Jon, thanks for the great pic! Very cool that you got to spend some time with Mark at his magic shop.
Steve - Thanks and yes! Actually my idea on the aesthetic is very much inspired by the vintage parlors guitars. Many years ago I saw this beat-up old Washburn parlor that had f-holes and a walnut-shaded top. It was in terrible shape but I thought it looked cool anyway. The ones I've played have tended to sound more trebly (is that a word?), maybe a little brittle. I'd like to have the tone closer to a more modern fingerstyle instrument so, as Mark noted, he may have a challenge with the voicing.
Mark's design looks very graceful to my eye with the headstock matching up so nicely with the shape of the body. I also really like how the fretboard extension is kind of shaped to match the bridge. Beautiful lines throughout this whole design. I'm excited to see this materialize.
