and Appliance for Tuning Stringed Instruments and for Learning such Tuning.
Year: 1891

page_text: Date of Application, 18th June, 1891
Complete Specification Left, 3rd Mar., 1892-Accepted, 9th Apr., 1892
Process and Appliance for Tuning Stringed Instruments and for
Learning such Tuning.
I, MAX SCHLITTENBAUER of 8 Buttermelcher Strasse, Munich, in the Empire of
Germany, Music Teacher, do hereby declare the nature of this invention to be as
follows:-
The object of this invention is a process and appliance by means of which a
stringed instrument can be rapidly and properly tuned not only by a skilled
musician, but also by amateurs, beginners, deaf and other persons devoid of a
musical ear.
The process essentially consists in placing a light ring of any suitable material
on a music string stretched on a sound-box or -body. On the string to be tuned
reaching the pitch of the string provided with the little ring, this latter string
participates in the vibrations of the sounding string, and the ring shows a lively
oscillating or turning movement, whereby it becomes visible that the string to be
tuned has reached the desired pitch.
The tuning appliance essentially consists of a longitudinal sound box over the
whole of which is stretched lengthwise a string suitably fixed at the ends. The
sound box is provided on top with a scale for music signs and numerals. Over this
scale runs a displaceable string stretcher of suitable construction for depressing the
string or determining the tone. By shifting this string stretcher on the respective
note or numeral, the string is given the desired tune.
This string is moreover provided with the little ring mentioned above.
When the tuning device is to be used, it is placed on the free part of the zither
or other stringed instrument; the string stretcher is shifted on the letter to which
the respective string is to be tuned and the latter is sounded while turning its key.
At the moment the string of the instrument has reached the proper pitch, the ring
of the tuning device is agitated, thereby shewing to the tuner that the string is now
properly tuned.
Doted this 18th day of June 1801
HUELSER & Co..
Agents for Applicant.
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION.
Process and Appliance for Tuning Stringed Instruments and for
Learning such Tuning.
I, MAX SCHLITTENBAUER of 8 Buttermelcher Strasse, Munich in the Empire
of Germany, Music Teacher, 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 :-
This invention relates to a process and appliance, by which a stringed instrument
can be rapidly and properly tuned not only by an experienced musician but also by
amateurs, beginners or even deaf or other persons having no musical ear to tune an
instrument without the application of the improved device.
Referring to the accompanying drawing,

page_text: string stretched on a sound-box or -body. When now the string which is to be
tuned has reached the pitch of the string provided with the little ring, this latter
string participates in the vibrations of the sounding string, and the ring shows a
lively oscillatory or turning movement, whereby it becomes easily perceptible, that
the string to be tuned has reached the desired pitch.
B is the sound box, on which a string A is stretched longitudinally over its
entire length, it being suitably fixed at both ends. At H, a scale for music signs or
numerals is provided, which as it is shewn in the drawing, is particularly adapted
for tuning zithers. Over said scale runs a displaceable string stretcher C. By
simply shifting the latter on the respective note or numeral, the string receives
precisely the value of tone indicated.
The tuning device when being used is placed on the free portion of the zither or
other stringed instrument. If now for instance the g-string is to be tuned the
stretcher is shifted on the sign g and the string to be tuned is sounded while
turning its key. At the moment the g-string of the instrument has reached the
proper pitch, the little ring E assumes a vivid movement, thereby indicating to the
tuner that now the string is properly tuned.
Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of this inven-
tion and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I
claim is:
1.) The process in tuning or learning to tune stringed instruments, of rendering
the proper pitch of tone discernible by placing over the auxiliary string indicating
the respective tone, a little ring, which assumes lively agitation as soon as the
string to be tuned has reached the tone of the auxiliary string, substantially as set
forth.
2.) For carrying out the process referred to in Claim 1, an instrument, consisting
of a sound-box or -body B with string A, which can be adjusted to the respective
tone by means of a string stretcher C displaceable on a scale and carries à little
ring E, which assumes lively movement as soon as the string to be tuned has
reached that pitch of tone substantially as illustrated and described.
Dated this 3rd day of March 1892.
MAX SCHLITTENBAUER,
By Huelser & Co.,
His Agents.
MAX SCHLITTENBAUER,
By Huelser & Co.,
His Agents.