2) United States Patent Berndt 'S0B2, US 9,012,750 B2 Apr. 21, 2015 (10) Patent No.: (45) Date of Patent: (S4) CROWN TOP BAR FRET, STRINGED INSTRUMENT INCLUDING SAME, AND ‘METHOD OF MANUFACTURE (71) Applicant: Lawrence Berndt, Cornish, NH (US) (72) oventoe: Lawrence Berndt, Comish, NH (US) (4) Novice: Subject to any ditlaimer the term ofthis pate is extended or adjusted under 35 USC. 1540) by Odys. (21) Appl Nos tantsnara (22) Filed Jane 13,2004 cy Prior Publication Data UUs20180202305A1 Jl 24,2014 Related US. Application Data (©) Provisional sppliation No. 61/755 619, led on an. 28, 2013, provisional application No. 61/894,965, ed on Oct. 24,2013 (I) Ich. G10D 300 (2006.01) G10 306 (2006 01) (2) US. ad vss GIOD 206 (2013.01) (58) Field of Clasiication Search spc 84/267, 290, 293 ‘See application file for complete search history. 56) References Cited US. PATENT DOCUMENTS sors a 11898 Staton loss Maral LL LTTE ELATTELL SI PIU, LELLEL 1 LL 11999 Tuner 2000. Carngton ea 2000 Kautman 92000 Anke 42002 Chapman 42005 Vout 52003 Patil tal. 42010 Rushing (Continued) 6538189 5 651596 BI 71692080 BI FOREIGN PATENT DOCUMENTS FR ‘2686181 AL * 71903 (OTHER PUBLICATIONS, si 22,2014, of rstangula bar ft in a S75 pags. (Continued) Primary Examiner — Kimberly Locket (74) Adornes, Agen, or Frm — Nields, Lemack & Frame, 1c on ABSTRACT Stringed instrument having an elongated neck member ‘optionally including a fingerboard, witha plurality of fees fixedly positioned at predeteaniaed spaced locations along the agck. The frets include @ tang and a mushroom shaped ‘crown, each positioned and secured ina comesponding fret sot formed in the neck, The neck member inches a carbon Fiber based support member that ean be T-shaped. [nits ‘method aspects, the neck can be straight and of neutral stain ‘ora desired backbow underbow or curvatueein the elongated ‘neck members crete, such a by introducing carbon fer “Tear support member the neck memerina “neutral” state ‘while clamping the neck member in an underbow shape, of forming underbow direlly into the fished neck in which cathon fiber T-ba is already present, and then introducing ‘crown bar style frets to wedge the neck back to an optimum, playable shape, 15 Claims, § Drawing Sheets ALLELE56) References Cited US. PATENT DOCUMENTS BL, $2012 Chapman BIO 22014 Rogers, 20060070807 AL 42006 Nevanen eal ropwOLas19 AL 62008 LaMar sononr72248 AL 112000 Papeafie US 9,012,750 B2 Page 2 santa (OTHER PUBLICATIONS. Photograph £2 tsken May 22,2014 of rectangular br fs in 3 ‘Martin gitar produced in 1875, | pope, Dan Eilewine's Guitar Repair Services, The Plek Mache, hp: won wine com plek htm, Des. 20,2012, pp. 112, * cited by examinerUS 9,012,750 B2 Sheet 1 of 5 Apr. 21, 2015 US. PatentUS. Patent Apr. 21,2015 Sheet 2 0f 5 US 9,012,750 B2US. Patent Apr. 21,2015 Sheet 30f 5 US 9,012,750 B2 FIG. 6US 9,012,750 B2 Sheet 4 of 5 Apr, 21, 2015 US. Patent FIG. 7B HG. 7A FIG. 7€US 9,012,750 B2 Sheet 5 of 5 Apr, 21, 2015 US. Patent FIG. 8B FIG. 8A FIG. 8¢US 9,012,750 B2 1 CROWN TOP BAR FRET, STRINGED INSTRUMENT INCLUDING SAME, AND ‘METHOD OF MANUFACTURE ‘This application claims priority of US, Provisional Ap cation Ser. No. 61/7559 filed Jan. 23,2013 and US. Pro- visional Application Ser. No. 61/894,065 fled Oct. 24,2013, the disclosuresof which re incomporated herein by reference BACKGROUND Frets or tinged musical instruments, particlory guitars, ‘banjos an the ike, provide a mechanism or stopping vibra- ‘ions of the strings spaced ocatons on the playing surface (Cingerboard or fretboard) ofthe neck ofthe instrument over Which the strings extend in tension to produce the desired musical tones when the strings ae actuated, suchas by pluck ing, strumming or picking. Frets are positioned transversely ‘long the longitudinal dimension ofthe neck (and generally perpendicularly to the strings) beneath the stings at pred termined spaced locations, and thus sting length can be effectively adjusted by pressing the string into contact witha particular fe. This presets the length ofthe vibrating portion ofthe string, thereby controlling the froquency af the tone w produced. The