Instrument details: Josep Helgason - Electric guitar

Josep is using mahogany for the body and is checking the surfaces for joining with a straight edge.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

Routing for the neck tenon join with a hand held router.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

With the body shape cut out, the end is planed flat ready for the tenon fitting.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

The tenon is prepared using a chisel and shoulder plane.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

Josep is drilling the machine head holes with a vertical drill.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

Assembling the neck join.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

The fingerboard is shaped and prepared for the frets. Josep is using a straight edge to check the surface.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

The first stringing up 'in the white'. This is to ensure everything works well and also shows exactly how the neck responds to the string tension prior to stoning the frets.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

The lacquer is sanded after every coat - twelve to fifteen in all.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

With the fingerboard finished the frets are tapped into place.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

Josep and his finished guitar.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

A close-up of the completed guitar.

Photo added on 23/10/2014