[hat]

A lot of the detrimental effects of string tension and torque/loading is transferred directly to the top plate, through the bridge, and bridge plate. What if part of that loading and stress could be re-applied to the x braces directly? I am thinking of a cross brace located where the bridge pins are located - a brace that has it's ends resting on top of the main X braces. that way, the pull is not on the top directly, but rather acting directly on the main braces, which then cause the top to deflect and vibrate.