Patent Publication Number: US-10311837-B1

Title: Enhanced string instrument

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application 62/514,174, filed Jun. 2, 2017, which is incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD 
     The present subject matter relates to acoustic musical string instruments, such as guitars, having a hollow body, and improvements thereof. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Acoustic string instruments, such as guitars, conventionally have a hollow body including a sound hole, a neck, and strings that are stretched between the bridge on the body and a headstock on a neck, and over or near the sound hole. If expertly made from high-quality materials, guitars having this construction can have a rich, mellow sound, with volume evenly distributed across the frequency range of the strings. However, lower-cost instruments typically do not have high-quality materials and/or are not expertly made, and are thus affordable to the majority of buyers, such as most amateurs. These lower-cost instruments often have a weak sound that favors one end of the frequency spectrum (bass or treble) at the expense of the other. Accordingly, there is a need for an improved acoustic string instrument. 
     SUMMARY 
     The difficulties and drawbacks associated with previously known string instruments, means, and strategies are addressed in the present acoustic musical string instruments, and related combinations and methods. 
     In one embodiment, an acoustic musical string instrument includes a hollow body defining an interior, a tail end, and a neck end opposite from the tail end. The hollow body includes a sound board, a back plate, and a side wall extending between the sound board and the back plate. The sound board includes lateral braces arranged in the interior and contacting an interior surface of the back plate. A bridge plate is arrange on an interior surface of the sound board. Slanted sound posts are arranged in the interior. The slanted sound posts each define a first end and a second end distal from the first end. The first end contacts the sound board and the side wall, and the second end contacts the back plate and one of the lateral braces. 
     Preferably, the acoustic musical string instrument further includes longitudinal braces arranged in the interior, and each contacting adjacent lateral braces, or one of the lateral braces and the side wall. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the acoustic musical string instrument further includes longitudinal blocks arranged in the interior and on the back plate, and contacting two adjacent lateral braces, contacting one of the lateral braces and the neck block, or contacting one of the lateral braces and the tail block. 
     Preferably, the acoustic musical string instrument further includes a flat metal sheet arranged in the interior, such that a major surface of the flat metal sheet is mated to a flat interior surface of the bridge plate. 
     In another embodiment, a method of enhancing sound produced by a musical string instrument includes providing an acoustic musical string instrument. The string instrument includes a hollow body defining an interior, a tail end, and a neck end opposite from the tail end. The hollow body includes a sound board, a back plate, and a side wall extending between the sound board and the back plate. The sound board includes lateral braces arranged in the interior and contacting an interior surface of the back plate. A bridge plate is arrange on an interior surface of the sound board. The method includes providing slanted sound posts, each defining a first end and a second end distal from the first end. The method includes arranging the slanted sound posts in the interior such that for each of the slanted sound posts, the first end contacts the sound board and the side wall, and the second end contacts the back plate and one of the lateral braces. 
     Preferably, the method includes arranging longitudinal braces in the interior, such that the longitudinal braces each contact adjacent lateral braces or one of the lateral braces and the side wall. 
     In a preferred embodiment, the method includes arranging longitudinal blocks in the interior and on the back plate, such that two of the longitudinal blocks each contact two adjacent lateral braces, one of the longitudinal blocks contacts one of the lateral braces and the neck block, and another one of the longitudinal blocks contacts another one of the lateral braces and the tail block. 
     Preferably, the method includes arranging a flat metal sheet in the interior such that a major flat surface of the flat metal sheet is mated to a flat interior surface of the bridge plate. 
     As will be realized, the subject matter described herein is capable of other and different embodiments and its several details are capable of modifications in various respects, all without departing from the claimed subject matter. Accordingly, the drawings and description are to be regarded as illustrative and not restrictive. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These, as well as other features, aspects, and advantages of the present subject matter, will be more completely understood and appreciated by referring to the following more detailed description of the exemplary embodiments of the present subject matter in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. 
         FIG. 1  is a plan view of half of a guitar according to an embodiment of the invention, and showing an interior portion including the sound board. 
