Instrument details: James Brooks - Flamenco guitar

James has joined his yew back and is scraping the outer surface prior to cutting to shape.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

The back is planed to a nominal dimension - the final thickness is determined by the flexibility of the specific piece.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

A strengthening strip is glued along the centre join on the inside of the back.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

The braces are glued on with animal glue using go bars.

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The neck is blocked up from a 1" thick pieces to create the neck shape.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

James has shaped the headstock and is drilling the holes for the friction pegs.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

The individual tentellones that join the front to the sides are glued into place.

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The corner bindings and purfling strip are glued and held in place with tape.

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With the guitar assembled, James is stringing up 'in the white'.

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James is filling the ends of the fret slots with shellac stick.

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James is french polishing his guitar, the favoured finish for flamenco guitars.

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The yew back of James' guitar.

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James' finished guitar. It is best to wait for the finish to cure further before restringing.

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The May-July 2009 group.

Photo added on 23/10/2014