TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention relates to musical instrument amplifiers and, more particularly, to a new form of electric guitar amplifier.

BACKGROUND

[0002] Effects pedals are used in the music industry to create different sound outputs for musical instruments. These pedals are commonly plugged into the amplifier using separate cables. Each pedal requires an independent power source, such as a battery, or power cable for mains electricity. Often the batteries do not last long, so many musicians prefer to use power cables.

[0003] The pedals are connected to each other via short cables, connecting the output jack of the one pedal with the input jack of the next pedal, with the last pedal in the line being connected via its output jack to the input jack of the amplifier.

[0004] The more effects required by the musician, the more pedals and the more cables that are required. Consequently, a musician who requires many different effects will have many different cables and power sources.

[0005] Figure 1 is a representation of a prior art amplifier arrangement. A musician 10 is playing a guitar 12 which connected to an amplifier 14. The amplifier is connected to a power source 16 via a power board 18. Each effect pedal 20 is connected by a cable to the power board 18. The effects pedals 20 and associated cabling are messy, take up space, create trip hazards, create a fire hazard (by power cables lying on top of each other and building up excessive heat) and require independent power sources.

[0006] Some amps have built in effects. However, those amps require the musician to engage the effect using their hand. This requires the musician to take their hand off the instrument and cease playing momentarily in order to engage the effect. However, this reduces the fluidity of the music and thereby the enjoyment of playing for the musician and the enjoyment of listening for the audience. The musician can use an assistant to change the effects on their behalf, but assistants are often not available. [0007] There is a need for a musical amplifier system which reduces the amount of power sources and cabling. The object of the present invention is to overcome or at least substantially ameliorate the aforementioned problems.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0008] According to the present invention there is provided a musical instrument amplifier comprising:

(a) a housing;

(b) at least one speaker within the housing;

(c) a power source for the amplifier; and

(d) effects pedals for the amplifier; wherein the effects pedals are integrally mounted within or on the housing of the amplifier.

[0009] Preferably, the effects pedals are modular so that the effects pedals can be removed and replaced as required. More preferably, the housing of theamplifier is adapted to supply power to the pedals.

[0010] In preferred forms of the invention, at least one of the pedals has a roller to vary the music produced by the amplifier. Alternatively, the roller may be integrated into the housing of the amplifier. The roller may be adapted to control the volume of the amplifier. The roller may be adapted to control a wah effect. The roller may be adapted to control the gain of the amplifier. The pedal may comprise a button or switch for activation. In preferred forms of the invention, the effects pedals can be accessed by a user from the front or the rear of the housing of the musical instrument amplifier.

[001 1 ] Any of the features described herein can be combined in any combination with any one or more of the other features described herein within the scope of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0012] Various embodiments of the invention will be described with reference to the following drawings, in which: [0013] Figure 1 is perspective view of a prior art amplifier set up set up involving multiple effects pedals.

[0014] Figure 2 is a front view of an amplifier according to an embodiment of the present invention.

[0015] Figure 3 is rear view of the amplifier of figure 2.

[0016] Figure 4 is a perspective view of an effect pedal comprising a roller for use with the amplifier of figures 2 and 3.

[0017] Figure 5 is a front view of an amplifier according to another embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0018] Figure 2 shows an amplifier 22 according to the present invention. A musician 24 has a guitar 26 which is connected to the housing 21 of the amplifier 22. The arrangement of the present invention shown in figure 2 is in stark contrast to the prior art arrangement shown in figure 1. The arrangement of the present invention is orderly with minimal cables, namely a cable 28 to connect the guitar 26 and a cable 30 to connect the housing 21 of the amplifier 22 to a mains electricity outlet 32.

[0019] The orderly nature of the arrangement of the present invention achieved by the modular effects pedals 34 installed in the rear side of the housing 21 of the amplifier 22 shown in figure 3. Each pedal 34 is directly connected to the housing 21 of the amplifier 22 and draws power from the housing 21 of the amplifier 22. No cables are required to connect the pedals 34 to mains electricity or the amplifier 22. Different pedals can be removed, installed, and/or re-programmed to achieve different effects. The pedals can be activated or de-activated by the musician 24 standing behind the housing 21 of the amplifier 22.

[0020] Figure 4 shows an effect pedal 36 which has a roller 38 to vary the music produced by the amplifier 22. In some forms of the invention, the roller 38 is integrated into the amplifier 22. The roller 38 is adapted to control the volume, wah effect or the gain of the amplifier 22, depending on the setting activated by button 40 using the foot 42 of the musician 24. [0021 ] Figure 5 shows an amplifier 42 according to another embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the effects pedals 44 are accessible from the front of the housing 41 of the amplifier 42. However, the modular foot pedals 44 can also be

repositioned within the housing 21 to be accessible from the rear of the amplifier 42 if required.

Concluding Remarks

[0022] Various modifications and changes can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

[0023] In the present specification and claims (if any), the word‘comprising’ and its derivatives including‘comprises’ and‘comprise’ include each of the stated integers but does not exclude the inclusion of one or more further integers.

[0024] Reference throughout this specification to‘one embodiment’ or‘an embodiment’ means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, the appearance of the phrases‘in one embodiment’ or‘in an embodiment’ in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment.

Furthermore, the particular features, structures, or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more combinations.

[0025] In compliance with the statute, the invention has been described in language more or less specific to structural or methodical features. It is to be understood that the invention is not limited to specific features shown or described since the means herein described comprises preferred forms of putting the invention into effect. The invention is, therefore, claimed in any of its forms or modifications within the proper scope of the appended claims (if any) appropriately interpreted by those skilled in the art.