Triad pickup

A removable and portable single pickup unit for stringed instruments such as guitars, and the like. The unit can be mounted inside of a sound hole of an acoustic guitar without damaging the guitar. The unit can combine inputs from three different pickups(such as a magnetic sensor, vibratory transducer, and a microphone) into a single small housing. The unit can include a pre-amplifier and circuitry within the unit along with three rotatable rheostat type control knobs for each of the pickups, and an overall volume control knob that are easily reachable to the user's fingers while the fingers are on the strings. An output cable connects the unit to a single external amplifier or three individual amplifiers for each of the three different pickups.

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to pickup mounts for musical instruments, in particular to a combined triad pickup and preamp device that combines a magnetic sound-hole pickup, a transducer vibration pickup and a sound microphone pickup into a single housing, and methods of mounting and using the combined pickup with stringed instruments such as guitars, and connecting the combined pickup to exterior amplifiers, and the like.

BACKGROUND AND PRIOR ART

Pickup blender devices have been used in guitar type stringed instruments and generally require the devices be mounted to the sides of the guitars. These blender devices further generally require slider switches that the user must slide in order to control the pickup devices. Thus, the location of these traditional pickup devices and the slider knob controls are undesirable and impractical to the user. For example, the user must physically remove their fingers from the strings to manipulate the slider type knobs. Additionally, the side mounting of these devices can be destructive to the guitar since a user must cut an opening in the side of a guitar type instrument.

Many of the known pickup blender devices rely on using one or more identical pickup sensors which further restricts the versatility of the device. Furthermore, the blender devices tend to combine the output into single cables that connect to externally mounted amplifiers. Thus, the pickup devices do not allow for much tenability, and do not allow for each of the pickup sensors to be individually tuned.

Throughout the history of acoustic pickup systems there have been three basic types of acoustic pickups: Magnetic Pickup, Transducer Pickup and Under the Bridge Saddle Transducer. Each one has its highlights and flaws and companies have endlessly attempted to engineer the best tone out of each design. The Magnetic Pickup: (Also called a sound-hole pickup.) have been installed in the sound-hole and “pick up” the magnetic responses of the strings-similar to a pickup used on an electric guitar. The pickup's coil windings, pole-piece sizes, and magnet size are all designed to produce the most accurate “acoustic” tone. The magnetic pickup is usually more bass responsive. The pickup actually receives its response from the magnetic steel core of bronze or brass acoustic guitar strings. These pick-ups produce very little feed back, do not normally need a pre-amp, some are portable “pop-ins,” and they are the most popular for quick installs and a decent tone.

Transducer pickups sense vibrations. Two types have been popular a stick-on style, which may be placed at different locations on the guitar top, and an Under-The-Bridge-Saddle pickup, which is installed under the bridge saddle. Unfortunately, with stick-on type transducers, the response from the top of the guitar will also pick up unwanted nuances such as finger, pick, and arm noises. The under-The-Bridge-Saddle transducer pickup reduces unwanted noises and has good acoustic tone. The tone is more “trebly” than the magnetic pickup. It may be used with or without a pre-amp. Using a pre-amp will increase the response, and with tone controls can be an excellent choice for a permanent install.

Condenser Microphone pickups have been known to be placed inside the guitar produce very good acoustic tones. However, care must be used because of increased feed back possibilities and the inherent proximity effect. Simply, the proximity effect will tend to produce higher levels of bass tones. Also, for superior tone, a condenser microphone would still must be used and driven by a battery powered pre-amp.

None of the prior art is known to adequately combine the various pickups.

However, none of the prior art adequately solves the problems presented above. Thus, the need exists for solutions to the above problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a multi-sensor pickup unit for stringed instruments and method of use that can be mounted without damaging the instrument, and does not require cutting unsightly, tone changing sections or holes.

A secondary objective of the present invention is to provide multi-sensor type pickup unit for stringed instruments and method of use that can be removably mounted in the sound hole.

A third objective of the present invention is to provide a multi-sensor type pickup unit for stringed instruments and method of use having controls adjacent to the strings within easy reach of the user.

A fourth objective of this invention is to provide a multi-sensor type pickup unit for stringed instruments and method of use having easily adjustable non-slider controls for the unit.

A fifth objective of the present invention is to provide a multi-sensor type pickup unit for stringed instruments and method of use having three different non-identical pickup sensors.

A sixth objective of the present invention is to provide a multi-sensor type pickup unit for stringed instruments and method of use that provides separate tuning for each pickup sensor.

