Patent Publication Number: US-8993862-B2

Title: Retractable stringed musical instruments and method for operating same

Description:
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/782,653, filed Mar. 14, 2013, the contents of which are hereby expressly incorporated by reference herein in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND 
     Technical Field 
     The disclosed subject matter relates generally to a retractable stringed musical instrument, and more particularly, to a stringed musical instrument having a portion that is capable of extending and retracting. 
     SUMMARY 
     Certain embodiments of the disclosed subject matter include a retractable stringed musical instrument. The retractable stringed instrument comprises a tailpiece, a body coupled to the tailpiece, a neck coupled to the body, and a fingerboard coupled to the neck. The fingerboard and the neck adjustably extendable and retractable relative to the tailpiece. The body disposed between the tailpiece and the fingerboard and the neck, and at least a portion of the neck disposed within the body in a retracted position. The retractable stringed instrument further comprises a bridge coupled to the body where the bridge vertically movable upon retraction of the fingerboard and the neck to enable the fingerboard to move over the bridge. 
     Certain embodiments of the disclosed subject matter include a retractable stringed musical instrument further comprising at least one tuning peg, a string stay and a plurality of strings distended between the tailpiece and the fingerboard, where the plurality of strings coupled to the tuning peg and the string stay. 
     Certain embodiments of the disclosed subject matter include a retractable stringed musical instrument, where the string stay coupled to the fingerboard or neck and the at least one tuning peg coupled to the tailpiece. 
     Certain embodiments of the disclosed subject matter include a retractable stringed musical instrument, where the string stay is coupled to the tailpiece and where the at least one tuning peg coupled to the fingerboard or the neck. 
     Certain embodiments of the disclosed subject matter includes a retractable stringed musical instrument that further comprises a string refraction mechanism for storing an excess length of at least one of the plurality of strings created upon retraction of the fingerboard and the neck. 
     Certain embodiments of the disclosed subject matter include a retractable stringed musical instrument that further comprises a chin rest coupled to the tailpiece where the chin rest is adjustably extendable and retractable. The chin rest may also be adjustably extendable and retractable independent of the fingerboard and the neck. 
     Certain embodiments of the disclosed subject matter include a retractable stringed musical instrument that further comprises a rack and pinion gear mechanism coupled to the neck. The rack and pinion gear mechanism disposed within the body. A camshaft disposed within the body and disposed between the rack and pinion gear mechanism and the tailpiece. The rack and pinion gear mechanism configured to transmit movement of the fingerboard and neck to the camshaft. 
     Certain embodiments of the disclosed subject matter include a retractable stringed musical instrument that further comprises a translating follower coupled to the bridge and coupled to a groove of the camshaft, where the groove of the camshaft configured to transmit movement of the camshaft to the bridge. Certain embodiments of the disclosed subject matter include a retractable stringed musical instrument that further comprises at least one spring coupled to the camshaft. The at least one spring disposed within the body disposed between the camshaft and the tailpiece, where the at least one spring configured to compress and expand. 
     Certain embodiments of the disclosed subject matter include a retractable stringed musical instrument comprising a body having a first end, a second end, a first face, a second face, a first side and a second side, a tailpiece having a first end, a second end, a first face, a second face, a first side and a second side, the first end of the tailpiece coupled to the first end of the body defining a tailpiece end of the instrument, a neck having a playing face and a back face and a fingerboard having a playing face and a back face. The back face of the fingerboard coupled to the playing face of the neck. The neck coupled to the second end of the body defining a head end of the instrument. The playing face of the fingerboard faces a same direction as the first face of the body defining a playing face of the instrument, and the back face of the neck faces a same direction as the second face of the body defining a back face of the instrument. The fingerboard and the neck configured to adjustably retract in a first direction towards the tailpiece end of the instrument defining a retracted position and extend in a second direction away from the tailpiece end defining an extended position. At least a portion of the neck disposed within the body in the retracted position. The retractable stringed instrument further comprises a bridge coupled to the body where the bridge disposed above the playing face of the body in the extended position and configured to move towards the back face of the instrument upon retraction. 
