Patent Publication Number: US-2010107849-A1

Title: Coated Neck Assembly For A Stringed Musical Instrument

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD 
     The present disclosure generally relates to stringed musical instruments. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a coating for a neck assembly of a stringed musical instrument. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Learning to play any instrument, and particularly stringed instruments, such as, a guitar, violin, banjo and the like, can be difficult and time consuming. In general, to play such instruments, multiple strings are pressed against a fingerboard at one or more finger positions disposed along a neck of the instrument. At the same time, one or more selected strings are vibrated via plucking, strumming or bowing, producing a musical tone, note, or chord. Fingerboards on stringed instruments such as violins and cellos, do not usually indicate finger positions. Conversely, guitars, for example, do have visual indicators, known as frets, wherein the fingerboard can be called a “fretboard.” 
     Although proficiency with stringed instruments can be acquired using instructors, self-teaching books, or automated chord charts, these are often time-consuming and arduous methods. Typically, a student translates diagrams from paper or a computer screen to locations of finger positions along the fingerboard. Next, the student determines which strings to vibrate. Further, because a single note or cord can be played using one of several different finger positions or strings, the student must then determine which of those positions is most beneficial in a sequence of notes or chords according to a song or tune. 
     Some attempts have been made to facilitate the learning process. One provides a fingering display apparatus that has one or more holes bored in a fretboard. Light shines through the holes to indicate finger positions. However, the holes are difficult to create and often weaken the neck and reduce the instrument&#39;s tonal qualities. Also, the neck of the instrument may flex unnecessarily, requiring frequent adjustment. Further, the bores often require a cover, providing a visible indication that the instrument had been altered. 
     Thus, there is a need to provide a fingerboard for an instrument that can provide a learning tool, be inexpensive and unobtrusive, and can utilize a light-system with the fingerboard. Further, there is a need to provide such a fingerboard that does not reduce the integrity of the instrument, while providing a tactile feel similar to that of an instrument using a non-modified fingerboard. 
     Traditionally, fingerboards and necks of stringed instruments were made of wood, in part due to wood&#39;s superior sound qualities. However, wood is generally not suitable for constructing a fingerboard that includes a light-system. Such a fingerboard is usually constructed from a polymeric material to better accommodate the light-system. To retain a high sound quality of the stringed instrument, a polymeric fingerboard can be combined with a wooden neck. However, polymeric and wooden materials have different physical properties. Both materials can be affected differently by environmental factors, such as humidity and temperature. For example, differential expansion of wood and plastic in high or low humidity could cause relative movement between the wooden and polymeric components. Such unwanted movement could affect the tonal qualities or structural integrity of the stringed instrument. The present disclosure provides a solution to one or more of the problems outlined above. 
     SUMMARY 
     The inventors of the present disclosure recognized that stringed instruments having a light-system are advantageous. For example, methods and apparatuses such as those described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,915,005 and 5,266,735, 7,173,175, 7,323,633, and 7,427,707, each of which are hereby incorporated in their entirety by reference, have been shown to be useful. 
     In one embodiment of the present disclosure, a neck assembly for a stringed instrument is provided. The neck assembly includes a wooden neck structure having an upper surface, a lower surface substantially covered with a polymeric coating, and a section configured to engage with a body of a stringed instrument. The neck assembly can also include a fingerboard structure having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface can be attached to the upper surface of the wooden neck structure. The fingerboard structure can also include a well formed within and extending from the bottom surface toward the top surface, wherein the well can be configured to receive a light-emitting device and permit light transmission from the light-emitting device to the top surface, the well being located to represent a finger position of the stringed instrument. 
     Another embodiment of the present disclosure is directed to a learning tool for learning to play a stringed instrument. The tool can include a wooden neck structure having an upper surface, a lower surface substantially covered with a polymeric coating, and a section configured to engage with a body of a stringed instrument. The tool can further include a fingerboard structure having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the bottom surface can be attached to the upper surface of the wooden neck structure. The fingerboard structure can also include a well formed within and extending from the bottom surface toward the top surface, wherein the well can be configured to receive a light-emitting device and permit light transmission from the light-emitting device to the top surface, the well being located to represent a finger position of the stringed instrument. 