fingerboard may be integral with theneckand, 2 Imad ofthe same material the neck, rit maybe made of a diferent mera and couplet the neck such 28 by lai ‘ation. It may be Mat or slighty radius Conventional ts are made of metal and are generally ‘shaped. The tom oF tang of the fret is embeded into or chris secured othe instumeat neck, andthe ema bead of the fet extends shove the surfce ofthe nek and provides the working surface against which the string or strings are fingr-presed to rete the desired tone. The tana ‘may have one or mor barbs to help anchor or secure the fet inte ingeeboard ‘The ist guitar ets were “bares made from flat stock ‘Those frets project square out of the neck and hae no mush- som crown, They measured about 0.50°%0.200%%X" long Some manufacturers actually bad 4 oS gauges of bar fet stock ranging from about 0.048" 19008" The limited quale it contol at tat ime meant hat there were also thickness deviations within each gauge. “These bar fos wer hammered nto the sain ft sos in te fingerboard to depth of about 010? and became inte arltotheneck. The various gauges wereemployedtocontol te shape ofthe neck fom the side view. They were used 19 counterthe sting tension hat would otherwise case the neck tobow. Given the tapered shape of te nek and th difret string gauges fom basso tebe, neck bow wou e iegn- hae “The bar rts were use to hold the line f the neck when under string tension, When the luthier was satis withthe tar rt choice and placement, the ops ofthe bas wer fled dowa o smehat fora height tease playability. The bar frets transfered the string vibration dred to the neck. In tis way the rts bocame prt ofthe stature ofthe neck. It is simple structure as one sielback i in fension and the over sideon isin compression. As suc, the neck re0- ‘ated in esponse playing The integral bares ransfewed te sing vibration dry into the nek and contbuted to te over tonal quality of heinstrument. Its almost niver- sally apreod on by players and listeners tat such aly a ‘us, with bar fet, have incomparable tonal quits ‘Necks wth teh bar ts do ot regia tus ro (hough anembeded sine of songer wood or metal, inloding a truss rd canbe wed. x“ 2 ‘The use of bar ets was discontinued in the mid 1930's — excep for sein restoration ad ew guitars it by ectaia Iuthies. Their comet se was an ar. They were dificult 19 1s, install, and get “ght. Thre Was no sigiicantrein- fowcemeat in those necks so the fit of the tes had ta be precise. These old syle ar frets were square on top, and had {obelef high enough io accommodate fr hills and valleysin the actual neck ine. Aer installation they wee typially fled by hand ino ada pays “Modern iets havea typical tang that is 0.020 tick and is perforated wo make litle barbs hat secur the fet in the neck Tike weather stipping. Since the tangs so tin and Mimsy the moder ft wire doesnot play a olin suporing the neck ‘by bocoming intra othe nck. Necks sing sch rt wire reir ts roo counter string tension and old the neck straight. tc! T-Bars and square sto tube were used before te single ation adjustable ss rod appeared. Carrey, single or double ation tus rod to conto the rock and moder frets glued in oversized slots ae used ‘Movers fet have no structural role inthe neck. They are simply held in an oversize slot by thei barbed (peng) sng and ple. Wire fretuss rod necks do not seam as toally lives bar ret necks Tn ode for each sting o have rom vbat, clearance provided by the nuvrige height relationship or a sight eurvature must be formed in tho neck. 1 the sengs sit 00 high above the nek sure, the instruments dificult ply Ir the stings sit too lve above the neck surfce, they buzz gins the rt Recently, the Pek machine was developed 10 set up stringed instruments using. computer numerical contol (CC) to evel and shape fetboards an ets aan eet ‘ant. The instruments scanned to caste the positon of each string on the rtboardpialy atthe fist and wlth frets. Te messed esuls re compared oa suggested opt smu, ad the rust rd in the nook is adjusted to obtain the ese reli forthe neck. The stings are then removed, and to fos are cut based upon the measurements