![](acoustic/cg2.jpg)
Carol laying out the "X" Braces for the top
![](acoustic/cg1.jpg)
"Dry run" fitting the X braces
![](acoustic/cg3.jpg)
Trimming ends of X braces
![](acoustic/cg4.jpg)
Top ready to glue on
![](acoustic/cg5.jpg)
Dry run of top fit
![](acoustic/cg6.jpg)
Making sure it's closed
![](acoustic/cg7.jpg)
Gluing the top on
![](acoustic/cg8.jpg)
Top is "clamped" with stretchable cord
![](acoustic/cg9.jpg)
This step takes time!
![](acoustic/cg10.jpg)
Carol trimming top to sides
![](acoustic/cg11.jpg)
"overhang" is cut off
![](acoustic/cg12.JPG)
Carol uses the router "freehand"
![](acoustic/cg13.JPG)
Sanding edges flush
![](acoustic/cg14.JPG)
Cutting ledge for "herringbone"
![](acoustic/cg15.JPG)
Dremmel works great for this!
![](acoustic/cg16.JPG)
Cutting side binding channel
![](acoustic/cg17.JPG)
Laying out end pin binding
![](acoustic/cg18.JPG)
Trying to be careful ... OOPS!
![](acoustic/cg19.JPG)
Routing channel for end pin binding
![](acoustic/cg20.JPG)
Scraping side binding flush with sides
![](acoustic/cga1.jpg)
Trimming the neck tenon
![](acoustic/cga2.jpg)
This is the most important step!
![](acoustic/cga3.jpg)
Carol has a very good eye!
![](acoustic/cga4.jpg)
Very critical cut
![](acoustic/cga5.jpg)
Everything is double checked
![](acoustic/cga6.jpg)
Chiseling the relief
![](acoustic/cga7.jpg)
Sharp chisel a must
![](acoustic/cga8.jpg)
Final sanding of the neck tenon
![](acoustic/cga9.jpg)
Just a little more pitch angle
![](acoustic/cga10.jpg)
"dry" fit
![](acoustic/cga11.jpg)
The neck all glued up
![](acoustic/cga12.jpg)
Making alignment pins for fingerboard
![](acoustic/cga13.jpg)
Trimming fingerboard to width
![](acoustic/cga14.jpg)
Joining fingerboard edges
![](acoustic/cga15.jpg)
Routing relief for fingerboard
![](acoustic/cga16.jpg)
Taping over truss rod channel
![](acoustic/cga17.jpg)
Gluing fingerboard
![](acoustic/cga18.jpg)
Fingerboard clamp up
![](acoustic/cga19.jpg)
Bridge glue-up
![](acoustic/cga20.jpg)
Clamp real tight!
![](acoustic/cga21.jpg)
Clamps and caul for bridge glue-up
![](acoustic/cga22.jpg)
Gluing Rosewood peghead veneer
![](acoustic/cga23.jpg)
Here Carol is inlaying the Abalone inlays she previously cut out
![](acoustic/cga24.jpg)
Quite a beautiful and elaborate pattern involving stars, the sun and moon
![](acoustic/cga25.jpg)
Her artistic flair is only surpassed by her craftsmanship!
![](acoustic/crol1.jpg)
Installing the frets. Cutting excess fret wire off
![](acoustic/crol2.jpg)
She frets like a pro!
![](acoustic/crol3.jpg)
All the frets went down perfect!
![](acoustic/crol4.jpg)
... And she never hit her fingers!
![](acoustic/cro16.jpg)
This will get 15 coats of nitrocellulose high-gloss lacquer
Finally! The finished Instrument!
![](acoustic/crl1.jpg)
Note the "Shooting Stars" inlays
![](acoustic/crl2.jpg)
This is the "Sun, Moon and Stars" inlay group
![](acoustic/crl3.jpg)
Black pearl or MOTS (Mother-of-toilet-seat) pickguard
![](acoustic/crl4.jpg)
All strung up
![](acoustic/crl5.jpg)
Carol, the proud owner/builder
![](acoustic/crl6.jpg)
Safely in it's soft hardshell case
![](acoustic/crl7.jpg)
Acoustic Mandolin Construction: