Patent Publication Number: US-9852719-B2

Title: Stringed instrument

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a non-provisional of U.S. Patent Application Ser. No. 62/277,460 filed Jan. 11, 2016 entitled STRINGED INSTRUMENT which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
     A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains material that is subject to copyright protection. The copyright owner has no objection to the reproduction of the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise reserves all copyright rights whatsoever. 
    
    
     STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT 
     Not Applicable 
     REFERENCE TO SEQUENCE LISTING OR COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTING APPENDIX 
     Not Applicable 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     The present disclosure relates generally to stringed instruments. In particular, the present disclosure relates to stringed instruments having a neck and a body that are secured together with mechanical fasteners. 
     Stringed instruments have been used for thousands of years. In particular, stringed instruments having a neck that supports the strings and a body, such as the body of a guitar, bass, violin, cello, fiddle, banjo, mandolin, etc., have been used by people around the world. These instruments have proven to be highly versatile and have been fundamental for the creation and composition of music in many different genres, including classical, rock, jazz, country, and the like. 
     Stringed instruments have been modified over the years. These changes have allowed instruments to create new sounds, genres, and styles of music. For instance, the incorporation of electronic components was one of the most significant innovations to stringed instruments in the 20th century. The sound from electronic stringed instruments can be electronically amplified, allowing musicians to play at greater volumes and to larger audiences. Electronic stringed instruments are also capable of replicating virtually any type of sound, making electronic stringed instruments even more versatile than their conventional counterparts. 
     Some styles of stringed instruments, including electric guitars and basses, have been developed with a body and a neck that are separably coupled with bolts or other mechanical fasteners. Furthermore, some designs, known as “bolt-on neck” designs, include a neck plate that is placed between the bolts that connect the body to the neck and the body itself. Neck plates can provide a more structurally sound fit between the body and the neck of the instrument and can help protect the body from damage by distributing and dissipating forces applied to the body from the heads of the bolts as the body and the neck are coupled together via the bolts. Additionally, the sound of a musical instrument can vary depending on the material, size, thickness, and shape of a neck plate. 
     Despite innovations in the shape and size of stringed instruments, it still remains difficult or impossible for some to play certain notes on stringed instruments. In particular, it remains difficult or impossible for some to play the upper register of stringed instruments. This is because the body, neck, and/or neck plates of instruments can block the hand and wrist from reaching points on the strings on a front side of the neck that are necessary for playing the upper register. 
     Some have attempted to cutout portions of the body and/or neck to provide increased access for a fretting hand to reach the upper register. However, these modifications are difficult or impossible in bolt on neck instruments because the neck plate limits how deep or wide the cutout can be. Some have attempted to circumvent this problem by decreasing the size of the neck plate, but this can limit the structural, acoustic, and aesthetic qualities of the instrument. Others have also attempted to circumvent this problem by bolting the neck and body together without a neck plate, but this completely eliminates the benefits that are provided by a neck plate. 
     Accordingly, there remains a need for bolt on neck stringed instruments that provide increased access to the upper register without compromising the structural and/or acoustic properties of the instrument. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY 
     This Brief Summary is provided to introduce a selection of concepts in a simplified form that are further described below in the Detailed Description. This Summary is not intended to identify key features or essential features of the claimed subject matter, nor is it intended to be used as an aid in determining the scope of the claimed subject matter. 
     One aspect of the disclosure is a stringed instrument including a body that includes a back surface, a top head portion, and a treble-side. A cutaway can be defined in the body adjacent the top head portion of the body on the treble-side of the body, the cutaway defining a cutaway edge. A cutout can be defined in the back surface of the body, the cutout extending from the top head portion of the body along at least a portion of the cutaway edge, the cutout defining a cutout surface. A neck can extend from the body, a portion of the neck disposed on a front side of the top head portion of the body. A neck plate can be disposed on a back side of the top head portion of the body, at least a portion of the neck plate positioned on the cutout surface, wherein the neck plate includes a plate cross section that corresponds to a cross section of the cutout at a location proximate the top head portion of the body. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure is an instrument having a body that includes a back surface, a top head portion, and a treble-side horn. A recessed cutaway can be defined in the body between the top head portion and the treble-side horn, the recessed cutaway defining a cutaway edge extending from the top head portion of the body to the treble-side horn. A cutout can be defined in the back surface of the body, the cutout extending from the top head portion of the body along at least a portion of the cutaway edge, the cutout defining a cutout surface. A neck can extend from the body, a portion of the neck disposed on a front side of the top head portion of the body. A neck plate can be disposed on a back side of the top head portion of the body, at least a portion of the neck plate positioned on the cutout surface, wherein the portion of the neck plate positioned in the cutout is shaped to contour the cutout. 
