of said neck.

94. The stringed instrument of claim 86 further comprising mounting hardware for securing said alternate headstock to said second end of said neck.

95. The stringed instrument of claim 94 wherein said mounting hardware comprises an extension member arranged on at least one of said headstock and said second end of said neck and extending coaxial with a longitodinal axis of said neck, and an aligned passageway opposing said extension member on at least one of said headstock and said second end of said neck in which said extension member is arranged when said stringed instrument is fully assembled.

96. The stringed instrument of claim 95 further comprising a plurality of extension members and a plurality of aligned passageways corresponding with said extension members.

97. The stringed instrument of claim 94 wherein said mounting hardware includes a set screw for selectively locking said alternate headstock in assembled position to said second end of said neck.

98. A stringed instrument comprising:

a body;

a neck having a first end mounted on said body, and a second end

remote from said body;

a bridge mounted on said body;

a nut including a housing connected to said second end of said neck;

a plurality of strings extending between said bridge and said nut, said

nut housing including string holder cavities for retaining an end of corresponding

ones of said plurality of strings therein; and

an alternate headstock being selectively connectable to said second end

of said neck, said alternate headstock including toning pegs thereon for retaining corresponding ends of said plurality of strings when said ends of said plurality of

strings are not retained in said string holder cavities.