This may be a question for a luthier. I have always been interested in the placement of bracing. I know the main purpose is to reinforce the top. It's obvious that the x brace takes the brunt of the force, but there are other strange braces which I'm curious about. More specifically,
What are tone bars? Why are they placed how they are? Why are there so many? What effect do they have?
What's the purpose of the soundhole strips?
The tone bars are slanted, and kind of in an odd position. I am an engineer, so the reasons for this design fascinate me.
http://martinrep.com/library/topstdscalp.jpg