Babicz Lateral Compression Soundboard
US Patent # 7,112,733
When the strings are removed from the bridge and anchored to the top of the guitar, a lateral compression force is created (compression of wood within the soundboard, not compression of tone or frequency).
This creates a fully energized soundboard. The design is extremely strong because the strings are anchored directly to the soundboard, near the outer edge of the top, in a fan-like pattern. The string pull is almost entirely lateral and is spread out over a larger area. Because there is very little stress on the center of the soundboard (which is the weakest and most flexible part), traditional 'X' bracing can be removed and replacedwith a much more delicate and lighter bracing pattern. Internally, the new soundboard bracing pattern uses two semi-parallel braces (much like tone bars on an Archtop guitar) that start at the upper bout.
They pass along the edge of the bridge, and end deep within thelower bout. This allows the string vibration to pass from the bridge to the two primary braces, traveling laterally, using the entire length of the soundboard.
Flattops with strings attached to the bridge pull from the center of the soundboard, which creates a very taut top. This makes 'true' acoustic bass reproduction very difficult. Most conventional acoustic construction will have a choked bass response the further you play up the neck. The soundboard is not allowed to vibrate (pump air) as well because the top is too tight. With the Lateral Compression Soundboard, what you will hear is a new level of sonic purity. The purpose of extending the string below the bridge and attaching them to the top directly is to create lateral compression in the soundboard. We call it 'acoustical perpetuation'.
Another benefit to the design is a much more relaxed string feel to the player - especially when bending notes. Even though the Babicz guitar uses standard length strings, a longer portion of the string is used overall, (the core of the string is extended past the bridge). Musicians have commented on how 'buttery' the strings feel, and they thought that the gauges were .010" or .011", when in fact they were heavier .012" or .013".
This creates a fully energized soundboard. The design is extremely strong because the strings are anchored directly to the soundboard, near the outer edge of the top, in a fan-like pattern. The string pull is almost entirely lateral and is spread out over a larger area. Because there is very little stress on the center of the soundboard (which is the weakest and most flexible part), traditional 'X' bracing can be removed and replacedwith a much more delicate and lighter bracing pattern. Internally, the new soundboard bracing pattern uses two semi-parallel braces (much like tone bars on an Archtop guitar) that start at the upper bout.
They pass along the edge of the bridge, and end deep within thelower bout. This allows the string vibration to pass from the bridge to the two primary braces, traveling laterally, using the entire length of the soundboard.
Flattops with strings attached to the bridge pull from the center of the soundboard, which creates a very taut top. This makes 'true' acoustic bass reproduction very difficult. Most conventional acoustic construction will have a choked bass response the further you play up the neck. The soundboard is not allowed to vibrate (pump air) as well because the top is too tight. With the Lateral Compression Soundboard, what you will hear is a new level of sonic purity. The purpose of extending the string below the bridge and attaching them to the top directly is to create lateral compression in the soundboard. We call it 'acoustical perpetuation'.
Another benefit to the design is a much more relaxed string feel to the player - especially when bending notes. Even though the Babicz guitar uses standard length strings, a longer portion of the string is used overall, (the core of the string is extended past the bridge). Musicians have commented on how 'buttery' the strings feel, and they thought that the gauges were .010" or .011", when in fact they were heavier .012" or .013".