Instrument details: Pete Smith - Steel string guitar

Thicknessing the cocobolo back

Photo added on 28/05/2016

Pete chisels out a rosette channel which he will fill with sections of paua shell

Photo added on 28/05/2016

Gluing the bridge plate and soundhole strengtheners

Photo added on 28/05/2016

Cocobolo can be tricky to plane but fortunately scrapes beautifully

Photo added on 03/07/2016

Bending the cutaway

Photo added on 03/07/2016

Finishing off the binding channels

Photo added on 03/07/2016

Fitting the side dots

Photo added on 07/08/2016

The holly bindings need to be kept clean while sanding and finishing the cocobolo back and sides

Photo added on 07/08/2016

An egg glair made from whisked up egg whites can be used to seal the cocobolo rosewood prior to French polishing to prevent the colour from bleeding

Photo added on 07/08/2016

Filling the grain using pumice

Photo added on 07/08/2016

After finishing the guitar can be reassembled

Photo added on 07/08/2016

Pete's slotted headstock

Photo added on 07/08/2016

Pete with his finished guitar

Photo added on 07/08/2016