     Another aspect of the present disclosure is an instrument having a body that includes a back surface, a top head portion, and a treble-side horn. A recessed cutaway can be defined in the body between the top head portion and the treble-side horn, the recessed cutaway defining a cutaway edge extending from the top head portion of the body to the treble-side horn. A cutout can be defined in the back surface of the body, the cutout extending from the top head portion of the body along at least a portion of the cutaway edge, the cutout defining a cutout surface. A neck can extend from the body, a portion of the neck disposed on a front side of the top head portion of the body. A neck plate can be disposed on a back side of the top head portion of the body, at least a portion of the neck plate positioned on the cutout surface. A plurality of bolts can extend through the neck plate and the body and into the neck to separably couple the neck plate, the body, and the neck together, wherein at least one of the plurality of bolts extends through the cutout surface of the cutout. 
     One objective of the present disclosure is to help provide access to higher frets on an upper register of the neck of a stringed instrument. 
     Another objective of the present disclosure is to help provide the structural, acoustic, and aesthetic benefits of a neck plate for a stringed instrument. 
     Numerous other objects, advantages and features of the present disclosure will be readily apparent to those of skill in the art upon a review of the following drawings and description of a preferred embodiment. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective front view of a stringed instrument in accordance with an embodiment of the presently-disclosed subject matter. 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective back view of the stringed instrument of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 3  is a top view of the stringed instrument of  FIG. 1  with the neck removed. 
         FIG. 4  is a back view of the stringed instrument of  FIG. 3 . 
         FIG. 5  is a detailed perspective view of a neck plate of the stringed instrument of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 6  is a cross-sectional view of the neck plate of  FIG. 5 . 
         FIG. 7  is a cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a neck plate of the present disclosure having a first curvature and a second curvature with different dimensions. 
         FIG. 8  is a detailed top view of a stringed instrument including the neck plate of  FIG. 7  positioned on a body of a corresponding stringed instrument. 
         FIG. 9  is an exploded view of the stringed instrument of  FIG. 1 . 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded view of another embodiment of a stringed instrument of the present invention having bolts with varying lengths. 
         FIG. 11  is a detailed view of another embodiment of a stringed instrument where a top treble-side corner of a top head portion of a body of the stringed instrument and a corresponding top treble-side corner of the neck plate are curved or rounded. 
         FIG. 12  is a detailed view of another embodiment of a stringed instrument where a top bass-side corner of a top head portion of a body of the stringed instrument and a corresponding top bass-side corner of the neck plate are curved or rounded. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     While the making and using of various embodiments of the present invention are discussed in detail below, it should be appreciated that the present invention provides many applicable inventive concepts that are embodied in a wide variety of specific contexts. The specific embodiments discussed herein are merely illustrative of specific ways to make and use the invention and do not delimit the scope of the invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize numerous equivalents to the specific apparatus and methods described herein. Such equivalents are considered to be within the scope of this invention and are covered by the claims. 
     In the drawings, not all reference numbers are included in each drawing, for the sake of clarity. In addition, positional terms such as “upper,” “lower,” “side,” “top,” “bottom,” etc. refer to the apparatus when in the orientation shown in the drawing, or as otherwise described. A person of skill in the art will recognize that the apparatus can assume different orientations when in use. 
     The presently-disclosed subject matter includes bolt on neck style stringed instruments. As used herein, the term “stringed instrument” generally refers to musical instruments that comprise a body and a neck that extends from the body, wherein the neck supports strings. Stringed instruments can include, without limitation, guitars, basses, violins, cellos, fiddles, banjos, mandolins, etc. The term “stringed instrument” is not limited to instruments that utilize strings to produce sound. For example, modern versions of stringed instruments can include sensors, pickups, amplifiers, or other electronic components along the length of the neck or body of the instrument that can produce electronic signals when the strings are plucked or strummed, the signals being converted into sound electronically. The term “stringed instrument” is inclusive of both conventional acoustic string instruments and electronic versions that may include other means for producing sound. 
     As used herein, the “treble side” of a stringed instrument or a body of the instrument is the side on which the fretting hand is positioned during normal operation of the guitar. In right-handed stringed instruments, the treble side of the stringed instrument can be the right side of the string instrument when viewed from the front. In left handed stringed instrument, the treble side of the stringed instrument can be the left side of the string instrument when viewed from the front. In still other embodiments, the “treble side” can denote the side of the stringed instrument corresponding to the higher pitched strings of the instrument, for instance the higher pitched G, B, and E, strings of a conventional six string guitar. References to a “bass side” denote the side of the guitar opposite the treble side. 
