John “J-Dub” Ward is a quiet luthier out of Costa Mesa, California. I met him and his wife at a hotel ballroom guitar show in Riverside some years ago.
This guitar sings beyond belief. It just plays itself.
The reason for the tape is that I’m using it to record. I learned this trick from Ken Caillat – to tape a vintage Sony ECM-50 lavelier mic to the inside of the soundhole, peeking out as shown. And couple it with a condenser on the 12 fret sweet spot area, and it creates a solid recording. Ken said something about recording Joni Mitchell this way.
I won’t be removing the tape any time soon. It’s just console tape. No harm to the body at all.
The abalone inlay work is exceptional.
This is the label. The guitar is named “Mickey” after his son, pictured in the photo.
Back section wood feature. 
Side bottom wood feature. 
Side wood feature. 
Neck joint craftsmanship and wood feature.