Patent Publication Number: US-9852718-B1

Title: Modular guitar body

Description:
BACKGROUND OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     1. Field of the Disclosure 
     This disclosure relates to a guitar body, and more particularly, to a modular multiple-piece guitar body designed to be modifiable and/or customizable. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     The Fender® Telecaster® (or Tele®), is the world&#39;s first commercially successful solid-body electric guitar, and was introduced for national distribution (as the Broadcaster) in the autumn of 1950. In its classic form, the guitar is simply constructed, with the neck and fingerboard (or fret board) comprising a single piece of maple, screwed to an ash or alder body inexpensively jigged with flat surfaces on the front and back. The hardware includes two single coil pickups controlled by a three-way selector switch, and one each of volume and tone controls. The bridge has three adjustable saddles, with strings doubled up on each. 
     For the most part, the design of the electric guitar body has changed very little over the last 65 years. Leo Fender selected a 1.75″ thick piece of wood for his Telecaster and that eventually became the accepted, “standard” thickness for a solid body electric guitar body. The Telecaster&#39;s design also helped establish the “standard” guitar neck pocket depth (for a bolt-on neck guitars), as well as the way in which the pickups are mounted in routed cavities. At that time, the electronics for most guitars were accessed below pickguards (Fender®-style) or via control cavities (Gibson®-style). Modifying a guitar was not a common occurrence when the iconic Telecaster® was first launched. In the early 1950s, for example, there were few after-market options if a player wanted to change their pickups or modify the wiring. 
     Today, many electric guitar players want to modify their guitars and there are, for example, countless boutique pickup builders providing alternatives to the factory installed stock parts. Many players frequently swap out their guitar electronics and pickups in the never-ending pursuit of achieving the “ultimate” tone. 
     For example, many musicians seek the capability to create a very particular sound or “tone” and will go to great lengths and/or expense in order to produce such tone. Oftentimes the emulation of a particular tone, or in some cases, the ability to create new sounds is desired. In the context of the electric guitar, many factors contribute to the sound of the instrument such as, for example, the type and quality of body material, stress state of the material, and type of transducer or pickup (e.g., magnetic or piezo) used. 
     To meet the demand of “mod” (or modification) hungry guitarists, there are currently hundreds of “boutique” guitar part manufacturers providing custom pickups, necks and other guitar hardware (e.g., tuners, switches, bridges, saddles, etc.). However, most guitar bodies have held true to their 1950&#39;s era design origins, and thus, are constrained in their modification-ability (or modifiability) and/or customizability. That is, a “traditional” electric guitar body has many shortcomings for a player wanting to modify it. 
     Traditional guitar bodies, for example, can limit a player&#39;s ability to customize their guitar in several ways. Examples of these limitations include: the pickup location being limited to where the routing is situated on the top of the guitar; the scale length of the neck that can be used with the guitar body is pre-defined by where the drilled holes are located for the bridge; and the volume/tone controls are restricted to a small routed area on the back of the guitar (Gibson style) or fastened to a plastic pickguard (Fender style). For example, when a guitar has pickup cavities, pickups need to be placed exactly where the pickup cavities are located. Additionally, with traditional guitar bodies, switches need to be positioned exactly where the pre-routed switch cavity is located on a guitar body. Moreover, with some guitars, pickguards need to be removed before performing any wiring updates, and trial pickup combinations cannot be tested until all the parts of the guitar are put back in place (i.e., until the guitar is fully reassembled. Thus, with traditional guitar bodies, an A/B comparison between the various alternative parts is difficult, as disassembly and subsequent reassembly is required between each sound test. All these restrictions encountered with known guitar designs prevent or limit modification of a guitar to a users&#39; preferences. 
     Therefore, there is a need in the industry for an improved guitar body that can more easily be modified and/or customized, and which can more easily be tested when comparing alternative modifications. 
     SUMMARY OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a stringed instrument body, comprising a top body having a groove/shelf engagement structure and a back body having a corresponding shelf/groove engagement structure that is engagable with the groove/shelf engagement structure of the top body. When the corresponding shelf/groove engagement structure is engaged with the groove/shelf engagement structure, a projecting portion of the groove/shelf engagement structure of the top body projects within the back body and contacts a corresponding recessed portion of the shelf/groove engagement structure of the back body. 
     In additional embodiments, the top body has an approximate thickness of 1.25″. 
     In further embodiments, the top body has an approximate thickness of 1.25″, the back body has an approximate thickness of 0.75″, and when the top body is joined to the back body to form the stringed instrument body, the overall thickness of the stringed instrument body is less than 2.0″. 
     In yet further embodiments, the top body has an approximate thickness of A, the back body has an approximate thickness of B, and when the top body is joined to the back body to form the stringed instrument body, the overall thickness of the stringed instrument body is less than A+B. 
     In embodiments, the back body is interchangeable with a different back body having a different thickness and/or different materials so as to modify one or more properties of the stringed instrument body. 
     In additional embodiments, the back body is removably fastenable to the top body. 
     In further embodiments, the stringed instrument body further comprises an edging arranged at the junction of the top body and back body along the perimeter of the stringed instrument body. 
     In yet further embodiments, the edging covers a seam between the top body and the back body so as to provide an appearance of a single-piece body construction. 
     In certain embodiments, the edging is arranged on the top body and arranged to cover a larger portion of the top body than the back body, such that the top body and the back body appear to have approximately equal thicknesses. 
     In some embodiments, both the top body and the back body comprise wood. 
     In further embodiments, the top body and the back body each comprise a different species of wood. 
     In embodiments, the top body provides a blank-canvas mounting surface for one or more guitar components. 
     In certain embodiments, the top body includes a tone block extending along the length of the top body on an inner side of the top body, and projects along a length of the tone block to a same height in a thickness direction of the top body as a height of a raised groove of the groove/shelf engagement structure. 
     In additional embodiments, the back body includes a corresponding tone block on an inner side of the back body, and when the top body and the back body are joined together, the tone block of the top body is in contact with the corresponding tone block of the back body. 
     In further embodiments, the tone block of the top body includes a recessed region structured and arranged to accommodate a neck plate and fasteners. 
     In yet further embodiments, the back body includes a tone block extending along the length of the back body on an inner side of the back body, and projects along a length of the tone block to a same height in a thickness direction of the back body as a height of a recessed shelf of the shelf/groove engagement structure. 
     In embodiments, the top body and the back body have congruent profiles. 
     In additional embodiments, inner sides of at least one of the top body and the back body include one or more hollowed regions. 
     In further embodiments, the stringed instrument body further comprises at least one removable insert structured and arranged to be insertable into a hollowed region of the one or more hollowed regions. 