     Certain embodiments of the disclosed subject matter include a retractable stringed musical instrument where the plurality of strings comprises one of an auxetic material or material following Hooke&#39;s law. 
     Certain embodiments of the disclosed subject matter include a retractable stringed musical instrument where the fingerboard comprises at least one of steel, aluminum or wood. 
     Certain embodiments of the disclosed subject matter include a retractable stringed musical instrument where the plurality of strings comprises one of an auxetic material or auxetic characteristics. 
     Certain embodiments of the disclosed subject matter include a retractable stringed musical instrument where the retractable stringed musical instrument comprises an instrument that uses strings including one of a guitar, a violin, a cello, a viola, a double bass, or a mandolin. 
     Certain embodiments of the disclosed subject matter include a method for retracting and extending a stringed musical instrument. The stringed musical instrument comprises a tailpiece, a body coupled to the tailpiece, a neck coupled to the body, a fingerboard coupled to the neck, and a bridge coupled to the body. The body disposed between the tailpiece and the fingerboard and the neck. The method comprises sliding the fingerboard and the neck towards the tailpiece so that at least a portion of the neck moves within the body of the stringed musical instrument during retraction and the bridge moves vertically to enable the fingerboard to move over the bridge during retraction. The method further comprises sliding the fingerboard and the neck away from the tailpiece so that at least a portion of the neck moves outside the body of the stringed musical instrument during extension and the bridge moves vertically to enable the fingerboard to move over the bridge during extension. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  illustrates a stringed musical instrument with a fully extended fingerboard in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 2  illustrates a stringed musical instrument with a retracted fingerboard in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 3  is a side view of a stringed musical instrument with a retracted fingerboard in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 4A  is a transparent view of a portion of the body of a stringed musical instrument showing a fingerboard retraction mechanism in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 4B  is a transparent side view of a portion of the body of a stringed musical instrument showing a fingerboard retraction mechanism in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 5  is a transparent view of a portion of the body of a stringed musical instrument showing a bridge retraction mechanism in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. 
         FIGS. 6A-C  are longitudinal cross-section views of a portion of the body of a stringed musical instrument showing a bridge retraction mechanism when a fingerboard of the stringed instrument is moved from a fully extended position to a retracted position in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 6D  is a transverse cross-section view of a bridge of a stringed musical instrument in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 7A  is a longitudinal cross-section view of a stringed musical instrument with a fully extended fingerboard in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 7B  is a longitudinal cross-section view of a stringed musical instrument with a fully retracted fingerboard in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. 
         FIGS. 8A-G  are side views of a string retraction mechanism of a stringed musical instrument when a fingerboard of the stringed musical instrument is in different positions in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 8H  is a side perspective view of a string retraction mechanism of a stringed musical instrument in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. 
         FIGS. 9A-C  are end views of a chin rest of a stringed musical instrument in different positions in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 10  is a side view of a stringed musical instrument with an extended fingerboard in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     In the following description, specific details are set forth regarding the disclosed subject matter and the manner in which the subject matter may operate, etc., in order to provide a thorough understanding of the disclosed subject matter. It will be apparent, however, to one skilled in the art that the disclosed subject matter may be practiced without such specific details. In other instances, well-known components, structures, and techniques have not been shown in detail to avoid unnecessarily obscuring the subject matter. It should be understood that these examples are exemplary. It is contemplated that there are other methods and systems that are within the scope of the disclosed subject matter. Also, the same reference numerals are used in the drawings and in the description to refer to the same elements to simplify the description. 
     The disclosed subject matter relates to a retractable stringed musical instrument. More specifically, the disclosed subject matter relates to a retractable stringed instrument that can be retracted into a smaller form factor that eases transportation. The disclosed subject matter is directed to stringed musical instruments, including, but not limited to, violas, cellos, violins, double basses, guitars, or mandolins. Those of ordinary skill in the art will understand that the disclosed subject matter is not limited to the instruments named above and can be applied to any type of stringed musical instrument that produces sound by being, plucked, bowed, or struck whether acoustic or electric. 