         FIG. 2  is a plan view of the other half of the guitar of  FIG. 1 , and showing an interior portion including the back plate and side walls. 
         FIG. 3  is a sectional view of the guitar of  FIG. 1  taken along line A-A in  FIG. 1  and line B-B in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 4  is another sectional view of the guitar of  FIG. 1  taken along line A-A in  FIG. 1  and line B-B in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 5  is a detailed sectional view of the guitar of  FIG. 1  taken along line A-A in  FIG. 1  and line B-B in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 6  is another detailed sectional view of the guitar of  FIG. 1  taken along line A-A in  FIG. 1  and line B-B in  FIG. 2 . 
         FIG. 7  is another detailed sectional view of the guitar of  FIG. 1  taken along line A-A in  FIG. 1  and line B-B in  FIG. 2 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS 
     The present invention is a strategic configuration of features for an acoustic musical string instrument to produce a louder, deeper, richer, and more even sound at all frequencies (i.e. for all strings on the instrument). 
     Acoustic guitars or other acoustic musical string instruments in accordance with the present subject matter include one or more elements of 1) slanted sound posts, 2) longitudinal braces, 3) longitudinal blocks, and 4) a metal covered bridge plate. Including any one or more of these elements in a guitar or other acoustic musical string instrument can provided an improved (e.g. louder, deeper, richer, more even) sound over a similar acoustic musical string instrument not including any one or all of these elements. 
     The present subject matter will be discussed with respect to an acoustic guitar, as opposed to a classical acoustic guitar (which has a different structure), a violin, or other acoustic string instruments. However, it will be appreciated that the invention may be applicable to other acoustic musical string instruments including a classical acoustic guitar, ukulele, mandolin, violin, etc. 
     With reference to the accompanying  FIGS. 1-7 , an acoustic musical string instrument, for example an acoustic guitar  2 , includes a hollow body  4  defining an interior  6 , a neck end  8 , and a tail end  10  opposite from the neck end  8 . The hollow body  4  includes a sound board  12 , a back plate  14 , and a side wall  16  extending between the sound board  12  and the back plate  14 . The guitar  2  includes a bridge  18  arranged on an exterior surface  20  of the sound board  12  and a bridge plate  22  arranged on an interior surface  24  of the sound board  12  opposite from the bridge plate  22 . The guitar  2  includes a neck  26  on an exterior surface  28  of the hollow body  4  and extending from the neck end  8  away from the hollow body  4  in a longitudinal direction L 1 , which runs between the neck end  8  and the tail end  10  of the guitar  2 . The guitar can also include strings  30  stretched between the bridge  18  and the neck  26  (e.g. a headstock on the neck  26 ) that produce musical sounds/notes when vibrated. The interior  6  may provide a resonance chamber for the sound produced by strings  30 . 
     The hollow body  4  can define one or more sound holes  32  through which sound produced by the strings  30  escapes from the interior  6  to an exterior  33  of the hollow body  4 . As depicted, the sound hole  32  is arranged between the bridge  18  and the neck  26 , although this is not required and the sound hole  32  can be arranged elsewhere, including on the side wall  16 . 
     The back plate  14  may include one or more lateral braces arranged in the interior  6  and contacting the interior surface  42  of the back plate  14 , and including a first lateral brace  34 , a second lateral brace  36 , a third lateral brace  38 , and a fourth lateral brace  40 . The lateral braces  34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  40  may extend in a lateral direction L 2 , which runs perpendicular to the longitudinal direction L 1 . The first lateral brace  34  is arranged closest to the neck end  8 , the second lateral brace  36  is arranged closest to the tail end  10 , the third lateral brace  38  is arranged between the first and second lateral braces  34 ,  36 , and the fourth lateral brace  40  is arranged between the first and third lateral braces  34 ,  38  as depicted. 