     In yet further embodiments, the stringed instrument body further comprises a neck plate arranged on an inner side of the top body, and structured and arranged for securing a bolt-on neck to the top body. 
     In embodiments, when the back body is attached to the top body, the neck plate is covered by the back body, such that the neck plate is internal to the stringed instrument body and hidden from view. 
     In additional embodiments, the inner side of the top body includes a recessed region structured and arranged to accommodate the neck plate. 
     In certain embodiments, the back body includes a sculpted region in a neck joint area covering the neck plate. 
     In yet further embodiments, the shelf/groove engagement structure of the top body is arranged along the perimeter of the top body, and the shelf/groove engagement structure of the back body is arranged along the perimeter of the back body. 
     In certain embodiments, the top body comprises a neck pocket having a depth D of approximately 0.31″ and a length L of between approximately 3.2″ and 3.5″. 
     In additional embodiments, when a neck having a fret board with an approximate height of 1.0″ is arranged in the neck pocket, a top surface of the neck is raised above a top surface of the top body by approximately 0.70″-0.90″. 
     In some embodiments, the top body comprises a neck pocket having a length L of approximately 3.2″ to 3.5″ and a depth D that varies between approximately 0.236″ (6 mm) and 0.334″ (8.5 mm) along the length of the neck pocket. 
     In certain embodiments, the stringed instrument body further comprises a bridge assembly having a bridge, mounting posts, and respective stands having conical profile. 
     Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a stringed instrument, comprising: a stringed instrument body having a body thickness, the stringed instrument body comprising a top body, and a back body removably fastenable to the top body and providing a portion of the body thickness, a neck attached to the top body, and a plurality of strings attached to the neck and the stringed instrument body. The top body is a playable instrument even while the back body is not attached to the top body. 
     Additional aspects of the present disclosure are directed to a stringed instrument body, comprising: a top body having a groove/shelf engagement structure; a neck plate arranged on an inner side of the top body, and structured and arranged for securing a bolt-on neck to the top body; and a back body having a corresponding shelf/groove engagement structure that is engagable with the groove/shelf engagement structure of the top body. The back body is removably fastenable to the top body. When the corresponding shelf/groove engagement structure is engaged with the groove/shelf engagement structure, a projecting portion of the groove/shelf engagement structure of the top body projects within the back body and contacts a corresponding recessed portion of the shelf/groove engagement structure of the back body. When the back body is engaged with the top body, the neck plate is covered by the back body, such that the neck plate is hidden from view. The top body has an approximate thickness of A, the back body has an approximate thickness of B, and when the top body is joined to the back body to form the stringed instrument body, the overall thickness of the stringed instrument body is less than A+B. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The novel features which are characteristic of the embodiments of the disclosure, both as to structure and method of operation thereof, together with further aims and advantages thereof, will be understood from the following description, considered in connection with the accompanying drawings, in which embodiments of the disclosure are illustrated by way of example. It is to be expressly understood, however, that the drawings are for the purpose of illustration and description only, and they are not intended as a definition of the limits of the disclosure. For a more complete understanding of the disclosure, as well as other aims and further features thereof, reference may be had to the following detailed description of the embodiments of the disclosure in conjunction with the following exemplary and non-limiting drawings wherein: 
         FIG. 1  is a top view of a conventional guitar upon which a guitar bridge is mounted; 
         FIG. 2  shows an exemplary and non-limiting depiction of a guitar body in accordance with aspects of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 3  shows a view of the top body and the back body joined together to form the guitar body; 
         FIG. 4  shows a view of the top body and the back body joined together to form the guitar body with a binding (or decorative edging) in accordance with aspects of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 5  shows exemplary various guitar body shapes for which the present disclosure may be utilized in accordance with aspects of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 6  illustrates a guitar body comprising a top body and one of a plurality of “swappable” or interchangeable back bodies in accordance with aspects of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 7  shows a groove/shelf engagement structure in accordance with aspects of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 8  shows a view of the inside of the top body and the inside of the back body illustrating the complementary groove/shelf engagement structure in accordance with aspects of the disclosure; 
         FIGS. 9A and 9B  show views of the inside of the top body in accordance with aspects of the disclosure; 
         FIGS. 10A and 10B  show views of the inside of the back body in accordance with aspects of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 11  shows a conventional bolt-on neck arrangement; 
         FIGS. 12A and 12B  illustrate views of the internal hidden neck plate bolt-on neck construction of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 13A-13C  illustrate a top view of conventional Stratocastor® (or Strat®) neck pocket, a top view of a conventional Telecaster® (or Tele®) neck pocket, and a side section view of a tele/strat neck pocket, respectively; 
         FIG. 14  illustrates a view of a neck pocket in accordance with aspects of the disclosure; 
         FIG. 15  illustrates a view of a neck pocket with a neck positioned therein in accordance with aspects of the disclosure; 
         FIGS. 16A-C  schematically depict optional removable inserts that may be arranged in one or more hollowed portions or cavities of the top body and/or back body in accordance with further aspects of the disclosure; and 
         FIGS. 17A-17F  show elements of an exemplary bridge assembly having a bridge, mounting posts, and respective bases having a conical profile in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. 
     
    
    
     Reference numbers refer to the same or equivalent parts of the present disclosure throughout the various figures of the drawings. 
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     In the following description, the various embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with respect to the enclosed drawings. As required, detailed embodiments of the embodiments of the present disclosure are discussed herein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the embodiments of the disclosure that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale and some features may be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure. 
     The particulars shown herein are by way of example and for purposes of illustrative discussion of the embodiments of the present disclosure only and are presented in the cause of providing what is believed to be the most useful and readily understood description of the principles and conceptual aspects of the present disclosure. In this regard, no attempt is made to show structural details of the present disclosure in more detail than is necessary for the fundamental understanding of the present disclosure, such that the description, taken with the drawings, making apparent to those skilled in the art how the forms of the present disclosure may be embodied in practice. 
     As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” include the plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For example, reference to “a magnetic material” would also mean that mixtures of one or more magnetic materials can be present unless specifically excluded. 
     Except where otherwise indicated, all numbers expressing quantities used in the specification and claims are to be understood as being modified in all instances by the term “about.” Accordingly, unless indicated to the contrary, the numerical parameters set forth in the specification and claims are approximations that may vary depending upon the desired properties sought to be obtained by embodiments of the present disclosure. At the very least, and not to be considered as an attempt to limit the application of the doctrine of equivalents to the scope of the claims, each numerical parameter should be construed in light of the number of significant digits and ordinary rounding conventions. 
