3,833,751 - Guitar-like Instrument with Magnetic Pickup

From StickiWiki

Granted September 3, 1974

Abstract

An electric guitar having a body of generally rectangular cross-section and consisting essentially of an elongated fretted wooden fingerboard, a headpiece extending upwardly therefrom, and a tailpiece extending downwardly therefrom. A set of tuned strings, preferably nine in number, extends in parallel relation immediately above and out of contact with the frets, in a plane substantially parallel to the fretted face of the fingerboard, the strings being anchored to the tailpiece and each string being attached to an individual tensioning member forming part of the headpiece. A magnetic pickup assembly is carried by the tailpiece, including an individual magnetic pickup in operative relation with each of the strings. The instrument is light in weight, and is supported by a bracket or hook engageable with the user's belt and by a strap around the user's neck and upper chest, the strap being attached to the instrument at or adjacent to the headpiece, whereby to maintain the instrument in correct playing position, upwardly more nearly vertically and across the user's torso, and freeing the user's hands from the need of supporting the instrument. The user is thereby enabled to execute unusual musical effects with the fingers of both hands engaging selected strings against selected frets of the fingerboard during play. In the preferred form of the invention having nine strings, the strings are uniquely tuned as follows: A first, highest pitched string; a second string tuned a perfect fourth interval below the first string; a third string tuned a perfect fourth interval below the second string; a fourth string tuned a perfect fourth interval below the third string; a fifth string tuned a perfect fourth interval below the fourth string; a sixth, lowest bass string tuned a major seventh interval below the fifth string; a seventh string tuned a perfect fifth interval above the sixth string; an eighth string tuned a perfect fifth interval above the seventh string; and a ninth string tuned a perfect fifth interval above the eighth string. The first five strings constitute a melody group, and the remaining four strings constitute a bass and chord group.

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