CA2132331A1

CA2132331A1 - Piezoelectric transducer saddle for stringed musical instruments

Info

Publication number: CA2132331A1
Application number: CA002132331A
Authority: CA
Inventors: Donald Dean Markley; Kenneth T. Aaroe
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1992-03-20
Filing date: 1993-03-19
Publication date: 1993-09-30
Also published as: ATE211290T1; US5322969A; DE69331398D1; JPH07507156A; AR247455A1; EP0786130B1; EP0786130A4; EP0786130A1; WO1993019456A1

Abstract

The piezoelectric transducer saddle (11) of the present invention is a thin, generally rectangular member that is designed to fit into a bridge slot (13) of a musical instrument such as a guitar (14). The piezoelectric element is oriented vertically in the saddle and constitutes a structural member of the saddle. A first embodiment of the saddle (11) comprises a piezoelectric element (22) that forms the saddle itself. Electrical contacts (42, 44) are engaged to the side of the piezoelectric element to produce electrical output. A preferred embodiment of the saddle (110) is a laminated structure wherein the laminated layers (118) are disposed vertically, and a vertical layer (122) composed of a piezoelectric material is generally centrally disposed within the laminated structure. A metallic electrical contact (120, 130) is engaged on each side of the piezoelectric material to receive electrical signals generated by the piezoelectric material.

Description

`-` 2I32331 PCTlUSq3 /02455 8p-ol~io~tion 4 "Pl-~o~ 4trlo $r~n~uo-r~ B~ For Str~ng-~ ~u~ al I~tru~ t~"

8 Flold of t~ ~t~
9 The present invention relat~ g~nerally to electrical devi~es for generating ~usical t~n~s in stringed 11 instruments, and more parti~ularly to saddle6 and ~ridges 12 having piezoelectric transducer~ engaged therein or 13 thereto.
14 ~
Bri~f D~cri~tio~ of th~ P~io~
16 Stringed musical instru~ent saddles having 17 piezoelectric transducers engaged thereto or disposed 18 therewithin have been known for ~any years. Signi~icant 19 prior art includes the following p~tent~.
U.S. Patent 4,314!495 is~ued to L.R. Baqas, teaches 21 a saddle having a piezoelectric tr~nsducer asse~bly 22 di~posed therewithin. The transducer as embly includes 23 both horizontally di~po~ed and vertically disposed 24 piezoelectric elements, however the piezoelectric elements do not comprise a ~ignificant structural portion of the 26 addle, as i di~closed ~n the pres~nt invention.
27 U~S. Pat~nt 4t 56,~$4 issue.d to L.R. Fishman, teaches 28 a vibration tran~ducer for a ~tringed instrument that has 29 a piezoceramic wafer la~inated to a brass plate (col. 4, 3~ 1. 43).
31 S~ Patent 4,378,721 i~U~d ~ K. XanekQ et al., teaches 32 a pickup for a string instrument that has a transverse 33 piezo elem~nt of ceramic powder mixed with a synthetic 34 resin. U.S. Patent 4 580~4~0 issued to W.H. Turner, teaches a simple piezo pickup for an acoustic guitar, 36 comprising a piezo transducer 17 (col. 3, 1. 35) inserted 37 beneath the saddle. U.S. Patent 4~4~1.QSl issued to L.M.
38 Baucus, teaches four piezoelectric crystals, of 39 alternating polarity that are enclosed in the lower part D S~IFET

213 2 3 3 I rCT/US93/0245~

_z_ 1 of a saddle ~tructure between an upper ground conductor 2 and a lower conductor which rests on an insulating sheet.

3 An outer foil wrapping provides shielding tcol. 14, 1. 48) 4 and is insulated from the conductors by an insulator sheet (col. 14, 1. 39). U.S. Patent 4.6S7.114 issued to T.P.
6 ~haw, teaches a bridge pickup includes an array of piezo 7 elements in a holder, encapsulated in a cast polymer 8 member. U.S. Patent 4.774.867 and U.S. Patent 4,727,634 9 ~ssued to ~.~. Fishman, teaches small disk-shaped piezo crystals that are located between a resilient,-conductive 11 top layer and a ground plane. ~he top layer contacts the 12 copper cladding of a circuit board. The assembly is 13 inserted into a conventiona} saddle (col. 3, 1. 9). U.S.
14 patent 4.030.3~6 issued to R.E. Mariner, teaches a piezo crystal that is embedded in resilient resin adjacent a 16 mass (fig. 4).

1~ 8UMNARY OF ~HE INVENTION
19 It is an object of the piezoelectric transducer saddle of the present invention to provide enhanced sound 21 pickup from vibrating musical strings.
22 It is another object of the present invention to 23 provide a saddle which includes an electrical ground for 24 metallic strings. It is a further object of the present ~nvention to provide a saddle which includes a 26 pièzoelectric transducer that is disposed proximate the 27 contact point of the guitar string with the saddle, 28 whereby substantially unattenuated string vibrations are 29 transmitted to the piezoelectric material to create strong electrical signals.
31 It is yet another object of the present invention to 3~ prov~de a saddle which includes a piezoelectric element as ~3 a structural member of the saddle, such that string 34 vibrations must pass through the element to the body of the musical instrument. It is yet another object of the 36 present invention to provide a saddle having a 37 piezoelectric element which is disposed in a perpendicular 38 relationship relative to the strings of the instrument.