     Additionally, the recitation of numerical ranges within this specification is considered to be a disclosure of all numerical values and ranges within that range (unless otherwise explicitly indicated). For example, if a range is from about 1 to about 50, it is deemed to include, for example, 1, 7, 34, 46.1, 23.7, or any other value or range within the range. 
     As used herein, the indefinite article “a” indicates one as well as more than one and does not necessarily limit its referent noun to the singular. 
     As used herein, the terms “about” and “approximately” indicate that the amount or value in question may be the specific value designated or some other value in its neighborhood. Generally, the terms “about” and “approximately” denoting a certain value is intended to denote a range within ±5% of the value. As one example, the phrase “about 100” denotes a range of 100±5, i.e. the range from 95 to 105. Generally, when the terms “about” and “approximately” are used, it can be expected that similar results or effects according to the disclosure can be obtained within a range of ±5% of the indicated value. 
     As used herein, the term “and/or” indicates that either all or only one of the elements of said group may be present. For example, “A and/or B” shall mean “only A, or only B, or both A and B”. In the case of “only A”, the term also covers the possibility that B is absent, i.e. “only A, but not B”. 
     The term “substantially parallel” refers to deviating less than 20° from parallel alignment and the term “substantially perpendicular” refers to deviating less than 20° from perpendicular alignment. The term “parallel” refers to deviating less than 5° from mathematically exact parallel alignment. Similarly “perpendicular” refers to deviating less than 5° from mathematically exact perpendicular alignment. 
     The term “at least partially” is intended to denote that the following property is fulfilled to a certain extent or completely. 
     The terms “substantially” and “essentially” are used to denote that the following feature, property or parameter is either completely (entirely) realized or satisfied or to a major degree that does not adversely affect the intended result. 
     The term “comprising” as used herein is intended to be non-exclusive and open-ended. Thus, for instance a composition comprising a compound A may include other compounds besides A. However, the term “comprising” also covers the more restrictive meanings of “consisting essentially of” and “consisting of”, so that for instance “a composition comprising a compound A” may also (essentially) consist of the compound A. 
     The various embodiments disclosed herein can be used separately and in various combinations unless specifically stated to the contrary. 
       FIG. 1  is a top view of a conventional guitar upon which a guitar bridge is mounted. As shown in  FIG. 1 , a tailpiece  100  is mounted on a body of an exemplary 6-string guitar and holds one end of strings  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 , and  112 . A tailpiece  100  provides the mechanical strength for the tension of the stretched strings against the body of the guitar. These strings  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 , and  112  then pass over a bridge  120 , which is used to initially set the tuning of the guitar so the guitar plays in tune with the proper tone and timbre. The bridge includes a number of saddles (e.g., one or two for each string), wherein each string passes (or two strings pass) over a respective saddle. Each saddle may be similarly constructed and may include one or more notches, through which the string passes to hold its respective string above the bridge and guitar at a desired height. The position of each saddle (within the bridge) along the length of the guitar (i.e., in a string extension direction) may be altered to adjust the intonation of each string. 
     As shown in  FIG. 1 , in an electric guitar, the strings  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 , and  112  will also pass over one or more magnetic or other types of pickups  130 . The pickups  130  are used to convert the physical vibrations of the strings  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 , and  112  into electrical signals that can then be electrically amplified. 
     The strings  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 , and  112  then extend over, but do not contact, multiple frets (not shown) on the guitar. Towards a neck end of the guitar, the strings  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 , and  112  then pass over a nut (not shown) to tuning pegs (not shown). The tuning pegs are adjustable to increase or decrease the tension of each respective string  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 , and  112 . This raises or lowers the frequency of the pitch of each string so that the proper notes are heard upon plucking or strumming the guitar. Between the nut and the bridge  120  are the various frets between which the strings  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 , and  112  are depressed so that the effective length of the string is shortened to thereby increase the frequency at which that particular string vibrates. 
     An important factor in a quality electric guitar is the guitar sound. The material of the body, the quality of the magnetic or other pickups (e.g., piezo pickups), the rigidity of the guitar itself, the accuracy of the placement and spacing of the strings  102 ,  104 ,  106 ,  108 ,  110 , and  112  above the fingerboard and associated frets, the actual placement of the frets, and the quality of the tuning bridge  120  are all important to the overall sound of the guitar. 
       FIG. 2  shows an exemplary and non-limiting depiction of a guitar  200  in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. Aspects of the disclosure are directed to a guitar body having a top body and a removable back attached to the top body to form the guitar body. In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, the improved guitar body may more easily be modified, e.g., with a desired combination and/or location of pickups, with a desired combination and/or location of electronics, with a desired neck, and/or other hardware, and is more easily tested when comparing alternative modifications. 
     By implementing aspects of the disclosure, the modular guitar body accepts a vast array of guitar parts and allows, for example, various scale length necks, different style pickups and electronics, as well as pickup and electronics location versatility. With the present disclosure, the highly customizable guitar is achieved while being aesthetically pleasing (for example, the guitar does not have an oversized plastic control cover on the back). In accordance with further aspects of the disclosure, when the back body of the guitar is removed the guitar is still playable. Thus, a user can swap parts (e.g., potentiometers, capacitors, pickups) quickly, allowing the player to quickly and easily hear the difference between a humbucker pickup, P-90 pickup or a single coil pickup, for example, on the guitar, or how a 0.022 cap (or capacitor) sounds different from a 0.047 cap. In other words, in accordance with aspects of the disclosure, the removable back design allows the guitar to still be played while adjustments are being made. 
     Two-Piece Top/Back Body Structure 
     As shown in  FIG. 2 , the guitar  200  includes a guitar body  205  and a neck  210 . A plurality of pickups  215 , a bridge  220 , a plurality of actuators  225  (e.g., potentiometers and/or switches), and a tailpiece  240  are arranged on the guitar body  205 . In accordance with further aspects of the disclosure, in embodiments, the guitar body  205  comprises a top body  230  and a back body  235 , which is removably fastenable (e.g., using screws) to the top body  230 . 
       FIG. 3  shows a view of the top body  230  and the back body  235  joined together to form the guitar body  205 . As shown in  FIG. 3 , in embodiments, the guitar  200  includes a top (or “front”) body  230  and back (or “bottom”) body  235 . In an exemplary and non-limiting embodiment, the top body  230  accounts for roughly ⅔ of the overall guitar body thickness, and the back body  235  accounts for roughly ⅓ of the overall guitar body thickness. 
