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US3507972A - Microphone bridge for string instruments - Google Patents

Microphone bridge for string instruments Download PDF

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Publication number
US3507972A
US3507972A US639724A US3507972DA US3507972A US 3507972 A US3507972 A US 3507972A US 639724 A US639724 A US 639724A US 3507972D A US3507972D A US 3507972DA US 3507972 A US3507972 A US 3507972A
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United States
Prior art keywords
bridge
strings
microphone
crystal
parts
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Expired - Lifetime
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US639724A
Inventor
Istvan Sebok
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Individual
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Individual
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Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10H—ELECTROPHONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; INSTRUMENTS IN WHICH THE TONES ARE GENERATED BY ELECTROMECHANICAL MEANS OR ELECTRONIC GENERATORS, OR IN WHICH THE TONES ARE SYNTHESISED FROM A DATA STORE
    • G10H3/00—Instruments in which the tones are generated by electromechanical means
    • G10H3/12—Instruments in which the tones are generated by electromechanical means using mechanical resonant generators, e.g. strings or percussive instruments, the tones of which are picked up by electromechanical transducers, the electrical signals being further manipulated or amplified and subsequently converted to sound by a loudspeaker or equivalent instrument
    • G10H3/14—Instruments in which the tones are generated by electromechanical means using mechanical resonant generators, e.g. strings or percussive instruments, the tones of which are picked up by electromechanical transducers, the electrical signals being further manipulated or amplified and subsequently converted to sound by a loudspeaker or equivalent instrument using mechanically actuated vibrators with pick-up means
    • G10H3/18—Instruments in which the tones are generated by electromechanical means using mechanical resonant generators, e.g. strings or percussive instruments, the tones of which are picked up by electromechanical transducers, the electrical signals being further manipulated or amplified and subsequently converted to sound by a loudspeaker or equivalent instrument using mechanically actuated vibrators with pick-up means using a string, e.g. electric guitar
    • G10H3/185—Instruments in which the tones are generated by electromechanical means using mechanical resonant generators, e.g. strings or percussive instruments, the tones of which are picked up by electromechanical transducers, the electrical signals being further manipulated or amplified and subsequently converted to sound by a loudspeaker or equivalent instrument using mechanically actuated vibrators with pick-up means using a string, e.g. electric guitar in which the tones are picked up through the bridge structure
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10H—ELECTROPHONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; INSTRUMENTS IN WHICH THE TONES ARE GENERATED BY ELECTROMECHANICAL MEANS OR ELECTRONIC GENERATORS, OR IN WHICH THE TONES ARE SYNTHESISED FROM A DATA STORE
    • G10H2220/00—Input/output interfacing specifically adapted for electrophonic musical tools or instruments
    • G10H2220/461—Transducers, i.e. details, positioning or use of assemblies to detect and convert mechanical vibrations or mechanical strains into an electrical signal, e.g. audio, trigger or control signal
    • G10H2220/465—Bridge-positioned, i.e. assembled to or attached with the bridge of a stringed musical instrument
    • G10H2220/471—Bridge-positioned, i.e. assembled to or attached with the bridge of a stringed musical instrument at bottom, i.e. transducer positioned at the bottom of the bridge, between the bridge and the body of the instrument
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10H—ELECTROPHONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; INSTRUMENTS IN WHICH THE TONES ARE GENERATED BY ELECTROMECHANICAL MEANS OR ELECTRONIC GENERATORS, OR IN WHICH THE TONES ARE SYNTHESISED FROM A DATA STORE
    • G10H2220/00—Input/output interfacing specifically adapted for electrophonic musical tools or instruments
    • G10H2220/461—Transducers, i.e. details, positioning or use of assemblies to detect and convert mechanical vibrations or mechanical strains into an electrical signal, e.g. audio, trigger or control signal
    • G10H2220/465—Bridge-positioned, i.e. assembled to or attached with the bridge of a stringed musical instrument
    • G10H2220/495—Single bridge transducer, common to all strings
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G10—MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; ACOUSTICS
    • G10H—ELECTROPHONIC MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS; INSTRUMENTS IN WHICH THE TONES ARE GENERATED BY ELECTROMECHANICAL MEANS OR ELECTRONIC GENERATORS, OR IN WHICH THE TONES ARE SYNTHESISED FROM A DATA STORE
    • G10H2220/00—Input/output interfacing specifically adapted for electrophonic musical tools or instruments
    • G10H2220/461—Transducers, i.e. details, positioning or use of assemblies to detect and convert mechanical vibrations or mechanical strains into an electrical signal, e.g. audio, trigger or control signal
    • G10H2220/525—Piezoelectric transducers for vibration sensing or vibration excitation in the audio range; Piezoelectric strain sensing, e.g. as key velocity sensor; Piezoelectric actuators, e.g. key actuation in response to a control voltage

