Instrument details: Jimmy Ponti - Electric guitar

Joining the alder body

Photo added on 09/04/2023

Routing the neck pocket

Photo added on 09/04/2023

Using a scraper plane to prepare the fingerboard. Jimmy has chosen a compound radius, with a more curve at the nut end and less at the body.

Photo added on 09/04/2023

Turning some fret dots out of corian - a plainer alternative to mother-of-pearl, and vegan too!

Photo added on 09/04/2023

Fitting the frets

Photo added on 09/04/2023

Using proportional dividers to mark out the string holes in the body. Accurate marking is crucial to ensure they line up with the holes on the back.

Photo added on 09/04/2023

Drilling for the string ferrules

Photo added on 09/04/2023

Flattening the first coats of colour - care must be taken not to sand through the thin finish. Jimmy has opted for a translucent colour which allows the grain to show through.

Photo added on 09/04/2023

Testing out the completed guitar

Photo added on 09/04/2023

Corian markers on the rosewood fingerboard

Photo added on 09/04/2023

A close-up of the finished top

Photo added on 09/04/2023

Jimmy's finished guitar

Photo added on 09/04/2023