     Additionally, the term “bolt on neck” as used herein generally refers to a style of stringed instrument wherein the neck and body are coupled together with bolts. The term “bolt” as used herein generally refers to all of the coupling mechanisms that can be used in conjunction with bolt on neck instruments, including bolts, screws, nails, rivets, or other comparable mechanical fasteners. 
     Bolt on neck style instruments can further include a neck plate for joining the neck and body together. The neck plate can span the area where bolts are inserted into the back side of the body. Neck plates can be manufactured from suitable metals including but not limited to brass, bronze, chrome, aluminum, etc., as well as other suitable materials, such as, without limitation, polymers, composites, and plastics. Neck plates can distribute the forces that are applied by the bolts across a wider surface area of the body to help reduce damage to the body from the bolts. Neck plates also can provide beneficial acoustic properties. Neck plates are further desired by certain musicians for their aesthetic properties. 
     A specific embodiment of a stringed instrument  1  of the present disclosure will now be described. Unless otherwise stated, any reference herein to a front side or a back side of the embodiment is made from the perspective shown in  FIG. 1 . Thus, from the perspective shown in  FIG. 1 , the front side  14  corresponds to a side that faces towards the viewer, whereas a back side  16  corresponds to a side that faces away from the viewer. As such, in the right handed instrument  1  shown in  FIG. 1 , the treble-side  19   a  of the body is the side proximate the top of the page in  FIG. 1 , and the bass-side  19   b  of the body is the side proximate the bottom of the page in  FIG. 1 . 
     Looking to  FIG. 1 , an isometric front view of the embodied stringed instrument  1  is shown. The instrument  1  can include a body  5  and a neck  3  extending therefrom. The distal end of the neck  3  can include a headstock  17 . A plurality of tuning pegs or tuning machines  18  can be provided on the headstock  17 , wherein each tuning peg or machine  18  can be associated with a corresponding string  4  provided on the instrument  1 . Stringed instruments can have varying numbers of strings, and thus varying numbers of corresponding tuning pegs  18 . For instance, many stringed instruments such as guitars have 6 strings. Other stringed instruments can have 4, 5, 7, 8, etc. strings  4  and corresponding tuning pegs  18 . 
     A bridge  13  can be positioned on the front side of the body  5  and includes anchor points and saddles for coupling each end of corresponding strings  4  to the body  5  of the instrument  1 . To attach strings  4  to the body  5  of the instrument  1 , the strings  4  can be coupled to the bridge  13  on the body  5 . The bridge  13  provides a point for an end of each string  4  to attach, as well as a raised portion or saddle that each string  4  can pass over as they extend toward the headstock  17 . The ends of the strings  4  that are not attached to the bridge  13  can each be wound around one of the tuning pegs or machines  18  that are provided on the headstock  17 . In this manner, the strings  4  are suspended under tension between the raised portion of the bridge  13  and the distal end of the neck  3  so that they may vibrate freely when strummed or plucked to produce a sound. Additionally, each of the tuning pegs or machines  18  can be rotated to increase or decrease tension in the string to tune or adjust the pitch of the sound that is produced by each string  4 . 
     The body  5  in some embodiments can include a pickup  6  disposed on the front surface of the body  5  at a position located under the strings  4 . The pickup  6  can be a transducer that can sense vibrations from the strings  4  and convert the vibrations into electrical signals that can be amplified, recorded, or the like to produce sound electronically. 
     A jack  15  can also be provided on the front surface of the body  5  in some embodiments. The jack  15  can be an output jack that connects the instrument  1  to an amplifier or other electronic device. The jack  15  can also function as a power jack. In other embodiments a jack can be disposed on any surface on the instrument, including the back surface  32 , front surface  30 , or side peripheral edge or surface  34  of the body  5  of the instrument  1 . 
     It will be understood that other embodiments may include different components on the front surface of the body. For instance, some embodiments are provided with two or more pickups. In yet other embodiments, one or more control knobs or switches can be provided on the front surface of the body, wherein the control knobs or switches can be manipulated to adjust the volume and other characteristics of the sound created by the instrument. 
     The end of the body  5  disposed towards the neck  3  (top end) includes a top head portion  7 . Top head portion  7  can be flanked by an upper bass-side bout  36  and an upper treble side bout  38 . A bout can be described as an outward bulge in the body  5  of the stringed instrument. In some embodiments, the upper bass-side bout  36  can include a bass-side horn  8  and the upper treble-side bout  38  can include a treble-side horn  9 . The top head portion  7  generally refers to a central protruding portion of the top end of the body  5 . A portion of the neck  3  can be coupled to a front side  30  of the body  5  at a location corresponding to the top head portion  7 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 1-2 , a cutaway  11  can generally be defined in the body adjacent the top head portion  7  on the treble side  19 a of the body. The cutaway  11  can in some embodiments be defined in the upper treble-side bout  38  of the body  5  adjacent or proximate to the top head portion  7  of the body  5 . In some embodiments including a treble side horn  9 , the cutaway  11  can be defined between the top head portion  7  and the treble-side horn  9  of the body  5 , such that the cutaway  11  can help define the treble-side horn  9 . In such embodiments, the cutaway  11  can be recessed between the top head portion  7  and the treble-side horn of the body  5 . 
