Device in stringed musical instruments

Claim 1

Apparatus for producing and amplifying musical sound comprising the combination of a musical instrument having a plurality of strings which produce sound by vibration, an independent pressure responsive microphone connected to each of said strings, said microphones transmitting vibrations along a common leader to an amplifier, sound distributing means located in a position remote from said musical instrument, said sound distributing means having substantially similar tonal characteristics as the musical instrument and including a resonance box having wall structure defining an enclosed area of generally trapezoidal configuration, said resonance box having at least one opening, a wooden soundboard mounted within said box, said soundboard having a first pair of generally parallel edges and a second pair of edges disposed at an angle to each other and defining a trapezoid which engages portions of said wall structure, a first elongated strip mounted on said soundboard and having a longitudinal axis disposed generally centrally between the angularly disposed edges of said soundboard, at least two additional elongated strips mounted on said soundboard at opposite sides of said central strip and spaced therefrom, said additional strips having longitudinal axes disposed at an angle to the axis of said first strip, support means located within said resonance box, an electromagnetic coil mounted on said support means and coupled to said first elongated strip, said electromagnetic coil being operatively connected to said amplifier, whereby vibrations produced by said strings are amplified and reproduced at greater volume by said sound distributing means.