Patent ID: 6114617
Filing Date: 2000-09-05
Classification: G10D

Abstract:
A string instrument whose tuning can be interchanged rapidly between the tunings of instruments of first and second types, where said instrument of said first type has N+1 strings, N being is an integer, and said instrument of said second type has N strings, and where one string of said instrument of said second type is relatively close in tuning to one string of said instrument of said first type, and another string of said instrument of said second type is less close in tuning to any string of said instrument of said first type, said string instrument comprising:a supporting body,said supporting body having N+2 strings stretched across one side of said body, said N+2 strings being spaced from said body for most of their length,a first of said strings being tuned to said tuning of said one string of said first type of instrument,pitch-changing means for rapidly, accurately, and with a single motion changing the tuning of said first of said strings to said tuning of said one string of said second type of instrument,another of said strings being tuned to the tuning of said other string of said second type of instrument,whereby said instrument can be played with the tuning of said first type of instrument by playing all of said N+2 strings, except said other string, andwhereby said instrument can be converted to and played with the tuning of said second type of instrument by activating said pitch-changing means to change the tuning of said first of said strings to the tuning of said one string of said second type of instrument, playing said first string, said other of said strings, and N-2 of the rest of said strings.