     The cutaway  11  can define a cutaway edge  40 . In some embodiments, the cutaway  11  is a generally curved recessed portion of the body  5  that defines a concave or c-shaped cutaway edge  40 . In other embodiments, the cutaway  11  can have a variety of shapes, including but not limited to rectangular, triangular, trapezoidal, or other suitable shapes, which define corresponding cutaway edges. In still other embodiments, the cutaway  11  can be defined in a corner of the upper treble-side bout  38  such that the cutaway  11  forms a substantially L-shaped cutaway edge. 
     In some embodiments, stringed instrument  1  can include only the cutaway  11  on the treble side  19 a of the body  5 , such that the stringed instrument is a single cutaway embodiment. In other embodiments, a second cutaway can be defined adjacent the top head portion  7  of the body on the bass-side  19 b of the body  5 , such that the stringed instrument  1  is a double cutaway embodiment. 
     The cutaway  11  can facilitate some access to the upper register of the instrument  1 , which corresponds to points on the strings  4  that are disposed towards the end of the neck  3  that is proximate to the top head portion  7  of the body  5  (proximate end of neck). For instance, to fret the upper register of an instrument, a musician presses on a string  4  so as to shorten the length of string that vibrates. To reach the upper register, a musician must therefore fret a string  4  at a location that is disposed towards the proximate end of the neck  3 . This can require that the musician reach a portion of the neck  3  that is located near the top head portion  7  of the body  5 , adjacent to the body  5 , or over a front side  30  of the body  5 . 
     When fretting the upper register, the musician reaches their hand around the neck  3  to reach the string  4 . However, as the musician moves towards the upper register, the body  5  can block the hand and wrist from reaching the upper register. The cutaway  11  facilitates access to the upper register by increasing the space or room that the musician has to move their hand and wrist along the neck  3  of the instrument  1  towards the proximate end of the neck  3 . However, even in conventional stringed instruments with cutaways, the size and thickness of the body  5  proximate the upper register can make it difficult or cumbersome for a user to reach or grasp the frets on the upper register to fret the upper register properly. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2-6 , a cutout  12  can be defined in a back surface  32  of the body  5 , the cutout  12  extending from the top head portion  7  of the body  5  along at least a portion of the cutaway edge  40 . The cutout  12  is defined by a portion of the body  5  that is recessed relative to the back surface  32  of the body  5  along at least a portion of the cutaway edge  40 . The cutout  12  can define a cutout surface  48 . Because the cutout  12  extends along the cutaway edge  40 , the cutout  12  can have a profile or shape that generally conforms to the profile or shape of the cutaway  11 . For instance, in some embodiments having a cutaway  11  with a semicircular shape, the cutout  12  defines a concave curved cut into the body  5  along the cutaway edge  40 . In some embodiments, the cutout  12  can also have a generally semicircular shape or profile. In other embodiments, the cutout  12  can have a shape or profile conforming to cutaways of various shapes, including but not limited to rectangular, triangular, trapezoidal, or any other suitable shape. 
     In some embodiments the cutout  12  can extend along the entire cutaway edge  40 , and in some embodiments having a treble-side horn  9 , along the entire cutaway edge  40  between the top head portion  7  and the treble-side horn  9 . In other embodiments the cutout  12  can extend from the top head portion  7  along only a portion of the cutaway edge  40 , or to a point on the cutaway edge  40  that is between the top head portion  7  and the treble-side horn  9 . For instance, in some embodiments having a generally semicircular cutaway  11 , the cutout  12  can extend only to an apex of the semicircular cutaway  11  as opposed to extending completely to the tip of the treble-side horn  9 . 
     In some embodiments, the cutout  12  can have a substantially continuous cross-section along the entire cutaway edge  40 . In other embodiments, the cross-section of the cutout  12  can vary as the cutout extends along the cutaway edge  40 . In some embodiments, the cutout  12  can converge or gradually decrease in size as the cutout  12  extends from the top head portion  7  of the body  5  along the cutaway edge  40 . The cross section of the cutout  12  however can remain constant in the portion of the cutout  12  extending proximate the top head portion  7  of the body  5 . 
