Another challenge with this guitar is coming up with a new(ish) bracing pattern for the top to account for the f-holes. This is a mid-bracing picture but you can get the gist of what I'm going for...
Once the top was braced it was time for the fun part -- cutting out the f-holes...
Using an arsenal of saws, knives, rasps, and bits of sandpaper I was able to get the job done reasonably quickly...
Here's a shot of the fully braced (but un-tuned) top...
And here is how the f-holes turned out!
Today I'll work on carving down the braces and tuning the top. I'm quite interested to see how this pattern will respond as I'm carving.
Mike