Instrument details: Bruce Carpenter - Steel string guitar

Work begins by joining the rosewood back

Photo added on 20/12/2020

Thicknessing the sitka spruce front

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Bruce has made a rosette from offcuts of his back with the grain arranged radially

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Gluing the bridge

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Carving the heel

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Bending the rosewood sides around a hot iron

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Gluing the bindings. Card is used to protect the front to avoid fibres being pulled out when removing the tape.

Photo added on 20/12/2020

Applying the first coats of shellac prior to French Polishing

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Adding the finishing touch to Bruce's headstock decoration

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Cleaning up the bridge before final stringing

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A close-up of Bruce's finished bridge

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Ready to go...

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Bruce with his finished guitar

Photo added on 20/12/2020