• Rockin’ Patent: US Patent No. 5,929,362
• Filed: 6 April 1998
• In the name of: Julian Oteyza
• Title: Guitar With Removable Fretboard And Pickup Section Powered By A Headphone Amplifier
• What’s claimed: “A string board instrument having a main body and a removable neck section, said neck section comprising: (a) a fretboard with at least one string and a bridge; (b) pick-up means for detecting vibration of said at least one string and converting said vibration to an electrical signal;(c) a headphone amplifier arranged to amplify said electrical signal; and, (d) a first electrical connector arranged to interface with a second electrical connector on said main body, wherein said first electrical connector is electrically connected to said headphone amplifier”.
• Why this patent rocks:
  • As explained in this patent: “[t]his invention relates to stringed musical instruments such as guitars. In particular, the present invention is directed to a system wherein an electric guitar fretboard or neck section is arranged to be detachable from a standard electric guitar body without altering the guitar, and the guitar fretboard can be operated independently of the electric guitar body”.
  • As also explained: “None of the conventional art discloses a system in which a removable guitar neck section with electronic pick up can be played separately from the guitar body in order to carry out tuning, or private practice. Further, none of the examples of conventional art disclose a system which allows an electric guitar to be moved in a manner totally independently of the position of the guitar sound system amplifiers and loud speakers”.
  • So: “[the apparatus] is arranged in two separable pieces, the main body 1 and a neck section 4. The main body and the neck section can be used together as a single, self-contained electric guitar, in a manner similar to that used for conventional electric guitars. In the alternative, the neck section can be entirely detached and its fretboard 6 played by itself for purposes of tuning the strings 18, or private listening…”.

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The information above is for general interest and information only and does not constitute legal advice.