made The rele ofthe neck created by the string tension is taken into account while calulting the process parameters, Itwould be desirable fo obain the tabi and tonal pee fmance advantages of bars while eliminating the con- conitat setup dieulis ofthe prior a Taso would be desirable to provide neck technology that maximizes stabile iy, playability, and tonal reponse in stringed insiumeats, petcuary guitars SUMMARY ‘The shortcomings ofthe prorat have been oveteome by the embodiments disclosed herein, which include a stringed instrument having an elongated neck member having a lon situdnal dimension, the elongated neck member optionally including fingerboard, witha plurality of frets fixedly pos tioned transversely relative othe longitudinal dimension, a predetermined spaced locations along the elongated neck ‘member, ln accordance with contain embodiments, the feet ‘include a tang andl a mushroom shaped crown, The bottom of the ang can be square, rounded, or beveled. Each is pos ‘tioned and secured in a corresponding fret slot formes in the clongated neck member. In accordance with certain embodi- ‘ments, the stringed instrument includes a main body from ‘which the elongated neck member extends, andthe string or strings are operatively coupled under tension to the mia body at oF near one end of the sting or strings, and are ‘operatively coupled under tension to the elongated neck member alo near another ead ofthe string or strings. IaUS 9,012,750 B2 3 accordance with certain embodiments, the elongated neck ‘member includes a carbon fiber based support member tht «ean be T-shaped. The result isan instrament with neck tech nology that maximizes. stability, playability and tonal espouse, and avid note distortion and playability issues of the prior at. In its method aspects, embodiments disclosed herein include building a guitar neck, incorporating a reinforcing member such as a carbon fiber Thar in the neck, witha final strength less than the string tension othe strings used onthe isiumeat. In this manner, some of the work of resistin string tension falls to the era top bar frets. These act a8 ‘wedges or fulerums at each ffet location, contoling the shape of the neck and ransfeerng string vibration tothe neck ‘The bar fe are installed in a manne that compliments the above parameters to optimize the desired shape ofthe neck. ‘When this is done so that there i also an embodied strain present in the nec, tonal response will increas. In accordance with certain embodiments, a desired under- bow (eg., 0010-0030") or curvature is pre-loaded inthe clongated neck member, such a by installing a reinforcing ‘member such as a carbon fiber T-bar support member inthe rock member in a “neural” sate while clamping the neck ‘ember in an underbow shape thus pee-seting undrbo, or forming, such as by milling. underbow directly into the fine ished neck in which a carbon fiber T-bar is aleady present, and then introducing crown barstyle ets info the neck mem ber to wedge the neck back to an optimam playable shape. In ‘his manner, the workof keeping the neck straight by resisting the strngtension falls tothe crown shaped bar rs. These at as wedges or fulerums a exch fet location, controlling the shape of the neck and ranseerng string vibration tothe neck, ‘Yet another embodiment is 1 induce a sight 0.010". 0.030"; eg. 0.020") backbow in straight or underbowed rock using the ar frets as Wedges. Strings of sufficient gauge are then attached under tension sufiient to pull his neck to playable shape. “The rsul isan organization and eonto of fogces inthe ‘neck member, Which ensures stability and allows for ver fine “setup” tolerances by the luthier, producing @ more precise and resonant pret. