Instrument details: Geoff Brewer - Steel string acoustic guitar

Having joined his bird's eye maple back Geoff planes it to thickness. A toothed blade enables quick progress without tear-out.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

Geoff's soundhole design involves two rings of paua shell bordering a wood inlay centre. The shell pieces are individually fitted and glued into place.

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The shell is then sanded flush before the central decoration is installed.

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The braces are carved after gluing to achieve a balance between strength and responsiveness.

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Blocking up the neck starts with sawing the headstock at the correct angle.

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Once blocked, the heel is prepared. Here, Geoff is preparing the rebate for the side in the cutaway area.

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Geoff has made up his own bindings and is planing them to thickness.

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The guitar is strung in the white to finalise the set-up and make final adjustments before finishing.

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Filling the fret ends prior to final sanding.

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headstock detail and...

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...bird's eye maple back.

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Geoff's finished guitar,

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With lacquering completed, Geoof oils the fingerboard and bridge before final stringing.

Photo added on 23/10/2014