2132~31 '3/1~45fi rcrlusg3/o245~

1 It is still another object of the present invention 2 to provide a saddle having a piezoelectric transducer 3 disposed therewithin which compri~es a laminated structure 4 wherein preferred sound transmitting materials are utilized to transmit sound vibrations from the saddle to 6 the bridge.
7 I~ is ~till a further object of the present invention 8 to provide an improved saddle which is easily retrofit 9 into existing bridge saddle slots, whereby alteration of 10 - existing saddle slots is not required.
11 The piezoelectric transducer saddle of the present 12 invention is a thin, generally rectangular member that is 13 designed to fit into the rbridge slot of a musical 14 instrument such as a guitarO The piezoelectric element is oriented vertically in the saddle ~nd constitutes a 16 structural member of the saddle. A first embodiment of 17 the saddle comprlses a piezoelectric element that forms 18 the saddle itself. Electrical contacts are engaged to the 19 sides of the piezoelectric element to produce electrical output. A pr~ferred embodiment of the saddle is a 21 laminated 6tructure where t n the laminated layers are 22 disposed vertically, and a ~ertical layer composed of a 23 piezoelectric material is generally centrally disposed 24 within the laminated ~tructure. A metallic electrical contact is engaged on each side of the piezoelectric 26 material to receive electrical signals generated by the 27 piezoelectric material. In one embodiment, one of the 28 electrical contacts comprises a ~etallic layer which rises 29 to the upper ~urface of the saddle to make contact with the strings of the musical in~trument, in order to provide 31 a ground for the metallic musical strings of the 32 instrument. ~urther embodiments of the present invention 33 utilize mul~iple piezoelectric elements and shaped 34 piezoelectric elements to produce enhanced performance.
It is an advantage of the riezoelectric transducer 36 saddle of the present invention that it provides enhanced 37 sound pickup from vibrating musical strings.
38 It is another advantage o~ the present invention that 39 it provides a saddle which includes an electrical ground ~13~331 ~93/l94~ rCT/USg3/~245 1 for metallic strings.
2 It is a further advantaqe of the present invention 3 that it provide6 a 6addle which includes a piezoelectric 4 transducer that is disposed proximate the contact point of S the guitar string with the saddle, whereby substantially 6 unattenuated string vibrations are trans~itted to the 7 p~ezoelectric material to create ~trong alectrical 8 signals.
9 It i8 yet another advantage of the present invention that it provides a saddle which includes a piezoelectric 11 element as a structural member of the saddle, such that 12 string vibrations must pass through the element to the 13 body of the musical instrum~ent.
14 It is yet another advantage of the present invention that it provides a saddle having a piezoelectric element 16 which ls disposed in a perpendicular relationship relative 17 to the strings of the instrument.
18 It is still another advantage of the present 19 invention that it provides a saddle having.a piezoelectric transducer disposed therewithin which comprises a 21 laminated structure wherein preferred sound transmitting 22 materials are utilized to transmit sound vibrations from 23 the saddle to the bridge.
24 It is still a further advantage of the present invention that it provides an improved saddle which is 26 easily retrofit into existing bridge saddle slots, whereby 27 alteration of existing saddle slots is not required.
28 These and other objects, features and advantages of 29 the present invention will become apparent to those skilled in the art after having read the following 31 detailed description of the preferred embodiments which 32 are illustrated in the several figures of the drawing.

Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a guitar which 36 includes a piezoelectric transducer saddle of the present 37 invention;
38 Fig. 2 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of 39 the piezoelectric transducer saddle of the present 21 32331 ~

93/194~fi PCT/US93/0245~

-5- .
1 invention;
2 Fig. 3 is a ~ide cross-sectional view of the saddle 3 depicted ~n Fig. 2, taken along lines 3~3 of Fig. 2;
4 Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a second embodiment of the present invention;

6 Fig. 5 is an assembly drawing of the embodiment 7 depicted in Fig. 4;

8 Fig. 6 is a side cross-~ectional view. of the 9 embodiment depicted in Fiys. 4 and 5, taken along lines 6-6 of Fig. 4 11 Fig. 7 is a perspective view of a preferred 12 embodiment of the piezoelectric transducer saddle of the 13 present invention; r 14 Fig. 8 is an ~ssembly drawing of the embodiment15 depicted in Fig. 7;
16 Fig. 9 is a side cross-sectional view of the 17 embodiment depicted in Figs. 7 and 8, taken along lines 9-18 9 of Fig. 7;
19 . Fig. 10 is a perspective view of ano~her em~odiment of the present invention;
21 Fig. 11 is an assembly drawing of the embodiment 22 depicted in Fig. 10;
23 Fig. 12 is a perspective view of a further em~odiment ~4 of the present invention;
Fig. 13 is an assembly drawing of the embodiment 26 depicted in Fig. 12;
27 Fig. 14 depicts yet another embodiment of the present 28 invention;
29 Fig. 15 is an assembly drawing of the device depicted in Fig. 14;
31 Fig. 16 depicts yet another embodiment of the present 32 i~vention;
33 Fig. 17 is an assembly drawing of tAe device depicted 34 in Fig. 16;
Fig. 18 a perspective view ~epicting yet a further 36 embodiment of the present invention;
37 Fig. 1~ is a front elevational view of the device 38 depicted in Fig. 18;

`~93/194~6 2 1 3 2 3 3 1 PCT/US93,0245~
-6- ::
1 Fig. 20 is a ~ide elevational view of the device 2 depicted in Fig~. 18 and 19; :
3 Fig. 21 a per~pective view depicting yet a further 4 embodiment of the present invention; :
Fig. 22 is a front elevational view of the device 6 depicted in Fig. 21; ::
7 F~g. 23 is a side elevational view of the device 8 depicted in Figs. 21 and 22; and 9 Fig. 24 is a ~ide elevational view of an alternative embodiment of the device depicted in Fig. 23.
11 .
12 DETAILED DE8CRIPTION OF T~E PREFERRE~ EMBODIMENT8 13 As depicted in ~ig. 1! a piezoelectric transducer 14 saddle 11 is designed to be inserted into a saddle slot 13 formed in the bridge 12 of a guitar or similar musical 16 instrument 14. As is typical in the configuration of a 17 ~uitar, the strings 16 of the guitar are strung across the 18 top edge of the saddle ~1, and as is well Xnown in the 19 art, the musical vibrations of the strings ~re transmitted 20 through the saddle 11 to the bridge 12 and thereafter to ~--21 the body of the guitar 14. As is also well known in the 22 prior art, the placement of piezoelectric transducers 23 w~thin the saddle permits the generation of electrical 24 signals from the transducers that are related to the sound vibrations pas~lng through the saddle. ~he pickup and 26 amplification of the electrical signals is then 27 accomplished to produce electronically amplified music.
28 A first embodiment lO of the saddle of the present 29 invention is depicted in Figs~ 2 and 3, wherein Fig. 2 is a per~pective view cf the saddle 10 and Fig. 3 is a ~side 31 cro~s-sectional view taken along lines 3-3 of Fig. 2. As 32 depicted in Figs. 2 and 3, the saddle 10 comprises a 33 single, unitary piece of piezoelectxic material 22 that is 34 fairly thin and generally rectangular in shape, with a 35 frontward face 24 and a rearward face 26. The --36 piezoelectric material is designed to be oriented 37 vertically in the bridge slot 13, ~uch that the electrical 38 ~ignals generated by the piezoelectric material emanate 39 from the front surface 24 and the rearward surface 26 upon 93~1945fi rcrluss3/024s~