     Another embodiment of the present disclosure is directed toward a method for manufacturing a neck assembly, including providing a wooden neck structure having an upper surface, a lower surface, and a section configured to engage with a body of a stringed instrument. The method also includes providing a fingerboard structure having a top surface, a bottom surface, and a well formed within the fingerboard structure and extending from the bottom surface toward the top surface, wherein the well can be configured to receive a light-emitting device and permit light transmission from the light-emitting device to the top surface, the well being located to represent a finger position of the stringed instrument. Further, the method includes attaching the bottom surface of the fingerboard structure to the upper surface of the wooden neck structure, and substantially covering the lower surface of the wooden neck structure with a polymeric coating. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate several embodiments of the disclosure and together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. In the drawings: 
         FIG. 1  is an embodiment of a fingerboard according to the disclosure and illustrates the structure with a plurality of wells, each extending from a bottom surface toward, but not through, a top surface. 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional expanded view along a neck of an instrument showing a fingerboard, a circuit board and a neck base. 
         FIG. 3  is the cross-sectional view of the instrument neck of  FIG. 2  in an assembled position. 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of a fingerboard according to the disclosure having a chamfered bottom surface adapted to receive a circuit board of a light-system. 
         FIG. 5  is a guitar with the fingerboard of  FIG. 1  mounted or otherwise attached to a neck of the guitar, together with a light-system circuit board with light-emitting devices that can illuminate certain finger positions along the fingerboard. 
         FIG. 6  is a side view of the guitar of  FIG. 5 . 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     The present disclosure provides a neck assembly for a stringed instrument that includes a fingerboard (fretboard) configured for use with a light-system. The light-system can designate one or more finger positions by illuminating one or more positions along the fingerboard, whereby these positions can correspond to musical notes or chords. Wells located to represent finger positions can be disposed within the fingerboard. The wells can extend from openings in a bottom surface toward, but not through, a top surface of the fingerboard. Light-emitting devices of the light-system can be disposed within the wells such that they are visible from the top surface when illuminated, e.g., visible to a player of the instrument. The fingerboard can be a single-piece, opaque polycarbonate structure, manufactured using injection-molding methods. The neck assembly can further include a substantially impermeable coating to limit delamination of the neck assembly that could occur due to expansion or contraction of the wooden portion of the neck assembly. 
       FIG. 1  shows an embodiment of a fingerboard  10  that can be used with a light-system for illuminating finger positions corresponding to notes or chords of a stringed instrument. Fingerboard  10  can be a generally elongated structure having a distal end  12 , a proximal end  14 , and an elongated body  16  extending between distal end  12  and proximal end  14 . Fingerboard  10  can also include a top surface  22  and a bottom surface  20 . Top surface  22  can be generally smooth and sufficiently hard to allow a player to press one or more strings at corresponding finger positions against it while playing the instrument. Bottom surface  20  can be generally smooth and flat, and can be adapted to receive a circuit board of a light-system or a portion of neck assembly  200  as discussed below. 
     Openings  24  are disposed along bottom surface  20  of fingerboard  10 , and can have a respective well  18  that extends from bottom surface  20  toward, but not through, top surface  22 . Wells  18  may be sized to receive a light-emitting device (e.g., LED) of the light-system. Wells  18  may be configured to permit light transmitted from the light-emitting device to pass through top surface  22 . 
     In some embodiments, top surface  22  can be generally convex in shape. In other embodiments top surface  22  can be flat, triangular, rounded, or have a shape including components of one or all of the basic shapes. Top surface  22  can provide a surface upon which strings of the instrument can be pressed during use of the instrument, such that the player can easily move between finger positions. Top surface  22  may be generally sanded or otherwise smooth, and can have decorations, inlays or other insignia. 
