Stage 1 :

The design was initially sketched out, very roughly on a small bit a paper (tasty baby), and then this was hand drawn 1/1 scale on large piece of paper ready for transfer to the wooden body of the guitar, Cups of tea are mandatory in a workshop, it's in the regulations, honest guv.

Stage 2 :

Next a basic blank body was cut to the outline of the design, and recesses were routed out for the neck and pickup assembly.

Stage 3 :

The design was traced onto the guitar body and scored in to provide the template for the later cutting and carving work.

Stage 4:

To give the lettering a more 3d solid effect, the indents of where the rapture lettering meets the edge of the body were cut away.

Stage 5 :

On the back of the guitar a recess was routed for the electronic components and the counters/holes of the lettering were cut through the body.

Stage 6 :

Now starts the work of artfully carving some real shape and depth into the letters to create a greater sense of relief.

Thirsty work, I'm having a break for a cuppa … phew

watch out next month for further updates as to the rapture guitars progress…