1 the mechanical deformation of the piezoelectric material 2 22. Two electrical connection wires 42 and 44 are engaged 3 to the ~addle 10, such as by soldering 47 to receive 4 electrical signals from the frontward surface 24 and S rearward surface 26 respectively. To facilitate good 6 electrical interconnection between the piezoelectric 7 material 22 and the electrical connections 42 and 44, an 8 electrically conductive outer layer 50 and ~2 is adhered 9 to the surfaces 24 and 26 respectively. It is preferred that the layers 50 and 52 be composed of a good 11 electrically conductive material such as silver or nickel.
12 P~ezoelectric material having a silver or nickel o~ter 13 layer is commercially available from many sources; a 14 preferred piezoelectric material is ceramic lead zirconate titanate, although other piezoelectric materials such as 16 ceramic lead titanate, powdered piezoelectric ceramic 17 materials in a rubberized base, as described in U.S.
18 Patent 4,378,7~1, and polyvinylidene difluoride may also 19 be utilized. To facilitate the installation of the saddle 10 into existing bridge slots 13, the length of the 21 saddle 10 may be adjusted, su~h as by grinding or filing 22 to fit existing slots. The height of the saddle 10 is 23 likewise modified into a preferred arc shape by filing or 24 grinding. Thereafter, the top surface 70 is rounded (as æhown in phantom) in Fig. 3 to provide an appropriate 26 contact point for a guitar string 16 also shown in phantom 27 in Fig. 3.
28 To prevent hum and other sound distortion effects, 29 the conductive layers 50 and 52 would normally not co~tact any electrically conductive musical strings or other 31 outside conductive elements that might act as an antenna 32 or otherwise introduce extraneous input. To protect the 33 saddle 10 from such extraneous sources, the conductive 34 layers 50 and 52 are cut away from the upper surface 70 of the piezoelectric material 22. Additiona ly, a protective 36 nonconducti~e coating 72, shown in phantom in Fig. 3, may 37 be formed around the saddle 10, such as by dipping into 38 liquid plastic ~ath following the engagement of the 39 connective wires 42 and 44 to the layers 50 and 52 of the ` 2132331 :~
'''~93/19456 ~CT/US93~024 1 device 10. As is well known, the electrically conductive 2 guitar strings may be grounded to prevent extraneous 3 electrical signals from influencing the signals from the 4 saddle 10. Such electrical grounding is easily accomplished at the rearward ~ridge pins 71 which tie down 6 the ~trings 16. Alternatively, the coating 52 may extend 7 upwardly to make electrical contact with the electrically 8 ~onductive strings if the connection wire 44 is connected 9 to the grounded input of an amplifier; such a grounding 1~ arrangement is discussed in detail hereinbelow. It is 11 also possible to utilize an electrical shield plate that 12 is engaged in front of the nonconductive coating 72, and 13 to electrically connect the shield plate to the connection 14 44 to shield the hot connection 42. Such a shield plate is discussed in detail hereinbelow.
16 It is therefore to be understood that the saddle 17 embodiment 10 comprises a single, vertically oriented 18 piezoelectric material element that is hasically the 19 entire structural entity that is the saddle of the guitar.
All sound vibrations generated by the strings 16 of the 21 musical ~nstrument must pa~s throu~h the piezoelectric 22 material 22, whereby the saddle 10 provides a strong 23 electrical output representative of the string vibrations.

The structure of a second embodiment of the saddle 26 110 is best understood from a consideration of Figs. 4, 5 27 and 6, wherein Fig. 4 is a perspective view of the saddle 28 110 Fig. 5 is an assembly drawing, and Fig. 6 is a side 29 cross-sectional view of the saddle 110 taken along lines 6-6 of Fig~ 4 engaged within a bridge slot 13 o a bridge 31 12. As depicte~ in Fig. 4, the saddle 110 is a flat, 32 thin, generally rectangular member that is formed fro~ a 33 plurality of laminated layers 118. Each of the layers 118 34 has a thin, generally rectangular structure, and the layers 118 are laminated together ~long their flat 36 rectangular ~urfaces.
37 A detailed depiction of the laminated structure of 38 the saddle 110 is provided in Fig. 5 and in Fig. 6. The 39 laminated structure of the saddle 110 includes a first ~93/19456 21 3 Z 3 31 rcT/ US93/0245~
_g_ 1 layer 120 that is composed of a conductive material, such 2 as a metal. In thi~ embodiment 110, the layer 120 is 3 pr~ferably composed of ~rass, because it i5 an 4 electrically conductive material that is easy to work with and solder to, although other materials such as nickel, 6 copper and 6tainle~s ~teel can be utilized.
7 A second siqnif icant layer 122 of the saddle 110 is 8 composed of a piezoelectric material. In the embodiment 9 110, the piezoelectric material is ceramic lead zirconate titanate, however other ~uitable piezoelectric materials, 11 ~uch as ceramic lead t~tanate, powdered piezoelectric 12 ceramic materials in a rubberized base, as described in 13 U.S. Patent 4,378,721, and polyvinylidene difluoride may 14 be utilized. The piezoelectric layer 122 is formed with a forward flat surface 124, disposed proximate the first 16 layer 120, and a rearward flat surface 126. The 17 piezoelectric material comprising the layer 122 is 18 d~sposed with regard to its electrical properties such 19 that the frontward surface 124 and the rearward s~rface 126 are capable of generating an electrical current when 21 the piezoelectric material is deformed. A third 22 significant layer 130 in the laminated structure of the 23 ~addle 110 is disposed immediately behind the 24 piezoelectric material layer 122. The layer 130 is composed of an electrically conductive material andJ in 26 this embodiment 110, is preferably composed of brass, 27 although stainless steel, copper or nickel may also be 28 utilized.
2~ A fourth ~ignificant layer 13~ of the saddle 110 is disposed rearwardly of the third layer 130. In this -31 embodiment 110, the fourth layer 136 is preferably 32 composed of a standard saddle composition ~aterial, such 33 as mycarta, corian, graphite, ivory or a suitable plastic.
34 While the fourth layer 136 might be composed of any type 3~ of rigid material, musical artists ap~arer.tly prefer 36 particular types of materials, ~uch as mycarta, to 37 transmit the string vibrations from the saddle 110 to the 38 ~ridge 12 to produce a certain fullness or other desired 39 properties to the sound of the instrument. Additionally, ~-~93/1945~ PCT/US93/n24 1 it is preferable that the fourth layer 136 be composed of 2 a material that may be easily worked, ~uch as by filing or 3 grinding, such that the overall thickness of the saddle 4 110 may be mecha~ically altered to fit into the varying bridge slot~ of various musical instruments that may vary 6 ~n width.
7 To accomplish the electrical connection of the saddle 8 110 to an amplifier (not shown) a fir~t electrical 9 connection wire 142 is engaged to the pin 143 of the electrically conductive layer 120, and a second electrical 11 connection w~re 144 ~s engaged to the pin 145 of the 12 electrically conductive layer 130.