     Through experimentation, the inventor has found that a top body  230  having an approximate thickness of 1.25″ provides adequate stiffness and support for a bolt-on neck, which is attached thereto. Cutting a traditional 1.75″ thick guitar body in half results in two halves each with a thickness of 0.875″. The inventor has found that a thickness of 0.875″, however, would not provide enough support for the guitar&#39;s string tension when completed. Thus, with the present disclosure, the top body  230  has an approximate thickness of 1.25″, which provides adequate stiffness and support for a bolt-on neck, which is attached thereto, as discussed below. 
     A traditional bolt-on neck guitar body is made from a single piece of 1.75″ thick wood. With an exemplary and non-limiting embodiment, the guitar body  205  includes a top body  230  having an approximate thickness of 1.25″ thick piece of wood and a back body  235  having an approximate thickness of 0.75″. As discussed below, the top body  230  and the back body  235  respectively include grooves and shelves structured and arranged thereon to allow a portion of the top body  230  to project into the interior of the back body  235  (or vice versa) when the two pieces are assembled together. Due to the guitar body&#39;s groove and shelf design, when the two parts are joined together, the guitar body&#39;s overall thickness is approximately 1.82″ (and not the sum of the respective thicknesses, i.e., 1.25″+0.75″=2.0″). Thus, in accordance with aspects of the disclosure, when assembled, the guitar body  205  has a thickness that is similar to a traditional bolt-on neck guitar body made from a single piece of 1.75″ thick wood. Moreover, as the back body  235  has an approximate thickness of 0.75″, and the overall thickness of the guitar body  205  is approximately 1.82″, the back body  235  is roughly ⅓ of the guitar body thickness (e.g., 0.75/1.82=41%). In other contemplated embodiments, the overall thickness of the guitar body  205  may range between approximately 1.8″ and 1.9″. 
     While it is described above that, in embodiments, the top body  230  accounts for roughly ⅔ of the overall guitar body thickness, and the back body  235  accounts for roughly ⅓ of the overall guitar body thickness, it should be understood, however, that “⅓” and “⅔” should not be construed as limiting the embodiments of the disclosure, and that the disclosure contemplates other thickness (e.g., back body thickness) that would alter the roughly ⅓ to ⅔ relationship. For example, with some embodiments, the back body may have a thickness approximately equal to the top body, such that the ratio is closer to ½ to ½. 
       FIG. 4  shows a view of the top body  230  and the back body  235  joined together to form the guitar body  205  with a binding  245  (or decorative edging) in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. The binding  245  is arranged at the junction of the top body  230  and the back body  235  and conceals the visual separation of the top body  230  and the back body  235 . That is, in accordance with aspects of the disclosure, the existence of a two-piece structure of the top body  230  and the back body  235  is “hidden,” in that a junction or seam between the top body  230  and the back body  235  is covered with a binding  245 . When the junction or seam is covered with the binding  245 , the guitar body  205 , while comprising a top body  230  and a back body  235 , has the appearance of a single-piece body construction. As shown in  FIGS. 2 and 4 , the binding  245  breaks the visual separation of the two pieces of wood. Thus, in accordance with aspects of the disclosure, from a side profile it appears that the exemplary guitar body  205  of  FIG. 2  is made from a single solid piece of wood. It should be understood that the binding  245  is not structured and arranged to “bind” the top body  230  to the back body  235 , as the back body  235  is removably connectable to the top body  230  using a plurality of fasteners, in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. 
     Moreover, as shown in the exemplary embodiment of  FIG. 4 , the binding  245  may be arranged on the top body  230  in such a manner that it appears (in comparison to  FIG. 3 ) that the top body  230  and the back body  235  are of equal thickness. For example, in embodiments, the guitar body utilizes a binding  245  positioned on the lower edge of the top body  230 . When applied, the binding  245  covers the seam where the two parts meet. Moreover, in embodiments, the binding  245  may be arranged to cover a larger portion of the top body  230  than the back body  235 , such that it appears (in comparison to  FIG. 3 ) that the top body  230  and the back body  235  are of equal thickness. In other contemplated embodiments, for example, having a back body that is as thick as the top body, the arrangement of the binding may be shifted so that the binding  245  appears to be centered on the guitar in a thickness direction. In certain embodiments, the binding  245  may be moveable so as to allow a user to shift the binding  245 , for example, when using a differently-sized back body. In further embodiments, the binding  245  may be differently sized (e.g., different thickness), so as to provide the appearance that the top body and the back body are of equal thickness when a thicker back body is utilized. In embodiments, the binding may comprise metal, a plastic or polymer, and/or wood, amongst other contemplated materials. Additionally, while the disclosed embodiments utilize a binding  245  attached to the top body, in embodiments, depending on the relative thickness of the back body, the inventor contemplates embodiments having the binding arranged on the back body. 
     The binding  245  is different from other guitar designs that utilize a side binding. Traditionally, a binding of this type has been used to permanently join two pieces of wood or fiberglass, or simply for ornamentation. In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, however, the binding  245  helps “hide” the seam that provides access to the inside of the guitar (or the backside of the top body  230 ), providing easy access to the electronics and/or internal components. 
     As discussed further below, in accordance with aspects of the disclosure, the top body  230  is playable even while the back body  235  is removed, e.g., to allow adjustments to be made to the electronics when the back body  235  is removed. In an exemplary and non-limiting embodiment, five screws may be used to attach the back body  235  to the top body  230  so as to join the two body parts to form the guitar body  205 . 
     In embodiments, both the top body  230  and the back body  235  are made from wood. In embodiments, the top body  230  and the back body  235  may be made from the same species of wood. In other embodiments, the top body  230  and the back body  235  may be made from different species of wood. In yet additional embodiments, the top body  230  may be made of wood, while the back body  235  is made from a different material (e.g., plastic, metal, composite, or carbon-fiber). In some embodiments, the top body may comprise a wood laminate, for example, of different wood species. For example, the top surface of the top body  230  may be maple, whereas the remaining portions of the top body (e.g., the sides and, in embodiments, a portion of the top) may be korina. 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , in accordance with aspects of the disclosure, in certain embodiments, the top body  230  (except for the region of the neck pocket) provides a mounting surface for guitar components that is a “blank canvas.” For example, in embodiments, the top body  230  does not include cavities for arranging pickups therein, such that a user may arrange the desired pickups in a variety of locations. Additionally, the top body  230  does not include a pre-formed or fixed bridge mounting position, such that, for example, the user is able to arrange the bridge on the top body  230  in a variety of positions so as to provide, for example, proper intonation based on the scale of the neck utilized. While embodiments are described as having no cavities, as discussed below, the inventor contemplates that, in some embodiments, the top body  230  may include some cavities, for example, structured and arranged to accommodate pickups. Additionally, with such embodiments, the guitar body may include respective caps (or plugs) that are sized to fill the cavities if they are not needed for a current desired instrument configuration. In embodiments, the caps may be made of the same species of wood as the top body, or may be a different species of wood or some other suitable material. 
