Instrument details: Carlos Rivera - Steel string acoustic

Cutting the top

Photo added on 03/04/2026

Installing the rosette. Some ptfe strip is fitted to to hold the channel for the central abalone strip

Photo added on 03/04/2026

Installing the abalone

Photo added on 03/04/2026

A strip of (usually) spruce is used to reinforce the join in the rosewood back

Photo added on 03/04/2026

Gluing the bridge plate

Photo added on 03/04/2026

A scraper plane is excellent for surfacing dense exotic hardwoods like rosewood

Photo added on 03/04/2026

Bending the rosewood sides

Photo added on 03/04/2026

Cutting the fret ends flush

Photo added on 03/04/2026

Final dressing of the oil finish

Photo added on 03/04/2026

Final testing

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The back of the guitar

Photo added on 03/04/2026

Carlos has inlayed his initials in mother-of-pearl in the headstock

Photo added on 03/04/2026