13 It is to be understood that the proper functioning of 14 the saddle 110 requires a good electrical interconnection between the piezoelectric material in layer 122 and the 16 electrically conductive layers 120 and 130 respectively.
17 To provide a good electrical interconnection, the 18 frontward surface 124 of the piezoelectric material 122 is 19 coated w~th an electrically conductive- coating 150, preferably composed of silver or nickel. Likewise, the 21 rearward surface 126 of the piezoelectric material 122 22 al~o has a coating 152 that is composed of a good 23 electrical conductor such as silver or nickel. To achieve 24 a good electrical connection between the layers 120 and 122, a bonding layer 160 is utilized which is composed of 26 an electri~ally conductive adhesive. The adhesive layer 27 160 i~ disposed between the frontward silver coating 150 28 and the first layer 120.
29 Such electrically conductive adhesives comprise an adhesive material that includes a significant quantity of 31 electrically conductive particles, whereby electrically 32 conductiv~ pathways are formed through the adhesive. A
~3 preferred adhesive is a cyano-acrylate glue such as that 34 identified by the trademark 37 CA 40, and it is introduced between the layers 120 and 122 following the insertion of 36 electrically conductive particles between the layers 120 37 a~d 122.
38 To accomplish an electrical connection between the 39 piezoelectric material 122 and the layer 130, an ~;~93/19456 213 2 3 31 rCT/US93/0245~

l electrically conductive adhesive layer 162 (composed of 2 the same electrically conductive adhesive material as 3 layer 160) is disposed between the rearward ~ilver coating 4 152 and the third layer 130. An adhesive layer 168 is also disposed between the third layer 130 and the fourth 6 layer 136 to bond those layers 130 and 136 together in the 7 laminated ~tructure of the ~addle 110~ The adhesive layer 8 168 need not be electrically conductive as the layer 136 9 i~ not electrically conductive.
The saddle 110 is designed for simple installation ll into exi~ting bridge slots. As such slots vary in width, 12 the layer 136 of mycarta may be narrowed, such as by 13 filing, to facilitate its installation into the bridge 14 slot 13. Existing bridge slots also vary in length, and the saddle 1~0 is designed such that its length may be 16 altered, such as by grinding or filing, to easily fit into 17 the existing bridge slots. Likewise, the top surface of 18 the saddle 110 is designed to be modified to match 19 existing guitars. Specifically, the top surface is filed or ground to produce a particular height and arc across 21 the length of the ~addle 110. Thereafter, the top surface 22 ~f the saddle 110 mu~t be rounded 170 such that an 23 appropriate contact is made with the guitar string 16.
24 It i~ therefore to be appreciated that tha musical ~ibrations of the ~tring 16 are transmitted to the 26 piezoelectric material layer 122 through the physical 27 contact of the string 16 with the rounded upper surface 2~ 170 o the saddle 110. The mechanical vibrations of the 29 piezoelectric material 122 then create electrical currents within the piezoelectric material 122 which pass through 31 the electrically conductive layers 150, 160 and 152, 162 32 to the first and third electrically conductive layers 120 33 and 130 respectively. The electrical outputs of the 34 piezoelectric material 122 are then fed through the connection wires 142 and 144 to an electronic am~lifier 36 (not shown) for amplification and audible broadcast.
37 Where the musical string 16 is composed of an 38 electrically conductive material, such as steel, 39 extraneous signal pickup or a humming sound may be ~l~93/1945~ 213 2 3 31 rCr/US93/0245~

1 created. To minimize this effect, the curved upper 2 surface 170 of the saddle 110 is shaped such that the 3 electrically conductive strings 16 make physical contact 4 with the electrically conductive third layer 130.
Additionally, the electrical connection 144 from the layer 6 130 is connected to the ground connection.of the amplifier 7 hookup, and the electrical connectlon 142 from the first 8 layer 120 i8 then the live or hot connection.
9 It is to be understood that the piezoelectric material layer 122 comprises a significant structural 11 e~ement of the saddle 110, whereby practically all of the 12 musical ~tring vibrations that cause mechanical distortion i3 of the saddle- 110 will pass through the piezoelectric 14 material layer 122. Thus, the vertical orientation of the piezoelectric layer 122 within the saddle 110 provides for 16 a significant enhancement in signal strength. A preferred 17 saddle embodiment 210 is depicted in Figs. 7, 8 and 9, 18 wherein Fig. 7 is a perspective view, Fig. 8 is an 19 a~sembly drawing and Fig. 9 is a &ide crosa-~ectional view taken along lines 9-9 of Fig. 7. The preferred embodiment 21 210 differs from the second embodiment 110 in the ~.
22 structural and electrical makeup of the first layer 120.
23 Thus, identical elements of the embodiment 2io with the 24 embodiment 110 are numbered identically in Figs. 7, 8 and 9.
26 A~ depicted in Figs. 7, 8 and 9, the piezoelectric 27 transducer ~addle 210 is a laminated structure that 28 includes a first layer 220 having a frontward surface 221 29 and a rearward surface 223. A portion of the rearward ~urf.ace 223 is cut away to form an electrical contact 31 cavity 225. An electrical contact 228 is engaged within 32 the cavity 225. The contac~ 228 is formed with a 33 generally flat rearward surface 229 for making a good 34 electrical connection with the electrically conductive adhesive layer 160, such that electrical signals fro~ the 36 piezoelectric material in layer 122 will be conducted 37 through the coating 150 to the contact 228. A slot 232 is 38 formed through the base of the layer 220 to permit an 39 electrical connection pin 143 to pass downwardly for ~ ~93/19456 2 1 3 2 3 3 1 PCT/US93/0245~

