OK, the bump depth was NOT set at .02!

I reworked the surface .jpg in photoshop, increasing the resolution (but not the image size) and also the bump map .jpg. I set the bump depth to .02, did a test render, and it looks a LOT better. It's rendering now, but when it gets to the point where I posted the last picture, I will repost the "new and improved" version for your approval.

I also tweaked a couple of the lights, but the change wasn't significant. Anyway, thanks for your comments so far, and I look forward to more as I post this WIP...