     The sound board  12  may include a cross brace  43 , side tone bars  44 , tone bars  46 , and a sound board lateral brace  48  arranged in the interior  6  and contacting the interior surface  24  of the sound board  12 . In one aspect, the guitar  2  does not include the side tone bars  44 . This allows the sound board  12  to be less stiff and thus vibrate more, thus increasing the bass and decreasing the treble emanating from the guitar  2 . 
     The guitar  2  may include a tail block  50  arranged in the interior  6  and contacting an interior portion of the side wall  16  at the tail end  10 , and a neck block  52  arranged in the interior  6  and contacting an interior portion of the side wall  16  at the neck end  8 . 
     The guitar  2  can include one or more slanted sound posts arranged in the interior  6  of the hollow body  4 . The slanted sound posts each define a first end and a second end distal from the first end. The first end contacts the sound board  12  at its edge where it meets the side wall  16 , and may also contact the side wall  16 , although this is not required. The second end contacts the back plate  14  near one of the lateral braces, and may also contact one of the lateral braces although this is not required. The slanted sound posts can include one or more of a first slanted sound post  54 , a second slanted sound post  56 , a third slanted sound post  58 , a fourth slanted sound post  60 , a fifth slanted sound post  62 , and a sixth slanted sound post  64 . 
     The first and second slanted sound posts  54 ,  56  may be identical, and can be arranged in a mirrored fashion in the interior  6  on opposite lateral sides of the guitar  2  as best depicted in  FIG. 2 . Likewise, the third and fourth slanted sound posts  58 ,  60  may be identical and similarly arranged in a mirrored fashion, as can the fifth and sixth slanted sound posts  62 ,  64 . 
     The first and second slanted sound posts  54 ,  56  extend between the first lateral brace  34  and an interior junction  15  between the sound board  12  and the side wall  16  at the neck end  8 . In this way, the first end of each of the first and second slanted sound posts  54 ,  56  contacts the first lateral brace  34  and the back plate  14 , and the second end contacts the side wall  16  and the sound board  12 . 
     The second and third slanted sound posts  58 ,  60  extend between the second lateral brace  36  and the interior junction  15  between the sound board  12  and the side wall  16  at the tail end  10 . In this way, the first end of each of the second and third slanted sound posts  58 ,  60  contacts the second lateral brace  36  and the back plate  14 , and the second end contacts the side wall  16  and the sound board  12 . 
     The fifth and sixth slanted sound posts  62 ,  64  extend between the third lateral brace  38  and the interior junction  15  between the sound board  12  and the side wall  16  at the tail end  10 . In this way, the first end of each of the fifth and sixth slanted sound posts  62 ,  64  contacts the third lateral brace  38  and the back plate  14 , and the second end contacts the side wall  16  and the sound board  12 . 
     The slanted sound posts  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60 ,  62 ,  64  can be glued or otherwise connected to the back plate  14  and optionally to the lateral braces and, and glued or otherwise connected to the sound board  12  near the interior corner junction  15  between the sound board  12  and the side wall  16 , and optionally to the side wall  16 . In one embodiment, the slanted sound posts  54 ,  5656 ,  58 ,  60 ,  62 ,  64  are wedged between the lateral braces and the back plate  14  and the interior corner junction  15  between the sound board  12  and the side wall  16   
     In one embodiment, the second end of the slanted sound posts  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60 ,  62 ,  64  do not contact the back plate  14 , such that the slanted sound posts  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60 ,  62 ,  64  are connected directly to the lateral braces without contacting the back plate  14 . In another embodiment, the slanted sound posts  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60 ,  62 ,  64  contact the back plate  14  and do not contact the lateral braces. In another embodiment, the slanted sound posts  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60 ,  62 ,  64  are connected directly to the interior surface  24  of the sound board  12  and do not contact the side wall  16 . The slanted sound posts  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60 ,  62 ,  64  may be arranged such that they only contact an edge of the sound board  12  and do not contact a middle portion of the sound board  12 . In this regard, the first end of the slanted sound posts  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60 ,  62 ,  64  may be connected to the sound board no more than 2.5 cm from the interior corner junction  15  between the sound board  12  and the side wall  16 . The slanted sound post  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60 ,  62 ,  64  may be arranged so that their lengths are not perpendicular to one or more of the interior surface  24  of the sound board and the interior surface  42  of the back plate  14 . In this arrangement, the slanted sound post  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60 ,  62 ,  64  do not dampen vibration of the sound board  12 , yet can transfer vibration from the sound board  12  to the back plate  14 . 
