I did some research on RJ Deneve. I think some of his personality may come through in the instrument. He doesn't make them for a living. He has another career, and only makes Dobros because he loves to make them (about 14/year). And he doesn't charge as much as they're worth. I was told that the prices have been the same for years and that the instruments are as good as some private builders who sell them for 3 times the money. It's really nice to find a builder who gets so much pleasure from making an instrument and who isn't concerned about making a fortune from them. I think that's a good lesson for me -- and maybe a few other musician's out there:

Do what you love because you love to do it!

Jason.