Stringed instrument with translated strings with adjustable tension

Systems and methods for translating strings of a stringed instruments as well as providing for adjustable tensioning. In embodiments, a stringed instrument, may include an instrument body having a front side and a back side wherein, as with most stringed instruments, the strings are disposed on the front side of the body for playing. Different from conventional stringed instruments though, at least a portion of at least one string may be disposed on the backside of the body as well. Thus, a first set of string anchor points are disposed on front side and a second set of string anchor points are disposed on the back side. That is, the strings are translated form the front side to the back side by passing the one or more translated strings through an aperture in the body called a through-bridge. Further, embodiments may include additional versatility by having adjustable tensioning systems.

BACKGROUND

Listening to and performing music is enjoyed by billions of people across the world and playing instruments has been a professional and recreational pursuit for many people who enjoy music. One particular subset of musical instruments that are prevalent in the music industry today include any number of stringed instruments. Stringed are musical instruments that produce sound from vibrating strings when the performer plays or sounds the strings in some manner. Musicians play some string instruments by plucking the strings with their fingers or a pick while others may be played by hitting the strings with a striker or hammer or by rubbing the strings with a bow. Typical stringed instruments include guitars and violins. Further, stringed instruments may often have a specific scale length that defines a portion of a taut string that vibrates to produce desired sounds. The scale length is related to the “speaking length” of the string; the speaking length is the part of the string that vibrates to produce a desired note (e.g., frequency). A typical instrument string includes a ratio of string diameter to scale-length needed to produce desired tones. Generally, the shorter the scale-length, the larger the diameter string is needed to produce the same frequency.

In most stringed instruments, the vibrations are transmitted to the body of the instrument, which often incorporates some sort of hollow or enclosed area. The body of the instrument also vibrates, along with the air inside it. The vibration of the body of the instrument and the enclosed hollow or chamber make the vibration of the string more audible to the performer and audience. The body of most string instruments is hollow, however, more modern stringed instruments, such as the electric guitar, utilize electric pickups that generate electronic amplification that allows for a solid wood body.

With all stringed instruments, the strings used are affixed to the instruments at anchor points positioned at two or more points such that the string can be taut, thereby able to produce a vibration at a specific frequency when played. As lower and lower notes are desired for a specific instrument, the length and size of the string increases. As such, bass instruments require longer bodies and necks to accommodate the longer and larger-diameter string. Further, the string length will also vary from string to string as the longest strings are intended to produce the lowest frequency notes but are typically not desired for playing higher-frequency notes, so additional strings with shorter run lengths are also included in most stringed instruments (e.g., a 4- or 5-string bass guitar, a 6- or 12-string guitar, and the like.) Shortening the string run length would allow for smaller instruments that still produce the desired range of frequencies.

Note that the same numbers are used throughout the disclosure and figures to reference like components and features.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Embodiments will be described more fully hereinafter with reference to the accompanying drawings, which form a part hereof, and which show, by way of illustration, exemplary embodiments by which the systems and methods described herein may be practiced. This systems and methods may, however, be embodied in many different forms and should not be construed as limited to the embodiments set forth herein; rather, these embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will satisfy the statutory requirements and convey the scope of the subject matter to those skilled in the art.

By way of an overview, the systems and methods discussed herein may be directed to systems and methods for translating strings of a stringed instruments as well as providing for adjustable tensioning. In an embodiment, a stringed instrument, may include an instrument body having a front side fand a back side wherein, as with most stringed instruments, the strings are disposed on the front side of the body for playing. Different from conventional stringed instruments though, at least a portion of at least one string may be disposed on the backside of the body as well. Thus, a set of one or more first string anchor points are disposed on front side of the body and then a set of one or more second string anchor points are disposed on the back side. That is, the strings are translated form eth front side to the back side. The instrument achieves this by passing the one or more translated strings through an aperture in the body—called a through-bridge.

Further, each string, once translated, may be anchored in a string return cavity on the back side of the body at one of a plurality of variable anchor points. Different devices and systems are presented herein whereupon string ball end may engage with receivers for holding the end of the string in place on the back side. These back-side anchors have adjustable positions and, thus, may be maneuvered to attain different level of tension on the string. With translated strings and adjustable tension, a world of versatility is opened for players who prefer strings with longer lengths are strings with larger or smaller diameter because the choice of strings is no longer limited by the instrument scale length.

