BentleyT I think it is a case of arriving at a perfect design for an instrument doesn't need change. However, you can google stringed instruments like Cello, or Violin and see an unbelievable variety of shapes, but that is when the instrument is Not Accoustic, With the electronics these days you can have a Violin or Guitar in any shape, because it doesn't depend on the acoustics like with a hollow-bodied stringed instrument. With a Guitar Synthesiser you can make a guitar sound like a Grand Piano or Stevie Wonder's Chromatic Harmonica ~~ I have seen proof of this and played with that effect. The Gibson Les Paul as designed by the legend himself, Les Paul, is the perfect shape, so why mess with it ? Fender is similarly effective in design. As for Brass Instruments, one would think the current shape is perfect and traditional. James Morrison has played electric versions of everything ! . Trombo you know who I am talking about. James Morrison is, by anybody’s standard, a virtuoso in the true sense of the word. Besides the trumpet, this multi-instrumentalist also plays piano, all the brass, saxophones, and double bass. I THINK HE LIKES CARS TOO ! Oh dear, waaaay off topic ! . James is a keen motoring enthusiast and was a team player on Top Gear Australia, (which didn't appeal to me in the least) But James is a cool dude