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a microphone bridge for string instruments made of two parts, one part engaging the strings and the other the resonator.
  • a piezoelectric crystal is situated between the said two parts for transforming the vibration of the strings into sound frequency.
  • the present invention relates to the amplification of the sound of string instruments. This was achieved so far mainly by means of electromagnetic pick-ups in such a way that the string vibrating in the field of a permanent magnet induces in the coil surrounding the magnet an alternating current corresponding to the sound frequency, this current being then amplified and fed to a loudspeaker.
  • the most important condition for employing said pick-ups was that the material of the strings be magnetizable, i.e. that they be made e.g. of iron or steel.
  • the invention eliminates these drawbacks because the crystal producing the sound frequency is forced-owing to its arrangementto become deformed only according to the movement achieved by the strings on the resonator, therefore the crystal takes'over invariably the vibration arising from the string, and so a very good amplification or modification is obtained.
  • a microphone bridge according to the invention takes over the vibration of the strings for the excitation of sound frequency in the same way as it is taken over by the resonator of the musical instruments from the traditional bridge. As a result thereof, the characteristics of the sound obtained are the same or almost the same as those of the accepted traditional sound of the musical instruments.
  • the invention relates thus to a microphone bridge for string instruments, characterized in that the bridge transmitting mechanically the vibration of the strings is divided in two, or consists of two parts, and between these parts there is a flat elastic distance piece parallel to the plane of the strings or of the resonator enabling the relative displacement and vibration of said parts, and a piezoelectric crystal is also between thetwo parts so that it is deformed in consequence of the relative displacement of the two parts of the bridge, thus electrical signals are produced which may be amplified and transformed into sound in a manner well known per se.
  • the strings 1 bear against a bridge 2 which supports the strings at an appropriate location and transmits their vibration to the resonator 3 of the musical instrument by way of direct contact.
  • the bridge 2 is cut in two, the lower part 5 and the upper part 6 of the bridge being at a distance from one another which allows placing therebetween an elastic distance piece 7 enabling the independent elastic movement of the upper part 6, and a piezo-electric crystal 8 transforming the vibrations of strings 1 into sound frequency is also between parts 5 and 6.
  • the piezo-electric crystal 8' of prismatic shape is placed obliquely in such a way that its one end bears against a cavity 9 of the lower part, and the other end engages a surface 10 of the upper part.
  • the crystal touches the parts 5 and 6 along two diagonally opposite edges, the engagement being ensured by elastic pads 11.
  • the mass of the two parts 5, 6 of the bridge is almost equal to that of the usual undivided bridge.
  • the upper part 6 of bridge 2 transmits the vibration of strings I by moving together with the strings, and deforms in the rhythm of the vibration the piezo-electric crystal 8 touching the same.
  • the crystal 8 produces an alternating current the frequency of which corresponds to the vibration of the strings. This can be amplified in a manner known per se as "required, in an electric amplifier and the amplified current can be used in an electric loud-speaker.
  • the device according to the invention allows of transforming any vibration of strings into a perfect sound frequency.
  • a microphone bridge for string instruments having a resonator, the bridge supporting the'strings and transmitting mechanically their vibration to the resonator, the bridge comprising an upper and a lower part the upper part engaging the said strings and the lower the resonator, an elastic distance piece between said parts disposed parallel to the plane of the strings and permitting a displacement of the upper part relative to the lower one, and at least one pieZo-electric crystal engaging the two bridge parts to produce electrical signals upon relative movement of said parts.
  • a microphone bridge according to claim 1 wherein said crystal has a prismatic shape with diagonally opposite edges bearing one against each of said bridge parts, the crystal being disposed between said bridge parts obliquely with respect to the plane of said elastic distance piece.
  • a microphone bridge according to claim 2 and resilient means by which said crystal is supported in said oblique position.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Acoustics & Sound (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Piezo-Electric Transducers For Audible Bands (AREA)

