Well as much as I try to pick my shows by how many "smokin hot chicks" are on it, I think I'll muddle through with the cast as it is. It's on at 9:00 here, ask your Mom nice, and maybe she'll let you stay up.
I really don't find it to be a rip off of TP either, so I guess we disagree on all points.
I've watched the first three episodes now, and overall I think it's going to be a good show. I like that there's not a new case resolved each episode. The character developement is it's strong point.
This bowtie shaped inlay is known as a Dutchman, and is inset to keep large or small checks from opening up any longer. Simple but very effective, and now somewhat of a trademark.
Slabs of that size are hard to come by, and that accounts for some of the cost. However, the labor involved in making tables, benches, etc... is minimal. It's much easier than joining boards together to build a wide piece, and there's no edge treatment. Sanding is also only on a flat plane.
The box is made of leftovers from two of my favorite, personal projects...the figured Cherry from my β22/σ22/TPA Darwin cases, and the Canary wood from my K1000 box.
The stand is just the right proportions for the Staxen Al.