Hi, Tom, There's been some research regarding bent tops in violins, with data seemingly very much in their favor; intuitive things like long fibers are stronger than stacked short ones, or that bent tops are more economical uses of material stand alongside this research that suggests the bent tops have predictable resonances with far fewer adjustments than their carved counterparts. Cross-engineering the piano was attempted in the 19th century, search the archives for double soundboards. Uh, _someone_ even cross-engineered a guitar with a bent, laminated rim! Clark
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