The embodiments discussed herein may be practiced with any number of stringed instruments including acoustic and electric guitars, acoustic and electric bass guitars, banjos, violins, violas, cello, mandolins, and the like. Further, any number of strings may utilize one or more features as disused herein including instruments with only one string or up to a great number of strings, such as hammered dulcimers or harps.

FIG.1is a diagram of a conventional bass guitar100having conventional means of anchoring strings110at a string bridge105such that the string positions are not adjustable adjacent to the bridge105. Further, the strings110are not translated beyond the relative string plane of the front side of the bass guitar100. As shown inFIG.1, a conventional stringed instrument100is shown to illustrate the drawbacks of a typical stringed instruments. WhileFIG.1shows a bass guitar100, a skilled artisan understands that these concepts illustrated here apply to any conventional stringed instrument. Further, the skilled artisan will also appreciate the application of the novel concepts discussed herein as also applying equally to any stringed instrument. As such, the reminder of this detailed description will remain focused on the application to a bass guitar100for brevity.

InFIG.1, a bass guitar100is shown having four strings110attached thereto. The strings110are attached at a first anchor point111that is situated on an anchor bridge105disposed on the front face of a body101. The other end of each string110is coupled to a second anchor point located at a head stock103at and end opposite the body105such that each string spans a neck102. The strings110span the neck102over a fretboard that includes frets that a player may use to play different notes. The strings110are typically coupled to a tuning device115that is configured to rotate a respective nut when one actuates one of four tuning keys116. That is, a first string110may be tightened or loosened between the string bridge105and a first tuning device116by turning a first tuning key115. Likewise, a second string110may be tightened or loosened between the string bridge105and a second tuning device116and by turning a second tuning key115, and so on.

Each string110spans the neck102which includes a fretboard having frets107. As a player places one or more fingers on each string110, the string may make contact with a fret107and then, when struck or plucked, vibrate at a frequency commensurate with the distance between the fret107and a string anchor point111that is part of the conventional string bridge105. As a player's finger moves up and down the fretboard (e.g., neck102), different frets107may be engaged for each string110, thereby producing a different vibrations frequency (e.g., a different note). In stringed instruments, the length of the fretboard defines the instrument's scale length. As alluded to above, longer-scale fretboards are best suited for instruments that are intended to play lower-frequency notes, whereas shorter fretboards are for instruments that play higher-frequency notes. A skilled artisan also understands that some stringed instruments are players without frets on a fretboard. Rather, the neck includes a fingerboard (e.g., a fretboard without frets) where a skilled artisan learns where to place fingers for producing desired notes without the precision of the fret.

Further, a typical bass guitar100will include an electronic pickup120that is configured to detect the vibration of each string and amplify the frequency of the sound. That is, a pickup120is, essentially a respective microphone disposed directly under each string110. The audio signal detected may be further modified by circuitry controlled by a volume know122and a tone control knob123. Further yet, the bass guitar body101may include a pickguard121. A more detailed view of the string bridge105in the bass guitar ofFIG.1is shown and described next with respect toFIG.2.

FIG.2is a cutaway view of the string bridge105of the conventional bass guitar ofFIG.1. As one can see, the string anchor point111for each string110remains affixed just above the face of the body101. A typical stringed instrument may include one or more string guides112that assist with keeping each string110in position. Further, these strings guides112provide for a slight translation of direction for each string110. As one can see in this example, the translation is about 10 degrees from a direction of string direction. That is, the string110between the bridge saddle112and the head stock tuning device (not shown) is a straight line, but the string110changes direction, (e.g., about 10 degrees downward) to then anchor at the bridge anchor point111.

The conventional bass guitar shown inFIGS.1and2has drawbacks in that the string anchor points111for the strings110are at fixed points on the instrument body101. Thus, for an instrument, like this bass guitar100, to produce low notes, a long string must be used. Therefore, the instrument itself must accommodate the entire string run length from the bridge to the tuning devices. That is, the entity of the string run length is accommodated in virtually the same plane (i.e., notwithstanding small deviations in the string direction imparted by the bridge saddle, and the like) at the front side of the instrument100. Further, each instrument is typically sized (e.g., instrument scale) to only accommodate a single version of strings suited to the instrument scale length. Thus, players are limited in string choices and tuning options in conventional stringed instruments. The drawbacks are addressed in the novel embodiments described below with respect toFIGS.3-11.

