| CPC G10F 1/20 (2013.01) [G10D 3/00 (2013.01)] | 11 Claims |
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1. An automated string playing system for a stringed instrument, the stringed instrument having a body, a neck extending from the body, and a string tensioned between the body and a top portion of the neck, the neck having a fretboard attached thereto, comprising:
a fretting subsystem being removably coupled to the neck; the fretting subsystem having first and second frame members, a drive belt, a drive belt motor, a drive belt pulley, a longitudinal guide rail, and a first fretting assembly;
the drive belt pulley being coupled to the first frame member, the drive belt motor being coupled to the second frame member;
the drive belt being operably coupled to and between the drive belt motor and the drive belt pulley;
the first longitudinal guide rail being coupled to and between the first and second frame members;
the first fretting assembly having a carriage member and a cam assembly coupled thereto, the carriage member being slidably coupled to the longitudinal guide rail, and coupled to the drive belt; the drive belt motor moving the drive belt and the cam assembly to desired positions along the fretboard; the cam assembly having a cam and a pad coupled to the cam, the cam rotating in a first rotational direction such that the pad contacts the string to fret the string;
a picking subsystem being removably coupled to the body, the picking subsystem having a first picking solenoid that moves a pick across the string of the string instrument to obtain a musical sound; and
a user interface device operably coupled to the fretting subsystem and the picking subsystem that enables user control of the fretting subsystem and the picking subsystem to play music.
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