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is perspective view ofa cron bar fret in accor: dance wit certain embodiments; FIG. 2isa perspective view of a guitar neck in accordance with certain embodiments; FIG. isa perspective view of neck reinforcing member in accordance with certain embodiments; FIG. 4 is a perspective view of a neck member having a reinforcing member embedded therein, in aosordance with certain embodiments; FIG. 84 isa perspective view ofa nock member having 3 fingerboard applied, and including a reinforcing member in accordance with certain embodiments; FIG. SB isaperspoctve view of a neck member having an integral fingerboard and including a reinforcing member nd a skunk stipe in accordance with cern embodiments; FIG. SCisa perspective view afaneck member blank prior nilling and including a reinforcing member in accordance with certain embodiments; FIG. Gisa perspective view ofa skunk stripe in accordance with certain embodiments; FIGS. 7A, 7B and 7C are perspective views of a wood strips epoxied to reinforcing members in accordance with certain embodiments; and x“ s 4 FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C are perspestive views of a wood strips epoxied to reinforcing members in accordance with certain embodiments DETAILED DESCRIPTION In scordance with certain embodiments, the combination cof wood, a carbon fiber reinforcing member, crown shaped bar rt gauge and placement of ean shaped bar fess, and string choi, produce a neck structure fr a mosial isin ‘ment sch guitar having body and a peed. Ina dance with cetain embodimens, this neck stuctur is pro- duced in sucha way that it embotis fret resisted underbow stain to enhance tonal response, while maintaining the setup and ation prefered by the player, when part of a musical fnsieumeat sucha a guitar The objective i to build a neck ‘wth embodied strain that enhanes toa response, while ‘maintaining the setup ad ation eeered by the ple This isachictedby erating resistant sin inastraightorsightly ‘ockbowedmnderbawed neck tht isincreased by sting en- sion and countered by the wedge elect ofthe solid tangs oF te ern top bar frets. No rss ro is required Suitable woodtypes fr necks include maples and maogs- ies although those skilled inthe art will appreciate that ther ‘woods types may he suitable. Necks can be made from a Singlepieeor several iocexof wood adhered togeter Some rocks have added fingerboard instead ofthe fingerboard being an integral part ofthe eck wood, The strength and compressive resistance of the speifc pie determines the efecto a specific ft gauge in that ack The carbon fiber reinforcing member canbe in a shape, and can have varying levels of Rexbity or meus. This allows lesbilty when considering the best neck site fr «given insrument—from an electric bas 10 an orchestral ‘model guitar for fingerpicking. For example, in eerain embodiments, a "standard reinforing member may have a ‘modulo of 19. An“ntemediate” reinforcing member may bvea moklusof23.Ahigh’ renfoeing member may have an even higher modus of 28. Those skilled in the at will appeviatethat hese moduluses are usvaiveoaly reife ing members with different amountso fexibiliycanbe used Tncerainemibodiments, Wood sts can be attached tthe reinforcing member, such s wiha stable epoxy, o modify the tone ani expand te tonal rage, for example. Suitable ‘woods include mahogany, pine and ced, as well s blonds thereof Bach wood blends unique “tp tone that aes the final one ofthe instrument. Examples ofa carbon fer ein- forcing T-bar epoxies to wood sips are shown a FIGS. 7A, 7B, Cand 84, 8B and 8C Incertsin embodiment, gun dling canbe wsed to fi tate prestng a dowel (with an incuded or embedded rein- forcing member) nto the eterior of a nck. Gun dling sa process that proces deep, straight holes inthe materi being dele. very oundhole with prvsion diameter can be produced witha gua dil, The use of gun ding snd ‘hoaching erates an intemal eavity fr accepting the rein- forcing member or wood avgmested rinforcing memberinto the interior ofthe neck Tn cern embodiments, the gun dill ote can then be further shaped, such as by breaching, to crete a stable cavity socommadate the Wood agmented reinforcing rember. ‘The crown top bar fats used in accordance wih the cmbodimeats dislosed herein area rounded musooas type crown wthanarower rectangular tang. Prefab the eon ‘suniformly sized ina given mck, Preferbly each insu sent uses erwa top bar fs having diferent tang gaugesUS 9,012,750 B2 5 By choosing the appropiate