Description

United States Patent Int. 01. 01011 3/00,- G10d /00 U.S. Cl. 841.14 3 "Claims ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE The present invention relates to a microphone bridge for string instruments made of two parts, one part engaging the strings and the other the resonator. A piezoelectric crystal is situated between the said two parts for transforming the vibration of the strings into sound frequency.
The present invention relates to the amplification of the sound of string instruments. This was achieved so far mainly by means of electromagnetic pick-ups in such a way that the string vibrating in the field of a permanent magnet induces in the coil surrounding the magnet an alternating current corresponding to the sound frequency, this current being then amplified and fed to a loudspeaker. The most important condition for employing said pick-ups was that the material of the strings be magnetizable, i.e. that they be made e.g. of iron or steel.
For the transformation of the sound or plastic or gutstrings into an electric signal there are solutions known in which by means of an auxiliary clamping arrangement of various designs a piezo-electric crystal is fastened to a selected point on the musical instrument, said crystal taking over the vibration existing at the given point. These devices have many drawbacks: first the clamping systems do not force the crystal to take over from the musical instrument the entire vibration, second the self-vibration of the crystal and of the clamping arrangement may modify the signal taken off from the musical instrument, and third the selected points on the musical instrument do not comprise the whole characteristic range of sound of the musical instrument.
The invention eliminates these drawbacks because the crystal producing the sound frequency is forced-owing to its arrangementto become deformed only according to the movement achieved by the strings on the resonator, therefore the crystal takes'over invariably the vibration arising from the string, and so a very good amplification or modification is obtained. For this purpose a microphone bridge according to the invention takes over the vibration of the strings for the excitation of sound frequency in the same way as it is taken over by the resonator of the musical instruments from the traditional bridge. As a result thereof, the characteristics of the sound obtained are the same or almost the same as those of the accepted traditional sound of the musical instruments.
The invention relates thus to a microphone bridge for string instruments, characterized in that the bridge transmitting mechanically the vibration of the strings is divided in two, or consists of two parts, and between these parts there is a flat elastic distance piece parallel to the plane of the strings or of the resonator enabling the relative displacement and vibration of said parts, and a piezoelectric crystal is also between thetwo parts so that it is deformed in consequence of the relative displacement of the two parts of the bridge, thus electrical signals are produced which may be amplified and transformed into sound in a manner well known per se.
3,507,972 Patented Apr. 21, 1970 The invention is described in detail with reference to the enclosed drawing which represents an embodiment by way of example. The figure shows the schematic crosssection of the microphone bridge.
The strings 1 bear against a bridge 2 which supports the strings at an appropriate location and transmits their vibration to the resonator 3 of the musical instrument by way of direct contact. Parallel with the plane of strings 1 and/or of resonator 3 the bridge 2 is cut in two, the lower part 5 and the upper part 6 of the bridge being at a distance from one another which allows placing therebetween an elastic distance piece 7 enabling the independent elastic movement of the upper part 6, and a piezo-electric crystal 8 transforming the vibrations of strings 1 into sound frequency is also between parts 5 and 6.
Between the lower part 5 and the upper part 6 of bridge 2 the piezo-electric crystal 8' of prismatic shape is placed obliquely in such a way that its one end bears against a cavity 9 of the lower part, and the other end engages a surface 10 of the upper part. Thus the crystal touches the parts 5 and 6 along two diagonally opposite edges, the engagement being ensured by elastic pads 11.
The mass of the two parts 5, 6 of the bridge is almost equal to that of the usual undivided bridge.
The upper part 6 of bridge 2 transmits the vibration of strings I by moving together with the strings, and deforms in the rhythm of the vibration the piezo-electric crystal 8 touching the same. As a result thereof the crystal 8 produces an alternating current the frequency of which corresponds to the vibration of the strings. This can be amplified in a manner known per se as "required, in an electric amplifier and the amplified current can be used in an electric loud-speaker.
The device according to the invention allows of transforming any vibration of strings into a perfect sound frequency.
Iclaim:
1. A microphone bridge for string instruments having a resonator, the bridge supporting the'strings and transmitting mechanically their vibration to the resonator, the bridge comprising an upper and a lower part the upper part engaging the said strings and the lower the resonator, an elastic distance piece between said parts disposed parallel to the plane of the strings and permitting a displacement of the upper part relative to the lower one, and at least one pieZo-electric crystal engaging the two bridge parts to produce electrical signals upon relative movement of said parts.
2. A microphone bridge according to claim 1, wherein said crystal has a prismatic shape with diagonally opposite edges bearing one against each of said bridge parts, the crystal being disposed between said bridge parts obliquely with respect to the plane of said elastic distance piece.
3. A microphone bridge according to claim 2, and resilient means by which said crystal is supported in said oblique position.
References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,334,744 11/1943 Benioif 841.16 2,494,485 1/ 1950 Notara 84-1.16 3,076,903 2/ 1963 Schwartz 3108.3 3,113,990 12/1963 Zanessi 84-1.l6 3,394,275 7/1968 Lippmann 310-83 HERMAN KARL SAALBACH, Primary Examiner T. VEZEAU, Assistant Examiner U.S. Cl. X.R. 841.16
US639724A 1966-07-14 1967-05-19 Microphone bridge for string instruments Expired - Lifetime US3507972A (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
HUSE001323 1966-07-14