     Surface mounted guitars, that is, guitars having, for example, surface-mounted pickups, are known including, for example, archtops having the electronics added to the top via a surface mount configuration or attached to a “floating” pickguard. Guitars having traditional surface mount pickups, however, have design limitations. With fiberglass guitars, for example, removing the back was often difficult due to the binding that was used. Additionally, wooden guitars were not built with maximum modifications in mind. 
     It should be understood that while the exemplary embodiment has a particular guitar shape (e.g., outer profile), the two-part body system of the present disclosure is applicable to a variety of guitar shapes. For example,  FIG. 5  shows exemplary various guitar body shapes  505 ,  510 , and  515  for which the present disclosure may be utilized in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. While  FIG. 5  shows exemplary various guitar body shapes for which the present disclosure may be utilized, it should be understood that that the present disclosure is not limited to these exemplary various guitar body shapes. 
     Swappable Back Bodies 
       FIG. 6  illustrates a guitar body  205  comprising a top body  230  and one of a plurality of “swappable” or interchangeable back bodies  235 ,  235 ′ in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 6 , the back body  235  is attached to the top body  230 , and a further back body  235 ′ (having a larger thickness) is shown side-by-side with back body  235  (e.g., for comparison). In accordance with additional aspects of the disclosure, the guitar body  205  may comprise the top body  230  and one of a plurality of “swappable” or interchangeable back bodies  235 ,  235 ′. For example, a guitarist may have a ½″ thick back body, ¾″ thick back body, and 1″ thick back body (and/or back bodies made of different materials) all structured for attachment to the same top body  230 . In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, by utilizing a swappable back body, players can “dial-in” their desired tone by using different back thicknesses and/or different wood species options. Furthermore, if a user desires to alter their tone (e.g., for different song compositions, or in different venues) they can utilize a different back body. Additionally, as discussed in greater detail below, in accordance with aspects of the disclosure, the guitar may be operated without any back body attached thereto, for example, to allow real-time manipulation of electronics or hardware while playing the guitar. 
     For example, if a player wants to narrow the guitar body profile, they may keep the exact same top body  230  and use, for example, a 0.50″ thick back body in place of the “standard” 0.75″ thick back body. Or conversely, a player could select a deeper back body (1.25″ thick back body) and pair it with (e.g., fasten it to) the guitar. In accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the “swappable” or interchangeable back body guitar design allows the use of various size (and/or material) backs to change the tone and/or appearance of the guitar. Additionally, implementing these aspects of the disclosure, allows a player to utilize, for example, one or more different species of wood for the back body (e.g., as compared to the material of the top body). 
     Groove/Shelf Corresponding Engagement 
       FIG. 7  shows a groove/shelf engagement structure  700  in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 7 , with this exemplary embodiment, the top body  230  includes a raised inner groove (or projection)  705  and a recessed outer shelf  710  arranged along the perimeter of the top body  230 . In a complementary fashion, with this exemplary embodiment, the back body  235  includes a raised outer groove (or projection)  715  and a recessed inner shelf  720  arranged along the perimeter of the back body  235 . In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, when the top body  230  and the back body  235  are placed together so as to form the guitar body, the raised outer groove  715  of the back body  235  contacts the recessed outer shelf  710  arranged along the perimeter of the top body  230 , and the raised inner groove (or projection)  705  of the top body  230  contacts the recessed inner shelf  720  arranged along the perimeter of the back body  235 . In such a manner, in accordance with aspects of the disclosure, groove/shelf engagement structure  700  enables the two parts to join easily and securely, with proper positioning and centering. 
     As should be understood, the height of the raised inner groove (or projection)  705  above the recessed outer shelf  710  should be approximately equal to the height of the raised outer groove (or projection)  715  above the recessed inner shelf  720 , so that when the top body  230  is attached to the back body  235 , both the raised inner groove (or projection)  705  contacts the recessed inner shelf  720 , and the raised outer groove (or projection)  715  contacts the recessed outer shelf  710 . 
     While the exemplary embodiment depicts the top body  230  including a raised inner groove (or projection)  705  and a recessed outer shelf  710  arranged along the perimeter of the top body  230 , and the back body  235  including a raised outer groove (or projection)  715  and an recessed inner shelf  720  arranged along the perimeter of the back body  235 , the inventor contemplates a reversed arrangement. That is, with certain embodiments, the top body may include a raised outer groove (or projection) and a recessed inner shelf arranged along the perimeter of the top body, and the back body  235  may include a raised inner groove (or projection) and a recessed outer shelf arranged along the perimeter of the back body  235 . 
     Additionally, by utilizing the groove/shelf engagement structure  700 , in which, for example, portions of the top body thickness project into the back body, the total resulting thickness of the assembled guitar body is less than the sum of the thicknesses of the top body and the back body. That is, by utilizing the groove/shelf engagement structure  700 , with an exemplary embodiment, the overall thickness of the guitar body may be reduced down from 2.0″ to approximately 1.82.″ Making the guitar body closer in feel to the “standard” 1.75″ thickness that was adopted in the 1950s, while also providing enough mass in the top body  230  to produce an ideal amount of sustain. 
       FIG. 8  shows a view of the inside of the top body  230  and the inside of the back body  235  illustrating the complementary groove/shelf engagement structure  700  in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. 
       FIGS. 9A and 9B  show views of the inside of the top body  230  in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. As shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , with an exemplary and non-limiting embodiment, a raised groove  705  with a width measuring approximately 0.35″ traverses the entire perimeter of the top body  230 . The shelf  710  is located below and outwardly (relative to the groove  705 ) next to the raised groove  705 , and also runs the entire perimeter of the top body  230  and is also approximately 0.35″ wide—for a total body wall thickness of the top body  230  of approximately 0.70″ (at least along the thickness direction of the top body  230 ). The top of the raised groove  705  is approximately 0.18″ above the shelf  710 . While the exemplary embodiment includes a total body wall thickness of the top body  230  of approximately 0.70″, the inventor contemplates other wall thicknesses of the top body, for example, ranging from 0.5″ to 0.075″. Furthermore, in embodiments having smaller internal cavities, the effective wall thickness may be even larger. 