     In some embodiments, the cutout  12  does not extend through the entire thickness  42  of the body  5 . Accordingly, the cutout  12  can help increase access to the upper register beyond what is provided by the cutaway  11 , as the user&#39;s fretting hand and wrist, and particularly the heel of the user&#39;s fretting hand, can be received in and the cutout  12  such that the user can more easily grasp the neck  3  and body  5  of the instrument  1  proximate the higher register of the instrument  1  to fret the higher register properly. Having the cutout  12  defined through only a portion of the thickness  42  of the body  5  can also allow a portion of the body  5  positioned between the cutout  12  and the neck  3  be used to separably couple or secure the body  5  to the neck  3  of the instrument  1 . Such a configuration can provide structural integrity to the connection between the body  5  and the neck  3 , as the neck  3  can be secured to the top head portion  7  of the body  5  with the top head portion  7  having a width that is substantially equal to the width of the neck  3 . 
     The instrument  1  further includes a neck plate  20 . The neck plate  20  is positioned on a back surface  32  of the body  5 , and particularly on a back side of the top head portion  7  opposite from a location where the proximate end or proximate portion of the neck  3  contacts the front side  30  of the body  5  and top head portion  7 . At least a portion of the neck plate  20  can be disposed or positioned on the cutout surface  48  of the cutout  12 . The width of the neck plate  20 , the width of the top head portion  7 , and the width of the neck  3  in some embodiments can be substantially equal. In other embodiments, the width of the neck plate  20  can be slightly smaller than the width of the top head portion  7  of the body  5  and the width of the neck  3 . 
     Looking now to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , views are shown of the instrument  1  without a neck  3  mounted to the body  5 .  FIG. 3  shows that the neck plate  20  includes a contour or plate cross-section that corresponds to a cross section of the cutout  12  at a position proximate the top head portion  7  of the body  5 . As such, when the neck plate  20  is positioned on a back surface  32  of the body  5  proximate the back side of the top head portion  7 , the neck plate  20  can generally be shaped to contour the cutout surface  48  of the cutout  12 . In this manner, the neck plate  20  on the instrument  1  can cover a portion of the back surface  32  of the body  5  including a portion of the cutout  12  extending through the top head portion  7  of the body. 
       FIG. 9  shows an exploded view of the instrument  1  where the neck  3 , body  5 , and neck plate  20  are being separably mounted or coupled together with a plurality of bolts  25 . The neck plate  20  is configured to be mounted to the top head potion  7  of the body  5  on the back surface  32  of the body  5  of the instrument  1 . When the neck plate  20  is in this position, a portion of the neck plate  20  can be positioned in the cutout  12  and contact the cutout surface  48 . The neck  3  is configured to be mounted to the top head portion  7  of the body  5  from a front side  30  of the body  5  of the instrument  1 . The neck  3  is positioned such that the proximate end or proximate portion of the neck  3  is positioned against and contacts the top head portion  7  of the body  5  opposite the neck plate  20 . 
     The neck plate  20  can include a plurality of through holes  23  that extend through the neck plate  20 . Bolts  25  can be inserted into the through holes  23  on the neck plate  20 , through the body  5 , and into the proximate end of the neck  3 . The plurality of bolts  25  can include at least a first bolt  25   a  and a second bolt  25   b.  The first bolt  25   a  can extend through the back surface  32  of the body  5  at a location proximate the cutout  12 , and the second bolt  25   b  can extend through the cutout surface  48  of the cutout  12 . As such, the neck plate  20  can be secured against the back surface  32  of the body  5  and the cutout surface  48  of the cutout  12  via bolts  25 . In some embodiments, two or more bolts  25   a  can extend through the neck plate  20  and the back surface  32  of the body  5 , and/or two or more bolts  25   b  can extend through the neck plate  20  and the cutout surface  48  of the cutout  12 . As such, the neck plate  20  can include a back surface portion  70  disposed against the back surface  32  of the body  5  proximate the back side of the top head portion  7  of the body  5 , and a cutout portion  72  disposed against the cutout surface  48  of the cutout  12 . 
     In some embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 5 , the through holes  23  in the neck plate  20  can have tapered edges such that the bolts  25  can be countersunk into the neck plate  20  when bolts  25  secure the neck  3 , the body  5 , and the neck plate  20  together such that heads of the bolts  25  can generally be flush with the top side  21  of the neck plate  20 . Such a configuration can help allow a user&#39;s fret hand to slide smoothly over the neck plate  20  without interference from the bolts  25  as the user&#39;s hand is received in the cutout  12 . 
