Patent ID: 7268280

Claim:
A stringed instrument comprising, a sound box defining an inner space, the sound box comprising a bottom board, a sound board and a side wall, the bottom board, sound board and side wall each having an inner surface which faces the inner space, the side wall being between the bottom board and the sound board, wherein the bottom board and the sound board each comprise a plurality of elongated braces facing the inner space and the side wall comprises a plurality of struts, the plurality of elongated braces each having a first end and a second end and the plurality of struts each having a first end positioned adjacent to the sound board and a second end positioned adjacent to the bottom board, wherein the first ends and the second ends of the plurality of elongated braces of the sound board are positioned substantially adjacent to the first ends of the struts and wherein the first ends and the second ends of the plurality of elongated braces of the bottom board are positioned substantially adjacent to the second ends of the struts, the plurality of struts comprising a plurality of first struts and a plurality of second struts, wherein the first and second ends of each of the plurality of elongated braces of the sound board are positioned substantially adjacent to the same first and second struts as the first ends and the second ends of one of the plurality of elongated braces of the bottom board.