Thanks, George, and you're correct. That's one reason for the practice but it isn't as large as you might think. And I still have it at the full 3/8" thickness of the blank; that will be cut down on the real bridge. I also left at least 1/16" on the soundhole side, in front of the saddle slots, to be trimmed off on the final version of the real bridge. No sir, I want tone but it can look good in the process. I think the largish looking 'swell' part of the curve on the back makes it look larger than it really is.

Here it is compared to my Takamine, which is by no means in the class with finer handmade boutique guitars but it still sounds pretty good (though not as good as my Martin, Gallagher, Guild, etc.). The front edges are lined up in this photo, btw.

David
011 - Compared to Takamine.jpg