Anniversary MS model build

Very early days

Now the 12 fret New World is with Dave Wilson, I am starting a Martin Simpson model.  I like to build one guitar at a time, this way I can concentrate on it without being distracted.

Having joined and thicknessed the back, sides and soundboard, I’m ready to start.  Here the spruce cross-grain centre back reinforcement strip is in place and gluing in the go-bar jig.

The Brazilian rosewood is recycled, having been used in early forest settlement houses for various furniture items.  It’s lovely but has some ancient worm holes.  I’ve filled these, and they blend in with the overall grain figuring; they add character and I personally love that this is recycled wood.

The trim on this guitar is not standard MS.  Instead of the MS red/white/red purfling, I’ve used my much loved red/gold/green.  The binding will be standard MS black Rocklite.

The position of the back braces is marked in white.  The centre reinforcement will be scribed and cut away to receive them.