ELLIS GUITARS WORKSHOP AUSTRALIA

ellis workshop australia Bracing

The back braces are tapered to fit inside the sides. They are also shaped to allow the most vibration without compromising strength. Each piece of timber is different and some are stronger than others. This is where you need experience to know how much to shape the braces.
guitar workshop ellis guitars australia Truss Rod

This is the truss rod being installed. It is a double action truss rod. This means the neck with finger board attached can be forced into an upward bow or back bow. This helps keep the neck straight under string tension.

ellis guitars workshop australia Binding

East Indian Rosewood binding is being installed on this guitar which has East Indian Rosewood back and sides. The blue tape is all that is needed as a clamp to hold the binding while the glue dries. With solid wood binding it is a good idea to bend it a bit before installing, especially the waist area.

ellis guitars workshop australia Rosette

The trick is to make the channel the right size so it is a good tight fit, but not so tight that it ruins the rosette.

andrew ellis workshop australia, ellis guitars Slotted Headstock

I am doing a final shaping of the slotted head stock. The advantage of a slotted head stock is it provides more downward pressure over the nut.

ellis guitars workshop, australia Bending

Here I am using a hot pipe to bend the sides. This method of bending is still used in the Martin™ custom shop. This pipe is heated until it can boil water. The sides are sprayed with water, then slowly bent into shape. If you apply too much pressure you can easily split the timber. The more figured the wood the harder it is to bend.

ellis guitars workshop, australia Here I am with a top which has had its braces scalloped and is ready to be installed with the back and sides. The back and sides for this guitar are on the bench.

As a quality Australian luthier in Perth, Western Australia Andrew Ellis of Ellis Guitars blends traditional old-fashioned handcraft with the latest technology to produce sweet sounding custom hand made guitars. The Ellis standard models are the triple 0, 000 small body guitar, slotted headstock 12 fret, the OM, auditorium guitar, cutaway with wedge and the dreadnought. A combination of international solid timbers renowned for acoustic and sound-producing qualities, temperature and humidity controlled environments, attention to colour matching and design, and patient awareness of the delicate processes of manufacture including wood tuning, thicknesses, bracing and finishing techniques guarantee beauty and quality.