Instrument details: Scott Matheson - Steel string acoustic

Scott has chosen to use paua abalone for his rosette. Each piece is hand cut and fitted to the channel and to the adjacent pieces.

Photo added on 14/12/2022

Fitting the back braces - the curve on the braces gives the shape to the back.

Photo added on 14/12/2022

The smaller braces are provisionally shaped before the main bars are fitted.

Photo added on 14/12/2022

Blocking up the mahogany neck.

Photo added on 14/12/2022

Thicknessing the headstock the old way...

Photo added on 14/12/2022

Tentellone time

Photo added on 14/12/2022

Routing the binding channels

Photo added on 14/12/2022

The last major gluing is the fingerboard. A caul helps to apply even pressure.

Photo added on 14/12/2022

Finalising the neck shape

Photo added on 14/12/2022

Scott has decided to French polish his guitar. Shellac and alcohol are applied to a cloth 'rubber' which is used to build a thin finish on the instrument

Photo added on 28/12/2022

A beautiful fern design in Black Tahiti pearl inlaid into the ebony headstock veneer

Photo added on 28/12/2022

Testing out the finished guitar

Photo added on 28/12/2022

The Indian Rosewood back

Photo added on 28/12/2022

Scott with his finished guitar

Photo added on 28/12/2022