Build Thread: Hatcher Greta

[ukejon]

Love that story.....truly a lucky turn of events. As for the build, Mark's lattice bracing and lighter construction mixed with a cedar soundboard will result in pure acoustic magic.

Curious, are you doing a walnut neck?

[LaFaro]

Cedar over Walnut seems to be an extremely good sounding combination.. I was a lucky one to play such an combination 2 weeks ago and was deeply impressed by the sound of this relative small guitar... but also the look was extraordinary.... the top got an deep sunburst finish.. and the
looked from the beginning extraordinary... and it got better and better...
so why not thinking about an sunburst finish?

[NCBluesman]

Originally Posted by ukejon

Love that story.....truly a lucky turn of events. As for the build, Mark's lattice bracing and lighter construction mixed with a cedar soundboard will result in pure acoustic magic.

Curious, are you doing a walnut neck?

Thanks so much for commenting, Ukejon. I'm new to a custom build. I wouldn't have thought about a walnut neck since every guitar I own has a mahogany one. Is there a functional benefit to walnut? Or is it the aesthetic?

I expect this to be a great learning experience and look forward to the journey.

Phil

[NCBluesman]

Originally Posted by LaFaro

Cedar over Walnut seems to be an extremely good sounding combination.. I was a lucky one to play such an combination 2 weeks ago and was deeply impressed by the sound of this relative small guitar... but also the look was extraordinary.... the top got an deep sunburst finish.. and the
looked from the beginning extraordinary... and it got better and better...
so why not thinking about an sunburst finish?

LaFaro,

Beautiful guitar. Unusual since the darker stained woods are on top and the lighter stained woods are the back and sides.

I have several very nice sunburst guitars. Since Mark is well known for choosing exceptional woods, I thought I would let the grain and figuring of that wood stand out and not compete with the sunburst. I do love 'bursts though!. Here's a favorite from my collection:

[cigarfan]

Just to be sure you know, my Greta did have a Walnut neck. Hard to remark on the difference between Walnut and Mahogany but the Walnut on that Greta was probably a contributor to the incredible sustain on that guitar. Mark can speak to that.

[NCBluesman]

Originally Posted by cigarfan

Just to be sure you know, my Greta did have a Walnut neck. Hard to remark on the difference between Walnut and Mahogany but the Walnut on that Greta was probably a contributor to the incredible sustain on that guitar. Mark can speak to that.

Thanks, Dennis. After typing my reply, I wondered if that was the case.

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by NCBluesman

Thanks, Dennis. After typing my reply, I wondered if that was the case.

For cigarfans guitar neck I used some Black Walnut that was in an old wood mill that closed in 1850. The wood is exceptionally resonate and due to it's age it is also exceptionally stable. When we had our initial phone call we very briefly touched on a Walnut neck and I've put some of the last of what I have aside for you. Will it make the guitar sound better? I like to think so. I feel it adds to the sustain and it certainly is stable and the color goes well.

[LaFaro]

Originally Posted by NCBluesman

LaFaro,

Beautiful guitar. Unusual since the darker stained woods are on top and the lighter stained woods are the back and sides.

I have several very nice sunburst guitars. Since Mark is well known for choosing exceptional woods, I thought I would let the grain and figuring of that wood stand out and not compete with the sunburst. I do love 'bursts though!. Here's a favorite from my collection:

it's always a "hard decision" to decide between beautiful wood and really well done sunburst finish it seems to be the best way to have both.. so congrats to your decision...

[NCBluesman]

Originally Posted by Mark Hatcher

For cigarfans guitar neck I used some Black Walnut that was in an old wood mill that closed in 1850. The wood is exceptionally resonate and due to it's age it is also exceptionally stable. When we had our initial phone call we very briefly touched on a Walnut neck and I've put some of the last of what I have aside for you. Will it make the guitar sound better? I like to think so. I feel it adds to the sustain and it certainly is stable and the color goes well.

I'm in your capable hands, Mark. Walnut neck it is.

[NCBluesman]

Originally Posted by Mark Hatcher

For cigarfans guitar neck I used some Black Walnut that was in an old wood mill that closed in 1850. The wood is exceptionally resonate and due to it's age it is also exceptionally stable. When we had our initial phone call we very briefly touched on a Walnut neck and I've put some of the last of what I have aside for you. Will it make the guitar sound better? I like to think so. I feel it adds to the sustain and it certainly is stable and the color goes well.

Mark,

I failed to mention how cool I think it is to have wood from a a nearly 170 year old mill be a part of my guitar. Thank you so much for setting it aside for me. I love both the functional benefit as well as the aesthetics.

Not being one to wish time away, I AM looking forward to November.

Phil

[NCBluesman]

I've exchanged a few emails with Mark about some of some of the decisions I have to make regarding my build. Here are some of the highlights

• 1 3/4" nut
• 2 1/4" String width at the saddle
• Venetian cutaway
• Arm bevel with inlay
• Slot Head
• Sound port
• Stainless frets
• Blue paua purfling on top, back, sides, fret board, back strip & rosette <whew! that's a lot of paua>
  

Tuners - Mark recommends Schertler tuners. I'm normally a fan of Waverlys because that's all I know. I like the idea of the 18:1 ratio. Plus, they have a more modern, if not "Darth Vader" look to them I'll most likely go with Mark's recommendation. Anyone have an opinion on the tuners?

Mark has cautioned me that things start out slowly, so I'm still sitting on my hands but I feel like a kid at Christmas.

Phil

[mcgr40]

Love that walnut, there, Mark

[fidel1ty]

We just celebrated our 1 year together. What a remarkable build.
Thank you again, Dennis.

[mikealpine]

Mark’s guitars are gorgeous, and yours will be no exception! Very nice to see this at the beginning, and to be able to follow it through. Congratulations, and enjoy the journey!

[NCBluesman]

Originally Posted by fidel1ty

We just celebrated our 1 year together. What a remarkable build.
Thank you again, Dennis.

fidel1ty,
I played your Greta. Dennis shipped it to me by accident. It was a lovely, lovely guitar. So much so that I had Mark build one nearly exactly like it for me. I received it in March.
Phil