1 electrical connection.
2 In the preferred embodiment, the contact 228 is 3 formed from an electrically conductive metal such as 4 brass, and the first layer 220 is formed from a material S such as mycarta, corian, graphite, ivory or a suitable 6 plastic. Generally, the material which composes the 7 fourt~ layer 136 is also utilized to form the first layer 8 220 in order to provide a quality of sound vibration 9 conduction ~rom the saddle material to the bridge material which is most pleasing to musicians.
11 It is therefore generally to be understood that the 12 preferred embodiment 210 differs from the first embodiment 13 110 in the construction and composition of the first layer 14 220 and electrical contact 228 of the device. While both embodiments produce excellent sound pickup from the 16 vibrating strings, the inventor believes that the 17 embodiment 210 will be preferred by some musicians due to 18 the fact that the sound transmission contact between the 19 saddle material and the bridge material.is through the mycarta (or similar material) to the bridge (generally 21 formed of wood). The second embodiment 110 provides for 22 a frontward contact between the metallic first layer 120 23 and the bridge material and a rearward contact between the 24 fourth layer (composed of mycarta or a similar material) and the wood of the bridge~ It i~ believed that such an 26 arrangement 110 may produce a slightly harsher tonal 27 quality which may or may not be preferred by some 28 musicians.
29 As with the embodiments 10 and llo, the piezoelectric material layer 122 of embodiment 210 comprises a 31 significant structural element of the saddle 210, whereby 32 practically all of the musical string vibrations that 33 cause mechanical distortion of the saddle 210 will pass 34 through the piezoelectric material layer 122. Thus, the vertical orientation of the piezoelectric layer 122 wit~in 36 the saddle 210 provides for a significant enhancement in 37 ~ignal strength.
38 Figs. 10 and 11 depict another alternative embodiment 39 310 of the present invention, wherein Fig. 10 is a ~ 2132331 ' - ~93/l945fi ~CT/US93/0245 1 perspective view and Fig. 11 is an assembly drawing. As 2 will be understood by a comparison of the embodiment 210 3 dep~cted in Figs. 7, 8 and 9 with tbe embodiment 310 4 depicted in Figs. 10 and 11, the significant difference between the two embodiments is the configuration of the 6 piezoelectric material. Specifically, whereas the 7 piezoelectric material 122 of the preferred embodiment 210 8 is formed as a single piece, the piezoelectric material 9 322 of the embodiment 310 is formed from two pieces 324 and 326. Furthermore, as is depicted, in Fig. 11, the, 11 polarity of one of the pieces 324 or 326 is reversed 12 relative to the polarity of the other piece 326 or 324, i3 respectively~ It is to be noted that the two pieces 324 14 and 326 are electrically co~nected to the single electrical contact 228 on the front side and the single 16 electrical contact 130 on the back side. The effect of 17 this piezoelectric material arrangement is to provide two 18 out of phase signals where both pieces 324 and 326 receive 19 the same vibrational signal, such as will occur from extxaneous sound input, ~uch as tapping upon the body of 21 the musical instrument.
22 As with the prior embodiments 10, 110 and 210, the 23 piezoelectric material layer 322 comprises a significant 24 structural element of the saddle 310, whereby practically all of the musical string vibrations that cause mechanical 26 distortion of the saddle 310 will pass through the 27 piezoelectric material layer 322. Thus, the vertical 28 orientation of the piezoelectric layer 322 withîn the 29 saddle 310 provides for a significant enhancement in signal strength.

