Patent ID: 7256336
Filing Date: 2007-08-14
Classification: G10D

Abstract:
1. A stringed instrument for producing musical notes from a plurality of strings supported thereon, said stringed instrument comprising: a body provided with a bridge for supporting the plurality of strings; a neck secured to said body, said neck including a fret board extending longitudinally along a substantial portion of said neck and defining a distal end, said neck further including a nut proximate said distal end of said fret board for supporting the plurality of strings, said fret board being provided with a plurality of frets having string to fret contact regions being longitudinally offset with respect to said fret board along the length of each of said plurality of frets, whereby substantially accurate intonation of a note is achieved when a string is brought into contact with one of said string contact regions and a note is played, wherein said fret board defines periodic transversely oriented facets which undulate along the length of said fret board such that said fret board defines a playing surface which rises to high points where said frets are located, and inclines to low points disposed between said frets, and wherein each string contact region defines a linear section and wherein displaced string contact regions adjacently disposed on a fret are joined by a raised transition section.