Instrument details: Jim Rowley - Steel string acoustic guitar

Jim cuts out his redwood front.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

A strengthening strip is glued along the back join and planed to thickness.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

Gluing in the soundhole decoration.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

Jim uses a knife to carve the heel.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

The join in the x-braces must be capped for strength with wood, cloth or, as here, parchment.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

Jim bends his walnut sides on a bending iron.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

Gluing the fingerboard.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

Ramps are carved into the headstock to give the strings a clear path to the machine heads.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

The strings go on for the first time. The set-up, bridge shaping and final sanding to go before the finishing.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

The final sanding and grain raising prior to finishing.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

And final tests can be done.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

A fine job done by all!

Photo added on 23/10/2014

With the lacquering finished the reassembly begins.

Photo added on 23/10/2014