Abstract:
A guitar configuration that has improved playability without requiring a raised fret or fingerboards or a neck that extends through the resonance chamber all the way to the sound hole is disclosed. The particular construction of the present invention includes a soundboard with a partially curved portion that provides additional clearance for the guitarist&#39;s hand thereby allowing the guitarist to play the higher fret positions without changing the position of the fretting hand. The tapered construction of the soundboard is achieved while maintaining the structural integrity of the guitar construction while eliminating the need for extending the neck of the guitar through the sound chamber up to the sound hole in the sounding board.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is related to and claims priority from earlier filed U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/402,852, filed Aug. 12, 2002, the entire contents thereof are incorporated herein by reference. 

   BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
   The present invention relates generally to stringed instruments. More particularly the present invention relates to a guitar wherein the sounding board is partially bent inwardly on one side adjacent the fingerboard thereof to provide additional space for the person playing the guitar to access the higher frets. 
   In the field of guitar manufacturing and designing it is a continuing objective to produce a guitar that has improved tonal qualities, while configuring the guitar in a manner that makes it easier for the guitarist to play. A significant drawback found in the general configuration of most prior art guitars is the area where the neck portion and the body portion of the guitar are connected. Traditionally, the neck and body of the guitar must be rigidly connected to provide stability and consistency for the tensioning of the strings. The fingerboard that runs along and is affixed to the upper surface of the neck is substantially is arranged to be parallel with and in close proximity to the upper surface of the body of the guitar, known as the soundboard. The fingerboard includes a number of raised lateral bars, known as frets, over which the strings pass. The frets generally are known by their number, i.e. twelfth fret, with the numbers beginning at the distal end of the fingerboard and increasing as they approach the soundboard. 
   When playing the guitar, the guitarist presses the desired string against one of the frets thereby controlling the length of the string allowed to vibrate when struck resulting in the desired note. This configuration requires that the guitarist have very flexible hands and fingers to reach the correct positions along the fingerboard of the guitar. To further complicate the playing of the guitar, all the highest numbered frets beginning above the body to neck junction are located on the portion of the fingerboard, which rests on the soundboard and is parallel and in close proximity therewith. As a result, on known guitars, the guitarist&#39;s hand makes contact with the body portion of the guitar starting around the ninth or tenth position. Above that position, a player is then forced to change the fretting hand position. Further up the neck, above the eleventh position, the fretting hand and the arm must change position. In order to play notes in these higher fret positions, the guitarist must shift his entire arm by elevating it and leaning his body forward to reach around the neck of the guitar thereby gaining a new position above the soundboard of the instrument. After completing this maneuver, the player&#39;s fingers must then be forced down with tremendous pressure in order to cause the strings to make contact with the highest frets. 
   There are several examples of guitar constructions that attempt to aid in the playability of the guitar when playing higher fret positions. One type of construction is illustrated by Mr. Gregory Byers in  American Lutherie , No. 64, Winter 2000. The Byers guitar generally includes a neck that is elevated relative to the body. The body has a top soundboard that includes a sound hole, a sloped portion that slopes in an upward, inclined direction away from the sound hole and towards the neck, and a neck receiving slot extending through the sloped portion of the soundboard all the way to the sound hole. According to Mr. Byers, this design improves playability of the twelfth fret. 
   Another example of this type of modified construction is found in U.S. Pat. No. 4,873,909, issued to Humphrey. As compared to the design noted above, the guitar in the Humphrey patent is disclosed as having a soundboard that includes a sloped portion that slopes in a declined (as opposed to inclined) direction away from the sound hole and towards the neck. Also, the neck sits on a neck base, as opposed to being received in a neck receiving slot. The fingerboard is configured to continue over the soundboard in the plane of the top surface of the neck and is thereby elevated from the surface of the soundboard. 
   As can be seen each of the preceding examples includes a fret or fingerboard that is raised relative to the surface of the soundboard and the entire surface of the soundboards are sloped relative to the bottom wall of the guitar rather than parallel. To facilitate this particular configuration and maintain the quality of the guitar construction, the necks of the guitar extend all the way to the edge of the sound hole. In this manner, these guitars are intended to ease playability above the twelfth fret. However, the resonance chamber in both of these cases is significantly reduced and the extension of the mounting end of the neck further reduced the resonance chamber and subdivides the interior of the chamber thereby having significant impact on the overall sound quality of the instrument. 
   There is therefore a need for a unique guitar construction that enhances the ability of the player to play higher fret positions while maintaining the stability and integrity of the guitar construction and not interfering with the traditional aesthetics and tonality achieved in a guitar by providing a substantially open and unrestricted compartment beneath the sound board. 
   BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
   In this regard, the present invention provides a novel guitar configuration that has improved playability without requiring a raised fret or fingerboards or a neck that extends through the resonance chamber all the way to the sound hole. The particular construction of the present invention allows the player to play notes in higher fret positions without changing the position of the fretting hand. In this manner, the present invention provides a guitar that is easier to play and results in a guitar that is aesthetically pleasing as compared to prior art solutions. 