     In one embodiment, top surface  22  can be adapted to provide or receive one or more frets. These frets can include fret bars that can be visually indicated through use of inlays, printing, insignia, or decorative designs. Frets can be a different material than fingerboard  10  and can include a raised structure oriented generally transverse to the elongated axis of fingerboard  10 . Further, top surface  22  can have grooves or fret-slots to receive the frets, or can be adapted to receive frets having nut-assemblies to secure them to the fingerboard  10 . Also, frets may be adhered directly on top surface  22  of fingerboard  10  when fret-slots are not present. 
     Fret-migration, where shrinkage of a fingerboard causes frets to extend beyond its edges, can be reduced by selecting materials having similar coefficients of expansion. In particular, the materials of both fingerboard  10  and the frets can be suitably matched. For example, polymer materials can be used to manufacture fingerboard  10 . 
     Fingerboard  10  may be adapted for instruments that are “fret-less,” such as, for example, a violin. Fingerboard  10  can also be suitable for instruments that have frets, such as, for example, a guitar. Use of the terms “fretboard” and “fingerboard” are encompassed within the present disclosure, and the terms “fretboard” and “fingerboard” are used interchangeably herein. 
     Top surface  22  should be sufficiently smooth to allow a player to quickly and easily slide their hand along top surface  22  and neck of the instrument to a next finger position. Top surface  22  can also be sufficiently hard to allow the player to press one or more strings against it while playing the instrument. Fingerboard  10  can have a top surface  22  that is similar to the color, shape, and size of one that would be commonly used on the intended instrument. Some players may also prefer unusually colored, shaped or sized fingerboards, and those can also be accomplished by the present disclosure. 
     In general, bottom surface  20  can be flat and smooth. Bottom surface  20  may also be adapted to receive or otherwise couple with a circuit board of the light-system, wherein the light-system may utilize a circuit-board. Also, bottom surface  20  can be mounted on, or attached to, the neck of the instrument, as discussed below. In some instances, bottom surface  20  can be disposed on or attached to an upper surface of a neck of the instrument. Further, bottom surface  20  can be glued, screwed, bolted, or otherwise attached, either permanently or releasably, to another component of the stringed instrument. 
     In some embodiments, openings  24  can be disposed on or along bottom surface  20 . Generally, openings  24  can be positioned beneath appropriate finger positions or other positions on the top surface  22  associated with notes or chords of the instrument. Also, openings  24  can be organized into rows  26  that correspond to a fret position such as a fret bar, where a fret position can have multiple finger positions at the same location along the length of top surface  22 . For example, row  26  can correspond to a fret position number four, as known in the art. Thus, row  26  can have the same number of openings as the instrument has number of strings, e.g., a six-string guitar can have rows of six wells  18 . 
     Well  18  can extend from a respective opening  24  in a direction toward top surface  22 , but does not generally extend through top surface  22 . Each opening  24  can have a respective well  18 , and each well  18  can correspond to a finger position. Other positions can also have a corresponding well, such as, for example, a bridge location  28  located near the distal end  12 , when the instrument includes a bridge. Because the wells do not generally extend through the top surface, caps or well-covers are not required, and top surface  22  will appear generally unaltered. Thus, a viewer of the instrument cannot easily detect the embedded light-system when the light-emitting devices are not illuminated. 
       FIG. 2  illustrates a cross-sectional expanded view of a neck assembly  200  across a transverse axis A of a stringed instrument  800  ( FIG. 5 ). In some embodiments, neck assembly  200  can include fingerboard  10 , one or more light-emitting devices  204  and a neck base  208 .  FIG. 2  also shows a circuit board  202  having multiple light-emitting devices  204 . Neck base  208  may be wood and may include an upper surface  210  and a lower surface  211 . Fingerboard  10  may be a polymeric material and may include one or more wells  18 . Wells  18  may extend from bottom surface  20  toward, but not through, top surface  22 . As shown, top surface  22  includes a convex shape, which can be advantageous for certain instruments. 
     To conform with the convex top surface  22 , wells  18  can have differing heights H 1 -H 6  depending on the well&#39;s transverse location across fingerboard  10 . In particular, each well can have a height such that a thickness T of material between a well-top  206  and top surface  22  is approximately constant. Such a configuration can permit illuminating light-emitting devices to emit similar intensity from top surface  22 . 