FIG.3is a cutaway front view of a bass guitar300having a rear-body string return for translated strings according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein. In this embodiment, the body301of the bass guitar300includes one or more orifices335through which the strings310of the bass guitar300may pass through from the front side of the bass guitar body301to the rear side of the body301. Thus, in this embodiment, the strings engage a through-bridge312whereby the strings engage the through-bridge312at the orifice335to then emerge at the back side of the body301thereby providing a rear-body string return for accommodating string with longer string length runs. In this manner, as will become evident in conjunction withFIG.4showing the rear side of the bass guitar body301, the string direction326may be translated (e.g., returned) with respect to the first direction326in which the strings are disposed on the guitar300. That is, the strings are anchored between a first anchor point at the head stock (not shown inFIG.3) and eventually at a second anchor point (shown inFIG.4) at the rear side of the body301but ultimately emanating in the opposite direction (327as shown inFIG.4) at the rear side of the body301. Thus, prior to this second anchor point on the rear side, the strings310that started out emanating in the first direction236toward the through-bridge312, ultimately extend in the second, opposite direction327on the rear side of the body301. The culmination of this initial description is more evident with respect toFIG.4.

FIG.4is a rear view of the bass guitar ofFIG.3having a rear-body string return for translated strings according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein. Continuing the description fromFIG.3, the strings310can be seen emerging from the orifice335that is part of the through-bridge312to then extend in the second direction327(e.g., opposite the first direction326as shown inFIG.3). The strings310emerge through the orifice335at the rear side of the guitar body301and are within the backplane of the body301inside a string return cavity338. The string return cavity338includes space that is disposed within the body and having a rectangular opening in the back side of the guitar body301. The string return cavity338is shown, in the embodiment of this FIG., as being open. In other embodiments, the string return cavity338includes a removable cover plate (not shown) to provide protection and aesthetic beauty to the guitar301. Further, each string310is shown as anchored to a single, respective anchor point340at the far end (with respect to the orifice335) of the rear string cavity338. However, in other embodiments described below with respect toFIGS.8-11, the strings may be anchored at variable positions in the string return cavity338. Additional mechanical components (not shown inFIG.4) provide for ease of maneuvering and setting each individual string anchor point to a desired location in the string return cavity338. As shown here, the string return cavity338includes a far end is disposed just before neck bolts339that hold the neck to the body301.

The guitar300ofFIGS.3and4may further include first and second electronic pickups330and331disposed on the front of the guitar body301just below the strings prior to the strings are positioned through the orifice305in the through-bridge312. In this embodiment, the orifice305may include four individual string holes through which each respective string310is threaded to the string return cavity338. In other embodiments, the orifice305may be a single hole through the body301in which all four strings310pass though (spaced apart from each other. In any embodiment, as each string310is threaded though the orifice305, each string310will be supported by a string translator337(sometimes called a string return) such that the string310is held tight against the string return337to form a gradual curve. This gradual return shape ensures that tension in the string remain axial to each string310(e.g., the forces acting on the string310as it is tightened are primarily parallel (i.e., longitudinal) with respect to the axis of the string310and forces are not concentrated at any sharp bend or turn. Thus, the string tension can remain consistent when the string310is plucked or struck after the respective strings310have been tuned.

The guitar300ofFIGS.3and4may further include electronic control in the form of potentiometers or “knobs” that can control different aspects of the pickups330and331. In this embodiment there are three knobs332,333, and334, that may be overall gain, overall tone, first pickup gain, second pickup gain or any other electronic parameter typically able to be controlled in an electric stringed instrument. Additional elements of the guitar300may include a pickguard, an output jack, strap buttons, Further, the guitar body need not be the shape depicted in the embodiment shown inFIGS.3and4, as any number of body shapes may accommodate the innovations described herein.

In an embodiment according toFIGS.3and4, the stringed instrument may have a total string run length between a front side anchor point and a back-side anchor point wherein a distance between the front-side anchor point and the through bridge is about five to ten times greater than the distance between the through bridge and the back-side anchor point. Further, the string return cavity338may include an electronic pickup355disposed adjacent to the strings310such that additional harmonics or sympathetic tones resonant in the strings310may enhance or be added to the sounds produced when playing the instrument.