     The disclosed subject matter relates to a stringed musical instrument, which allows for maximum portability. In some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the stringed musical instrument may be a violin having at least a fingerboard, a tailpiece, a bridge, a body, a neck and a chin rest. The violin can be reduced in size when the fingerboard slides towards the tail of the instrument to compress the size of the instrument thereby allowing for maximum portability. When the stringed musical instrument is in its extended position, the components are in their conventional positions, as is known by one of skill in the art. When the instrument is moved to a retracted position, the fingerboard slides towards the tail of the instrument. In the fully retracted position, the fingerboard of the stringed musical instrument is located above the bridge and the body of the instrument. When the fingerboard slides towards the tail of the instrument, the neck of the instrument also moves towards the tail of the instrument and slides into the body of the instrument. In some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the chin rest of the stringed instrument can also be refracted into or alongside a tailpiece of the instrument. The stringed musical instrument can have the capability of expanding to a full size instrument such that the bridge and body of the instrument can slide out from underneath the fingerboard to return to the conventional position. In other embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the bridge of the instrument can move vertically to allow the sliding fingerboard to slide over the body of the instrument. The movement of the bridge can be coupled to a sliding mechanism housed within the body of the instrument and coupled to the fingerboard section of the instrument so that the bridge is lowered when the instrument is in the retracted position and raised as the instrument is moved to the extended position. 
     In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, a tuning mechanism of the stringed musical instrument uses cittern-style tuning pegs, whereby tension of the strings is dictated by clockwise and counter-clockwise motion of the cittern-style tuning pegs. In some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the strings are coupled to a retraction mechanism in addition to the tuning pegs where the retraction mechanism stores the excess length of the strings created when the fingerboard of the instrument is retracted. Upon extension of the instrument, the strings can extend from the retraction mechanism. In some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the retraction mechanism uses spring-based technology. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other technologies can be used for the retraction mechanism. 
     In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the stringed musical instrument can be an acoustic musical instrument or an electric musical instrument. In some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the acoustic instrument will have a hollow body, a soundpost, and a bass bar, located within the area of the camshaft block similar to a typical acoustic instrument, as it is understood by those of skill in the art. In other embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, electric amplification can be achieved by either magnetic or piezoelectric amplification. Magnetic amplification operates based on the vibrations of soft-magnetic or ferrous strings. For magnetic amplification, the amplifier can be coupled to the fingerboard side of the instrument or can be installed in the body. Piezoelectric amplification operates by pressure-based transduction whereby string vibrations are converted to electrical impulses. The amplifier can be coupled underneath the bridge and can be used in conjunction with magnetic pickups to provide a wider range of sounds. In some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, a dual piezo pickup system can be used, whereby one pickup can be coupled under the bridge and one pickup can be coupled under the body. In other embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, a wireless or wired connection can be used to connect the instrument to an amplifier. In yet other embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the instrument can be coupled to a portable amplifier, for example, the Wowee One speaker available from Wowee One. In still further embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the natural conductivity of the body can be used to pass the electric signal from the instrument to a platform that acts as a transducer via a pair of shoes. 
     The disclosed subject matter relates to a retractable stringed musical instrument comprising a body, a tailpiece coupled to the body, a fingerboard coupled to the body and tailpiece, the fingerboard extending in one direction from the tailpiece, wherein the fingerboard being adjustably extendable and retractable relative to said tailpiece and wherein the fingerboard being located above the bridge and body when the instrument is in a retracted position, a neck coupled to the fingerboard wherein the neck being located inside the body when the instrument is in the retracted position, a bridge coupled to the body, wherein the bridge moving vertically when the instrument is moved to the retracted position to enable the fingerboard to move over the bridge. 