     In some embodiments as shown in  FIG. 9 , all of the bolts  25  can have the same length. In other embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 10 , first bolts  25   a  can be longer than second bolts  25   b . The bolts  25  may differ in length depending on the thickness of the body  5  at a location where the bolts  25  are inserted into the body  5 . Since the second bolts  25   b  extend through cutout surface  48  of cutout  12  where the thickness of the top head portion  7  is reduced, second bolts  25   b  can be shorter such that second bolts  25   b  do not extend through neck  3  and can generally extend to the same position along the thickness of the body  5  as first bolts  25   a . While the embodiment shown in  FIG. 9  includes four bolts  25  and corresponding through holes  23  in the neck plate  20 , the location and number of through holes  23  and corresponding bolts  25  provided in the neck plate  20  can vary in different embodiments. 
     Those of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the presently-disclosed stringed instrument  1  can provide numerous advantages and solve many long-felt but unmet needs. Because the instrument  1  includes a cutout  12  as well as a neck plate  20  to help secure the neck  3  to the body  5  of the instrument  1 , the instrument  1  can provide easier access to the upper register of the neck  3  while also maintaining the structural, acoustic, and visual qualities of a conventional neck plate. Additionally, the instrument  1  can include a cutout that extends into an area of the top head portion  7  of the body  5  that would otherwise be covered by a neck plate. By incorporating a neck plate  20  that contacts and contours a surface of a cutout  12 , the presently-disclosed instruments can provide the combined benefits of a neck plate  20  and a cutout  12 . In conventional stringed instruments, when a cutout is used, either no plate is incorporated into the instrument or the size of the neck plate is substantially reduced which can affect the sound of the instrument, as well as the structural integrity of the connection between the neck and the body of the instrument. The neck plate  20  shown in  FIGS. 2-6  in some embodiments can span substantially the entire width of the top head portion  7  of the body  5  while being shaped to contour the cutout  12  defined in the body  5  of the instrument  1 . 
     The shape of the neck plate  20  can vary according to the cross-section of the cutout  12  in the body  5 . In some embodiments, the cutout  12  can have a substantially curved S-shaped cross-section and can include a first curve  44  and a second curve  46 , the first and second curves  44  and  46  curving in opposing directions to form a generally S-shaped cross-section. In  FIG. 3 , the second curve  46  is positioned more proximate to the cutaway edge  40  than the first curve  44 . As such, the neck plate  20  can have a corresponding generally S-shaped cross section that can contour the cross-section of the cutout  12 . The S-shaped cross-section of the cutout  12  and corresponding neck plate  20  can allow the heel of user&#39;s fretting hand to be received comfortable in the cutout  12  as a user frets the higher register of the neck  3 . 
       FIGS. 5 and 6  show isometric and cross sectional views of the neck plate  20  of  FIGS. 3-4 , respectively. The neck plate  20  includes a top side  21  and a bottom side  22 . The top side  21  is exposed when the neck plate  20  is mounted to the instrument  1 , whereas the bottom side  22  faces towards the body  5  when the neck plate  20  is mounted to the instrument  1 . The neck plate  20  includes a cross sectional contour that includes a first bend  26  having a first curvature  27  and a second bend  28  having a second curvature  29 . The concavities of the first and second curvatures  27  and  29  of the neck plate  20  can be oriented in opposing directions such that an inflection point  49  is formed between the first and second bends  26  and  28  where the direction of the curvature of the neck plate  20  changes. 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 3, 5, and 6 , the cross-sectional contour of the neck plate  20  can correspond to the cross-sectional contour of the cutout  12 , with the first curvature  27  of the neck plate  20  corresponding with the first curve  44  of the cutout  12 , and the second curvature  29  of the neck plate  20  corresponding to the second curve  46  of the cutout  12 . When the instrument  1  is assembled with the neck plate  20  positioned on the back side of the top head portion  7  of the body  5 , the bottom side surface  22  of the neck plate  20  contacts the back surface  32  of the body  5  and a portion of the cutout surface  48  of the cutout  12  located proximate the top head portion  7  of the body  5 . In some embodiments, the entire bottom side surface  22  of the neck plate  20  can make contact with the body  5 . The plate  20  can include a back surface portion  70  disposed against the back surface  32  of the body  5  proximate the top head portion  7 , and a cutout portion  72  disposed against the cutout surface  48  of the cutout  12 . When the neck plate  20 , the body  5 , and neck  3  are coupled together, the neck plate  20  can help distribute coupling forces applied by the bolts  25  to the body  5  across a larger surface area to help decrease damage to the body  5  from the bolts  25  and increase structural strength of the connection between the neck  3  and the body  5 . 