     It has been discovered that the strategic placement and configuration of the slanted sound posts  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60 ,  62 ,  64  transfers vibrations produced in the sound board  12  when the strings  30  are vibrated, from the sound board  12  to the back plate  14 , which increases overall volume of sound projected from the guitar  2 . Placement of the first end of the slanted sound posts  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60 ,  62 ,  64  in the interior corner junction  15  between the side wall  16  and the sound board  12  allows the transfer of vibration from the sound board  12  to the back plate  14  without inhibiting the vibration of the sound board  12 , which is essential for producing quality musical sounds. The slanted sound posts  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60 ,  62 ,  64  are not particularly limited by the present subject matter, and can comprise various types of wood (for example a wood dowel rod), wood composite, or other material able to sufficiently transfer vibration from the sound board  12  to the back plate  14 . Preferably, the slanted sound post  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60 ,  62 ,  64  each comprise or consist of a solid oak dowel. However, any materials of roughly the same density and weight could be used. Further, the shape of the slanted sound posts  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60 ,  62 ,  64  do not have to have a circular cross section, but could have other cross-sectional shapes such as square, rectangular, oval, triangle, or other shapes. 
     The guitar  2  can include one or more longitudinal braces arranged in the interior  6  and along the back plate  14 , and contacting one of the lateral braces and the side wall  16 , or contacting two adjacent lateral braces. In one embodiment, the longitudinal braces are arranged on the interior surface  42  of the back plate  14 . The longitudinal braces can include one or more of a first longitudinal brace  66 , a second longitudinal brace  68 , a third longitudinal brace  70 , a fourth longitudinal brace  72 , fifth longitudinal brace  86 , a sixth longitudinal brace  88 , a seventh longitudinal brace  90 , eighth longitudinal brace  92 , a ninth longitudinal brace  94 , and a tenth longitudinal brace  96 . 
     The first and second longitudinal braces  66 ,  68  may be identical, and can be arranged in a mirrored fashion in the interior  6  on opposite lateral sides of the guitar  2  as best depicted in  FIG. 2 . Likewise, the other pairs of longitudinal braces  70  and  72 ,  86  and  88 ,  90  and  92 , and  94  and  96  may be identical and similarly arranged in a mirrored fashion with respect to the other of the pair. 
     The first and second longitudinal braces  66 ,  68  each contact, and can be tightly wedged between, a portion of the side wall  16  at the neck end  8  and also the first lateral brace  34 . The third and fourth longitudinal braces  70 ,  72  each contact, and can be tightly wedged between, a portion of the side wall  16  at the tail end  10  and also the second lateral brace  36 . The fifth and sixth longitudinal braces  86 ,  88  each contact, and can be tightly wedge between, the first and fourth lateral braces  34 ,  40 . The seventh and eighth longitudinal braces  90 ,  92  each contact, and can be tightly wedge between, the fourth and third lateral braces  40 ,  38 . The ninth and tenth longitudinal braces  94 ,  96  each contact, and can be tightly wedge between, the third and second lateral braces  38 ,  36 . The longitudinal braces  66 ,  68 ,  70 ,  72 ,  86 ,  88 ,  90 ,  92 ,  94 ,  96 ,  86 ,  88 ,  90 ,  92 ,  94 ,  96  may extend in the longitudinal direction L 1 . Longitudinal braces  66 ,  86 ,  90 ,  94 ,  70  can be arranged in a straight or almost straight line with each other and between the neck end  8  and the tail end  10  of the guitar  2 , and longitudinal braces  68 ,  88 ,  92 ,  96 ,  72  may also be arranged in a straight with each other or almost straight line between the neck end  8  and the tail end  10  of the guitar  2  as depicted in the figures. As such, the longitudinal braces are arranged in two rows extending in the longitudinal direction L 1  from the neck end  8  to the tail end  10 . 
