Wow - very nice touches in this project, and a great cohesive instrument all round. Just goes to show that thought has been put into this one from beginning to end. I kind of baulked when I heard changes had been made mid-project, but they seem to have been the right ones :-D I particularly love the quality of your mitres on the fretboard binding. I have a hard time doing that. Any secret you could divulge on that one? Since the maple is undyed, what grit did you take it back to, or has it been burnished?
Sorry to grill you mate. I'm considering a natural maple finish at some point myself and it's good to see other people's decision making processes and the results firsthand as it happens.
Keep it up man.