     The height of each well should be sufficiently large to allow an illuminated light-emitting device disposed within well  18  to be visible when viewed from top surface  22  of the fingerboard. Also, the thickness of material between well  18  and top surface  22  should be sufficiently large to provide a stable surface against which a string may be pressed while playing the instrument. In some embodiments, the thickness of material may be about 0.01 inch to 0.4 inch, and in other embodiments about 0.05 inch and 0.1 inch. 
     Further embodiments of fingerboards according to the present disclosure are also possible. Fingerboards made of different materials may also require different thicknesses of material between the top of wells  18  and top surface  22 . Also, the height of wells  18  can be approximately equal, the wells can have rounded or convex tops, or the wells can be slanted or angled. Thus, various well shapes, sizes, or geometries, can be utilized. 
     Wells  18  can be sized to receive light-emitting devices  204  disposed on or connected to circuit board  202 . Each light-emitting device  204  may be positioned along circuit board  202  at a position corresponding to a single well  18 . In some embodiments, a light-system may not utilize a circuit board. Rather, electrical lands, connectors, decoders, or other electronic devices may operate with fingerboard  10 . For example, conducting electrical lands can be transferred, etched or otherwise disposed on bottom surface  20  or through fingerboard  10 . In such embodiments, bottom surface  20  can mate directly to neck base  208 , rather than as in the illustrated embodiment where circuit board  202  is located between bottom surface  20  and neck base  208 . Exemplary light-system are described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 4,915,005 and 5,266,735. 
       FIG. 3  shows the elements of  FIG. 2  in an assembled formation. As shown, neck assembly  200  includes fingerboard  10  with a plurality of wells  18 , wherein each well  18  has a light-emitting device  204  disposed therein. Fingerboard  10  is shown coupled to circuit board  202 , which is also coupled to neck base  208 . Such neck assemblies can offer advantages over traditional designs. For example, neck assembly  200  as shown can have improved strength and the polymer fingerboard may improve tonal qualities of the instrument. 
     Fingerboard  10 , circuit board  202  and neck base  208  can be assembled using a variety of techniques. For example, adhesives or glues can be used for permanent bonding. Fingerboard  10  should be held securely to neck base  208  in order to avoid movement between the two, as such movement could degrade the usability of the instrument, causing delamination. Such delamination can affect the tonal qualities of the instrument and may render the instrument unplayable. In embodiments where disassembly may be desired, other attachment systems such as screws, nut assemblies, snap fittings and/or other releasable connections can be used to connect fingerboard  10 , circuit board  202 , or neck base  208 . 
     Fingerboard  10  can include a single piece of injection molded polymer material. The mold could provide a plurality of wells extending from a bottom surface of the fingerboard toward, but not through, a top surface. Each well may be sized to receive a light-emitting device of a light system. In some embodiments, the fingerboard can be at least partially manufactured of a polycarbonate material. 
     Also, fingerboards described herein can be constructed to provide an altered-appearance. For example, a fingerboard can be made of opaque or translucent material. Fingerboards made from polycarbonate materials can be injection molded or colored as required. In other embodiments, blinking lights or exposed circuitry can be displayed if the fingerboard material is clear or slightly tinted. Plexiglas®, plastics or other polymeric materials can be used to form part of a fingerboard. 
     Various other manufacturing processes can also be used. The openings and wells can be created with or after manufacturing of the fingerboard structure, using techniques, such as, for example, drills, presses, templates, etc. As noted above, fret-slots can be cut, or can be integrated into an injection molding process. 
     In some embodiments, neck base  208  may be coated with a coating  209 . Coating  209  can include a polymer configured to reduce the affect of environmental factors on neck base  208 . For example, wood can expand or contract with changes in humidity, temperature, pressure, or other environmental factors. A substantially impermeable coating can reduce the effects of these changes on a wooden neck. 