     The longitudinal braces  66 ,  68 ,  70 ,  72 ,  86 ,  88 ,  90 ,  92 ,  94 ,  96 , like the slanted sound posts  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60 , are not particularly limited by the present subject matter, and can comprise various types of wood (for example a wood dowel rod), wood composite, or other material. Preferably, the longitudinal braces  66 ,  68 ,  70 ,  72 ,  86 ,  88 ,  90 ,  92 ,  94 ,  96  each comprise or consist of a solid poplar dowel. However, and materials of roughly the same density and weight could be used. Further, the shape of the longitudinal braces  66 ,  68 ,  70 ,  72 ,  86 ,  88 ,  90 ,  92 ,  94 ,  96  do not have to have a circular cross section, but could have other cross-sectional shapes such as square or rectangular, oval, triangle, or other shapes. In another preferred embodiment, the longitudinal braces  66 ,  70 ,  86 ,  90 ,  94  are not individual pieces, but instead are made of a single unitary piece of material (e.g. wood) that contacts, and can be tightly wedged between, the side wall  16  at the neck end  8  and the side wall  16  at the tail end  10 . In other words in this embodiment, the lateral braces  34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  40  do not dissect the single unitary piece of material making up the longitudinal braces  66 ,  70 ,  86 ,  90 ,  94  and the longitudinal braces  66 ,  70 ,  86 ,  90 ,  94  may not even contact the lateral braces  34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  40 . Likewise, the longitudinal braces  68 ,  72 ,  88 ,  92 ,  96  can be a single unitary piece of material (e.g. wood) that contacts, and can be tightly wedged between, the side wall  16  at the neck end  8  and the side wall  16  at the tail end  10 . Alternatively, the longitudinal braces  66 ,  68 ,  70 ,  72 ,  86 ,  88 ,  90 ,  92 ,  94 ,  96  and the lateral braces  34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  40  can be formed from a single unitary piece of material (e.g. wood) that is formed to have a web-like structure that has a similar configuration to the arrangement shown for the longitudinal braces and lateral braces. 
     The longitudinal braces  66 ,  68 ,  70 ,  72 ,  86 ,  88 ,  90 ,  92 ,  94 ,  96  can be glued or otherwise connected to the lateral braces on the back plate  14 , and/or glued or otherwise connected to the side wall  16 , and can optionally be glued to the back plate  14 . In one embodiment the longitudinal braces  66 ,  68 ,  70 ,  72 ,  86 ,  88 ,  90 ,  92 ,  94 ,  96  are not glued to the back plate  14  of the guitar  2 , and are only glued to the cross braces and/or to the side wall  16 . In one embodiment, the longitudinal braces  66 ,  68 ,  70 ,  72 ,  86 ,  88 ,  90 ,  92 ,  94 ,  96  are wedged between the lateral braces and/or the side wall  16 . 
     It has been discovered that the strategic placement and configuration of the longitudinal braces  66 ,  68 ,  70 ,  72 ,  86 ,  88 ,  90 ,  92 ,  94 ,  96  stiffen the back plate  14  of the guitar  2  and increase treble and especially the sustain of the sound projected by the guitar  2 . 
