somewhat discouraged by lack of success with bending the venetian cutaway without significant springback and some fracturing on the tight bends, there seemed to be a few paths forward: more refinement of the bending form to better support the backside of the cutaway bends, abandon the cutaway idea and build a symetrical body (with the join at 12th fret, this was not so attractive of an idea), switch to a pointed florentine cutaway, or perhaps try another wood known for better bending properties. i went with the last option using some east indian rosewood i acquired at gilmer. planing the rosewood was more difficult than the mahogany due to switching grain directions that cause tearout. i took it slowly and revisited my card scraper sharpening technique.