Yes, I think it does, Al, thanks. I was thinking there was a Standard model and a Traditional model, but sounds like that may have started in Hartford?
Funny enough I thought that for a while too, but when reviewing my Tacoma '08 price list I downloaded a few years back, I noticed they used the term "traditional models", too.
In that case, though, I think it was to distinguish those (like the F40 and the F50) from the brand new "Contemporary Series" which they
did market under that term.
For Tacoma's "Traditionals", I don't recall seeing 'em referred to that way for marketing, rather, the emphasis seemed to be on the use of Adi tops in the "Bluegrass" models.
Tacoma was the first to use Adi bracing and tops, that we know of. And it's a pretty safe bet that that's true, for reasons explained earlier (scarcity of the wood itself).
Tacoma F40's got Adi tops too but for some reason didn't get a "Bluegrass" designation.
I guess the Hartford Standard model would have been the equivalent of the RHavens model without the truss rod sig? And the BJ would be the Traditional?
Basically "yes". There were a couple of other "tweaks" to the Richie Havens like dual pickguards (2nd guard shipped in case for owner to install at their discretion), and gold-plated tuners, and only 2 colors, Natural and Black, but the basic wood formula stayed the same "IIRC".
Also think New Hartford's "Standards" got satin neck and eventually backs and sides, too, whereas Havens models were always 100% gloss finished.
But again those are "just details", without meaning to belittle their importance for some of us.