Abstract: An integral brace body providing support for a musical instrument soundboard. The body includes a back that faces the soundboard. A sidewall is integral with, connected directly to, and extends away from the back to form a top edge that engages the soundboard. A first brace extends horizontally across a width of the body from a first portion of the sidewall top edge to a second portion of the sidewall top edge, the first brace being integral with and connected directly to the sidewall, although not with the back, of the body. A second brace extends horizontally across the width of the body from a third sidewall portion to a fourth sidewall portion, the second brace being integral with and connected directly to both the sidewall and the back of the body. Also disclosed is a process for manufacturing a stringed musical instrument having an integral soundboard support.

Abstract: A soundboard for a musical instrument having a body, a rear plate, and a lateral plate, with the soundboard, the rear plate, and the lateral plate defining a sound chamber for the musical instrument. The soundboard extends along a longitudinal axis and has a thickness. The soundboard also has a partial taper recurve asymmetrically disposed around the longitudinal axis. The recurve includes a first recurve section that forms a downward ramp which starts flush with the thickness of the soundboard, a second recurve section that defines the full depth of the partial taper recurve, and a third recurve section that forms an upward ramp which ends flush with the thickness of the soundboard. Also disclosed is a musical instrument comprising the soundboard. The musical instrument may be a guitar.

Abstract: A soundboard for a musical instrument having a body, a rear plate, and a lateral plate, with the soundboard, the rear plate, and the lateral plate defining a sound chamber for the musical instrument. The soundboard extends along a longitudinal axis and has a thickness. The soundboard also has a partial taper recurve asymmetrically disposed around the longitudinal axis. The recurve includes a first recurve section that forms a downward ramp which starts flush with the thickness of the soundboard, a second recurve section that defines the full depth of the partial taper recurve, and a third recurve section that forms an upward ramp which ends flush with the thickness of the soundboard. Also disclosed is a musical instrument comprising the soundboard. The musical instrument may be a guitar.

Abstract: A linear dovetail neck joint for a musical instrument having a neck, a body, and a fretboard. The linear dovetail neck joint relies on an internal dovetail with screw-adjustable tension while avoiding screws that go directly into the neck. The linear dovetail neck joint allows for extreme fret accessibility in the upper register of the fretboard (due to lack of heel on the neck), easier neck height adjustments, intonation correction, and unique front block configurations with hand relief—all without the need for adhesives. The linear dovetail neck joint permits a practical and aesthetically pleasing neck-to-body joint without the need for a heel on the neck. The result is a neck-to-body joint that is easily adjustable and serviceable.

Abstract: A guitar neck joint routing system. The system includes a probe and router assembly comprising a gantry, a probe, and a plurality of routers, and a guitar neck and body nest comprising clamps and vacuum grips for holding a guitar neck and guitar body in place for taking measurements and routing a dovetail joint.

Abstract: A guitar neck joint routing system. The system includes a probe and router assembly comprising a gantry, a probe, and a plurality of routers, and a guitar neck and body nest comprising clamps and vacuum grips for holding a guitar neck and guitar body in place for taking measurements and routing a dovetail joint.