     Referring now to the drawings, and initially to  FIG. 1 , there is illustrated a stringed musical instrument in the playing or extended position in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. Specifically, as illustrated, the musical instrument  100  depicted is a violin. As shown, the musical instrument  100  has a fingerboard  102 , a body  104 , a plurality of strings  105 , a bridge  101 , a string stay  103 , a tailpiece  109 , and a string retraction mechanism with tuning pegs  106 . As will be illustrated and further explained, the fingerboard  102  slides in the direction of arrow  107  when the fingerboard  102  of the musical instrument  100  is retracted towards the tailpiece  109  of the musical instrument  100 . In addition to traditional strings that follow Hooke&#39;s Law since they become thinner as they are stretched, strings made of an Auxetic material that incur the opposite effect by getting thicker as they expanded could facilitate the operation of the musical instrument. 
       FIG. 10  provides a perspective view of the musical instrument  100  in the extended position in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. As illustrated in  FIG. 10 , the fingerboard  102  is directly coupled to a neck  302 . The fingerboard  102  and the neck  302  slide in the direction of arrow  1010  when the musical instrument  100  is retracted. 
     In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the fingerboard  102  and neck  302  can be made from aluminum. In another embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, the fingerboard  102  and neck  302  can be made from steel. Indeed, fingerboards and necks can be made from a variety of materials known to those of ordinary skill in the art, including, but not limited to, aluminum, steel, maple wood, and other types of wood. In further embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the plurality of strings  105  can be traditional strings that follow Hooke&#39;s Law and become thinner as they are stretched to the point of fatigue. The plurality of strings  105  can also be made of an Auxetic material that incur the opposite effect to traditional strings by getting thicker as they are expanded. 
       FIGS. 2 and 3  show a stringed musical instrument in a retracted position in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. In the refracted position, the body  104  and the bridge  101  are housed behind the fingerboard  102 . In one embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, the instrument  100  can be retracted by, among others, moving the fingerboard  102  laterally from the position shown in  FIG. 1  to the position shown in  FIG. 2 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , in the retracted position, the neck  302 , coupled to the fingerboard  102 , slides into the body  104 . 
     In accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter,  FIGS. 7A-B  provide longitudinal cross-section views of the stringed musical instrument  100  in an extended playing position ( FIG. 7A ) and in a retracted position ( FIG. 7B ).  FIGS. 7A-B  depict how the instrument can be retracted from an extended position in  FIG. 7A  to a retracted position in  FIG. 7B . For example, there is shown the components for retraction. These components include a rack and pinion gear mechanism  701  located within the body  104  and coupled to the fingerboard  102  and the neck  302 . The rack and pinion gear mechanism  701  is coupled to a camshaft  501 , which is located within the body  104 . The bridge  101  is coupled to a translating follower  502 , which is coupled to the groove of the camshaft  506 . 
     With continued reference to  FIG. 7A , to retract the stringed musical instrument  100 , the fingerboard  102  slides in the direction of arrow  705 . In accordance with one embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, a user of the stringed musical instrument  100  can generate the force used to slide the fingerboard  102  by hand. The lateral movement of the fingerboard  102  causes the lateral movement of the neck  302  and the rack and pinion gear mechanism  701  to which it is coupled. 