tang gauge the frets function as positive or negative wedges to control buckbow and under Dow shape: and strain. For example, one instrument may include ba frets with a cron 0.080" widex0.045" high; with tang thickness gauges Krom 0.046" to 0.058" (eg. 0.086, § 0.048", 0.050", 0.052", 0.054", 0.056" snd 0.058") in 0.002" increments along the longitudinal length of theneck member. “The tang length can range trom about 0.07S"-0.100". For ‘example one suitable tang ength may be 0.095". Forrepace ‘ment in heavily wom used necks, te tang length may need to beshoriened to less than the bove range, suchas 0.060". The frets are used a positve/negative wedges 10 contol neck alignment, cause embodied stain inthe neck member, and counter sting tension, In certain embodiments, te frets are foree-fit intorespec- tive fret slots, such as by hammering, The thickness ofthe gid tang i manipulate to create a postvenegative wedge effect in the fret slots. Tis is used, in eonjunetion with reinforcing member such as a carbon fiber Thar, and string teasioa, to contol the final “lay” and action ofthe neck. This style of neck does not require the suppor or adjustability of ‘conventional trss ro inside the neck. The tangs ofthe frets are preferably barbless and of uniform cross-section. Tn some embodiments the fret slots may be cut 0.050" 2 ‘wide 100" deep. This allows a thinner tang to inteoduce relief into the neck. ‘Asotofbas stings caa create 200 pounds of string tension ina four string elecric base. A set of six nylon stings may create as litle as 40 pounds of string tension in a small classical guitar. ly kaowving ahead of ime the string tension (ndstring gauge) that wil beused, the appropriateamounto stra can be plaed inthe neck member by several different methods, s discussed below. "Neck strength shape, and embodied stan canbe created 9 in several ways tcanbe inereasodl decreased by the choice of ‘enforcing member and how itis installed. For example, the reinforcing member may be installed in a neural manner, ‘with the neck fat The bar frets may be used 1 induce alight bockbow, Anuaderbow can thea be milled into theneck eg. (010-0,020"), and the crown top bar fet can then be used as. ‘ede to counter the underbow, Alteatively, the neck may ‘be mainained, such as by lamping, in an underbowed state and a sraight slot or cavity may be milled inthe neck for the reinforcing member The reinforcing members thea secured in the neck, such as by gluing, while the neck remains clamped in the underbow state. Realigning is thencaried out using crown top bar frets of suitable gauges. Alternatively sill a taight or hackbowed neck may be produced with the nforeing member, and heavy gage strings may be used to ‘overpawer” the reinforcing member to produce the desired playable shape. Realigning is then cared out using crown, {op bar fet of suitable gavgs in conjunction with the string tension, Another altemative is to mill a bow, (backbow oF ‘underbow), inthe neck and force the fingerboard to that bow ss ‘when adhered tothe neck. ‘Turning now to FIG. 1, theres show a crown top bat fret 10; position sboutto be inserted into fret slot 20%na neck member 30 of a musical instrument, in accordance with ‘ain embodiment, The ret 10 includes an elongated top or 6 head portion 12, that is semi-spherical ia emos-section of “crown shaped”, and an elongated tang 14 that extends down ‘wardly from the bottom of the head portion 12, which is generally rectangular ia cross-section. In certtin embodi- ‘ments, the tang may be continuous along the length of the fret 10, may besold, and may be devoidof barb membersandany other proirsions or dscoatinuities. Suitable tang widths ean s 6 varybetween about 0.046" andabout 0.058", and a height that cat vary between about 0.070" and about 0.100", FIG. 2 illustrates a fretboard or fingerboant surfie 38, having a plurality of spaced fret slots 20 each for receiving a particular fet 10 transversely along is length at spaced loca ‘ions. Inthe embodiment shown, suitable fet slot 20 dimen sions are 0.050" wide by 0.100" deep. By choosing from various tang gauge options, the frets