       FIGS. 10A and 10B  show views of the inside of the back body  235  in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. As shown in  FIGS. 10A and 10B , on the back body  235 , the locations of the raised groove  715  and recessed shelf  720  are reversed (when compared to the top body  230 ). The raised groove  715  is located on the outside edge of the back body  235  and is approximately 0.325″ wide, and the recessed shelf  720  is also approximately 0.325″ wide, for a total wall width of the back body of approximately 0.65″ (at least along the thickness direction of the back body  235 ). While the exemplary embodiment includes a total body wall thickness of the back body  235  of approximately 0.65″, the inventor contemplates other wall thicknesses of the back body, for example, ranging from 0.5″ to 0.075″. Furthermore, in embodiments having smaller internal cavities, the effective wall thickness may be even larger. 
     As also shown in  FIG. 8 , in accordance with additional aspects of the disclosure, a “tone block”  805  extends the entire length of the top body  320 , and with this exemplary and non-limiting embodiment, has a width of approximately 3.8″. Additionally, as shown in  FIG. 8 , the tone block  805  projects to the same height (in a thickness direction) as that of the raised groove  705  along at least most of the length of the tone block  805 . (As discussed below, the tone block  805  may have a recessed region structured and arranged to accommodate a neck plate and fasteners.) In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, when the top body  230  and the back body  235  are joined together, the tone block  805  of the top body  230  rests on top of (i.e., is in contact with) a corresponding tone block  810  of the back body  235 . In other words, the tone block  810  of the back body  235  aligns with the tone block  805  arranged on the underside of the top body  230 . 
       FIG. 8  also shows the tone block  805  includes a recessed region  815  structured and arranged to accommodate a neck plate  820  and the tops of fasteners  825 . The neck plate  820  is used to support the connection of the top body  230  to a “bolt-on” neck (not shown). That is, a plurality of fasteners  825  (e.g., screws or bolts) pass through the neck plate  820  and through the tone block  805  of the top body  230  to connect with the neck, so as to securely attach the neck to the top body  230 . The recessed region  815  has a depth to accommodate the thickness of the neck plate  820  and the tops of fasteners  825  (e.g., if they project beyond the neck plate  820 ), such that neither the neck plate  820  nor the tops of fasteners  825  project beyond the height of the tone block  805 . As such, when the top body  230  is joined to the back body  235 , neither the neck plate  820  nor the tops of fasteners  825  interfere with (e.g., prevent) the contact of the tone block  805  of the top body  230  with the corresponding tone block  810  of the back body  235 . Moreover, as discussed in greater detail below, in accordance with aspects of the disclosure, when the top body  230  is joined to the back body  235 , the back body  235  covers the neck plate  820 , such that the neck plate  820  is internal to the guitar body  200  and hidden from view. 
     As shown in  FIG. 8 , in embodiments, the top body  230  may include hollowed regions  830 , and the back body  235  may include hollowed regions  835 . In accordance with additional aspects of the disclosure, by forming the top body  230  to include hollowed regions (or cavities)  830  and/or by forming the back body  235  to include hollowed regions, the overall weight of the guitar may be reduced, increasing the playability of the instrument, while affecting the resonance characteristic of the instrument. Additionally, the hollowed regions  830  of the top body  230  may accommodate electronics for the instrument. In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, because, in embodiments, the hollowed regions  830  of the top body  230  are formed over a significant portion of the top body  230 , a user is less constrained in where they chose to arrange electronics and associated actuators. In other words, in accordance with aspects of the disclosure, the hollowed regions  830  of the top body  230  allow the guitar to be more customizable. 
     Internal Hidden Neck Plate 
       FIG. 11  shows a conventional bolt-on neck arrangement  1100 . As shown in  FIG. 11 , a neck  1105  is fastened to a guitar body  1110  using a neck plate  1115  arranged on the opposite side of the guitar body  1110  as the neck  1105  (i.e., the back side of the guitar). A plurality of fasteners  1120  (e.g., screws, or bolts) pass through the neck plate  1115  and through the guitar body  1110  to connect with the neck  1105 , so as to securely attach the neck  1105  to the guitar body  1110 . As can be observed in  FIG. 11 , with a conventional bolt-on neck arrangement  1100 , the neck plate  1115  and plurality of fasteners  1120  are viewable from the back side of the guitar body  1110 . As also shown in  FIG. 11 , with a conventional bolt-on neck arrangement  1100 , the neck plate  1115  is structured and arranged in a manner that prevents any sculpting or carving at the sides of the guitar body in regions around the neck plate (e.g., region  1125 ). 
       FIGS. 12A and 12B  illustrate views of the internal hidden neck plate bolt-on neck construction of the present disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 12A , in accordance with aspects of the present disclosure, the top body  230 ′ is connected to a neck  1205  using a bolt-on neck method, in which the guitar neck  1205  is joined to the top body  230 ′ using fasteners  825  (e.g., screws or bolts) and a neck plate  820 , as opposed to glue as with set-in neck joints. The back body  230 ′ may include a recessed region  815  structured and arranged to accommodate the neck plate  820 . The recessed region  815  has a depth to accommodate the thickness of the neck plate  820  and the tops of fasteners  825  (e.g., if they project beyond the neck plate  820 ), such that neither the neck plate  820  nor the tops of fasteners  825  project beyond the height of the tone block  805 . As such, when the top body  230 ′ is joined to the back body  235 , neither the neck plate  820  nor the tops of fasteners  825  interfere with (e.g., prevent) the contact of the tone block  805 ′ of the top body  230 ′ with the corresponding tone block of the back body  235 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 12B , in accordance with further aspects of the disclosure, when the top body  230 ′ is joined to the back body  235 , the back body  235  covers the neck plate  820 , such that the neck plate  820  is internal to the guitar body  200  and hidden from view. In such a manner, the guitar, which has a bolt-on neck construction, has the appearance and/or feel of a set-in neck guitar construction (i.e., a guitar having a set-in neck). Set-in neck is a method of guitar (or similar stringed instrument) construction that involves joining neck and body with a tightly fitted mortise-and-tenon or dovetail joint, secured with some sort of adhesive. 
     By implementing this aspect of the disclosure, the neck joint area  1235  (e.g., the backside region of the guitar where the neck meets the guitar body) may be sculpted for more comfort and increased upper neck access. More specifically, the region on the back body opposite the internal neck plate is not obstructed by the neck plate, and can thus be sculpted. This is typically not possible for a guitar with a bolt-on neck, in which the neck plate precludes any increased sculpting of the neck joint area on the back side of the guitar. 
