Step By Step Guitar Making by Alex Willis

An Orchestral Model Acoustic Guitar Lutherie Guide to Side Bending, Neck Joints, and Fretting

Luthier Alex Willis delivers a step-by-step instruction manual dedicated to constructing a steel-string Orchestral Model (OM) cutaway acoustic guitar. Designed for home woodworkers and novice luthiers, the guide covers selecting tonewoods—including spruce soundboards and rosewood or mahogany backs and sides.

The book details every phase of instrument assembly: bending side ribs, carving neck heels, installing adjustable truss rods, slotting and fretting fingerboards, gluing kerfed lining, and applying lacquer finishes. Willis details bridge placement, nut slotting, and final action setup to ensure proper intonation and playability.

Why You’ll Love This Book

Alex Willis breaks down acoustic guitar construction into clear workshop phases with detailed photographs. An essential step-by-step handbook for woodworkers and fingerstyle guitar builders crafting an OM model instrument.