Abstract: An acoustic string instrument is provided that includes a headstock formed at a distal end of a neck. The headstock and the neck are formed with a plurality of laminated material strips. A heel is formed at the proximal end of the neck. The heel is fixedly attached to a hollow body having a bottom surface joined to a top surface by a sidewall defining an inner volume. A pair of opposing outer strips from the plurality of laminated material extend past the heel to form an “A” brace in the inner volume, where the “A” brace has a plurality of apertures and an integrated bridge post that extends between the bottom surface and an inner side of the top surface of the hollow body. One or more transverse braces are fixedly attached to the inner side of the top surface, where each of the one or more transverse braces crosses through the plurality of apertures of the “A” brace without touching the “A” brace.