     By way of example, neck base  208  could be coated with a polyester material. The polyester material could be sprayed onto neck base  208  to form coating  209  of suitable thickness to substantially reduce changes in wood volume caused by changes in environmental factors. Other polymeric materials could include resins, silicone, polyamides, polyethylene, or other suitable polymers. 
     Various polymeric materials may be selected based on their physical properties, including impermeability, hardness, ductility, curing temperature, or surface texture when cured. The polymers may be applied by spraying, dipping, or other suitable deposition techniques. Also, certain polymers may require the application of one or more layers of primer before application of the polymeric material. Further, neck base  208  may require sanding or some other surface treatment or processing before application of coating  209 . Also, one or more applications of one or more polymeric materials may be required to form coating  209 . For example, neck  208  may require sanding before application of a first coating. After curing the first coating, a second coating may be applied. Various treatments, such as, for example, sanding, curing, or priming the various coatings, may also be required. 
     Coating  209  can be applied to one or more surfaces of neck base  208 . For example, as shown in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , coating  209  can be applied to lower surface  211  of neck base  208 . Coating  209  may also be applied to one or more side surfaces of neck base  208 . In some embodiments, coating  209  may not be applied to upper surface  210  as fingerboard  10  or circuit board  202  may provide a sufficient barrier to the changes in environmental factors. In other embodiments, coating  209  can be applied to upper surface  210 . 
     Coating  209  may be applied to one or more sides of neck base  208  before or after fingerboard  10  or circuit board  202  has been attached to neck base  208 . In particular, coating  209  may be applied to lower surface  211  of neck base  208 . Then, fingerboard  10  or circuit board  202  may be applied to upper surface  210  of neck base  208 . Conversely, coating  209  may be applied after bonding fingerboard  10  or circuit board  202  with neck base  208 . 
     Fingerboard  10  can also be manufactured with a width slightly wider than the width of neck base  208 . Following assembly, the side edges of fingerboard  10  can be ground, sanded, or otherwise shaped to produce smooth adjoining edges and remove any excess adhesive when attachment such methods are used. Various other finishing techniques could also be applied. 
     In some embodiments, fingerboard  10  may be configured to include a chamfered or otherwise recessed area on one or more surfaces. For example,  FIG. 4  shows a fingerboard  400  including a bottom surface  420  having a recessed area  406  sized to receive a circuit board  402 , sized to fit within recessed area  406 . Such an assembled configuration can at least partially conceal circuit board  402  when viewing the instrument from a side angle. For example, neck assembly  200  may not appear laminated when assembled. 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  show an example of neck assembly  200  as part of a guitar, wherein instrument  800  generally has multiple frets  810 , and six or more strings  802 . By way of background, strings  802  (A-F) are usually tensioned between a head  804  and a body  806  and at least partially extend along a neck  808  such that each string produces a different note when vibrated. Pressing one or more strings  802  against the top surface of the fingerboard  10  at various finger positions, and then vibrating one or more strings, produces a musical note or chord. 
     Light-emitting devices can be selectively illuminated to display a desired note or chord on fingerboard  10 . Select light-emitting devices can be illuminated and their light visible to a player of the guitar. The player could press strings designated by each of those illuminated devices  812  (A-D) to play the desired note or chord. As illustrated, string  802 B could be pressed at finger position  812 C, string  802 C could be pressed at finger position  812 C, string  802 C could be pressed at finger position  812 B, and string  802 D could be pressed at finger position  812 A. 
     In some embodiments, a connector  814  could be used to couple the circuit board of light-system to a controller, such as, for example, a computer, portable electronic device, or other control processor. In other embodiments, a light-system could be coupled to a processor using wire-less technologies, such as, for example, 801.11a, 801.11.g, or blue-tooth. Various protocols can be utilized to provide communication between the light-emitting devices and a processor or computer system. 
     Other embodiments of the disclosure will be apparent to those skilled in the art from consideration of the specification and practice of the disclosure disclosed herein. It is intended that the specification and examples be considered as exemplary only, with a true scope and spirit of the disclosure being indicated by the following claims.