A seventh objective of the present invention is to provide a multi-sensor type pickup unit for stringed instruments and method of use that can include separate inputs for treble, middle and bass for each pickup sensor.

An eighth objective of the present invention is to provide a magnetic pickup for stringed instruments having an extremely low noise, and a single coil with individual string adjustments for balanced tone.

A ninth objective of the present invention is to provide an Under-The-Bridge-Saddle type (piezo-electric) transducer for a stringed instrument having independent response of each string, with a casing that provides a level surface for equal string volume.

A tenth objective of the present invention is to provide a high quality Condenser microphone for a stringed instrument that can be located the pickup device.

An eleventh objective of the present invention is to provide a pickup system for stringed instruments that can use Gold plated pole pieces, connectors, and End-Pin Jack.

A twelfth objective of the present invention is to provide a pickup system for stringed instrument having a pre-amp system that is conveniently “hidden” within the pickup assembly.

A thirteenth objective of the present invention is to provide a pickup system for stringed instruments that is easy to install, does not require soldering, and can be installed quickly within up to approximately 30 to approximately 45 minutes.

A fourteenth objective of the present invention is to provide a pickup system for stringed instruments that can be easily removed, as all components can use plug-style connectors.

A fifteenth objective of the present invention is to provide a pickup system for stringed instruments having easily reached volume controls for onboard adjustments.

A sixteenth objective of the present invention is to provide for multi-pickup sensors for a stringed instrument such as a guitar that includes controls that are easily reachable to the user's fingers while the fingers are on the strings of the instrument.

The novel triad pickup invention can utilize all three types of acoustic amplification devices that were described in the background section of the invention: a superior Magnetic pickup, a superb Under-The-Bridge-Saddle transducer pickup, and a high quality Condenser Microphone which is located inside triad device. The invention incorporates three separate pickups and a preamp, all part of one housing.

The novel triad pick-up system can include a main housing for being removably mounted into a sound hole of a stringed instrument, such as an acoustic guitar. Three different pickup sensors, such as a piezo-electric transducer, a microphone, and a magnetic sensor can be connected to the housing. The novel triad unit housing can include four easily reachable blender volume controls on the sides of the housing(two on each side) so that the performer can easily blend each pickup into a mono output. The unit housing can be attached to a power supply such as a 9 volt battery, and the like, and the mono signal can be easily amplified using a ¼ inch phonotype cable.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Before explaining the disclosed embodiments of the present invention in detail it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in its application to the details of the particular arrangements shown since the invention is capable of other embodiments. Also, the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and not of limitation. A list of the components used in the figures is given below.1Instrument2Saddle5Bridge10Strings12Triad Pickup Device15Housing20Soundboard Surface25MG Magnetic Transducer Potentiometer Knob25PI Piezoelectric Transducer Potentiometer Knob25MC Microphone Transducer Potentiometer Knob25MAS Master Potentiometer Knob30Clamping Screw35Sound Hole40Magnet Pole Screw432Conductor Cable45Output Jack50Battery55Battery Connector Harness60Inside Soundboard Surface65Piezo Pickup Connector Harness70Output Connector Harness75Microphone80Clamp85Elastomer Pad87Magnetic Transducer90Coil95Magnet100Adjustment Bar105Piezo Transducer110Control Circuit Board115Preamp Board Retainer Screw120Coil Retainer Screw125Housing Slot130Preamp Board135Threaded Body140Threaded Aperture145Microphone Aperture150Resonator Cavity160Battery Clip170Adhesive Pad175Magnet Pole Screw Aperture180Screw Boss185Inside Wall190Output Jack Aperture195Output Jack Nut200Triple Output Connector210Hard Wired Cable to Housing2154Conductor Output Jack2204Conductor Jack225External Cable230Microphone Output240Piezo Transducer Output250Magnetic Transducer Output300External Amplifier310Cable to Amplifier

