Lightweight body construction for stringed musical instruments

A musical instrument includes a softwood core and an opening formed in the softwood core. The softwood core is formed by combining a plurality of softwood boards. A hardwood plug is disposed in the opening of the softwood core. A first hardwood plate is disposed over a first surface of the softwood core. A second hardwood plate is disposed over a second surface of the softwood core. The hardwood plug extends from the first hardwood plate to the second hardwood plate. The softwood core， first hardwood plate， and second hardwood plate are cut into an instrument body. An instrument neck is attached to the instrument body. A bridge is attached to the hardwood plug using a screw or other fastener extending through the bridge and into the hardwood plug. An opening is formed through the hardwood plug. A string is disposed through the opening of the hardwood plug.