can be used as positiveor negative wedges to contol backbow and undertow of the neck member 30. A sinilareffect could be achieved by using feet having the Same gauge in each fot slot, and adjusting ‘ach fet slot to produce the desired neckline shape. FIGS, 3 and illustrate an embodiment of the carbon fiber reinforcing member 4D. In certain embodiments, the clon- gated member 40 is non-adjusuble (eg, ithasa fixed length), ‘itary and is Tshoped in cross-section, with the head 4 of the T being about 05° in width, and the leg 42 of the T extending downwardly from the bead, In certain embodi- ‘ments the lex 42s cerirally located wth respect tothe width ofthe head 4 In cern embodiments, the overall bight of the member 40 is about 05". In certain embodiments, the thickness ofboth the head 41 and leg 42 is about 0.100". In certain embodiments, the reinforcing member 40 comprises about 60% carbon, and is made by a pultrusion proces. Its rigidity can vary based on the modulus ofthe carbon used, eg, 193 (standard), 237 (ntermediate") and 28.1 (high), The more rigid the reinforcing member 0, the less effect the fees and strings wil have in eouatring the cura tureoftte neck. Asseenin FIG. 4, the reinforcing member 40, is inserted into-an appropriately spaced T-shaped groove or cavity formed in the hody ofthe neck 30, preferably o that the reinforcing member extends completely or substantially completely along the length of the neck member 30. The reinforcing member 40 is adhered in place in the neck mem- ber 30, such as with an adhesive such as an epoxy: In certain ‘embodiments, the reinforcing member 40s fly enclosed in, the neck member 30, Excess space between the reinforcing member 40 and the snock member 30 canbe filled with additional adhesive andor spacers and/oewitha “skunk spe” 60a shovsnin FIGS, 3 ans 6. The skunk stripe 60 is an elongated wood strip having slot 61, which canbe centrally located with respeet tothe Strip wid, fommed along is length that is dimensioned to receive the ley 42 ofthe reinforcing member 40 Inthe embodiment shown in FIG. 8, the neck 30 includes ‘an applied fingerboard 38. The neck 30 js shown with the inclusion of the reinforeing member 40. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 8B, the neck hasan integral fingerboard. The surface ofthe fingerboard can be milled inthe neck and an _underbow milled in it as wel FIG, C illstates an embodiment where the reinforcing member 4s introduced into a cavity ina neck blank prior o forming (uch as by milling) the neck into ts final shape. The ‘regions between the leg 42 of the reinforcing member 40 and the neck blank body ca be filed with spacers 6§ andor adhesive, suc as an epoxy. ‘To manufoctue a guitar, th parameters forthe guitar are determined. Manufacturers have designated models for elec Irie, ecoustic, classical, bluegrass, rock, jazz ete. Fach model thas design elements unique t0 it such as types of wood, thickaess of top, style of top bracing, neck shape, aunber of fies tothe body, type of Fingerboard, not wid, suitable string gauge, binding and finish. These parameters are well ‘knowa to those skied inthe art In gener, the style of the guitar is determined, and the appropriate neck wood is chosen, The reinforcing members selected, wih the rigidity or modulus thereof chosen dependUS 9,012,750 B2 1 ing upon parameters that may ince the guitar syle, neck ‘wood chosen and he sting gauge to be wed. For example a carbon ir Thar with standard modulus (as defined above) can be used for clase fingerstyle guitars that wl havea ‘mahogany nck and wil we nlonstrings with aight gauge: carbon ber Thar wih an intermediate modal as defined above) ean be we for folk. pop rok, bus nd turning its that wil have mahogany necks and ght gauge stool Strings and carhon fiber Tae with a high modulus (as defined above) can he used forelectrc and jazzwuitashaving ‘maple acs, swells for hard working agaresiely payed acoustic guitars inluding bluegrass, jazz and blues guitars ‘The reinforcing member i installed inthe neck a i css ahove, andthe neck ean be flexed fr the Fthice to obtain sense ois tines. The necks