[Rocky Dijohn]

When it comes to aesthetic detailing on an acoustic, I suppose it ranges all the way from plain/simple (e.g. entry-level student guitars) to fancy (latter including "tree of life" fretboard inlays).

I am trying to imagine a series of step-ups from plain/simple moving upward in value. I know the cost of these upgrades is a function of the materials used and the time it takes to perform the upgrade.

Here is my list moving upward in what I imagine are more costly/time consuming details. Corrections and input are welcome please.

Fretboard:
I guess there is a whole world of possibilities here, ranging from simple dots to the "tree of life" inlay. Materials range from plastic to pearl/abalone/ivory

Top/Back:
Without binding
With binding
Binding top only
Binding top and back
Binding PLUS abalone/pearl trim

Back:
Center stripe

Purfling:
None
Around sound hole
Around top

Maybe there are just too many variables in play here but I thought I would give it a shot.

Maybe folks can answer just on how labor intensive these are to perform, because that part presumably stays pretty much the same regardless of the price/quality of materials used (plastic, ivory, pearl, abalone, etc.)