     The first curvature  27  and the second curvature  29  can vary depending on the contour of the corresponding cutout  12 . In some embodiments, the contour of the cutout  12  can be shaped such that the angle of the first and second bends  44  and  46 , and therefore the angles  50  and  52  of corresponding first and second curvatures  27  and  29  of the neck plate  20 , respectively, can be between about 0 and 90 degrees. In some embodiments, angles  50  and  52  of first and second curvatures  27  and  29  can each independently be about 5 degrees, 10 degrees, 15 degrees, 20 degrees, 25 degrees, 30 degrees, 35 degrees, 40 degrees, 45 degrees, 50 degrees, 55 degrees, 60 degrees, 65 degrees, 70 degrees, 75 degrees, 80 degrees, 85 degrees, or 90 degrees. 
     In some embodiments, the contour of the cutout  12  can be shaped such that the radius of the first and second bends  44  and  46 , and therefore the radii  54  and  58  the first and second curvatures,  27  and  29 , respectively, can each independently be about 0.1 inches, 0.2 inches, 0.3 inches, 0.4 inches, 0.5 inches, 0.6 inches, 0.7 inches, 0.8 inches, 0.9 inches, 1.0 inches, 1.1 inches, 1.2 inches, 1.3 inches, 1.4 inches, 1.5 inches, 1.6 inches, 1.7 inches, 1.8 inches, 1.9 inches, 2.0 inches, or more. 
     In some embodiments the radius  54  of the first curvature  27  and the radius  58  of the second curvature  29  can be substantially equal such that the S-shape of the cross-section of the neck plate  20  can be substantially symmetrical about inflection point  49 . In other embodiments, the radius  54  of the first curvature  27  and the radius  58  of the second curvature  29  can be different such that the cross-section of the neck plate  20  is not symmetrical about the inflection point  49 . In other embodiments, the radius  54  of the first curvature  27  can be greater than the radius  58  of the second curvature  29 . 
     In other embodiments, as shown in  FIGS. 7-8 , the contour of the cross-section of the cutaway  12  can be such that the radius  54  of the first curvature  27  can be less than the radius  58  of the second curvature  29 . Such a configuration can produce a deeper cut into the width of the body  5  of the instrument  11 , and particularly the width of the top head portion  7  of the body  5 , to help increase access to the higher register of the stringed instrument  1  by the user. 
     In some embodiments, a back surface  32  of the body  5  can be substantially flat, or the back surface  32  proximate the top head portion  7  can include a substantially flat body surface  60  positioned proximate the cutout  12 , and the cutout  12  can include a substantially flat cutout surface  62  positioned proximate the cutaway edge  40 . In some embodiments the first curvature  27  and the second curvature  29  of the neck plate  20  can have substantially the same angles  50  and  52  so that portions at opposite ends of the neck plate  20  are substantially parallel. In some embodiments, the neck plate  20  can include a first flat plate portion  64  and a second flat plate portion  66  at opposing ends of the neck plate  20 . When the neck plate  20  is positioned on the body  5 , the first flat plate portion  64  can be disposed against the flat body surface  60  on the back surface  32  of the top head portion  7  of the body  5 , and the second flat plate portion  66  can be disposed against the flat cutout surface  62  of the cutout  12 . In this manner, bolts  25  used to mount the neck plate  20 , the neck  3  and the body  5  together can be oriented substantially perpendicular to the surface of the body  5  and to the cutout  12 , and the bolts  25  can extend into the neck  3  generally at a 90 degree angle with a surface of the neck  3  positioned against the top head portion  7  of the body  5 . 
     Embodiments having bolts  25  that are perpendicular to the surface of the body  5 , the cutout  12 , and the surface of the neck positioned against the body  5  can help minimize stress and/or strain on the body  5  and neck  3  of the instrument  1  as the body  5  and the neck  3  are secured or coupled together via bolts  25 . In other embodiments the angles of the first curvature  27  and the second curvature  29  may be different from one another as necessary in order to permit the bolts to be mounted perpendicular to the back surface  32  of the body  5  and the cutaway surface  48 . In still further embodiments, the through holes  23  in the neck plate  20  can be oriented at an angle with respect to a top side  21  of the neck plate  20  as necessary for the bolts  25  to extend through the neck plate  20  and the body  5  at an angle that is perpendicular with the surface of neck  3  positioned against the body  5 . 
     As the depth of the cutout  12  increases, the volume that is removed from the back surface  32  of the body  5  increases. In some instances, the depth of a cutout  12  on an instrument  1  can be increased by creating a cutout  12  and a corresponding neck plate  20  that includes a second curvature  29  having a greater radius  58  than a radius  54  of the first curvature  27 . The second curvature  29  can provide a deeper cut into the width of the top head portion  7  of the body  5 . Furthermore, the width of the flat cutout surface  62  of the cutout  12  can be increased without increasing the radius  58  of the second curvature  29  to provide a deeper cut into the width of the top head portion  7  of the body  5 . Increasing the flat contact area between the neck plate  20  and a flat cutout surface  62  can further minimize stress and strain when the neck plate  20 , the body  5 , and the neck  3  are mounted together. 
