Thanks, Bob. I hear what you are saying and do agree with you. I also know that there are no magic bullets in lutherie.
And it really does go back to understanding wood and understanding what you are really doing with it. I don't like to be negative on anything and think it is wonderful that so many folks are able to participate in the craft. And a lot of folks are able to make very decent guitars. But a large proportion of this has been facilitated by the plethora of gadgets, jigs, wood tuning voodoo and formulas, etc., etc. I don't mean to be critical of any of this, but so many people have been sold the business that if you don't use this or that or follow so and so's book and method, you are not going to get what you want.
When I built my first guitars, 48 years ago, there was none of this available, but I knew how to work with wood from growing up in my Grandfather's wood shop, so with that knowledge and a $2 paperback on building a classical guitar, I was able to struggle through. I still have my first guitar. It is not a thing of beauty, but it does make pretty good music, considering the limitations it was built under.
I do watch what others are doing and try to learn new things, but inside, I am a bit of a skeptic. I don't do anything just because somebody who "is somebody" says it is good. And most of the different things I do are things I come up with myself. I am experimenting with the modified wood because it is interesting and I have the opportunity by knowing the guy who runs the wood plant. While I am somewhat "traditional" I have always had a need to not follow the herd and I like to venture out on my own. I don't suggest that this is what folks should do, but it works well for me
I really do hope you make it to Stringfest next year. I think we will both enjoy that.
G
It is interesting how the TM process darkened the rays on the top more than the rest and made them jump right out. I am guessing that is going to look fantastic with finish on it.