AN IMPROVED STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT
Year: 1887

page_text: Date of Application, 22nd Jan., 1887
Complete Left, 21st Oct., 1887
Complete Accepted, 20th Dec., 1887
I, GEORGE ENDERBY MASON 45 Carr Lane Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of
the County of York, Yorkshire Music Seller, do hereby declare the nature of my
invention for AN IMPROVED STRINGED MUSICAL INSTRUMENT to be as follows:
―
Is to produce a Musical Instrument of that class in which the strings are played by
the fingers and thumbs of each hand of the performer which shall obviate the dis-
advantage and remove the inconvience experienced in other Instruments of this
class such for example as Dulcimers and Meinhold Zithers on which only one diatonic
key or scale can be produced, whereas on my Improved Musical Imstrument which
I propose to call The Psalterium there is a full compass of Chromatic Notes that
music in any key can be performed on this Instrument. To carry out this object I
make or form a sound board or Box, of wood or other suitable material in horizontal
shape an isosceles triangle or thereabouts of which the apex is flattened and of a con-
vienient depth which sound board or box is properly blocked or constructed to enable
the same to bear the strain or pressure of the strings when tuned to the required
pitch. On each side of this triangular frame or box are placed the Pegs or Wrest
pins for tuning and also at the bottom of each side are placed the small pins to attach
the other end of the strings a small loop having been twisted on the strings each side
of box being about 3 inches in depth therefore by hooking one end of the strings on
to the small pins at the bottom and bringing it over the top of the opposite side, to
the tuning Pins it will form an angle of about 45 degrees or thereabouts. The right
hand side I bring all the strings that required to make a Diatonic scale of C. Natural,
also on the left hand side I put all the strings that are required for making up the
full compliment of Flats and sharps therefore taking each side together will form a
Complete Chromatic scale when tuned to the required pitch an opening in the top
sound board enabling the string to pass through about 24 inches wide from bottom to
top through the centre of sound board therefore about one half of each string is out
of sight on either side and the strings on either side are within the reach of either
the fingers or thumbs of both hands.

page_text: The object of putting the strings in this manner being to simplify the difference
between the Flats or sharps strings and the natural key of C. strings as each appear
only on their separate sides. The naturals on the right and the Flats or sharps on
the left side.
Whereas if all the strings where brought over in an horizontal manner the multi-
plicity of strings would confound the performer to destinguish the Flats or Sharps
and the natural notes or strings.
The strings used are steel or Brass and either covered with copper wire a light
cover of wood or other material, I place over the strings on either side leaving an
opening up the centre to admit the fingers and thumbs of each hand to pluck the
strings in performing on this Instrument.
Dated this 21st day of Jonnery 1887

page_text: GEORGE ENDERBY MASON, 45 Carr Lane, Kingston upon Hull, East Riding of
the County of York, Yorkshire, England Music Seller, I do hereby declare the nature
of this invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, to be particularly
described and ascertained in and by the following statement :-
That it is to produce a Musical Instrument of that class in which the strings are
played by the fingers and thumbs of each hand of the performer, which shall obviate
the disadvantage and remove the inconvience experienced in other Instruments
of this class such for example as the Dulcimer and Meinhold Zither on which only
one Diatonic key or scale can be produced, whereas on my Improved Musical
Instrument there are or is a full compass of Chromatic Notes that music in any key
or scale can be performed on this Instrument.
To carry out this object I make or form a sound board or Box of wood or other
suitable material in horizontal shape an isosceles triangle or thereabouts of which the
apex is flattened and of a convienient depth which sound board or Box is properly
blocked or constructed to enable the same to bear the strain or pressure of the strings
when tuned to the required pitch, Fig. 3 2nd Sheet. On each side of this triangular
frame or box are the pegs or wrest pins for tuning the strings, and also at the bottom
of each side are small pins to attach the other end of the strings each side being
about 3 inches in depth therefore by hooking one end of the strings to the small pins
at the bottom and bringing it over the top of the opposite side to the tuning or wrest
pins it forms an angle of say about 45 degrees. The right hand side I bring over the
strings to form the Diatonic scale of C, On the left hand side I put the strings that
would form the corresponding Flat & Sharp notes therefore taking each side
together they make a complete Chromatic Scale as in the pianoforte, 1st Sheet
Fig. 1. An opening in the centre of top sound board enabling the strings to pass
through from either side therefore about one half of each string from either side is
over the top of the upper sound board and the other half under the sound board on
the opposite side.
The object of putting the strings in this manner being to simplify the difference
between the Flats and Sharps on the left side, and the natural key of C. on the right
side as each appear only on their separate sides. The Natural Notes on the right side
and the Flats and sharps on the left side.
Whereas if all the strings where brought over in an horizontal manner the
multiplicity of strings would confound the performer to destinguish the Flats and
Sharps, and the Natural notes or Key of C.
A light cover of wood or other material I place over the top of the strings on either
side leaving an opening up the centre to admit the fingers and thumb of each hand to
pluck the string. (See 1st Sheet Fig. 1 where marked A.)
Also on the top sound board I place the names of each note, the strings going over
their respective names as guides in performing from music. The back sound board
which is the width of the Instrument I fasten to the bottoni on brass hinges the top
part being simply fastened with a hook to enable the strings to be easily removed in
case of breaking and replaced. 3rd Sheet Fig. 2 marked D.
The whole Musical Instrument standing upon four small turned feet enabling the
back sound board full vibration.

page_text: Tho strings used are steel, hardened Brass wire and Steel covered with copper wire
or any kind of musical strings.
The size of my present Musical Instrument is 22 inches at the bottom, 7 inches
at the top 15 inches from top to bottom, although I purpose making in various sizes,
smaller or larger.
EXPLANATION OF THE DRAWINGS.
Fig. 1 1st Sheet shewing the Musical Instrument, front or top view, where marked A
are the light covers over a portion of the strings.
Fig. 1 2nd Sheet shows the Musical Instrument with the top covers away, where
marked B. are the top sound boards, C. is the centre sound board.
Fig. 3 2nd Sheet. The portion marked E is the Pin block on the left side for
attaching the strings where marked F is the right side Pin block for attaching the
strings.
Fig. 2 3rd Sheet is a back view with the back sound board open. D is the back
sound board.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said
invention, and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is,
Firstly that it is an Instrument where all the strings aro within easy reach of the
fingers by reason of the strings crossing each other at the centre of the Instru-
ment.
Secondly that each side both Flats & Sharps on one side and the Diatonic scale
of C on the other are entirely distinct, and also that I am the first and only inventor of
this arrangement of the strings.
Dated this 20th day of October 1887.