With a stringed instrument having the string return features and through-bridge that allow for translating strings310as shown inFIGS.3and4, a number of advantages present over conventional stringed instruments. As a first advantage, because the overall string length is now longer, thus will enable longer strings to be used that are typically available for the instrument's scale length. For example, a conventional bass scale length may be 34 inches such that bass guitar strings suited for a scale length of 34 inches are used. However, with a through bridge, and additional run length of about 4-16 inches may created by positioning the strings through the orifice in the through bridge and anchor the string ball ends in the string return cavity on the rear side of the guitar body. As a result, this enables the bass guitar300to be able to handle string lengths of more than the intended scale length of 34 inches, e.g., 38- to 51-inch strings can be accommodated. With longer strings, one can achieve use of stiffer strings (e.g., larger diameter) that may be preferred when playing because of better responsiveness and playability. Further yet, with a longer scale length, a player may tune to lower notes without the physical impacts that result from using a shorter string's playability. That is, shorter strings exhibit less rigidity when tuned to lower notes, a drawback for some styles of playing. Generally speaking, the speaking length of any strings exhibits the same tension when tuned to the same note, however, with a longer non-speaking length, a larger diameter string can be accommodated such that greater rigidity (with the same tension) results in longer and more stable string vibration. Thus, notes will “ring” longer and be sustained at tone for a longer duration of time as the string rigidity is increased.

Along the same lines, having a portion of the string run-length disposed on the back of the body, one can reduce the scale length of the instrument at the neck while retaining the playing properties of a typical instrument scale. Thus, a typical 34-inch set of strings can have between 4 and 16 inches of the string disposed around the string return337and in the string return cavity338such that the head stock is closer to the body with a shorter scale neck. This may be particularly advantageous for players having shorter arms or smaller hands. Additionally, the instruments will be more compact and have a lighter overall weight, thereby making material use in construction more efficient. Further, with a shorter scale length on the front side of the guitar, one may use strings with a smaller-than-typical diameter, yet still achieve pleasing sounds.

Lastly, the innovative through-bridge may be retrofitted onto existing instruments to attain the benefits of longer strings and associated string tension affords to instruments with respect to versatility and playability. These advantages may be appreciated further with respect to the descriptions of various embodiments as discussed next with respect toFIGS.5-11.

FIG.5A-Dare cutaway side views of the bass guitar body301ofFIG.3showing embodiments of a through-bridges335according to embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein.FIG.5Ashows a first embodiment of a through-bridge335showing a single string310emanating in the first direction326, guided by a saddle512, and disposed through a single return hole aperture550. A skilled artisan understands that additional strings may also be disposed through respective return hole apertures, but one is shown here for ease of illustration. This embodiment further includes a metallic quarter round insert551that provides for a gradual return for translating the string to the opposite direction327where it is anchored in the string return cavity338by its ball end553engaged with a ball end retainer552.

Using a through-bridge335as shown inFIG.5Aprovides for a translation of the run length of the string310such that a large portion of the string310remains disposed on the front side of the instrument body301, but a significant portion (e.g., 10%-30%) of the run length may be disposed on the backside of the instrument body301after the direction translation imparted by the through-bridge335. As shown, the string is shown with a sharp turn into the aperture550. This is for ease of illustration as the aperture550may induce a far more gradual translation (as can be seen from an embodiment described below with respect toFIG.7. A more gradual direction translation reduces lateral stress on the string which leads to degraded performance and eventual failure.

FIG.5Bshows a second embodiment of a through-bridge335showing a single string310emanating in the first direction326, guided by a saddle512, and disposed through an aggregate return aperture555. A skilled artisan understands that additional strings may also be disposed through the aggregate return aperture555, but one is shown here for ease of illustration. This embodiment further includes a metallic half-round return557that provides for a gradual return for translating the string to the opposite direction327where it is anchored in the string return cavity338by its ball end553engaged with a ball end retainer552.

Using a through-bridge335as shown inFIG.5Bprovides for a translation of the run length of the string310such that a large portion of the string310remains disposed on the front side of the instrument body301, but a significant portion (e.g., 10%-30%) of the run length may be disposed on the backside of the instrument body301after the direction translation imparted by the through-bridge335. Different form the embodiment ofFIG.5A, the half-round return557provides an even more gradual direction translation that reduces lateral stress on the string.

FIG.5Cshows a third embodiment of a through-bridge335showing a single string310emanating in the first direction326, through the saddle512, and disposed through an aggregate return aperture555. This embodiment further includes a metallic full-round return560that provides for a gradual return for translating the string to the opposite direction327where it is anchored in the string return cavity338by its ball end553engaged with a ball end retainer552.

