Build Thread - Hatcher Greta

[dcn]

Hello AGF

I am happy to kick off the build thread for my forthcoming Greta, by Mark Hatcher. I play predominantly fingerstyle in alternate tunings and have been a fan of Mark's work for quite some time.

There are still a few details and decisions along the way, but below are the general specs:

Greta, 14 frets to body
-B&S: Cuban Mahogany
-Top: Engelmann Spruce
-Cutaway: Florentine (same one see on AGF member ukejon's Greta, thanks jon)
-Armrest Bevel
-Scale: 25.5"
-Rosette: TBD, cross grained
-Tuners: Gotoh 510 Minis (wood buttons)
-Bone Bridge, Saddle & Pins
-Nut Width: 1 13/16
-String Spacing: 2 1/4
-Pickup: K&K Pure Mini
-Medium Strings

Mark has already shared a couple of pics, which I will post shortly.

[dcn]

Cuban Mahogany Set


Joining the back:

[gstring]

Hi dcn

Expect to be very very excited with the build process and very very satisfied with the finished guitar.

Cuban Mahogany....... I am already envious.

daniel

[Glenn23]

You know I like "The Tree" as much as the next guy, but there's something honest and real about that Cuban that is really special.

[TomB'sox]

Congratulations on this beautiful build. Mr. Hatcher build some awfully beautiful guitars with the best dang wood selection...I know already it will be stunning. Good for you!!!

Do you know what the plan is for bindings and purfling?

[Marcus Wong]

Wow that is a beautiful set dcn. Congrats! Can't wait to see how Mark embellishes this understated beauty

[dcn]

Thanks for the comments, guys.

Not sure on binding and purfling yet, one of the delightful decisions to be made along the way.

[swiftz07]

Congrats on your new commission from Mark! I've never seen a Hatcher Guitar build i didn't like. Mark has a great eye for wood pairings and using wood in the little details around the instrument. Have a blast

[ChuckS]

Congratulations on the start to your build. Cuban Mahogany is great stuff and your set looks really nice.

[Mark Hatcher]

I am really looking forward to getting this guitar together. I got a couple of these mahogany sets that were cut from a tree that was brought down by hurricane Rita in 2005. Cuban Mahogany is very hard as mahogany goes with excellent ring and tone. Paired with Engelmann I expect a full well balanced guitar. We're setting this up for medium gauge strings which will also give it a bit of a boost as well. We should see the figure come out more and more as it gets worked and finally finished.

Lot's more coming!
Mark

[dcn]

Hey Mark, great to see you chime in : )

[rogthefrog]

Is the flamey appearance (which I've seen in another member's guitar) characteristic of Cuban mahogany in general, or is there a Cuban "The Tree" ("El Árbol"?) that's yielding these boards?

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by rogthefrog

Is the flamey appearance (which I've seen in another member's guitar) characteristic of Cuban mahogany in general, or is there a Cuban "The Tree" ("El Árbol"?) that's yielding these boards?

This figure is not too uncommon in Cuban Mahogany. The trick is to find a back set with strong symmetry.

Mark

[ChuckS]

Originally Posted by rogthefrog

Is the flamey appearance (which I've seen in another member's guitar) characteristic of Cuban mahogany in general, or is there a Cuban "The Tree" ("El Árbol"?) that's yielding these boards?

It seems like the owners of Cuban Mahogany often know where/when the wood came from. Mark mentioned this set being a result of hurricane Rita. The set on my guitar came from St. Thomas, as a result of hurricane Hugo in 1989.

[rogthefrog]

This proves that hurricanes cause beautiful grain to appear.