F-holes are rough-cut in the top using a jeweler’s saw. These holes are essential to the release of the instrument’s sound, but their shape is dictated more by tradition than acoustics. The instruments of certain historically important luthiers can be identified partly by the shape of their f-holes. The quality of an instrument’s craftsmanship is often judged in part from the shaping and precision of the f-holes. After they are rough-cut, they are finished with a knife.

The bass bar is a slightly springy piece of wood glued inside the top that provides support and enhances the instrument’s bass notes. It must be carved to match perfectly with the interior surface of the top. After the bass bar is glued in place, it is shaped to provide strength and tonal enhancement. It is tallest directly under where the bridge will go, and gets shorter toward its ends.

After the top, back, and ribs are glued together, the edges of the top and back are shaped to exactly follow the curvature of the ribs. Then purfling channels are cut by hand. If the carving of the channels is not precise, there will be gaps between the thin wood of the purfling and the edge of the channel where it is inlaid. This is unsightly, and can cause buzzing when the instrument is played.