Using a through-bridge335as shown inFIG.5Bprovides for a gradual translation of the run length of the string310. Different form the embodiment ofFIG.5A, the full-round return560provides an even more gradual direction translation that reduces lateral stress on the string. Also different from the embodiment ofFIG.5B, the full-round return560may be rotationally anchored about a rotation point561such that the return may rotate about this axis561in either direction to further reduces lateral stresses on the string.

FIG.5Dshows a fourth embodiment of a through-bridge335showing a single string310emanating in the first direction326, through the saddle512, and disposed through a single return hole550. This embodiment further includes a metallic oblong return565that provides for a gradual return for translating the string to the opposite direction327where it is anchored in the string return cavity338by its ball end553engaged with a ball end retainer552.

FIG.6A-Care isometric cutaway views of the bass guitar ofFIG.3showing additional embodiments of a through-bridge returns according to embodiments of the subject matter disclosed herein.FIG.6Ashows another embodiment of an oval-shaped cylinder return671that is part of a through-bridge335showing four strings310emanating in the first direction326, through the saddle512, and disposed through an aperture (not shown). A skilled artisan understands more or fewer strings may also be disposed through respective return hole apertures. This embodiment further includes a metallic oval-shaped cylinder671that provides for a gradual return for translating the strings310to the opposite direction327.

FIG.6Bshows another embodiment of hybrid through-bridge335having individual hole returns672as well as an L-shaped metallic return673. This embodiment shows four strings310emanating in the first direction326, through the saddle512, and disposed through an aperture (not shown). This embodiment includes an L-shaped metallic return673that provides for a gradual return for translating the strings310to the opposite direction327.

FIG.7shows another embodiment of a monolithic return675that is part of a through-bridge335shown here as guiding (via string guide notches676) four strings310emanating in the first direction326, guided by a saddle512, and disposed through an aperture355. This embodiment provides a monolithic return675that provides for a gradual direction translation at a top-side point678near string guide notches and then another gradual direction translation at a bottom-side point679for translating the strings310to the opposite direction327. This through-bridge embodiment may also be well suited to be an external bridge translator (not shown). In such an embodiment, the monolithic return675is disposed on a far side of a guitar body wherein the strings simply wrap around the edge of the guitar body to culminate at an anchor point on the back side of the body.

FIG.8is a rear view of a stringed instrument having a first embodiment of an adjustable anchor system for translated strings according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein. As shown here, the rear side of a stringed instrument body301reveals a string return cavity338having strings310anchored therein. The strings are shown extended through a set of four individual orifices335that are part of a through-bridge. In embodiments not shown here, the through-bridge may have a single orifice and utilize one or more return designs as shown and discussed above with respect toFIG.5A-D,6A-B, or7.

Each string310may be anchored at a respective adjustable anchor position along a dedicated string anchor track881using a string anchor device880. Each string anchor track881may be disposed in the string return cavity338and include a series of “teeth” on either side of a string anchor track881. These teeth provide a number of discrete positions in which a string anchor device880may be secured. The string anchor device880includes a circular receptacle for holding a string ball end in place while the string310may extend through an aperture back toward the through-bridge. Further, each string anchor device880includes protrusions lateral from the circular receptacle and suited to engage a discrete set of teeth in its respective string anchor track881. In this manner, each string ball end may be anchored at one of a plurality of discrete positions along the string anchor track881using the string anchor device880.

In the embodiment shown inFIG.8, the string anchor tracks881may be a single assembled unit such that the four string-anchor tracks881are mounted as a single unit inside the string return cavity338. In other embodiments, each string anchor track881may be individually mounted. Having relatively small differences in overall string anchor position (because of the relatively small teeth) allows for a high level of tension versatility for a player. Generally, anchoring a string310closer to the through-bridge reduces the tension in the string310and anchoring a string310further from the through-bridge increases the tension in the string. Yet another advantage of these variable anchor points includes the ability of a player to personalize stiffness options of strings310because of string anchoring points880. Having a variable anchor point for each string310also enables a player to achieve benefits of a multi-scale stringed instrument with a mono-scaled instrument.

FIG.9is a rear view of a stringed instrument having a second embodiment of a matrix anchor system985for translated strings according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein. As shown here, the rear side of a stringed instrument body301reveals a string return cavity338having strings310anchored therein using a single adjustable anchor system985. The strings310are shown extended through a set of four individual orifices335that are part of a through-bridge. In embodiments not shown here, the through-bridge may have a single orifice and utilize one or more return designs as shown and discussed above with respect toFIG.5A-D,6A-B, or7.