     The guitar  2  can include one or more longitudinal blocks arranged in the interior  6  and along the back plate  14 , and contacting two adjacent lateral braces, contacting one of the lateral braces and the neck block  52 , or contacting one of the lateral braces and the tail block  50 . In one embodiment, the longitudinal blocks are arranged on the back plate  14 . In one embodiment as depicted in  FIGS. 3-4 , the longitudinal blocks can include a first longitudinal block  74 , a second longitudinal block  76 , a third longitudinal block  78 , and a fourth longitudinal block  80 . The first longitudinal block  74  may be arranged between and optionally contacting the first lateral brace  34  and the neck block  52 . The second longitudinal block  76  may be arranged between and optionally contacting the third and fourth lateral braces  38 ,  40 . The third longitudinal block  78  may be may be arranged between and optionally contacting the second and third lateral braces  36 ,  38 . The fourth longitudinal block  80  may be may be arranged between and optionally contacting the second lateral brace  36  and the tail block  50 . In another embodiment as depicted in  FIG. 2 , the longitudinal blocks can include the third longitudinal block  78 , the fourth longitudinal block  80 , a fifth longitudinal block  79 , and a sixth longitudinal block  81 . The third and fifth longitudinal blocks  78 ,  79  may be may be arranged between and optionally contacting the second and third lateral braces  36 ,  38 . The fourth and sixth longitudinal blocks  80 ,  81  may be may be arranged between and optionally contacting the second lateral brace  36  and the tail block  50 . In this embodiment, the first longitudinal block  74  shown in  FIGS. 3-4  may be included. The invention includes different arrangements of longitudinal blocks. 
     The longitudinal blocks  74 ,  76 ,  78 ,  79 ,  80 ,  81  are not particularly limited by the present subject matter, and can comprise various types of wood (for example a wood block), wood composite, or other material. Preferably, the longitudinal blocks  74 ,  76 ,  78 ,  79 ,  80 ,  81  each comprise or consist of a solid maple block. However, any materials of roughly the same density and weight could be used. Further, the shape of the longitudinal blocks  74 ,  76 ,  78 ,  79 ,  80 ,  81  do not have to have a square or rectangular cross section as shown, but could have other cross-sectional shapes such as circular, oval, triangle, or other shapes. 
     The longitudinal blocks  74 ,  76 ,  78 ,  79 ,  80 ,  81  may extend in the longitudinal direction L 1 . As shown, the longitudinal blocks  74 ,  76 ,  78 ,  79 ,  80 ,  81  are arranged down a center line of the guitar  2 . However, it will be understood that the longitudinal blocks  74 ,  76 ,  78 ,  79 ,  80 ,  81  can be differently arranged, such as not in line with the center line of the guitar  2 . The longitudinal blocks  74 ,  76 ,  78 ,  79 ,  80 ,  81  may be arranged in line with one another as shown in the figures. But this is not necessary, and the longitudinal blocks  74 ,  76 ,  78 ,  79 ,  80 ,  81  can instead be arranged in a non-linear configuration. Moreover, the guitar  2  can include more or less longitudinal blocks than depicted in the figures. For example, one or more additional longitudinal blocks can be arranged between and contacting the first and fourth lateral braces  34 ,  40 . 
     In one embodiment, the longitudinal blocks  74 ,  76 ,  78 ,  79 ,  80 ,  81  are part of a single integral piece that extends from the neck block  52  to the tail block  50 , and includes cutouts located at positions corresponding to the first, second, third, and fourth lateral braces  34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  40  to allow non-cutout portion of the integral piece to be arranged between and contacting the lateral braces  34 ,  36 ,  38 ,  40 . 
     The longitudinal blocks  74 ,  76 ,  78 ,  79 ,  80 ,  81  can be glued or otherwise connected to the back plate  14 , and can optionally be glued or otherwise connected to the lateral braces, the neck block  52 , and tail block  50 . In one embodiment the longitudinal blocks  74 ,  76 ,  78 ,  79 ,  80 ,  81  are glued only to the back plate  14  of the guitar  2 , and are not glued to the lateral braces, the neck block  52  or the tail block  50 . In one embodiment, the longitudinal blocks  74 ,  76 ,  78 ,  79 ,  80 ,  81  are wedged between the lateral braces and between the lateral braces and the neck block  52  and tail block  50 . 
     It has been discovered that the strategic placement and configuration of the longitudinal blocks  74 ,  76 ,  78 ,  79 ,  80 ,  81  increases the mass of the back plate  14  and thereby increases the bass and sustain of the sound projected from the guitar  2 . 