     Those of ordinary skill will appreciate that the cross sectional contour of cutouts described herein, including cutout configured for use with neck plates including a second curvature that has a greater radius than a radius of the first curvature, present numerous benefits. Among other things, such cutouts may provide increased access to the upper register relative to other cutouts that are not as deep. Accordingly, the cutouts described herein can also be advantageous for stringed instruments that do not include a neck plate, for instance those instruments where the neck and body of the instrument are secured together with bolts, screws or other fasteners without the use of a neck plate, or where the neck and the body are glued together or formed together as one integral structure. 
     While an embodiment of an instrument has been described for illustrative purposes, other embodiments encompassed by the presently-disclosed instrument should not be limited by the present embodiment. Those of skill in the art will appreciate that other shapes, sizes, and contours of neck plates and cutouts can be utilized to provide increased access to the upper register of the neck  3  and the benefits of a neck plate  20 . Such configurations may vary depending on the aesthetic or acoustic preferences of a musician, the type of instrument, the shape and size of the body, the size of the user&#39;s hands, or the like. 
     For instance, in some embodiments, the cutout  12  and corresponding neck plate  20  can include a single bend or curvature, and the cutout  12  and neck plate  20  in other embodiments can include three or more different bends or curvatures. In still other embodiments, the cutout  12  can have a substantially rectangular shape, and the corresponding neck plate  20  can have a substantially square S-shape where the bends in the neck plate  20  are square 90 degree bends. In other embodiments, the cutout  12  can have a trapezoidal cross section, wherein the corresponding neck plate  20  includes two sharp bends having acute or obtuse angles and an angled flat portion extending between the two bends and between opposing parallel flat end portions of the neck plate  20 . One of skill in the art will readily appreciate that the cutout  12  and corresponding neck plate  20  can be designed to include various combinations and numbers of curved and/or sharp bends, with the neck plate  20  still having a shape or cross-section that corresponds to or contours a cross section of the cutout  12  to provide the combined benefits of a cutout  12  and a neck plate  20 . 
     The embodiments shown in  FIGS. 2-10  include a neck plate  20  that has a substantially rectangular top profile, but the shape and size of the neck plate  20  can be modified in other embodiments. In some instances the shape of a neck plate  20  can be modified to permit different shapes and contours of cutouts. In some embodiments the neck plate  20  includes a substantially triangular or trapezoidal top profile, wherein a portion of the neck plate corresponding to the top, treble-side corner of the neck plate is removed. In other embodiments, a portion of the neck plate corresponding to the top, bass-side corner of the neck plate  20  is removed. In some embodiments, such triangular neck plates can permit even deeper cutouts to be made at the top head portion  7  of the body. In other embodiments, triangular neck plates can permit the cutaway to extend further into the top, treble-side corner of the top head portion  7  of the body  5 . 
     Additional, exemplary neck plate configurations are shown in  FIGS. 11 and 12 . In  FIG. 11 , a top treble-side corner of the top head portion  7  of the body  5  and a top treble-side corner of the neck plate  20  can have corresponding rounded or curved top profiles. In  FIG. 12 , a top bass-side corner of the top head portion  7  of the body  5  and a top bass-side corner of the neck plate  20  can have corresponding rounded or curved top profiles. Rounded corners on the top head portion  7  of the body  5  and the plate  20  can provide another aesthetic and/or acoustic profile to the instrument  1 . 
     The features described herein can be used in a variety of stringed instruments that are employed by those of ordinary skill in the art. This includes, without limitation, guitars, basses, violins, cellos, fiddles, banjos, mandolins, and the like. The features described herein can also be utilized for instruments having multiple necks connected to the body at corresponding top head portions, with a cutaway, cutout, and neck plate as taught herein provided for each neck of the stringed instrument. Also, while the embodied stringed instruments described herein are configured for right-handed musicians, the present stringed instruments and their novel components can be configured for left-handed or right-handed musicians. 
     The principal features of this invention may be employed in various embodiments without departing from the scope of the invention. Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize numerous equivalents to the specific procedures described herein. Such equivalents are considered to be within the scope of this invention and are covered by the claims. 
     The presently-disclosed subject matter can comprise, consist of, or consist essentially of the elements and features of the embodiments described herein, as well as any additional or optional components or limitations described herein or which are otherwise useful. 
     All combinations of method or process steps as used herein can be performed in any order, unless otherwise specified or clearly implied to the contrary by the context in which the referenced combination is made. 
     Thus, although there have been described particular embodiments of the present invention of a new and useful STRINGED INSTRUMENT, it is not intended that such references be construed as limitations upon the scope of this invention.