Totnes School of Guitar Making, South Devon, England, UK Totnes School of Guitar Making, South Devon, England, UK Totnes School of Guitar Making, South Devon, England, UK
Guitar making course, Totnes, Devon

Course photos: May 2013

Instrument details: John Hepworth - Steel string guitar

Construction

Having joined and thicknessed the front, John cuts it to shape.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

Construction

Gluing the back braces.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

Construction

The bridge must be shaped to match the front, including sufficient hollow to accommodate the slight curvature formed by the braces.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

Construction

A ruler clamped to the front is a useful aid in positioning the bridge.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

Construction

John then bends the sides, until the shape matches the template.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

Construction

The cutaway is glued to a rebate on the side of the neck.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

Construction

The back is ready to be glued. John practises the long lost art of guitar levitation.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

Construction

The ends of the fret slots are filled with shellac stick, melted in with a soldering iron.

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Construction

After spraying, the lacquer is sanded to a mirror finish.

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Construction

The guitar can then be restrung.

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Construction

John's headstock...

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Construction

...bridge and soundhole decoration.

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Finishing

The cocobolo back is also thicknessed and is finished with a scraper.

Photo added on 23/10/2014

Course photos: May 2013

Totnes School of Guitarmaking  Collins Road, Totnes, Devon, England, TQ9 5PJ  Phone: +44 (0)1803 865255
E-mail: info@totnesschoolofguitarmaking.co.uk   Facebook: