Instrument details: James Palmer - Carved top electric guitar

Work starts with joining the figured maple cap

Photo added on 14/12/2022

Once glued to the mahogany body it is thicknessed - a scrub plane with coarse, cambered blade is ideal.

Photo added on 14/12/2022

Routing the neck pocket at the correct angle for the neck

Photo added on 14/12/2022

With the edge rebated to the correct thickness, carving starts with gouges

Photo added on 14/12/2022

Fitting the neck to the body needs to ensure not just a sound join, but also correct length, angle and alignment.

Photo added on 14/12/2022

Gluing the neck tenon

Photo added on 14/12/2022

The fingerboard is reduced to final width before gluing

Photo added on 14/12/2022

Gluing the fingerboard

Photo added on 14/12/2022

After the fingerboard is on the final adjustments to the carving can be made

Photo added on 14/12/2022

Routing the pickup cavity

Photo added on 28/12/2022

Stringing up in the white - any final adjustments, for example to the neck shape, and the set-up can be done prior to finishing.

Photo added on 28/12/2022

Starting to apply the stain...

Photo added on 28/12/2022

James has opted for a single orange stain to bring out the figure in the maple cap

Photo added on 28/12/2022

James with his finished guitar

Photo added on 12/01/2023