I, also, have just commissioned a new BP build. I was offered some very nice ML's a while back but they didn't have the woods that I wanted. This was important to me and so I decided to sell one of my children (just kidding, actually sold a National Resophonic guitar) to afford the opportunity to make those design decisions myself. The BPUC is a design oriented company. Commissioning a new build is a collaborative process. How enjoyable is it to be part of the creation of a thing of beauty? Very!
I have a feeling that my new BP ML Tenor will become a family heirloom to be handed down. I guess that's the reason why we aren't satisfied with very playable $500 factory made ukuleles. We are willing to pay $1.5-3K or more for an instrument that will still look great and be great to play a few generations down the pike and provide that sense of wonder and joy that a truly well made instrument (of any type) provides to its owner. I have been fascinated by the BP ML series since I first saw one. I consider myself fortunate to shortly be a new owner.