     The guitar  2  can include a metal covered bridge plate. The metal covered bridge plate can include a flat metal sheet  82  arranged in the interior  6 , and contacting the bridge plate  22 . As depicted in the figures, the flat metal sheet can be a plate having two major flat surfaces that are opposite of each other, with edges connecting the two major flat surfaces. The flat metal sheet  82  has one of the major flat surfaces mated to a flat interior surface of the bridge plate  22 . 
     The flat metal sheet  82  may comprise metals, metal alloys, or metal composites. In one embodiment, the flat metal sheet  82  comprises aluminum, and is attached (e.g. glued) to the interior surface of the bridge plate  22 . The metal sheet  82  is not particularly limited and can be made in any thickness as desired. In one aspect, the metal sheet  82  is made from a sheet of aluminum metal that is 1/16-¼ inch thick, preferably about ⅛ inch thick. Softer or harder metals can be used. When softer metal is used, the sound projected by the guitar  2  is softer and more mellow. When harder metal is used, the sound has more treble. The metal sheet  82  can partially or completely cover the interior surface of the bridge plate  22 . In one aspect, the metal sheet  82  includes holes  84  to allow strings  30  to be inserted therethrough. 
     It has been discovered that the strategic placement and configuration of the metal sheet  82  on the bridge plate  22  increases the treble of the sound projected from the guitar  2 , and evens and balances the response between the strings  30 . 
     If an adhesive or glue is used to connect or adhere elements  1 - 4  to various portions of the guitar  2 , the adhesive or glue can comprise hide glue for example, however other adhesives can be used. 
     The present subject matter includes a method of enhancing sound produced by an acoustic musical string instrument, such as a guitar  2  as described herein. The method can include providing the slanted sound posts  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60 ,  62 ,  64 , each defining a first end and a second end distal from the first end. The method can include arranging the slanted sound posts  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60 ,  62 ,  64  in the interior  6  such that for each of the slanted sound posts  54 ,  56 ,  58 ,  60 ,  62 ,  64 , the first end contacts the sound board  12  near its junction  15  with the side wall  16 , and optionally contacts the side wall  16 , and the second end contacts the back plate  14  and optionally one of the lateral braces. 
     The method can include arranging the longitudinal braces  66 ,  68 ,  70 ,  72 ,  86 ,  88 ,  90 ,  92 ,  94 ,  96  in the interior  6 , such that the longitudinal braces  66 ,  68 ,  70 ,  72 ,  86 ,  88 ,  90 ,  92 ,  94 ,  96  each are arranged on the interior surface  42  of the back plate  14  and contact adjacent lateral braces, or one of the lateral braces and the side wall  16 . The method can comprise arranging the longitudinal blocks  74 ,  76 ,  78 ,  80  in the interior  6  and on the back plate  14 , such that two of the longitudinal blocks  76 ,  78  each are arranged between two adjacent lateral braces  36 ,  38 ,  40 , one of the longitudinal blocks  74  contacts one of the lateral braces  34  and the neck block  52 , and another one of the longitudinal blocks  80  contacts another one of the lateral braces  36  and the tail block  50 . The method can include arranging the flat metal sheet  82  in the interior  6  such that the major surface of the flat metal sheet  82  is mated to a flat interior surface of the bridge plate  22 . 
     It has been found that the guitar  2  according to the present subject matter produces a sound that is louder, deeper, richer, clearer, and more even across the frequency range from bass to treble as compared to similar guitars without any one or all of elements  1 - 4 . 
     Although specific embodiments of the invention have been illustrated, this does not preclude their application of elements  1 - 4  to acoustic musical stringed instruments other than acoustic guitars, such as classical guitars, mandolins, ukuleles, violins, etc. 
     Many other benefits will no doubt become apparent from future application and development of this technology. 
     As described hereinabove, the present subject matter solves many problems associated with previous strategies, systems and/or devices. However, it will be appreciated that various changes in the details, materials and arrangements of components, which have been herein described and illustrated in order to explain the nature of the present subject matter, may be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the principle and scopes of the claimed subject matter, as expressed in the appended claims.