AMEN!!! Tradition is great and I respect all those who have a passion for it. But history was never my strong suit. I would rather create something that pleases ME than stick with the same old same old.
BTW... The inlaid pearl with the wood peeling back to expose it is exceptional. Very creative. I would prefer that to a plain black banana any day. But that's just me. I like to tinker and convention rubs me the wrong way. :)
Randy