       FIGS. 4A-B  show a transparent view of a portion of the body  104  containing the rack and pinion mechanism  701  while the stringed musical instrument  100  is in the extended position in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. Specifically,  FIGS. 4A-B  depict the rack and pinion gear mechanism  701  that translates the movement of the fingerboard  102  and neck  302  to the camshaft  501  in accordance with one embodiment of the disclosed subject matter. A first dual pinion formation  401  is coupled to a first top rack  405  and a first bottom rack  406 . The first top rack  405  can be part of, or directly coupled to, the neck  302 . The first pinions  401  are coupled by a shaft  409  to maintain parallel alignment. Each first pinion  401  is coupled to drive shafts  408 . A second dual pinion formation  403  is coupled to a second bottom rack  407  and to the drive shafts  408  as a second top rack  412 . The second dual pinions  403  are coupled by a second shaft  410  to maintain parallel alignment. The drive shafts  408  are coupled by a bar  404  at the end opposing the first dual pinions  401 . In accordance with one embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, the first dual pinions  401  are larger in diameter than the second dual pinions  403 . It should be understood by a person skilled in the art that various sizes and configurations can be used for the rack and pinion gear mechanism  701 . The lateral movement of the fingerboard  102  and neck  302 , which is directly coupled to the first top rack  405 , causes the first dual pinions  401  to rotate in the direction of arrow  411  as illustrated in  FIGS. 4A-B . The first dual pinions  401  and attached drive shafts  408  move linearly in the direction of arrow  410  along the first bottom stationary rack  406 . Guide blocks  402 , which create a channel for the drive shafts  408  to travel through, guide the lateral movement of the drive shafts  408 . The lateral movement of the drive shafts  408  is transmitted to the second dual pinion formation  403 , which is coupled to the second bottom stationary rack  407 . As the drive shafts  408  move laterally in the direction of arrow  410  the bar  404  at the end of the drive shafts  408  couples with the cam shaft  501  and transmits the linear motion to the camshaft  501 . In one embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, the drive shafts  408  can be made from separate pieces that are coupled, as shown in  FIG. 4B . In another embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, the first bottom rack  406  and the second bottom rack  407  can be made from a single bottom rack as shown in  FIG. 4B . The mechanism used to transmit the lateral movement of the fingerboard  102  and neck  302  to camshaft  501  as illustrated in  FIGS. 4A-B  is not limited to a rack and pinion mechanism as described. Any mechanism that can transmit linear motion in the direction of arrow  410  while maintaining constant tensile load to support the force of the strings could be used and would be known to one of skill in the art. 
       FIG. 5  shows a transparent view of a portion of the body  104  containing the camshaft  501  while the instrument is in the extended position in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. The bridge  101  is directly coupled to a translating follower  502 , which is coupled to groove  506  of the camshaft  501 . In order to retract the instrument, the lateral movement generated by fingerboard  102  is transmitted to the camshaft  501 . Referring to FIGS.  5  and  6 A-C, as the camshaft  501  moves in the direction of arrow  507 , the translating follower  502  follows the path of groove  501  causing the bridge  101  to move along the path indicated by arrow  508  and downward into groove  509 . In the retracted position ( FIG. 6C ), the bridge  101  is at a height that allows the fingerboard  102  to continue moving laterally towards the tail of the instrument as it passes the location of the bridge  101 . Guide blocks  503 , which create a channel for the vertical movement of the bridge  101 , guide the vertical movement of the bridge  101 . When the instrument  100  is in its extended form, the bridge  101  is not flush with the body  104  ( FIGS. 6A and 6D ). 
     As can be seen in  FIGS. 7A-B  and  FIG. 5 , at the end of the camshaft  501  nearest the tail of the instrument, the camshaft  501  is coupled to springs  505  which extend between the camshaft  501  and block  504  in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. Block  504  separates the body of the instrument from the tailpiece  109 . As the camshaft  501  moves laterally towards the tail of the instrument, springs  505  are compressed. Now referring to  FIG. 7B , when the instrument is expanded from its retracted position, springs  505  can expand and provide force to propel the camshaft  501  in the direction of arrow  706 . The movement of the camshaft  501  causes the bridge  101  to ascend. The force provided by the expansion of the springs  505  allows the bridge  101  to ascend and oppose any downward force experienced by the bridge  101  by its coupling with the plurality of strings  105 . 
     Now referring again to  FIG. 1 , a plurality of strings  105  extend from the string stay  103  to the string retraction mechanism with tuning pegs  106 , running parallel with the fingerboard  102 . The location of the string stay  103  and the string retraction mechanism with tuning pegs  106  can be reversed, as shown in  FIGS. 7A-B , so that the string retraction mechanism with tuning pegs  106  are located in the tailpiece  109  and the string stay  103  is located at the head end of the fingerboard  102 . In one embodiment of the disclosed subject matter, the movement generated by the string retraction mechanism with tuning pegs  106  can provide the force for retraction of the stringed musical instrument. 