31 A further alternative embodiment of the present 32 invention 410 is depicted in Figs. 12 and 13, wherein Fig.
33 12 is a perspective view and Fig. 13 is an assembly 34 drawing. A comparison of the embodiment 310 depicted in Figs. 10 and 11 with the embodiment 410 depicted in ~lgs.
36 12 and 13 reveal that the significant difference between 37 the two embodiments 310 and 410 is the formation of a 38 centrally disposed vertical groove 412 formed downwardly 39 through portions of the saddle 410. As can be seen in 93/19~56 2 1 3 2 3 3 1 PcTlus93l0~45 1 Fig. 12, is aligned with the gap between the two pieces of 2 piezoelectric material 324 and 326.
3 As can be ~een from Fi~. 13, the first layer 420 of 4 the embodiment 410 is ~ormed with a centrally disposed, vertically oriented notch 440 ~hich projects downwardly 6 from the upper surface 442 of the layer 420. The depth of 7 the notch 440 is such that it does not project through the 8 cut out ~pac~ 225 formed for holding the fro~tward 9 electrical contact 228. A notch 450 is formed downwardly from the upper edge 452 of the rearward electrical contact 11 layer 430. The notch 450 is formed in ali~nment with the ~2 notch 440 of the first layer 420. A notch 460 is formed 13 downwardly from the upper edge 462 of the fourth layer 436 14 in alignment with the notches 4S0 and 440 of the layers 430 and 420 respectively. The effect of the notch 412 16 formed through the layers 420, 430 and 436 is to enhance 17 the differential ~ibrational and electrical effects that 18 are generated by the two pieces of piezoelectric material 19 324 and 326, such that enhanced sound chara~teristics are produced.
21 As wi~h the prior embodiments, the piezoelectric 22 material layer 322 of embodiment 410 comprises a 23 significant structural element of the saddle 410, whereby 24 practically all of the musical string vibrations that cause mechanical distortion of the saddle 4lQ will pass 26 through the piezoelec$ric material layer 322. Thus, the 27 vertical orientation of the piezoelectric layer 322 within 23 the ~addle 410 provides for a significant enhancement in 29 signal ~trength.
Yet another ~mbodiment 510 of the present invention 31 is depicted in Figs. 14 and ~5, wherein Fig. 14 is a 32 perspective view and Fig. 15 is an assembly drawing. The 33 embodiment 510 possesses two significant differences from 34 the embodiment 410 discussed hereinabove. Firstly, as is best seen in Fig. 14, the embodiment 510 is formed wi';h 36 five vertically oriented notches 512. ~ach of these 37 notches is similar to notch 412 formed in the alternative 38 embodiment 410. Thus, each of the layers 520, 530 and 536 39 is formed with a series of aligned vertically disposed ~093/194~fi Pcr/US93/0245 1 notches 540, S50 and 560 respectively.
2 The other significant difference between the further 3 embodiment 510 and the embodiment 410 is that the 4 piezoelectric material 522 is formed from a single piece, yet it includes five vertically disposed notches 570 which 6 are formed in alignment with the notches 540, 550 and 560 7 previously discussed. Thus, as is seen in Fig. 14, the 8 ~addle 510 e~sentially comprises six vertically oriented 9 string support portions 580. Each of the ~tring support portions 580 is capable of a degree of independent 11 vibrational activity as it is activated by a musical 12 string that is disposed thereon. However, owing to the 13 unitary nature of the piezoelectric material layer 522, 14 all of the vibrations, and electrical signals generated thereby, are transmitted to the two electrical contact 16 layers 228 and S30, whereby a combined electrical output 17 i8 generated at the pins 143 and 145. An advantage of the 18 separate ~tring support portions 580 is that they may be 19 varied in their width and height (as controlled by the placement and depth of the notches 512), such that the 21 strength of the string vibration signals generated from 22- the different portions 580 may be varied, to pr~duce an 23 effect called voicing. This voicing of the saddle can be 24 particularly useful where a musical instrument has one or 2~ more strings that are particularly soft or loud, to effect 26 the electrical output signal related to the particular 27 support portion 580 that interfaces with the particular 28 string 16.
29 As with the prior embodiments, the piezoelectric material layer 522 comprises a significant structural 31 element of the.saddle 510, whereby practically all of the 32 musical string vibrations that cause mechanical dlstortion 33 of the saddle 510 will pass through the piezoelectric 34 material layer 522. Thus, the vertical orientation of the piezoelectric layer 522 within the saddle S10 provides for 36 a significant enhancement in signal strength.
37 Figs. 16 and 17 depict yet another embodiment of the 38 saddle 610 of the present invention, wherein Fig. 16 is a 39 perspective view and Fig. 17 is an assembly drawing. As ` 32331 ' ~93/19456 ~CT/US93/024 1 depicted in Figs. 16 and 17, the embodiment 610 is similar 2 in many respects to the embodiment 510 discussed 3 hereinabove; the significant differences being the 4 configuration of the piezoelectric material laye~ 622 and the lengthening of the ends 627 and 629 of the frontward 6 electrical contact 628. Specifically, the piezoelectr~c 7 material layer 622 comprises ~ix separate, flat, 8 vertically oriented pieces of piezoelectric material 623.
9 The polarity of alternating pieces 623 is reversed, whereby sound vibrations that are common to all six pieces 11 623 will be effectively minimized by the alternating in 12 phase and out of phase pickup of the common vibrations.
13 The independent vibrations of the upwardly projecting 14 portions 680 will be~transformed into electrical signals that are transmitted to the ele~trical contacts 628 and 16 530. The ends 627 and 629 of the forward electrical 17 contact 628 are sufficiently elongated to assure a 18 ele~trical contact with the two outwardly disposed 19 piezoelectric pieces 623 which are a part of the piezoelectric layer 622. As with the previously discussed 21 ~addle embodiments, the dimensions of the saddle 610 may 22 be adjusted in length, thickness and height to accommodate 23 particular musical instrument saddle slots.
24 As with the prior embodiments, the plezoelectric material layer 622 comprises a significant structural 2S element of the saddle 610, whereby practically all of the 27 musical string ~ibrations that cause mechanical distortion 28 of the saddle 61Q will pass through th~ piezoelèctric 29 material layer 622. Thus, the vertical orientation of the piezoelectric layer 622 within the saddle 610 provides for 31 a ~ignificant enhancement in signal strength.
32 Yet a further embodiment 710 of the present invention 33 is depicted in Figs. 18, 19 and 20, wherein Fig. 18 is a 34 perspective view, Fig. 19 is a front elevational view and Fig. 20 is a side elevational view. As is seen in Figs.
36 18, 19 and 20, the saddle 710 includes a generally 37 rectangular receptacle 712 having a U-shaped 510t 713 38 formed within its thickness, such that the height of the 39 U-shaped slot 713 is a substantial portion of the height 21 3~3I
~J~ s3/ls4~, rCT/US93/024 1 of the receptacle 712. The receptacle may be thought of 2 a~ having a base portion 714 and two upwardly projecting 3 leg portion~ 720 and 736. The preferred material which 4 comprises the receptacle 712 is mycarta or other similar materials discussed hereinabove, and the upwardly 6 projecting legs 720 and 736 may be thought of as generally 7 corresponding to the f~rst and fourth mycarta layers, such 8 as layers 520 and 536 previously discussed. Disposed 9 within the U-shaped. slot 713 of the receptacle 712 are a - 10 frontward, generally rectangularly shaped electrical 11 contact 728, a generally rectangularly shaped 12 piezoelectric material layer 722 and a rearward electrical 13 contact layer 730. Electrical contact pins 43 and 45 14 project downwardly through a bore 732 formed through the base 714 of the receptacle 712. As was previously 16 discussed with regard to the various saddle embodiments, 17 the piezoelectric material layer 722 has a metallic outer 18 coating and the electrical contact layers 728 and 730 are 19 bonded to the metallic coatings of the layer 722 utilizing an electrically conductive adhesive, whereby good 21 electrical interconnection between the piezoelectric 22 material and the electrical .contacts 728 and 730 is 23 obtained. The transducer unit, comprised of the layers 24 728, 722 and 730 is adhesively bonded within the ~-shaped 610t 713 of the rece~tacle 712 utilizing a standard, non-26 electrically ccnductive adhesive. As with the prior 27 embodiment discussed hereinabove, each-of the length, 28 thickness and height dimensions of the saddle may be 29 ~asily adjusted by the user to fit the saddle 710 into an existing bridge slot.
31 It is to be understood that either or both of the 32 no~el features that are presen~ed in embodiments 510 and 33 610 may be incorporated into the embodiment 710.
34 Specifically, a plurality of notches (such as 512) may be forced through the saddle 710 to create individualized 36 string support portions (such as 580), as taught in 37 embodiment 510. Additionally, the piezoelectric material 38 may be comprised of a plurality of-separate piezoelectric 39 pieces (such as pieces 623 taught in embodiment 610), ~D93/19456 2 1 3 2 3 3 1 P~/US93/0245 1 whereby individualized piezoelectric outputs associated 2 with each ~tring are achieved.
3 Although the piezoelectric layer 722 does not project 4 throughout the entire height of saddle 710, the S piezoelectric material layer 722 still comprises a 6 significant structural element of the saddle 710, whereby 7 practically all of the musical string vibrations that 8 cause mechanical distortion of the saddle 710 will pass 9 through the piezoe~ectric material layer 722. Thus, the vertical orientation of the piezoelectric layer 722 within 11 the ~addle 710 provides for a significant enhancement in 12 signal strength.
13 Figs. 21, 22 and 23 depict yet a further saddle 14 embodiment 810 of the present invention, wherein Fig. 21 lS is a perspective view, Fig. 22 is a fro~t elevational view 16 and Fig. 23 is a side elevational view. As depicted in 17 Figs. 21, 22 and 23, the saddle 810 includes a generally 18 rectangular, U-shaped receptacle 812 which may be 19 qenerally thought of as an inverted U-shaped receptacle 712 of the saddle 710. The receptacle 812 has a top 21 portion 8i4 and two downwardly depending leg portions 8Z0 22 and 836 which correspond to the frontward and rearward 23 layers 720 and 736 of the saddle 710. The receptacle 81Z
24 is preferably ~ormed from mycarta or other similar materials. Disposed within the V-shaped slot 713 of the 26 receptacle 812 is an identical ~ransducer assembly to that 27 utilized with saddle 710, including a frontward electrical 28 contact plate 728, a piezoelectric material layer 722 and ~ 29 a rearward electrical contact plate 730. As previously discussed, the contact plates 728 and 730 arè
31 electrically, adhesively bonded to the piezoelectric 32 material layer 722. Electrical contact pins 143 and 145 33 depend downwardly from the electrical contact layers 728 34 and 730 respectively.
As with all of the previously discussed embodiments, 36 the piezoelectric material layer 722 comprises a 37 significant structural element of the saddle 810, whereby 38 practically all of the musical string vibrations that 39 cause mechanical distortion of the saddle 810 will pass 21:~2331 W093/19456 ~CT/US93/~245 1 through the piezoelectric material layer 722. Thus, the 2 vertical orientat~on of the piezoelectric layer 722 within 3 the saddle 810 provides for~a significant enhancement in ~ signal strength. As with prior embodiments discussed hereinabove, the saddle 810 may be dimensionally altered 6 in each of its length, thickness and height to be fit into 7 existing bridge slots for proper usage.
8 It is to be noted that the saddle 810 includes a top 9 portion 814 of material which makes contact with the guitar string~ 16, whereby significant height adjustments ~ 11 to the ~addle 810 require filing or grinding of the bottom 12 surface of the saddle 810 rather than the top surface 814;
13 although the top surface must be rounded and arc shaped 14 for proper usage. It is also to be noted that the top surface 814 of the saddle 810 is composed of an 16 electric~lly nonconductive material, whereby the 17 electrically conductive strings of the musical instrument 18 are not grounded through the saddle 810. To accomplish 19 the grounding of the electrically conductive strinqs, the bridge pins 71 of the guitar may be grounded, as is known 21 in the art. It is to be understood that either or both 22 of the novel features that are presented in embodiments 23 510 and 610 may be incorporated into the embodiment 810.

