Instrument details: Jay Lilley - Steel string acoustic guitar

With the front surfaced and thickness the channels for the rosette are removed

Photo added on 08/02/2015

The rosette is glued in and scraped flush with the front

Photo added on 08/02/2015

Gluing the back braces

Photo added on 08/02/2015

Gluing the upper transverse and x braces

Photo added on 28/02/2015

Carving the braces in order to tailor the sound to the makers preference

Photo added on 28/02/2015

When blocking up the neck, all gluing surfaces must be planed flat and each join fitted individually. In doing so better results can be achieved than by machine tools.

Photo added on 28/02/2015

Fitting the decorative end graft

Photo added on 26/03/2015

Reaming holes for the bridge pins

Photo added on 26/03/2015

Trial stringing to assess the instrument under tension

Photo added on 26/03/2015

All finishing starts with preparation, with the guitar meticulously fine sanded before the finish is applied.

Photo added on 15/04/2015

The first coat of a thin oil varnish brings out the figure of the walnut.

Photo added on 15/04/2015

Final buffing of the finish

Photo added on 15/04/2015

Jay's finished guitar

Photo added on 15/04/2015

All done!

Photo added on 15/04/2015

Jay, Steve and Martin with their completed instruments.

Photo added on 15/04/2015