A stringed musical instrument, such as a guitar, whereby the lower end of the strings are anchored to the soundboard itself with one or more of the string anchors being positioned past the bridge. This arrangement provides an offset of the lateral compressive forces to the entire soundboard, therefore allowing the soundboard to vibrate more freely in response to the string vibration, and creating an acoustical perpetuating effect. Due to the inherent strength to this design, internal soundboard bracing can be minimized in weight and size as well, which offers a fuller and louder sound, with an increase in sonic balance and sustain. The string instrument also includes a split bridge design with the bridge body secured on the soundboard and having a saddle thereon for providing a contact point with the strings and a string retainer body secured separately from the bridge body on the soundboard and positioned behind the bridge body having directing means to guide each string.