     For example, by connecting the neck  1205  to the back side (or inside) of the top body  230 ′, and covering the neck plate  820  with the back body  235  when assembled, this allows the back of the guitar to be carved or sculpted  1235  for increased comfort and greater upper-fret neck access. That is, with such a construction, there is a region of the back side of the guitar not covered by a neck plate, from which material of the back body can be removed to provide a more sculpted neck joint area, which increases the playability and comfort of the instrument. Additionally, by implementing this aspect of the disclosure, the guitar achieves a clean, streamlined look to the back of the guitar. In an exemplary and non-limiting embodiment, the back body  235  of the guitar is secured to the top body  230 ′ using screws  1220  (e.g., five screws) arranged, for example, along the perimeter region of the back body  235 . As shown in  FIG. 12A , the top body  230 ′ may include corresponding (e.g., pre-drilled) holes  1230  structured and arranged for receiving respective screw  1220 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 12A , in accordance with aspects of the disclosure, guitar body  230 ′ has a hollowed region (or cavity)  830 ′ that is smaller than the hollowed region (or cavity)  830  of guitar body  230  (see  FIG. 8 ). In embodiments, the size (e.g. length, width, and/or depth) of the hollowed regions (or cavities)  830 / 830 ′ may be varied to provide different resonant frequency to the guitar body and/or to alter the tone and/or weight of the guitar body. 
     Neck Pocket 
       FIGS. 13A-13C  illustrate a top view Stratocastor® (or Strat®) neck pocket, a top view of a Telecaster® (or Tele®) neck pocket, and a side section view of a tele/strat neck pocket, respectively. As shown in  FIGS. 13A-13C , a traditional guitar body (e.g., Stratocastor  1305  or Telecaster  1310 ) that utilizes a bolt on neck, has a neck pocket  1315 ,  1320  that is 2 3/16″ wide, 3 inches long and ⅝″ (15.875 mm, or approximately 16 mm) deep. As shown in  FIG. 13C , when a neck  1325  is attached to a traditional bolt-on neck electric guitar body (e.g., Stratocastor  1305  or Telecaster  1310 ), the top of the neck&#39;s fretboard  1330  sits approximately 9 mm (e.g., 6 mm+3 mm) off the body  1305 / 1310 . 
       FIG. 14  illustrates a view of a neck pocket  1405  arranged on the top body  230  in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 14 , the depth D of the neck pocket  1405  is shallower than traditional neck pocket (see, e.g.,  FIGS. 13A-13C ). For example, with a non-limiting exemplary embodiment, the depth D of the neck pocket  1405  is approximately 8 mm. In comparison, as shown in  FIGS. 13A-13C , the depth of a traditional neck pocket is 16 mm. 
     Additionally, in embodiments, the neck pocket may be angled (for example, approximately 2°), such that when a neck is arranged therein the neck is angled with respect to the guitar body. In such embodiments, the depth D may vary across the length of the pocket. With an exemplary and non-limiting example, the depth at a bridge-end of the pocket  1410  may be shallower, e.g., approximately 6.4 mm, and the depth at the opposite end of the pocket  1415  may be deeper, e.g., approximately 8.5 mm. Accordingly, when a neck is arranged in the pocket, the neck will sit more shallowly at the bridge-end of the pocket  1410  and will sit more deeply the opposite end of the pocket  1415 , and thus, be angled with respect to the guitar body. 
       FIG. 15  illustrates a view of a guitar top body  230  with a neck  1505  positioned in a neck pocket accordance with aspects of the disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 15 , in accordance with aspects of the disclosure, by utilizing a shallower neck pocket (that is, a neck pocket having a smaller depth D), when the neck  1505  is arranged in the neck pocket  1405 , the height H of the guitar neck (or the fret board on the guitar neck) above the top body  230  may be increased (as compared to conventional neck arrangements), thus increasing the string clearance for arrangement of pickups (not shown) on the top body  230 . 
     By implementing these aspects of the disclose, the guitar allows for multiple varieties of pickups to be, for example, surface-mounted anywhere on the top surface of the guitar top body  230  between the neck heel (i.e., the end of the neck  1505  in the region of the neck pocket  1405 ) and bridge (not shown). As noted above, in some embodiments, the top body  230  may include one or more pickup cavities, sized to accommodate one or more pickups. In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, the top body  230  may be thick enough to enable traditional routing for the pickups as a possibility for the custom guitar builder. 
     Some pickups, such as humbuckers, for example, may require modification for surface mounting to the top body  230 . The modification may include, for example, using different pickup rings to convert humbuckers to a surface-mount configuration. The pickup rings are configured to accept as many modern humbucker style models as possible. As compared with conventional pickup rings, with the present disclosure, due to the surface mounting of the pickups, the pickup rings are substantially thicker (e.g., two to three times as thick as a conventional pickup ring). Once the desired height of the strings is determined (e.g., based on the height of the neck (and fret board) and the height of the bridge), a gap of about 3/32″ should be utilized between the underside of the strings and the top of the pickups used. For instance, after the guitar is tuned and the strings are at the desired height, subtract 3/32″ from the string height above the guitar body—this will be the desired height for the top surface of the pickups. This may be done for both the neck and bridge pickup, for example, if the guitar is to have two pickups. While the guitar body is structured to accommodate as many different parts as possible, the neck, bridge, and pickups utilized may ultimately be used to determine how high the various parts sit off the guitar surface and how the pickups are ultimately secured to the body. 
     With reference to  FIG. 14 , with an exemplary embodiment, the neck pocket  1405  has a width W of 2 3/16″ (e.g., similar to conventional widths), but has a length L of approximately 3.2″-3.5″ and a depth D of approximately 0.32″ (8 mm). With the shallow guitar neck pocket, the neck (and the top of the fret board) is raised higher off the guitar top body  230  (e.g., approximately 18 mm above the guitar top body  230  versus the traditional 9 mm found on a Fender style guitar (see  FIG. 13C )) allowing the electronics/pickups  215  to be surface mounted and not require routing for their mounting to the guitar top body  230  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 2 ). Additionally, the neck pocket  1405  has a length L that is approximately 0.5″ longer than a conventional neck pocket. In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, the increased pocket length provides increased surface contact between the bottom of the neck (not shown) and the top body  230 . 
     The present disclosure also provides for improving the sound from the guitar by creating a more solidly mounted system for coupling the strings to a resonating guitar body. In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, the solid connection and increased surface contact area provided by the longer neck pocket  1405  allows for the guitar instrument to resonate better, thus transferring the sound to the instrument body and enhancing the played notes. 
