[f. SOUND sb.3 + POST sb.1] A small peg of wood fixed beneath the bridge of a violin or similar instrument, serving as a support for the belly and as a connecting part between this and the back.
[1592. Shaks., Rom. & Jul., IV. v. 138. What say you Iames Sound-Post?]
1687. Miége, Gt. Fr. Dict., s.v. Ame, The sound-posts that stand up within the body of a musical Instrument.
1762. Sterne, Tr. Shandy, V. xv. The bridge is a mile too high, and the sound-post absolutely down.
1833. T. Fardely, trans. Otto’s Treat. Violin, 4. The belly, the bass bar, the sound post, and the six blocks, [are] of Tyrolese deal.
1848. J. Bishop, trans. Otto’s Violin (1875), 78. The chief function of the sound-post is to render normal the vibrations of the back and belly.
1884. Haweis, My Musical Life, I. 95. The sound-post—i. e. the little peg which bears the strain on the belly and back.
