these soundholes have been used by a number of builders

( "weeping hearts")

What is the meaning of this as a sound hold, is it meant to be sad? I have not seen this very often, Sam Carrell has ' "weeping hearts"' also. 

Any ideas?

ahhhhhhhhh, and here's those "weeping hearts".  this is just lovely  aloha, irene

2004 (if I remember right) James Vander Woude custom.  The light strip up the center of the fretboard understructure is maple; everything else is exotic.  Sides, back, head, tail, and outer fretboard understructure are dark Padauk.  Soundboard is Spanish Cedar (not really cedar, but a relative of walnut), and fretboard veneer is Ugandan Walnut (not really walnut, but a relative of mahogany).  Has a quiet, almost muted tone; good for personal play or as a backup instrument in a group.