Abstract: A stringed instrument, such as a violin, viola, cello, or double bass, having an inherently flat back and an inherently flat top separated by a rib structure. An interior soundpost spans between the back and the top. A bridge supports the strings over the top. When tension is applied in the strings such that the bridge applies force to the top and the soundpost applies force to the back, the top acquires a concave shape and the back acquires a convex shape. In a particular embodiment, the instrument has retaining rings mounted on interior surfaces of the back and top keep the soundpost from falling over, two subassemblies interconnected by an adjustable screw-and-nut arrangement to achieve different string heights, a nut opening configured to receive differently sized top nuts for different string heights, and an inherently straight bass bar, where the bridge has feet having inherently collinear bottoms.

Abstract: A stringed instrument, such as a violin, viola, cello, or double bass, having an inherently flat back and an inherently flat top separated by a rib structure. An interior soundpost spans between the back and the top. A bridge supports the strings over the top. When tension is applied in the strings such that the bridge applies force to the top and the soundpost applies force to the back, the top acquires a concave shape and the back acquires a convex shape. In a particular embodiment, the instrument has retaining rings mounted on interior surfaces of the back and top keep the soundpost from falling over, two subassemblies interconnected by an adjustable screw-and-nut arrangement to achieve different string heights, a nut opening configured to receive differently sized top nuts for different string heights, and an inherently straight bass bar, where the bridge has feet having inherently collinear bottoms.

Abstract: A stringed instrument, such as a violin, viola, cello, or double bass, having an inherently flat back and an inherently flat top separated by a rib structure. An interior soundpost spans between the back and the top. A bridge supports the strings over the top. When tension is applied in the strings such that the bridge applies force to the top and the soundpost applies force to the back, the top acquires a concave shape and the back acquires a convex shape. In a particular embodiment, the instrument has retaining rings mounted on interior surfaces of the back and top keep the soundpost from falling over, two subassemblies interconnected by an adjustable screw-and-nut arrangement to achieve different string heights, a nut opening configured to receive differently sized top nuts for different string heights, and an inherently straight bass bar, where the bridge has feet having inherently collinear bottoms.