I think its safe to say this is going to cost you ALOT right?

This post should say "created in Korea, AND sold via their California headquarters"

Having seen some of the abalone inlay work on traditional craftworks in Korea, I'd have no qualms about ordering this stuff from the big K.

Looking forward to seeing this when complete. I have no idea what to expect but it should be exciting. Got pics of your other guitars you mentioned?

A color decision was made... just one solid color (a dark espresso or French roast), metallic flake. However, under the pickguard (solid mirror-like with laser cutouts of vines and leaves) will be a bronze metallic paint.

This decision was based on the pickguard covering much of the body, and so adding a burst or a texture did not make sense. And there is much going on with the pickguard, silver hardware, engraved pickup covers, etc. The luthier not only agreed (also suggested it), but so too did the painter... an award-winning custom car painting company... a paint finish not to be seen too often on a guitar.

I created a Jimi Hendrix package a few months back (same luthier... carving by Gig Goldstein). Incredible sounding and playing guitar... not your typical 'strat.'

The first guitar Stephen Casper made for me is pretty standard... solid piece of swamp ash, but the sound and playability surpasses my Gibson Les Paul and JS2400.

My custom had plenty going on in it but I never found anyone who hated on it. I'd wait until the whole thing is complete before completely bagging it. I'm quite curious myself.

I have to disagree with dave. While I think this will be different than most jems, I like what I'm seeing so far. Please, just please put in a lions claw. Uber important on a Jem.

The luthier will be doing a similar floating bridge system as he did in the first guitar he made me (which I love... you can yank and crank and it stays in tune incredibly well)... it includes a solid brass block for improved sensitivity and sustain.

first pass on the body:

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I always liked the looks of the Firewheel straplocks. Because the body will be a very dark espresso, I went with the black straplocks so that they blend into the body a bit:

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A bit of extra 'curve' work around the butt end, with the pickguard setting in place (it's a mirror pickguard, but has a protective covering over it for the time being):

Looks good so far, will be interesting to see how this project turns out.

All the routing finished:

Love that bottom "hook!"