Instrument details: Charles Rogers - Steel string guitar

Charles joins his walnut back using pins to hold the two halves together.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

The back is then thicknessed and cut to shape, before the braces are glued on.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

After gluing in the outer decoration, abalone pieces are cut and fitted to the channel between them.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

The inlay is sanded flush with a rigid sanding block to prevent undulations in the surface of the front.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

Charles routs a channel for the truss rod, which must be set deeper at the body end.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

This is glued in with a maple fillet on top.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

The sides are bent around a hot iron and checked against the template.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

A small piece of decoration, the end graft, is fitted where the two sides meet.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

The frets over the body are clamped into place to avoid hammering over the vulnerable front.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

Charles fine tunes the bridge where the strings are held in place.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

A view of the matching walnut back and neck.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

The abalone soundhole decoration.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

Charles with his completed guitar.

Photo added on 23/10/2014