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
US3507972A true US3507972A (en) 1970-04-21

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Family Applications (1)

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US639724A Expired - Lifetime US3507972A (en) 1966-07-14 1967-05-19 Microphone bridge for string instruments

Country Status (5)

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US (1) US3507972A (en)
ES (1) ES341884A1 (en)
GB (1) GB1140404A (en)
NL (1) NL6709430A (en)
SE (1) SE325767B (en)

Cited By (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4314495A (en) * 1979-11-08 1982-02-09 Baggs Lloyd R Piezoelectric saddle for musical instruments and method of making same
EP1145219A1 (en) * 1999-01-15 2001-10-17 Fishman Transducers, Inc. Measurement and processing of stringed acoustic instrument signals
US8455749B1 (en) * 2009-11-16 2013-06-04 David Rowland Gage Detachable electric pickup for musical instrument

Families Citing this family (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
GB2118757A (en) * 1982-01-21 1983-11-02 Ashworth Jones Alun David Audio transducer
US4450744A (en) * 1982-05-28 1984-05-29 Richard Shubb Electric pickup device for a musical instrument such as a banjo

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2334744A (en) * 1941-11-26 1943-11-23 Baldwin Co Transducer for stringed musical instruments
US2494485A (en) * 1947-09-30 1950-01-10 Notara Andrew Love Musical instrument
US3076903A (en) * 1957-12-20 1963-02-05 Gulton Ind Inc Piezoelectric transducer
US3113990A (en) * 1959-01-13 1963-12-10 Zanessi Arrigo Stringed musical instrument
US3394275A (en) * 1966-02-09 1968-07-23 Fed Electronics Inc Vibration transducers

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2334744A (en) * 1941-11-26 1943-11-23 Baldwin Co Transducer for stringed musical instruments
US2494485A (en) * 1947-09-30 1950-01-10 Notara Andrew Love Musical instrument
US3076903A (en) * 1957-12-20 1963-02-05 Gulton Ind Inc Piezoelectric transducer
US3113990A (en) * 1959-01-13 1963-12-10 Zanessi Arrigo Stringed musical instrument
US3394275A (en) * 1966-02-09 1968-07-23 Fed Electronics Inc Vibration transducers

Cited By (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4314495A (en) * 1979-11-08 1982-02-09 Baggs Lloyd R Piezoelectric saddle for musical instruments and method of making same
EP1145219A1 (en) * 1999-01-15 2001-10-17 Fishman Transducers, Inc. Measurement and processing of stringed acoustic instrument signals
EP1145219B1 (en) * 1999-01-15 2012-08-15 Fishman Transducers, Inc. Measurement and processing of stringed acoustic instrument signals
US8455749B1 (en) * 2009-11-16 2013-06-04 David Rowland Gage Detachable electric pickup for musical instrument

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
SE325767B (en) 1970-07-06
GB1140404A (en) 1969-01-22
NL6709430A (en) 1968-01-15
ES341884A1 (en) 1968-07-16

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