WOW! Thats an amazing first guitar. The headstock look killer and I LOVE the figure on that mahogany. Once you completly finish it you better enter it in GOTM!
Sorry i cant help you with the first question but theirs a great tutorial that should answer most of your questions about the trem to hardtail conversion http://projectguitar.com/tut/tht1.htm
I voted other simply because i could not choose. I enjoy most if not all of Beethoven's work but i also enjoy alot of Brahms work. I heard awhile back that Beethoven wrote his first symphony at the age of 9... is this true??
I disagree i dont like the feel of many LTD's. And LTD is like ESP' versions of an epiphone or squier. But its all up to how much you like it, only you can decide if its right for you. So goto your local guitar store and play one.
I wish my first attempt at scalloping was that good! With those emg's and the newly scalloped fretboard that guitar should be a shred machine! Good job!