John S Morrall

US Patent:

60112050, Jan 4, 2000

Filed:

Apr 1, 1998

Appl. No.:

9/053910

Inventors:

John Nichols Tucker - Hanalei HI
John Stanley Morrall - Hanalei HI

International Classification:

G10D 300

US Classification:

84291

Abstract:

A stringed instrument having a solid body constructed of albizzia wood that is lightweight, durable, offers an aesthetically pleasing appearance and is capable of demonstrating good tonal quality over a broad range of pitches played acoustically or amplified. The body of said instrument is formed from a single piece of albizzia or from a plurality of pieces, arranged longitudinally, and joined using splines in conjunction with adhesive or by other known methods. Albizzia, having a high tensile strength and low specific gravity, allows for the production of light weight solid body instruments without the cost, complexity and degradation of sound quality of solid body instruments having composite body construction. A thin veneer can be added to cover the solid albizzia body for added strength and aesthetic variation. Also described is a method for selecting and preparing the albizzia wood and alternative constructions wherein the instrument neck traverses a portion, or forms the central section, of the solid body.