CST-24HB Tortoise Flame : Great guitar w/ minor QC issues

This is my first Harley Benton and, based on this guitar, may not be my last. First up, the positives:

- Great playability. Super comfortable neck and fretboard with no fret protrusion or popping

- Good pickups. Best described as inoffensive, I don't feel the need to replace them immediately but they also don't really inspire.

- Great tuners.

- Gorgeous top. Could have been a fluke, but mine had a perfect bookmatched top with a deep flame.

The flip-side:

- A lot of finishing flaws. Binding sanded completely off in places around the cutaway. Finish scuffing and scratches. Fretboard looks like it was lubricated last when the tree was still in the ground.

- The bridge. Don't know who on God's green earth thought having only 2 strings intonatable was a good idea, but they should be fired. Budget for a bridge upgrade with purchase.

- No backplate. Again, don't know how this sort of thing happens after all these decades, but unless there is a structural reason (with the MASSIVE centerblock I doubt it) why would you not put an opening on the back for replacing the components. Expect a few headaches replacing parts.