This guide to making stringed instruments contains over 500 diagrams together with explanatory text. It is written by a craftsman who specializes in making stringed instruments and who understands beginners' problems and who provides sensible solutions to them. The first project, a violin, gives the foundations for all the other stringed instruments in the book, including the viola, cello, mandonlin, mandola, classical guitar and jazz guitar. How to choose the right wood, tools and additional materials is explained. The techniques covered include constructing the body, carving scrolls and f holes, purfling, carving and assembling, making peg holes, using moulds, smoothing and finishing, adding linings, removing blemishes and staining. George Buchanan is author of The Illustrated Handbook of Furniture Restoration.