   The present invention generally includes a guitar that has a base portion, wherein the base portion includes a bottom wall, a side wall connected substantially perpendicularly to the bottom wall and a soundboard connected to the side wall opposite the bottom wall. A neck portion is connected to the base portion and is attached to the sidewall. The soundboard defines a substantially planar portion and a curved portion, wherein the curved portion is generally located in the area extending between the sound hole and the neck end of the soundboard with a further edge defined by a line extending from the neck to the sound hole. 
   In general, as discussed above, the present invention offsets the twelfth fret from the traditional position of the intersection of the neck with the body. The curved portion of the soundboard is bent into a shape that allows the curved surface to join the sidewall of the guitar body preferably, but not limited to, approximately one inch below the base of the neck to create the desired offset. The curve or bend on the surface of the soundboard starts generally around the center of the sound hole and continues to the neck end of the soundboard. The curve or bend may be a straight taper or any other shape desired to achieve the desired effect. The curve provides additional clearance for the fretting hand when playing notes above the ninth fret position. 
   In the present invention, the guitarist&#39;s hand position remains unchanged while playing positions up to the eleventh fret. As can be seen additional clearance between the base of the fret board and the surface of the soundboard is created by the curved portion of the soundboard that allows room for the base of the hand. This additional room also minimizes the hand and arm position changes required for playing positions beyond the eleventh position up to the last fret position. The present invention therefore results in easier access to the notes that are located above the higher positions on the fret board and less work for the player. As a result, playability of the guitar of the present is also improved. 
   Accordingly, one of the objects of the present invention is the provision of a guitar that facilitates the guitarist playing notes in the higher fret positions. Another object of the present invention is the provision of a guitar that is particularly configured to provide additional space for a guitarist&#39;s hand when playing notes in the higher fret positions. A further object of the present invention is the provision of a guitar that has a partially tapered soundboard to provide additional space for the guitarist&#39;s hand while maintaining an open sound chamber with minimal obstructions. Yet a further object of the present invention is the provision of a guitar that provides enhanced playability of the higher fret positions while maintaining a high level of resonance and tonality. 
   Other objects, features and advantages of the invention shall become apparent as the description thereof proceeds when considered in connection with the accompanying illustrative drawings. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     In the drawings which illustrate the best mode presently contemplated for carrying out the present invention: 
       FIG. 1  is a side view of a neck base for the guitar of the present invention with a joint prepared to accept a sidewall and a bent portion of a soundboard; 
       FIG. 2  is an interior perspective view of the back of the guitar soundboard of the present invention with the neck base connected thereto; 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective opposite view of the soundboard shown in  FIG. 2 ; 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view of the soundboard shown in  FIG. 2  with the neck base removed; 
       FIG. 5  is perspective end view of the soundboard shown generally in  FIGS. 2-4  with a sidewall and neck block installed; 
       FIG. 6  is the perspective end view shown in  FIG. 5  rotated ninety degrees; 
       FIG. 7  is a top perspective view of the soundboard, sidewall, and neck block shown in  FIGS. 5-6 , with a neck attached to the neck block and a bottom wall attached to the sidewall; 
       FIG. 8  is a top perspective view similar to  FIG. 7 , with a fret board overlaid on the neck and soundboard and a spacer wedge is installed on the soundboard; and 
       FIG. 9  is a bottom end view of a guitar according to the present invention. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
   Referring now to the drawings, the preferred embodiment of a guitar  10  according to the present invention is generally shown and illustrated in  FIGS. 1-9 , with a completed instrument illustrated best in  FIGS. 8 and 9 . It should be noted that while a right-handed instrument is shown, the teachings of the present invention could be equally adapted for left-handed use. Generally, the guitar  10  of the present invention includes a neck  12  and a body (discussed in detail below). One type of suitable neck  12  is best shown in FIG.  1  and is generally well known in the art. The neck  12  is mated with a neck base  16  and is generally formed in one structure. The neck base  16  is generally mounted into the body of the guitar  10  and is configured to receive the end of the neck  12  and support it in a rigidly mated position relative to the body of the guitar. Further, the neck  12  and neck base  16  may be made in two pieces and joined in any required configuration using techniques that are well known in the art. The neck  12  may include a joint  14  at the location where it contacts the neck base  16 , where the joint  14  configured to accept and retain a free end of the side wall of the body and support the particular soundboard configuration of the present invention as will be described in detail below. 
   As is best shown in  FIG. 2 , the body portion  18  of the guitar  10  generally includes a soundboard  20  that defines a substantially planar surface  22  having an exterior surface  24  and an interior surface  26 . A sound hole  28  is provided that extends through the soundboard  20 . Further, the novel feature of the present invention is that the soundboard  20  is provided with a curved surface  30  (labeled generally and specifically). One method of construction that may be utilized to form the soundboard  20  in the shape disclosed in the present invention provides for clamping the soundboard  20  to a support surface  32  with an exterior side  24  of the planar surface  22  facing the table support surface  32 . A slit  34  is made from a neck end  36  of the soundboard  20  to the sound hole  28 . One portion of the soundboard  20  positioned adjacent to the slit  34  is then clamped so that it remains coplanar with the remainder of the substantially planar surface  22 . The other portion of the soundboard  20  adjacent to the slit  34  is bent inwardly toward the interior  26  of the substantially planar surface  22 , to form the curved surface  30  that defines an outer curved surface  38  and an inner curved surface  40 . The curved surface  30  can be maintained in its formed position by inserting a wedge  42  between the support surface  32  and the outer curved surface  38  of the soundboard  20  and heating the soundboard  20 . It can be appreciated that the soundboard  20  can be bent before mounting on the support surface  32 . Further, as shown in  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the neck  12  and neck base  16  shown and described in  FIG. 1  can be installed into an operative position relative to the soundboard  20 . 