24 Specifically, a plurality of notches (such as 512) may be formed through the saddle 810 to create individualized 26 ~tring support portions (such as 580), as taught in 27 embodiment 510. Additionally, the piezoelectric material 28 may be comprised of a plurality of separate piezoelectric 29 pieces (such as pieces 623 taught in embodiment 610), whereby in~ividualized piezoelectric outputs associated 31 with each string are achieved~
32 - A furt~er alternative embodiment 910 of the present 33 invention is depicted in Fig. ~4, which depicts a side 34 ele~ational view that is similar in many respects to the devi~e depi~ted in Fig. 23. The embodiment 910 includes 36 a generally U-shaped receptacle having downwardly 37 projectin~ portions 820 and 836 as discussed with regard 38 to the prior embodiment 810. A piezoelectric transducer 39 asgembly comprising the vertically oriented piezoelectric wo 93/19456 21 3 2 3 31 rcr/US93/(~245~

layer 722 dispo6ed between the two electrical contacts 728 2 and 730 is disposed within the U-shaped slot of the 3 receptacle 812. In the embodiment 910, a generally 4 rectangular, electrically conductive shield plate 714 is 5alE;o disposed within the U-shaped slot, and a layer of 6nonconductive material 712 is disposed between the shield 7plate 714 and the electrical contact 728. An electrical 8connection, such as through a connecting wire 716, 9connects the ~;hield plate 914 to the electrical connection 10pin 145 of the electrical contact 730. It is therefore to 11be understood that the sh~eld plate 714 provides an 12electromagnetic shield in front of the electrical contac:t 13728. Such a shield is particularl~ important where the 14electrically conductive strings 16 are not otherwise 15grounded. The utilization of a shield plate, such as 16plate 714, was discussed hereinabove with regard to the 17~;addle embodiment 10.
18- As with prior embodiments, the piezoelectric material 19~ayer 722 comprises a significant structural element of 20-the sàddle 910, whereby practically all of the musical 21string vibrations that cause mechanical ~istortion of the 22saddle 910 will pass through the piezoelectric material 23layer 722~ Thus, the vertical orientation of the 24piezoelectric layer 722 within the saddle 910 provides for 25a significant enhancement in signal strength.
26As with embodiments 710 and 810, either or both of 27the novel features that are presentad in embodiments 510 28and 610 may be incorporated into the embodiment 910.
29Specifically, a plurality of notches (such as 512) may be 30formed through the saddle 910 to create individualized 31string support portiorls (such as 580), as taught in 32embodiment 510. Additionally, the piezoelectric material 33may be comprised of a plurality of separate piezoelec:tric 34pieces (such as pieces 623 taught in embodiment 610), 35wherQby individualized piezoelectric outputs associated 36with each ~;tring are achieved.
37While the invention has been particularly shown and 38de~cribed with reference to certain preferred embodiments, 39 it will be understood by those skilled in the art that . :

` 'V09~/194~( 21 3 ~ 3 3 I rCr/US93/0245Ç

l various alterations and modifications in form and in 2 detail may be made therein. Accordingly, it is intended 3 thàt the following claims cover all such alterations and 4 modifications as may fall within the true spirit and scope of the invention.
6 What I claim is:

.

Claims

PCT/US??/02455

1. A saddle for a stringed musical instrument, said saddle having a length dimension and a height dimension and a thickness dimension, said length, height and thickness dimensions being such that the saddle may be fit into a bridge slot of said stringed musical instrument, comprising:
at least one layer of piezoelectric material, said piezoelectric material layer extending. substantially throughout said height dimension of said saddle, said piezoelectric material layer having an electrically active frontward face and an electrically active rearward face, said frontward and rearward faces being disposed in a perpendicular relationship to a musical instrument string that is disposed upon said saddle when said saddle is engaged within said bridge slot.

