This is a guitar....

... in the raw.

Parts arrived today from LMI (Luthier's Mercantile). My job is now to turn this stack of lumber into an instrument. To start with, everything is straight and flat. When I'm finished, almost none of it will be. There is only one flat part on a guitar - the head where the tuners are mounted. Everything else is curved if even a subtle amount. Some general numbers:

Curvature of the top: 25 foot radius
Curvature of the back: 15 foot radius
Curvature of the fretboard: 16 inch radius

Thickness of top: ~1/8"
Thickness of back and sides: < 1/8"

So my job is to build a soundbox using 1/8" wood, and brace it such that it can withstand 160 pounds of force excerted by the strings when tuned to pitch, and still have the ability to vibrate in response to the strings. All while dealing in thousands of and inch tolerances when fitting things together.

Yeah, I do this for fun.

Here's what our guitar will be made of:

Tonewoods (back and sides): Palo Escrito
Soundboard (top): AAA Master Grade Sitka Spruce
Fingerboard and Headplate: Indian Rosewood
Binding: Curly Koa
Purfling: Paua Abalone w/ WBW trim
Neck: Laminated Mahogony/Maple/Rosewood
Rosette: Curly Koa ring w/ Paua Abalone and WBW

The Soundboard

The Back

Sides