Instrument details: Ewan MacIntyre - 12 string guitar

Ewan has joined and surfaced the front, and cut out the shape.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

He has then fitted the soundhole decoration and is sanding it level. The sandpaper is used with a hard block to avoid sanding the soft yellow cedar front more than the inlay.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

Ewan is blocking up the neck, making the neck shape from one thin piece cut into sections which are glued together.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

Drilling the holes for the machine heads.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

The sides are bent around a hot iron.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

The back is glued on using go-bars.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

Ewan is planing the fingerboard to size prior to fitting.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

The frets are in and the guitar trial strung to check all works as it should.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

Ewan has decided to French polish his guitar and starts by applying some shellac with a soft pad.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

The grain starts to show as the finish is applied.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

Twenty to thirty coats, or rubbers, are often applied during french polishing.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

The finish must then cure before the guitar is restrung.

Photo added on 23/10/2014