I love the guitar and it really does need strings. If it's the couching thread that's bugging you, you could use monofiliment thread to couch with it. It's a pain but you won't see the couching thread especially if you go in and out under the guitar string (basically same hole in and out, hidden by the string itself---lot of work....would it be worth it?). I liked the idea of using differing sizes of metallic cords to achieve the look you want. Also, you can couch by machine using monofiliment thread top and bottom. Whatever you do, he'll love it.