Hatcher Italian Olivewood and Italian Alpine Spruce

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by David Wren

Absolutely spectacular in every way ... what a tour de force of unique design choices and precise craftsmanship!

Thank you David! The first guitar I made 16 years ago took 2 years and had, let's say, lots of room for improvement. I make between 10 and 12 guitars a year now. Lately, I've started thinking, "What would I get if I worked on a guitar for 2 years now?" "Was the last 16 years really about making guitars faster?"
I was excited enough about building that first guitar to spend 2 years making it.
Am I still that excited? This guitar has been in the making for about 6 months now. The next one may be a year

Originally Posted by nootis

I can't say anything that hasn't already been said except, Congratulations Mark!

Well thanks for saying that!

Mark

[ross748]

Your creative juices are flowing well Mark. Just magnificent. Love the end piece and headstock detail in particular.

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by ross748

Your creative juices are flowing well Mark. Just magnificent. Love the end piece and headstock detail in particular.

Thanks ross748! I got some clean up and sanding time in today and took care of a few more details like the MOP fret side markers;

[Stevien]

Being a fan of Katalox wood, I'm looking forward to seeing your custom buttons on those beautiful antique gold 510s! I have a Martin with katalox fretboard & bridge. Looks great, feels great, & as hard as nails! A great substitute for endangered ebony, IMO.
Steve

[ross748]

Can not wait to see this one under finish!

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by Stevien

Being a fan of Katalox wood, I'm looking forward to seeing your custom buttons on those beautiful antique gold 510s! I have a Martin with katalox fretboard & bridge. Looks great, feels great, & as hard as nails! A great substitute for endangered ebony, IMO.
Steve

Thanks Steven, I'm a big fan of Katalox also. Other than the fact that you don't see it in jet black I consider it an upgrade over Ebony.

Originally Posted by ross748

Can not wait to see this one under finish!

Thanks for commenting ross748, I'm excited to see this under finish too! You can see how the fret board darkened up just by fine sanding.

Mark

[ross748]

Beautiful, just up to the next level Mark! Congratulations on the design of another fine creation from Hatcher Guitars!

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by ross748

Beautiful, just up to the next level Mark! Congratulations on the design of another fine creation from Hatcher Guitars!

Thanks ross748! A lot of new ideas and techniques are going into this. I'm trying to be as innovative as I can while not leaving the realm of what might be a traditional guitar design. Traditional innovations is my thinking even if it is an oxymoron!

Mark

[joeguam]

Originally Posted by Mark Hatcher

Since this is an olive bloom rosette, it would've been cool if the fretboard extension could've somehow looked like it was the branch that the blooms stem from. Maybe there's still time to incorporate an inlay in the fretboard to blend it aesthetically to the rosette and make it a seamless transition?

Absolutely gorgeous craftsmanship nonetheless!

[jessupe]

I'm always inspired by your work and appreciate your out of the box thinking. You've been incorporating some elements that I've been thinking about for sometime now so its nice to see them. Being a carver I've often thought of doing more elaborate headstocks that incorporate more dimension with the relief carving and embossed look. Great stuff all the way around!

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by joeguam

Since this is an olive bloom rosette, it would've been cool if the fretboard extension could've somehow looked like it was the branch that the blooms stem from. Maybe there's still time to incorporate an inlay in the fretboard to blend it aesthetically to the rosette and make it a seamless transition?

Absolutely gorgeous craftsmanship nonetheless!

Thanks for commenting joeguam.

Originally Posted by jessupe

I'm always inspired by your work and appreciate your out of the box thinking. You've been incorporating some elements that I've been thinking about for sometime now so its nice to see them. Being a carver I've often thought of doing more elaborate headstocks that incorporate more dimension with the relief carving and embossed look. Great stuff all the way around!

Thanks for commenting jessupe. There are a lot of opportunities to go more three dimensional on the many parts of a guitar. Because this guitar is mostly Olivewood the carved pieces like the headstock, end graft, and heelcap really help to define and distinguish these visual elements and at the same time showcase the grain and workability of this wonderful wood. I used an elevated fretboard because of the boost in comfort and playability it adds to this high waisted 12 fret design. Visually it helps separate the Olivewood fretboard from the olive wreath rosette. This is almost an all Olivewood guitar and it would look like mush if I were to blend the various guitar elements together. Fortunately, Olivewood is such a versital wood you can work it in many ways so that we don't lose track that this is first and foremost a guitar. This is what I mean when I say my intention is to show innovation in tradition. It is about presenting a guitar not an Olivewood sculpture.

[ukejon]

If not for the fact that the guitar will undoubtedly sound spectacular, that beauty should be in a museum.

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by ukejon

If not for the fact that the guitar will undoubtedly sound spectacular, that beauty should be in a museum.

Thanks ukejon!

[Loggerenguitars]

Really tasty work of art as usual Mark!!!

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by Loggerenguitars

Really tasty work of art as usual Mark!!!

Thank you Loggerenguitars. More to come!

Mark