then fished othe point where fret slots would normally be eut Atti point the ‘eckis sagt longtinally and will ave anormal radius across its wid. Fret slots ae cut, such a8 0.080" widex (100? desp. The 0.050" width is recommended becase it optimizes Dexbii, sine i is uear the mile ofthe fet anuge selections Optionally, the instrument can he strung and tune at this point to gan an understanding ofthe tension thatthe crown hap bar ts wll need o counter. Un-einforeed necks do not bow evenly unde stig ten- sion, Conventional bar fret gts had no significant ei forcement, thereby reusing lose attention to ft fit This sneaat thal the wrong gauge fect in 2 sigle location would favea significant impact onthe nck shape. In addition, the conventional bar fets hd tobe high enough to make up for the illad valley inthe neck Kine case very few ihirs -were good enough orate tme ur tofitaperoct neck Theconeibuted git of te einforeing member smowtbes out the effect of string tension (lengthening the transition areas mentioned) and also smeothes out the impat of an individual, por fied this simplifies the ie work by not euiring tedious iting of ol tle has, and stil yields very smooth neckline that minimizes ft filing resing so the action can be set most favorably fo the paver. “vo portation ares ae 3 5" rt and the 12% 14 fet, This neck bs sigifcant enforcement tat smoothes out the tasition aves hut not completly These ‘ame locations wil eontiae 1o he inportant. The remsiing fret locaton wll pnerally not be pivotal oations except in remedial nck work The staighines ofthe neck ischecked with atest ge, and 0.050" gauge crown shaped bar fets ae insried ino lots #1 and 2, respectively, suchas by hammering “They should enter the sos smoothly wit Kite forge ther tan the force required conto theft tothe neck ais The neck curate is checked again withthe straight ede and now should be substantially siaight. A 0052" gauge crown shaped bar fret is inserted ino slot #3, such as by ‘hammering This should eque more force than hat required foe slots #1 and #2 and the nck should now show some bockbow from so #80ndown tothe nut (he lod member atthe peabead end ofthe ingerboaed woe the strings pass Cover and through I the Ist fet s #1, the nui 0). 050" cro shaped bar frets are inserted ino slots 4 throgh #14, such as by hammering. These ft should a in much the Sameas those ia slots & #2, 0.048" crawn shaped bar ets reinserted int slots #15 through 20 tat are over he guitar body, suc as by hammering “The instrument is then siuag and tuned, and the neck curvature is measored ain witha straight edge. It sto tuderbowad near the ath fet, the 0080" dh ft can be replaced with 0.082" ero shape bar rt, ad the eure x“ 8 8 ture is checked again. I undesired curvature is still present, the S* fet can be replaced ifneeded (eg, iftoa much under- tow is present, the 0.050" crown shaped bar fret can be replaced with 2 0.052" crown shaped bar fret) Proceed in ths way until the neck has the optimum playing spe. Once the shape is as desired, the lets can be dressed. (uch aby filing) to obtain theexact playability desired. This ‘necks now fully set-up for this gauge string set on this guitar ‘Those skilled in the at appreciate that once a model has beenestablshed, ora luthier has madea few ofthe same neck structures, a correct fet pattem emerges for that structure, ‘and the appropriate crvin shaped bar fet gauges can be inserted inthe appropriate locations without having to con- ‘imal evaluate curvature and remove and replace variow fies to counter EXAMPLE 1 mahogany neck fora six string acoustic guitar w have ‘medium gauge strings may be prepared as follows. ‘The necks built asa flat neck witha carbon fiber reinfore- ‘ng member istalle in a cavity formed in the neck body’ and secured therein using epoxy, unde he fingerboard, ina new tral positon (ero stain}, and fat fingerboard is optionally adhered tothe neck such as by gluing, Seale length is used to determine fret spacing, and 20 fret slots are cut, where required, that are 0050" wide and 0.100" dep, Beginning at the tung head end ofthe neck, 0,050" gauge erown tp bar