Patent ID: 7498495

Claim:
A soundbox assembly for a stringed musical instrument called a harp, comprising: a three-dimensional subassembly forming the soundbox, a soundboard disposed within the three-dimensional assembly, and a load imposed on the subassembly during use of the harp; a base removably disposed at one end portion of the three-dimensional subassembly; a cap removably disposed at the opposite end portion of the three-dimensional subassembly; a neck extending outward from the cap to intersect one end of a pillar, the pillar extending to the base; and at least one tension truss having first and second ends, the first end of the tension truss releasably secured to the base and the second end of the tension truss releasably secured to the cap, the tension truss disposed within the interior of the soundbox in a spaced relationship from the soundboard and physically isolated from structural components disposed within the interior of the soundbox, said tension truss being loaded in tension during use of the harp thereby to enhance the structural integrity of the soundbox.