Here is the "scoop" by British luthier Nick Benjamin
An alternative to the more usual cut-away.
I met Nick Benjamin at the Lewes Guitar Festival in 2007. He was quite generous with his time and knowledge (as were other luthiers exhibiting there). He told me that the scoop is an elegant compromise between the cutaway and not having a cutaway. The problem with the cutaway is that there is some loss of tone. However, according to Benjamin, the loss incurred is in the BACK of the guitar as the top is just about dead at the location. So the scoop really is a cutaway in the top but no cutaway in the back.
He says that wood used for the scoop makes no difference to the sound, so he can use whatever works aesthetically - usually something that contrasts with the top but fits in with the bindings.
Eg...