     Returning now to  FIG. 7A , which shows a longitudinal cross-section view of the stringed musical instrument  100  in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, to explain the arrangement of the plurality of strings  105 . When the stringed musical instrument  100  is in the extended or in playing position, the plurality of strings  105  are under tension and contact the top surface of the bridge  101 , while remaining a small distance above the fingerboard  102  as those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize. The plurality of strings  105  have a ball or loop  702  at one end, which allows them to be secured in slots or holes of the string stay  103 . The plurality of strings  105  are secured at the opposite end by tuning pegs  703 . Specifically, the plurality of strings  105  are secured by winding the end of one of the strings around one of the tuning pegs  703 . The plurality of strings  105  are under tension, which is maintained and adjusted by the clockwise and counter-clockwise motion of the tuning pegs  703 . In one embodiment in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter, the tuning pegs  703  can be cittern-style tuning pegs. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other mechanisms can be used to secure the strings and adjust their tuning or tension. 
     Now referring to  FIGS. 8A-H , which show the string retraction mechanism  801  of the stringed musical instrument in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. Upon the retraction of the musical instrument  100 , an excess length of the plurality of strings  105  is created. As shown in  FIGS. 8A-H , the plurality of strings  105  are directly coupled to the tuning pegs  703  which are directly coupled to a retraction mechanism  801  in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. The refraction mechanism  801  can use a spring-based technology to rotate in order to store the excess length of the plurality of strings  105  while maintaining constant tension. When the musical instrument  100  is in its extended form ( FIG. 8A ), a spring  802  within the retraction mechanism  801  is extended. A locking feature can be used to lock the spring  802  into position in the extended position and prevent the spring  802  from exerting any force. Upon retraction of the musical instrument  100 , the spring lock is released and the tension in the plurality of strings  105  is reduced allowing the spring  802  to compress and retract. The spring  802  is coupled to the retraction mechanism  801  in a manner that causes rotational movement of the retraction mechanism  801  in the direction of arrow  803 . The excess length of the plurality of strings  105  is wrapped around the retraction mechanism  801 , as shown in  FIGS. 8A-D . Upon extension of the musical instrument  100 , the plurality of strings exert tension on the retraction mechanism  801 , which moves in the opposite direction of arrow  803  and causes the spring  802  to be extended. The locking feature is engaged to hold the retraction mechanism  801  in the extended position. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that other technologies can be used for the retraction mechanism  801  including, but not limited to, a spring loaded lock or a retractable belt. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 9A-C , a chin rest  901  of the musical instrument  100  can be retracted alongside the tailpiece  109  in accordance with some embodiments of the disclosed subject matter. The chin rest  901  can be retracted independently from the rest of the musical instrument  100 . When the musical instrument  100  is in its extended form, the chin rest is extended from the tailpiece  109  as shown in  FIG. 9A . In order to retract the chin rest  901 , it slides first in the direction of arrow  902  to the midpoint position shown in  FIG. 9B . The chin rest  901  is then folded down in the direction of arrow  903  about the end of the tailpiece  109  to the position shown in  FIG. 9C . Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that there are a variety of mechanisms and designs that can be used to achieve movement of the chin rest. 
     The disclosed subject matter is not limited in its application to the arrangements of the components set forth in the description or illustrated in the drawings. The disclosed subject matter is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of description and should not be regarded as limiting. Moreover, certain features, which are well known in the art, are not described in detail in order to avoid obscuring the description of the disclosed subject matter. 
     As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other musical instruments for carrying out the several purposes of the present disclosed subject matter. It is important, therefore, that the disclosed subject matter be regarded as including equivalent structures to those described herein insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present disclosed subject matter. 
     In addition, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used on other embodiments to yield a still further embodiment. Additionally, certain features may be interchanged with similar devices or features not mentioned yet which perform the same or similar functions. It is therefore intended that such modifications and variations are included within the totality of the present disclosure. 
     Although the present disclosure has been described and illustrated in the foregoing example embodiments, it is understood that the present disclosure has been made only by way of example, and that numerous changes in the details of implementation of the disclosure may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure, which is limited only by the claims which follow. Features of the disclosed embodiments can be combined and rearranged in various ways within the scope and spirit of the disclosure. Other uses of the disclosed embodiments are within the following claims. For example, the disclosed embodiments can be used for any stringed musical instrument in addition to a violin.