Thank you all very much.
After spending time evaluating the guitar and my craftsmanship:
The guitar plays and sounds like a Fender except there is a little line noise in 2 and 4 position due to the middle pickup- I didn't RWRP so in those positions the neck +middle and bridge +middle do not function like a HB. The little bit of noise, and I do mean little- it's well worth the tonal difference to me. Even so it's still not as Leo designed- it's wired with one tone so there is tone control for bridge. Along with the treble bleed it's all that I had hoped for. ( I sure recommend the treble bleed. Helps keep those pups clear when lowering the volume- if you notice yours getting muddy from to many highs being sent to ground.)
Craftsmanship: Sucks. I have excuses but they are only that. The flaws probably aren't apparent to most but when one looks very closely...it sucks.
Wood preparation could have been much better. There are very small areas here and there where pores weren't completely filled and even some fine sanding marks. Both just unacceptable. It doesn't matter that it's my first nitro spray finish job...I'm talking wood prep and I honestly believe it is a result from prepping the wood while dealing with health/hospital trips...having the project helped me mentally and physically but the guitar suffered too.
Working with Birdseye for the first time and the finish results have taught me a lot and what to really scope in on.
I can say the same about the Ash. The real hurt was blown prep with the Flame Maple- I've worked it numerous times.
I've never read any writings that didn't mention wood prep as being so very important. My wife says I'm to picky but she doesn't look at details to the level that I do as I expect many of us do...which is understandable. I say it can't have any flaws so I need to up my game. After all, it's either right or it's not.
Wood prep is the only thing that prevents this guitar from being the best I've done...what a bummer to have blown it. A finish will show imperfections and the trick is to learn to see them before applying the finish...I blew it.
I'm not good with a camera anymore but I'll try to get up close with examples.
As for the display case: Some may think of it as a display case to display. I don't. It keeps the guitar safe and the case can be in a controlled environment. It can be enjoyed visibly with easy access and the guitar is kept clean unlike those I have in guitar stands. If my wife would let me I'd have all the guitars I keep handy in them covering the den walls. There is just no better way IMO and if I manage to design the right case to hold about 7/8 of them she just might approve. Geeze...now I have to learn how to build furniture grade cabinets! Not sure how that's going to turn out. That is something laughed about at the Luthier forum....their wives believe that since they can build a guitar they can remodel the kitchen lol.
Well I've ordered more wood...I have to build another one just like it for me...again. LOL.