Stringed instrument vibrato tailpiece device and method

Abstract

Embodiments of the invention are directed to a vibrato tailpiece of a stringed instrument. The present invention provides a mechanism to lower the string plate, fulcrum plate, and vibrato apparatus beneath the base plate and thereby increase the downward pressure of the strings of the stringed instrument against the bridge.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A vibrato tailpiece for a stringed instrument having a bridge and a plurality of strings, wherein the vibrato tailpiece comprises a base plate, a fulcrum plate adjustably mounted beneath the base plate, and a string attachment plate pivotally connected at a distal end of the string attachment plate to the base plate so that at least a portion of the string attachment plate is underneath the fulcrum plate for pivoting about the fulcrum plate, the fulcrum plate being selective adjustable downwardly relative to the base plate to force the string attachment plate downward to a lower position the base plate including an opening and a plurality of slots, the opening being configured to receive at least a portion of the string attachment plate therein, the plurality of slots being connected to and extending from the opening, the plurality of slots being configured to receive the strings and enable the strings to move downwardly beneath the base plate. 
     
     
       2. The vibrato tailpiece of  claim 1 , wherein the string attachment plate comprises a string attachment portion for receiving one or more strings of the stringed instrument the strings and a lever arm portion having the distal end portion, the lever arm portion being biased against a spring to enable pivoting of the string attachment plate about the fulcrum plate. 
     
     
       3. The vibrato tailpiece of  claim 2 , wherein the string attachment portion extends generally perpendicularly from the lever arm portion and includes an access hole configured to receive a ball end of a string of the stringed instrument one of the strings and one or more string anchor apertures for receiving and holding one or more strings of the stringed instrument one of the strings. 
     
     
       4. The vibrato tailpiece of  claim 1  further comprising one or more plates that are mounted between the fulcrum plate and the base plate to force the fulcrum plate and string attachment plate downwardly relative to the base plate. 
     
     
       5. The vibrato tailpiece of  claim 1  further comprising a top wedge and an opposed bottom wedge, the top wedge being slidable relative to the bottom wedge such that as a deep end of the top wedge is moved over the bottom wedge, the fulcrum plate and the string attachment plate are moved downwardly relative to the base plate. 
     
     
       6. The vibrato tailpiece of  claim 2 , wherein the base plate includes one or more slots to receive the strings and being operably configured to enable the strings to move downwardly beneath the base plate. 
     
     
       7. The vibrato tailpiece of  claim 2  further comprising a vibrato arm mounted to the lever arm portion of the string attachment plate, the vibrato arm comprising a proximal end and a housing configured for rotatable mounting of the proximal end of the vibrato arm to the string attachment plate, the housing comprising a socket for receiving the proximal end of the vibrato arm, a threaded bore extending substantially parallel to the socket, a set screw received in athe threaded bore, a bore transverse to the threaded bore, and a bearing positioned in the bore, the set screw engaging a the bearing positioned in a bore transverse to the threaded bore, the base plate further including an aperture, the set screw selectively tightenable via the aperture to press the bearing against the vibrato arm to secure the vibrato arm. 
     
     
       8. The vibrato tailpiece of  claim 7  wherein the distal end proximal end of the vibrato arm further comprises a groove for receiving a portion of the bearing. 
     
     
       9. The vibrato tailpiece of  claim 7  wherein the set screw is accessible through an aperture formed in the base plate of the vibrato tailpiece. 
     
     
       10. A vibrato mechanism for a stringed instrument having one or more strings, a bridge, and a vibrato tailpiece comprising a base plate including an aperture, a fulcrum plate adjustably mounted beneath the base plate, and a string attachment plate pivotally connected at a distal end of the string attachment plate to the base plate so that at least a portion of the string attachment plate is underneath the fulcrum plate for pivoting about the fulcrum plate, the vibrato mechanism comprising a vibrato arm and an arm housing, the arm housing configured for rotatable mounting of a proximal end of the vibrato arm to the string attachment plate, the arm housing comprising a socket for receiving the proximal end of the vibrato arm, a threaded bore extending substantially parallel to the socket, a set screw received in a the threaded bore extending substantially parallel to the proximal end of the vibrato arm, a bore transverse to the threaded bore, and a bearing positioned in the bore, the set screw engaging a the bearing positioned in a bore transverse to the threaded bore, the set screw and being operably configured to be selectively tightenable through an the aperture in the base plate of the stringed instrument to press the bearing against the vibrato arm to secure the vibrato arm. 
     
     
       11. A method for selectively increasing downward pressure of one or more strings of a stringed instrument against a bridge of the stringed instrument, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
 attaching a vibrato tailpiece to a stringed instrument, the vibrato comprising a base plate, a fulcrum plate adjustably mounted beneath the base plate, and a string attachment plate pivotally connected at a distal end of the string attachment plate to the base plate so that at least a portion of the string attachment plate is underneath the fulcrum plate for pivoting about the fulcrum plate; and 
 lowering the string attachment plate relative to the base plate, wherein the base plate is formed with one or more slots to allow one or more strings of the stringed instrument to pass below the base plate to the string attachment plate that has been lowered beneath the plane of the slotted base platewherein the base plate includes an opening and a plurality of slots, the opening being configured to receive at least a portion of the string attachment plate therein, the plurality of slots being connected to and extending from the opening, the plurality of slots being configured to receive the strings and enable the strings to move downwardly beneath the base plate. 
 
     
     
       12. The method of  claim 11  wherein the base plate further includes a slot to access the string attachment plate and wherein the method further includes the steps of:
 installing a string of the one or more strings having a string ball at one end by threading the string ball through an access port of the string attachment plate from the side of the string attachment plate facing the bridge of the instrument via the opening; 
 moving the string laterally through a slot formed in the string attachment plate to an anchor aperture; and  
 anchoring the string to the string attachment plate. 
 
     
     
       13. The method of  claim 12  wherein the step of threading a string ball through an access port is done through a top surface of the stringed instrument with the string attachment plate being beneath the top surface. 
     
     
       14. A vibrato tailpiece for a stringed instrument having a bridge, wherein the vibrato tailpiece comprises:
 a base plate;   a fulcrum plate mounted beneath the base plate; and   a string attachment plate connected to the base plate so that at least a portion of the string attachment plate is underneath the fulcrum plate for pivoting about the fulcrum plate,   the string attachment plate comprising a string attachment portion for receiving one or more strings of the string instrument and configured such that at least a portion of the one or more strings can be lowered below the base plate when the vibrato tailpiece is attached to the stringed instrument,   wherein the base plate includes an opening and a plurality of slots, the opening being configured to receive at least a portion of the string attachment plate therein, the plurality of slots being connected to and extending from the opening, the plurality of slots being configured to receive the strings and enable the at least a portion of the one or more strings to move downwardly beneath the base plate.   
     
     
       15. The vibrato tailpiece of  claim 14 , wherein the fulcrum plate is adjustable downwardly relative to the base plate to force the string attachment plate downward to a lower position. 
     
     
       16. A method for selectively increasing downward pressure of one or more strings of a stringed instrument against a bridge of the stringed instrument, wherein the method comprises the steps of:
 attaching the vibrato tailpiece of claim 14 to a stringed instrument; and   lowering the string attachment plate relative to the base plate such that at least a portion of the one or more strings extends below the base plate.   
     
     
       17. The method of  claim 16 , wherein the method further includes the steps of:
 installing a string of the one or more strings having a string ball at one end by threading the string ball through an access port of the string attachment plate from the side of the string attachment plate facing the bridge of the instrument;   moving the string through a slot formed in the string attachment plate to an anchor aperture; and   anchoring the string to the string attachment plate.