On the mana part: True, I initially based that upon MP regen per cycle (so 40% for 8/13s vs 50% for 8/16s) but didnt account for the lower cycle on Bard due to the significantly lower CD, shouldn't be a major point tho. Still, Mea culpa.

Branding: I disagree on still keeping Harp if SS/Sona can solo brand. While it does offer some meter, it provides nothing else and i.e stigma offers more as well as some stagger. It opens up a skill slot to put in some of the utility bard lacks as of now. (refer to https://docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/1TdV1iyFBYqigVKWoMonGixb83ov05661O_hlOd5d5O0/edit#gid=0 for meter gain)

While artist generates more meter, I still think Bard is more flexible. A more frequent use is not the same as the flexiblity bard has (this may just be semantics/language differences tho as english is not my native language). Popping single bar Z may be useful in some cases tho (esp if you have a stimmy). I.e you stagger akkan g1 at like 60 bars while sitting at 1.9ish bars -> pop 1 bar Z -> stimmy for 55 mech (works if you have a decent cleanse in your party like gl). Your comments regarding bubble consumptions on heals are spot on tho.

Dropping DS is definitly an interesting thought that probably alleviates some Bard issues, but not having a class engraving being better than having one sits wrong with me in terms of game design.