Each string310may be anchored at a respective discrete anchor position along a respective set of string anchor termination point within the matrix of termination points in the matrix anchor system985. As before, each string culminates in a string ball end designed to engage an anchor point or anchor device. In this embodiment, several different anchor points are part of the design of the matrix anchor system985. That is, the ball end may be set into one of several different position options (e.g., ball-end receivers or “dots” as shown in the matrix anchor system985). These ball-end receivers provide a number of discrete positions in which a string ball-end may be secured. Like the embodiment ofFIG.8, each receiver includes a circular receptacle for holding a string ball-end in place while the string310may extend through an aperture back toward the through-bridge.

In the embodiment shown inFIG.9, the matrix anchor system985may be a single extruded unit such that the four sets of ball-end receivers are part of a single monolithic unit. Having discrete differences in overall string anchor position (because of discrete receiver positions) allows for a high level of tension versatility for a player. As before, anchoring a string310closer to the through-bridge reduces the tension in the string310and anchoring a string310further from the through-bridge increases the tension in the string. Having a variable anchor point for each string310also enables a player to achieve benefits of a multi-scale stringed instrument with a mono-scaled instrument.

FIG.10is an isometric view of a monolithic single-string anchor system1000according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein. In this embodiment, a similar device to the embodiment ofFIG.9is shown wherein the concept of providing tension adjustment to only one string is achieved. Thus, the string310may be anchored at a respective discrete anchor position along a respective set of string anchor termination points within the linear array1005of termination points1010in the single-string anchor system1000. As before, each string culminates in a string ball end designed to engage an anchor point or anchor device. In this embodiment, several different anchor points1010are part of the design of the linear array. That is, the ball end may be set into one of several different ball-end receivers1010. These ball-end receivers provide a number of discrete positions in which a string ball-end may be secured wherein each receiver includes a circular receptacle for holding a string ball-end in place while the string310may extend through an aperture back toward the through-bridge.

In the embodiment shown inFIG.10, the single-string anchor system1000may be a single extruded unit such that the set of ball-end receivers1010are part of a single monolithic unit together with a string return1003that may be mounted in the through-bridge Having discrete differences in overall string anchor position (because of discrete receiver positions) allows for a high level of tension versatility for a player. Having a variable anchor point for each string310also enables a player to achieve benefits of a multi-scale stringed instrument with a mono-scaled instrument.

FIG.11is an isometric view of a modular string tension adjustment system according to an embodiment of the subject matter disclosed herein. Generally, the modular string tension adjustment system comprises a cylinder string return1135in conjunction with a string anchor puck1160. As with embodiment described previously, a string310may be translated through the cylinder string return1135to the back side of an instrument body301. Once translated, the string may be anchored by a string anchor puck1160that is placed in one of several discrete circular cavities1150that are disposed on the back side of the instrument body.

This embodiment is “modular” in that an instrument may be easily retrofitted on a per string basis with the elements of the system. Thus, a hole may be drilled through the body to house the cylindrical string return and cavities may be carved into the body301for a number of possible locations to secure one or more string anchor pucks. The cylinder string return is characterized as having a “top” side disposed adjacent to the front of an instrument (e.g., the front of the body, where a string may be threaded through a top-side aperture1136. The string then extends through the cylinder body via an internal pathway1137to then emerge out a bottom-side aperture1138that is aligned in the plane of the backside of the instrument body301. Thus, the string310is translated to extend in the opposite direction in which the string entered the top-side aperture1136. After translation, the string310may be anchored at string anchor puck1160disposed in a circular cavity1150. string anchor puck1160includes, similar to embodiments ofFIG.8-10, a circular receiver1136for holding a string ball-end in place while the string310may extend through an aperture1162back toward the through-bridge. There is also an aperture1164on the “front-side” of the circular receiver1136such that the string may extend to a different anchor point further away from the through-bridge. In this manner, each system may include several string anchor pucks1160wherein one of them is used to anchor the string. Further, other strings may be anchored in a conventional manner giving additional versatility (as discussed throughout) for less than all of the strings.

The use of the terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the specification and in the following claims are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “having,” “including,” “containing” and similar referents in the specification and in the following claims are to be construed as open-ended terms (e.g., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Recitation of ranges of values herein are merely indented to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value inclusively falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate embodiments and does not pose a limitation to the scope of the disclosure unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to each embodiment of the present disclosure.