2. A saddle as described in claim 1, wherein said saddle also includes a first electrical contact layer, said first layer being electrically engaged to said front surface of said piezoelectric material layer; and a second electrical contact layer, said second layer being electrically engaged to said rearward surface of said piezoelectric material layer.

3. A saddle as described in claim 2, wherein said pizeoelectric material layer includes a plurality of separate pieces of piezoelectric material.

4. A saddle for a stringed musical instrument, said saddle comprising:
a laminated structure. having a thickness that is adapted for insertion into an existing bridge slot of a musical instrument, said laminated structure includinga plurality of layers, each said layer forming a portion of said thickness of said saddle, whereby said thickness of said saddle is comprised of said layers;
a first one of said layers including a first PCT/US9?/02455 electrical contact;
a second one of said layers being composed of a piezoelectric material, said piezoelectric material layer having an electrically active frontward surface and an electrically active rearward surface;
a third one of said layers including a second electrical contact;
said first layer being electrically engaged to said frontward surface of said piezoelectric material layer, and said third layer being electrically engaged to said rearward surface of said piezoelectric material.

5. A saddle as described in claim 4, wherein said electrical engagement of said first layer with said piezoelectric material is accomplished utilizing an electrically conductive adhesive material, and said electric engagement of said third layer with said piezoelectric material is accomplished using an electrically conductive adhesive material.

6. A saddle as described in claim 5, further including a fourth layer of material, said fourth layer of material being bonded to said third layer and providing additional thickness to said saddle, said fourth layer being composed of a material that is easily worked, such that the thickness of said saddle is easily modified.

7. A saddle as described in claim 4, further including a receptacle member having a length and height dimensions which define a generally rectangular shape, and a thickness that is substantially less than said length and height dimensions thereof;
said receptacle member having a U-shaped slot formed within said thickness thereof;
said U-shaped slot having a height which is substantial relative to said height of said receptacle member;
said first, second and third layers being fixedly engaged within said slot.

8. A saddle as described in claim 7, wherein said receptacle member is composed of a material that is easily worked, whereby said saddle may be rapidly shaped to form a particular type of saddle.

9. A saddle as described in claim 4, wherein at least one notch is formed through said piezoelectric material layer, from said frontward surface to said rearward surface.

10. A saddle as described in claim 4, wherein said layer of piezoelectric material includes a plurality of separate piezoelectric material pieces.

11. A musical instrument having an improved saddle, comprising:
a musical instrument body member having a frontward end including a musical string tension adjusting device and a rearward end including a musical string tie down device;
a plurality of musical strings disposed between said frontward end and said rearward end;
a saddle, said saddle being engaged to said body member, said saddle having a length dimension and a height dimension and a thickness dimension;
said saddle including at least one layer of piezoelectric material, said piezoelectric material layer extending substantially throughout said height dimension of said saddle, said piezoelectric material layer having an electrically active frontward surface and an electrically active rearward surface, said frontward and rearward surfaces being disposed in a perpendicular relationship to at least one of said musical instrument strings that is disposed upon said saddle when said saddle is engaged to said body member.

12. A musical instrument as described in claim 11 wherein said saddle also includes a first electrical contact layer, said first layer being electrically engaged to said frontward surface of said piezoelectric material layer;
and a second electrical contact layer, said second layer being electrically engaged to said rearward surface of said piezoelectric material layer.

13. A musical instrument as described in claim 12 further including a bridge member, said bridge member having a bridge slot formed therein, said bridge slot being disposed substantially perpendicularly to said strings and located generally proximate to said rearward end;
said bridge slot having a width which is substantially equal to said thickness dimension of said saddle, and wherein said saddle is insertably disposed within said bridge slot through said thickness dimension of said saddle.

14. A musical instrument as described in claim 13 wherein said piezoelectric material layer includes a plurality of separate pieces of piezoelectric material.

15. A musical instrument having an improved saddle, comprising:
a musical instrument body member having a frontward end including a musical string tension adjusting device and a rearward end including a musical string tie down device, a plurality of musical strings disposed between said frontward end and said rearward end, a saddle, said saddle being engaged to said body member, said saddle having a length dimension and a height dimension and a thickness dimension;
said saddle including a plurality of layers, each said layer forming a portion of said thickness of said saddle, whereby said thickness of said saddle is comprised of said layers;
a first one of said layers including a first electrical contact;
a second one of said layers being composed of a PCT/US9?3/02455 piezoelectric material, said piezoelectric material layer having a frontward surface and a rearward surface;
a third one of said layers including a second electrical contact;
said first layer being electrically engaged to said frontward surface of said piezoelectric material layer, and said third layer being electrically engaged to said rearward surface of said piezoelectric material;
said saddle being engaged to said body member such that said frontward surface faces said frontward end of said musical instrument and said rearward surface faces said rearward end of said musical instrument.

16. A musical instrument as described in claim 15 further including a bridge member, said bridge member having a bridge slot formed therein, said bridge slot being disposed substantially perpendicularly to said strings and located generally proximate to said rearward end;
said bridge slot having a width which is substantially equal to said thickness dimension of said saddle, and wherein said saddle is insertably disposed within said bridge slot through said thickness dimension of said saddle.

17. A musical instrument a described in claim 16 wherein said electrical engagement of said first layer with said piezoelectric material is accomplished utilizing an electrically conductive adhesive material, and said electrical engagement of said third layer with said piezoelectric material is accomplished using an electrically conductive adhesive material.

18. A musical instrument as described in claim 17 wherein said saddle further includes a fourth layer of material, said fourth layer of material being bonded to said third layer and providing additional thickness to said saddle, said fourth layer being composed of a material that is easily worked, such that the thickness of said saddle is easily modified.

PCT/US9?3/02455

19. A musical instrument as described in claim 16, wherein said saddle further includes a receptacle member having length and height dimensions which define a generally rectangular shape, and a thickness that is substantially less than said length and height dimensions thereof;
said receptacle member having a U-shaped slot formed within said thickness thereof;
said U-shaped slot having a height which is substantial relative to said height of said receptacle member;
said first, second and third layers being fixedly engaged within said slot.

20. A musical instrument as described in claim 19 wherein said receptacle member is composed of a material that is easily worked, whereby said saddle may be rapidly shaped to form a particular type of saddle.

21. A musical instrument as described in claim 15, wherein at least one notch is formed through said piezoelectric material layer, from said frontward surface to said rearward surface.

22. A musical instrument as described in claim 15, wherein said layer of piezoelectric material includes a plurality of separate piezoelectric material pieces.