How would you tackle a Carved Top Guitar?

 From:  ugotaccpaced
4059.1 
I'm trying to make the body of a guitar with a craved top (Gibson Les Paul). I am having trouble getting my head around how to make the carved top portion. Below is a picture of a scan at 1mm increments and another of a carved top in 2 halves. So any pointers on how to tackle this?

http://i732.photobucket.com/albums/ww321/GooCart/53GT.jpg

http://goocarts.com/3dburst/section_1.jpg