     Wood/Foam Inserts 
       FIGS. 16A-C  schematically depict optional removable inserts  1605 ,  1605 ′ that may be arranged in one or more hollowed portions or cavities  830 ,  835  of the top body  230  and/or back body  235  in accordance with further aspects of the disclosure. As shown in  FIG. 16A  (and discussed above), the top body  230  may include one or more hollowed portions or cavities  830  and the back body  235  may include one or more hollowed portions or cavities  835 . As shown in  FIG. 16B , in accordance with further aspects of the disclosure, one or more optional removable inserts  1605 ,  1605 ′ (e.g., wood or foam inserts) structured and arranged for insertion in the hollowed regions or cavities  830 ,  835  (e.g., routed areas) of the guitar. For example, as shown in  FIG. 16C , optional removable inserts  1605 ,  1605 ′ are arranged in the hollowed regions or cavities  835  of the guitar back body  235 . In embodiments, the inserts may be sized to fill (or occupy) a portion of the hollowed regions or cavities  830  of the guitar top body  230  and/or the hollowed regions or cavities  835  of the guitar back body  235 . In certain embodiments, an insert  1605  may only occupy a portion of the hollowed regions or cavities  830 ,  835 . For example, the insert  1605  may only occupy a portion of the length and/or width of the hollowed regions or cavities  830 ,  835 . In further embodiments, the insert  1605  may only occupy a portion of the height of the hollowed regions or cavities  830 ,  835 . 
     In further embodiments, as shown in  FIG. 16C , the inserts may be sized to fill (or occupy) an entirety (or an approximate entirety) of one or more hollowed regions or cavities  830 ,  835 . In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, the inserts allows a user to modify the guitar, for example, to switch from a more resonant semi-hollow design/sound to more of a chambered/sustained solid body sound. For example, inserting wood into the hollowed regions or cavities  830 ,  835  of guitar could change the guitar from having a resonant semi-hollow design/sound to more of a chambered/sustained sound. In embodiments, the inserts may be wood inserts of the same species of wood as the utilized for other elements of the guitar (e.g., guitar top body  230  and/or back body  235 ), or may be different species of wood. 
     Bridge Assembly 
       FIGS. 17A-17F  show elements of exemplary bridge assembly  220  having a bridge  1705 , mounting posts  1710 , and a stand  1715  having conical profile in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. As discussed above, the guitar includes a bridge assembly  220  mounted on the top body  230  and over which the strings pass (see, e.g.,  FIG. 2 ). As shown in  FIGS. 17A-17D , the bridge assembly  220  includes mounting posts  1710  and conically profiled stands  1715 .  FIG. 17E  shows bridge assembly  220 ′ including a stand  1715  and mounting posts  1710  paired with a “roller” style bridge  1705 ′.  FIG. 17F  shows the bridge assembly  220  including the bridge  1705 , mounting posts  1710  and conically profiled stands  1715  mounted on a guitar top body  230  in accordance with aspects of the disclosure. 
     In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, the modular guitar body utilizes a bridge assembly  220  (or  220 ′) that allows a higher than typical string clearance over the guitar body (i.e., from the top of the guitar&#39;s playing surface to the bridge saddles). This bridge assembly  220  allows strings heights to reach over one inch (1.0″) over the guitar body. With an exemplary and non-limiting embodiment, the cone-shaped (or conical) stands  1715  measure between approximately 0.40″ and 0.55″ tall and are approximately 1.0″ wide at the base. The cone-shaped (or conical) stands  1715  have a threaded center to accept guitar bridge posts  1710  and the corresponding height adjustment thumb wheels  1720  that the bridge  1705  utilizes. The bridge  1705  rests on the respective thumb wheels  1720 . While embodiments of the disclosure may utilize the bridge assembly  220  (or  220 ′), it should be understood that the disclosure contemplates many types of bridge assemblies may be utilized, and the disclosure is not limited to the bridge assembly  220 . For example, as discussed herein, in accordance with aspects of the disclosure, the guitar body is structured and designed to accept many after-market bridges available today, which can also extend to a string clearance height of over 1.0″ (for example, wooden archtop bridges). 
     Manufacturing 
     In embodiments, the guitar top body  230  and the back body  235  may be shaped using a CNC machine. In further embodiments, one or more of the guitar top body  230  and the back body  235  may be formed using one or more molds. In yet further embodiments, one or more of the guitar top body  230  and the back body  235  may be formed utilizing 3D printing. 
     One or more embodiments of the disclosure may be referred to herein, individually and/or collectively, by the term “invention” merely for convenience and without intending to voluntarily limit the scope of this application to any particular invention or inventive concept. Moreover, although specific embodiments have been illustrated and described herein, it should be appreciated that any subsequent arrangement designed to achieve the same or similar purpose may be substituted for the specific embodiments shown. This disclosure is intended to cover any and all subsequent adaptations or variations of various embodiments. Combinations of the above embodiments, and other embodiments not specifically described herein, will be apparent to those of skill in the art upon reviewing the description. 
     The Abstract of the Disclosure is provided to comply with 37 C.F.R. §1.72(b) and is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or meaning of the claims. In addition, in the foregoing Detailed Description, various features may be grouped together or described in a single embodiment for the purpose of streamlining the disclosure. This disclosure is not to be interpreted as reflecting an intention that the claimed embodiments require more features than are expressly recited in each claim. Rather, as the following claims reflect, inventive subject matter may be directed to less than all of the features of any of the disclosed embodiments. Thus, the following claims are incorporated into the Detailed Description, with each claim standing on its own as defining separately claimed subject matter. 
     The above disclosed subject matter is to be considered illustrative, and not restrictive, and the appended claims are intended to cover all such modifications, enhancements, and other embodiments which fall within the true spirit and scope of the present disclosure. Thus, to the maximum extent allowed by law, the scope of the present disclosure is to be determined by the broadest permissible interpretation of the following claims and their equivalents, and shall not be restricted or limited by the foregoing detailed description. 
     Accordingly, the novel configuration is intended to embrace all such alterations, modifications and variations that fall within the spirit and scope of the appended claims. Furthermore, to the extent that the term “includes” is used in either the detailed description or the claims, such term is intended to be inclusive in a manner similar to the term “comprising” as “comprising” is interpreted when employed as a transitional word in a claim. 
     While the disclosure refers to specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will understand that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the true spirit and scope of the embodiments of the disclosure. For example, while the disclosure is discussed in the context of guitars, the disclosure could be utilized on other stringed instruments, including, for example, a bass, a mandolin, and/or a banjo. While exemplary embodiments are described above, it is not intended that these embodiments describe all possible forms of the disclosure. Rather, the words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. In addition, modifications may be made without departing from the essential teachings of the disclosure. Furthermore, the features of various implementing embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments of the disclosure.