fre are hammered int fetslot numbers 1 & 2. A 0.082" anuge crown top bar rt is hammered into feslot number 3. Frotslots mumbers 4 through 14 receive 1050" gauge exw, top bar frets, Fretslots aumber 15-20 receive gauge 0.048" crown top har frets. The guitar s then strung and tuned. ‘Thesetupischeckedand adjusted as owed by interchang- ing appropriate gauges of ets. When satisfied with thesetup, the frets ae further secured in place such as by gluing. The heads ofthe frets ae thon cessed t fine tue the final setup. ‘What is claimed is: 1. Aclongated neck member fora musical instrument said reck aiember having an embodied strain, « longitudinal dimension and comprising a surface, a plurality of frets pos tioned transversely with respect to said longitudinal dimen sional spaced locations along suid neck member, and having ‘one or more sring dispose ata height above said surlae, cach of said plorality of frets comprising a mushroom shaped crown. and a tang extending therelrom, said! mushroom shaped crown defining a working surface of sai fet above suid surface and against which oid one or more strings canbe placed in contact, cach of sid plurality of fees wedged into said neck member to establish said embodied stain, and a carbon fiber based reinforcing member positioned in said eck body 2, The neck of claim 1, wherein sad plurality of fet includes fets of diferent gauges. '3. The neck of elas 1, where Ina xed Heng, 4, Thoneckof cai 1, wherein sid reinforcing members TEshaped. §. The neck of claim 1, wherein sid instrument isa guitar 6. The neck of claim 1, wherein said neck member com- prises a fretboard 7.A stringed musical instrament, comprising 2 body, 3 peghead, and a neck member having embodied stain, said facck member have a longitudinal dimension, a surface, a plurality of frets positioned transversely with respect to said Jongitudinal dimension at spaced locations along said neck member, and having one or more strings disposed in easion i reinforcing memberUS 9,012,750 B2 9 ata height above said surface, each of sid plurality of ets ‘comprising a mushroom shaped erawn anda tang extending therefrom, std mushroom shaped crown defining a working surface of sid fet above said surfice and against which said ‘one or more stings can be placed in contact, each of said plurality of fets wedged into said neck member to establish suid embodied sta, and a carbon fiber based reinforcing ‘member positioned in said neck body. '8. The instrument of claim 7, wherein said plurality of ees includes fos of different gauges. 9, The instrument of claims 7, wherein said reinforcing meer has fixed length. 10. The instrument of claim 7, wherein said reinforcing member is T-shaped 11 The instrumentof claim 7, wheveia said instrument isa sitar 12. The instrument ofcaim 7, wherein sad neck member comprises fretboard 13. A method of making a neck member for @ musical instrument, comprising: providing an elongated neck member having cavity; ‘creating an underbow shape in sid elongated neck; form ing cavity in said neck while maintaining seid uader- bow shape: introducing a carbon fiber eeinforcing member into said cavity while maintaining said underbow shape w 10 securing said carbon fiber reinforcing member in sid cav- jiysand {oreingaplurality oferown bar frets into said neck member to wedge said neck member to establish embodied nin 14. A method of making @ neck member for & musical instrument, comprising: providing an elongted neck member having a cavity intrdlcing a carbon fiber reinforcing member into sid cavity nilling Sid neck member t have an underbow shop and oreinga plurality of erown bar fet into ssid neck member to wedge said neck member to counter sid undrbow shape 15. A method of making a neck member for & musical insteument comprising: providing an elongated neck member having a cavity; Introdocing a carbon fiber reinforcing member into sid cavity {orcing said neck member toa backbow by introducing a plurality of crown shaped bar frets nto sid neck mem- bers and pulling suid neck ember toa playable shape by attaching a plurality of strings o said neck member under tension