FIG. 1is a perspective exterior view of a stringed instrument1such as a guitar, and the like, with the novel triad pickup device12.FIG. 2is an enlarged view of the triad pickup device12mounted in the music box35inFIG. 1.FIG. 3is a front view of the guitar1ofFIG. 1with mounted triad pickup device12.FIG. 4is a side cross-sectional view of the guitar1ofFIG. 3along arrow4.FIG. 5is a side view of the guitar1ofFIGS. 1,3.FIG. 6is a cross-sectional view of the guitar1ofFIG. 5along arrow6.FIG. 7is another front view of the guitar1of the preceding figures.FIG. 8is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the mounted triad pickup device12in the guitar1ofFIG. 7along arrow8.FIG. 9is another front view of the guitar1of the preceding figures.FIG. 10is an enlarged cross-sectional view of the mounted triad pickup device12in the guitar1ofFIG. 9along arrow10.FIG. 11shows the novel triad pickup device12separated from the music box of the guitar1of the preceding figures.FIG. 11Ais an enlarged view of the separated triad pickup device12ofFIG. 11.FIG. 12is an exploded view of the novel triad pickup device12of the preceding figures.FIG. 13is a front view of the main housing15of the triad pickup device12.FIG. 14is a top view of the main housing15ofFIG. 13along arrow14.FIG. 15is a right side view of the main housing15ofFIG. 13along arrow15.FIG. 16is a rear view of the main housing15ofFIG. 14along arrow16.FIG. 17is a left side view of the main housing15ofFIG. 13along arrow17.FIG. 18is a bottom view of the main housing15ofFIG. 13along arrow18.

Referring toFIGS. 1–18, the novel musical instrument audio triad pickup device12provides a system to allow three different transducers75(FIG. 6),87(FIG. 8),105(FIG. 11A) to be located at three different locations within a stringed instrument1, such as a guitar, and the like. Due to the mechanical variations of the construction of most instruments, audio frequencies and harmonics are attenuated or enhanced based on the location of the sampling transducer. This invention incorporates a microphone75(FIG. 6) inside the sound cavity35of an instrument1, to capture the acoustic wave pressures as a function of the string(10) energy absorbed in the sound board20of the instrument1, a piezo pressure transducer105to directly detect the mechanical resonate energy of the string at the bridge5, and a magnetic transducer87to detect string (10) motion.

These transducers75,87,105can be connected to a battery-powered50preamp130built into the body of the device12. The preamp circuitry130allows the player to proportionally control the output levels of these sampling transducer's signals and output this signal to an external audio amplifier300as a mixed signal or as a separate channel for each transducer. This allows a broad range of audio frequencies to be adjusted by the player to be more pleasing the listener. The player can manipulate these controls25MG,25PI,25MC and25MAS on the main body15of the device12clamped in the sound hole35of the instrument1. The output is made accessible through a connector jack45in the side wall of the instrument1. This device12can be field-installable by the player as an after-market modification.

Installation of Triad Device12

Referring toFIGS. 1,6,12and14, the triad device can be installed in a normal operating position, in instrument1, with strings10in proximity of the magnetic pole screw40. The housing15can be clamped into sound hole35on sound board surface20by clamp80contacting the inside soundboard surface60and held in position by a fastener such as a clamping screw30, wherein the clamp80sandwiches a portion of the sound board edge therebetween. An elastomer pad85can be placed between the housing15and the sound board surface20to prevent slippage and to protect the sound board surface. The housing15can include a size of no more than approximately 4¼ inches by approximately 1 inch high by approximately 1 inch deep so as to be easily fit into a sound hole35of a stringed instrument1without having to damage the instrument.

Referring toFIGS. 10 and 12, a magnetic transducer87can include a magnet95, in close proximity to magnetic pole screw40, that induces magnetic flux through magnetic pole screw40and onto ferrous string10. The instrument string10, which is set in motion by the player can vibrate within this flux concentration, causing the magnetic field through the magnetic pole screw40to vary in close proximity to coil90. This flux variation causes current flow proportional to the string10vibration in coil90. A resulting electrical signal is sent to the preamp board130for signal processing. The magnetic pole screw40can be adjusted for string height variations and optimum flux concentration by turning the threaded body of magnetic pole screw40into the threaded aperture140in the adjustment bar100. This adjustment can raise or lower magnetic pole screw40relative to the instrument string10.

Referring toFIG. 8, the piezo transducer105can be located under bridge5. The string10, set in motion by the player, vibrates, which propagates through bridge5and onto Piezo transducer105. When piezoelectric material in the piezo transducer105is compressed by this vibration, an electric charge collects on its surface which is proportional to the instrument string10vibration. This electrical signal can be sent to theFIG. 12preamp board130via piezo pickup connector harness65for signal processing.

Referring toFIGS. 6 and 12, a microphone75is press-fitted into a microphone aperture145on interface board130. (This is located within the confines of the resonator cavity150.) The instrument string10, set in motion by the player, vibrates, which propagates through bridge5, through the saddle2and onto the soundboard surface20. This vibrating motion translates to acoustic wave energy in the resonator cavity150, which is detected by microphone75, creating an electrical signal sent to the interface board130for signal processing.

