My original comment was not meant to be offensive in any way , either to the builder or anyone else concerned. It was meant only to stimulate discussion. I guess I am too old to accept change and innotiative designs readily. I have seen and played a good number of stringed instruments over the years with supposedly innovitative designs: fiddles with flat tops, varying shapes; guitars with cutaways and bowl backs etc. Personally have never found anything to suit my taste as well as the tried and tested old designs. I do now play an arch top cutaway guitar but still feel that it lacks a bit from the coventional designs. Use it however for the electronic capabilities. I am also somewhat turned off by some of the brand names today. Sound more like diseases than musical instruments.

all the best to all. enjoy the differing opinions. Jim