Instrument details: Andy Davis - Steel string guitar

Andy has joined the front, cut it to outline and is thicknessing it, gauging progress with calipers. The final gauge will be by hand, testing for stiffness and tone.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

The soundhole decoration, herringbone in this case, is then installed and the soundhole cut out.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

Different makers glue on the bridge at different points in the construction process, sometimes even after the finish is applied. Here the bridge, which is after all one of the braces, is being glued on before assembly and will be shaped later on.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

The neck has been planed and the truss rod fitted, and the headstock veneer is being glued on.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

The heel is shaped prior to the neck being fitted, after which it would be too awkward to work.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

The front, neck and sides are assembled and the linings glued on before the back is fitted.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

The back is glued on using go-bars.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

The corner bindings have been fitted and the fingerboard is next to be glued.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

The frest are tapped into place using a soft faced hammer.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

They are then stoned level, re-profiled and polished.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

The bridge, which is also the final brace, is carved using planes and gouges before smoothing with sandpaper.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

The finished, strung guitar.

Photo added on 23/10/2014