Operation

Referring toFIGS. 12,19, and20, the signal for microphone75, piezo transducer105and magnetic transducer87(magnetic coil90) can be sent to the preamp board130for signal processing. TheFIG. 19schematic shows the circuit configuration for all input signals to be amplified and mixed into one composite output signal. TheFIG. 20schematic shows the circuit configuration for all input signals to be amplified and the transducer signals to be output individually.

Referring toFIGS. 1–18, the proportion of the transducer signal strength is controlled by one transducer potentiometer25MG,25PI,25MC, dedicated to each transducer, and one master volume potentiometer25MAS for volume. The signal levels are controlled by the player turning the potentiometer knob25MG,25PI,25MC attached to each potentiometer. The knobs25MG,25PI,25MC and25MAS can be disc shaped with raised knurled edges for easy turning by the user. The location of the knobs allows the user to use one finger to turn the knobs to desired settings. The knob controls are easily reachable to the user's fingers while the fingers are on the strings. The device12is powered by battery50such as a 9 volt battery connected to preamp board130by battery connector harness55located in resonator cavity150. The battery50is secured by battery clip160and adhesive pad170attached to the inside wall185of the resonator cavity150. The output signal is sent to the output jack45via the output connector harness70. Output jack45from 2 conductor cable43is attached to the inside wall185of the resonator cavity150and secured with output jack nut195.

Referring toFIGS. 12,16and18, the housing15holds magnetic pole screw40in the position in the Magnet Pole Screw Aperture175, a molded feature of the housing15. Magnetic pole screw40is also constrained by the adjustment bar100which clamps the coil90and magnets95by means of the coil retainer screws120and screw boss180, a molded feature of housing15. The control circuit board110is held in place by the housing slot125in housing15and is soldered to the preamp board130. The preamp board130is secured to housing15by preamp board retainer screw115and screw bosses, a molded feature of housing15.

Referring to FIGS.1and13–18, each of the four volume controls,25MG,25PI,25MC and25MAS, on the triad device12can include volume indication setting levels. In a preferred embodiment on each control, there can be three settings for volume indicators. For example, One hash mark can be equal to zero volume; two hash marks can be equal to approximately 50% volume; and three hash marks can be equal to approximately 100% volume. By first using the three pickup volume controls25MG,25PI,25MC, an infinite number of blends can be attained. Once the desired tone is achieved, the overall volume can then be controlled by the master control25MAS.

In order to start using the triad pickup device12, all the controls25MG,25PI,25MC and25MAS should be turned to their lowest setting. Next, a high quality, low capacitance type cable310should be used to connect the stringed guitar instrument1to an external amp300. Blending the output of the stringed instrument can include the following steps:1. Adjust the MASTER control,25MAS to approximately ⅔ volume.2. Adjust the MIC control25MC to a comfortable level, somewhere around approximately 50%. If feedback is heard, then lower control slightly. This microphone tone will sound very acoustic and can actually be used independently.3. Adjust the PIEZO control25PI until you hear brilliant higher tones with good acoustic quality. This control can be adjusted slightly higher than the MIC control25MC.4. Adjust the MAG control25MG until you hear deep lows, a strong mid-range, and plenty of sustain. With all three pickups now functioning, you will only need to fine tune your settings to the room acoustics.5. Adjust the master volume25MAS which controls overall volume control for all 3 pickups to a desired playing volume.

Although the preferred embodiment described in reference toFIG. 1shows a mono output with a single external amplifier300that is attached to the pickup device12by line310to a 2-conductor stereo output plug195(FIG. 11A), the invention can be modified for three pickup amplifier sound200. The novel triad pickup device12can be connected to three separate external amplifiers235,245,255through output jacks230for each of the microphone transducer,240for the piezo transducer, and250for the magnetic transducer, so that each pickup can be connected to its own amplifier. Thus, each pickup can be tone modified for the best possible sound.

A 4-conductor cable line210can be hard wired directly to housing15with a 4 conductor output jack215. A 4 conductor jack220can connect output jack215to three separate outputs230,240,250by an external cable225. Microphone Output jack230, Piezo Transducer Output jack240and Magnetic Transducer Output jack250can then be connected to respective external amplifiers235,245,255so that each of the pickup transducers can each be individually tone modified for sound.

The invention can also include separate inputs for treble, middle and bass for each of the pickup transducers.

Although the preferred embodiment references three volume settings for each of the volume knob controls, the invention can include other numbers of settings, such as for example up to approximately nine settings (0, 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9)