The last few days of guitar work have taught me lots. I feel like I paid for an apprentice program. Guitar building start to finish without power tools. In most cases string is used instead of clamps and chisels are like cordless routers. The photos below show the progress. It's Saturday and I'm being told on Monday we will finish construction and the finish work will start. I don't see how but I'm assured we will be done before I leave in a week.

Luis's son, he likes to get in the way.


Luis's wife helps out with the finishing


The grandfather works hard on his own projects. This is his best smile


x bracing on the guitar top to add structure. we followed a martin pattern



guitar with neck on it


the neck is set without bolts or dove tail


the bending tool is a steel pipe with a can full of wax to heat the bar


you can bend wood as much as you want with patience


I bent wood to get the feel, but I was to slow so Luis took over


Luis bending the sides of the guitar to fit the top. bending the sides took about 2 hours


Sides fit like a glove


once the sides are on a extra piece is fitted so there's room to glue the back on.


lots of pins make sure the two parts fit tightly


Denny