     FIG. 4  shows that the curved surface  30  of the soundboard  20  begins at an imaginary axis defined as P 1 , which extends linearly from an approximate the center C of the sound hole  28  and continues to the neck edge  36  of the soundboard  20 . It should also be noted that the slit  34  is positioned on one side of the neck  12 , so the curved surface  30  preferably does not touch or cross an imaginary longitudinally extending center axis P 2  passing through a longitudinal length of the guitar and perpendicularly intersecting the imaginary axis P 1  at the center C of the sound hole  28 . The position of the slit  34  and the origin axis P 1  for the curved surface  30  can be modified or moved while still remaining within the scope of the present invention, however, the locations described above have been found to produce the best acoustical values and provide an aesthetic, visually pleasing instrument. 
   With continuing reference to  FIGS. 1 and 4 ,  FIGS. 5 and 6  show side walls  44  installed onto the soundboard  20 . The neck base  16  is also shown mounted to the soundboard  20  with the side walls attach  44  attached thereto. Further, the neck  12  is attached to the neck base  16 . As can be seen, once assembled in this manner, the ends of sidewall  44  are captured between the neck base  16  and the neck  12  and are attached thereto via the joint  14 . 
   As can be best seen in  FIG. 5 , the sidewall  44  does not have a uniform height around the entire perimeter of the soundboard  20 . In this view, H 1  is larger than H 2 . In order to facilitate the formation of the curved surface  30  of the soundboard  20 , the sidewall  44  decreases in overall height H 2  where it contacts the soundboard  20  in the area adjacent to the curved surface  30 . The top edge of the remaining side wall  44  extending from the line P 1  back around towards the neck  12  to slit  34  are all maintained substantially co-planar. Further, the entire opposite edge  46  of the sidewall  44  and a support surface  48  of the neck base  16  are all maintained in a co-planar relation. This configuration allows a substantially planar base (not shown) to be attached to the edge  46  of the entire side wall  44  and the support surface  48  of the neck base  16  thereby providing closure for the back of the guitar  10 . Note also the support strut  50  that crosses over the substantially planar surface  22  of the soundboard  20 , the slit  34 , and the curved surface  30  is notched  52  to accommodate the curved surface  30 . The positions and configuration used to place the support struts  50  within the guitar  10  can be modified in location and design and remain within the scope of the present invention. 
     FIG. 7  shows the soundboard  20 , the sidewall  44 , and the neck  12  of the guitar  10  in assembled relation. The curved surface  30  of the soundboard  20  can be seen to deflect below the substantially planar surface  22  of the soundboard  20  in tapered relation thereto, with a wedge shaped gap  54  defined between the substantially planar surface  22  and curved surface  30  of the soundboard  20 . The gap  54  is filled by a wedge  56  to provide closure for the interior of the guitar  10  forming a resonance chamber therein. 
     FIG. 8  shows the wedge  56  inserted into the gap  54  and a fret board  58  installed over the top surface of the neck  12  and soundboard  20 . It is noted that while the fret board  58  overlays the soundboard  20 , the neck  12  stops at the side wall  44  (except for the neck base which is concealed within the side wall, the sound board, and the base) and does not extend to the interior of the guitar  10 , thereby leaving the resonance chamber clear. By assembling the guitar  10  in accordance with the present invention, it is clear that the structural integrity of the guitar  10  is maintained without requiring that the neck  12  extend into the body portion  18  thereby occupying space within the resonance chamber. 
     FIG. 9  shows a neck end view of the guitar  10  according to the present invention. As can be illustrated most dramatically by this view, the height of sidewall  44  is shown smaller in the area adjacent the curved surface  30  of the soundboard  20  and a lip  60  is defined where the wedge  56  is installed. 
   It can therefore be seen that the present invention provides an improved guitar  10  that has improved playability for a guitarist playing positions starting above the ninth fret. Further, the guitar  10  of the present invention achieves this improvement while maintaining its structural integrity and maintaining the sound quality by not reducing the interior resonance chamber of the guitar  10 . Further, the structure of the present invention can be modified for incorporation into a number of variations of stringed instruments, including both fretted and non-fretted instruments, to create a useful and more easily played instrument while maintaining a high quality of sound. For these reasons, the instant invention is believed to represent a significant advancement in the art, which has substantial commercial merit. 
   While there is shown and described herein certain specific structure embodying the invention, it will be manifest to those skilled in the art that various modifications and rearrangements of the parts may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the underlying inventive concept and that the same is not limited to the particular forms herein shown and described except insofar as indicated by the scope of the appended claims.