Originally Posted by emmsone (Post 5023778)

Killing it as usual Mark, I'm loving that slotted headstock!

Originally Posted by jessupe (Post 5025750)

Really amazing work!, love the black one.

Originally Posted by Mark Hatcher (Post 5026051)

Thanks jessupe,

I'm expecting the Black Ebony Penelope back from the finisher soon!

Mark

Originally Posted by Mark Hatcher (Post 4887393)

This is a continuation of Hatcher Studio '16; http://www.acousticguitarforum.com/f...411876&page=21.....this is where a guitar really starts;

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1643/...383f46e9_c.jpg

I bring this up because I've recently had an epiphany that I'd like to share.
I've felt guilty because technology has been advancing for quite awhile for drafting plan layouts. There's CAD, Sketch-Up, Illustrator, all kinds of great ways to draw up designs and here I am like an old Luddite sitting at a drafting table. When my brother needs to do a quick sketch he reaches for his laptop not a pencil.
So here's my epiphany; Guitars aren't large, I can draw an entire guitar on this table full scale. I'm going to build it full scale so it's better to draw it full scale. So lets say I'm designing a bridge like so;

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1591/...740dfec3_c.jpg

Once drawn I can look at it this way and that until I'm happy with it's lines and size. After that it get's drawn on the wood blank and cut out;

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1668/...d1ab79d9_c.jpg

See anything familiar? It's the same pencil drawing and now I'm going to use the band saw and follow those curves again. But it's going to be easier because I've already followed those curves by hand a couple times while drawing them full scale.

I think as builders we all need to be the gate keepers for what and how we let technology in and not just reach for the next new shiny thing.

And we're off!

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1599/...cb7a51de_c.jpg

Thanks for getting through all that!
Mark

Originally Posted by Jeff Scott (Post 5027510)

Three years ago when looking for a contractor to do a gut renovation on our kitchen, we met a local guy who has good credentials and the couple of houses we checked out of his work looked great. We went to his office to discuss out plans and desires, and he goes back to an architects drawing board to make sketches of the potential layout for out kitchen. He does not use any modern software drawing programs which is fine by me. He said the Amish builders have all the fancy computer stuff!!! :D

When the stone guy that came out to take measurements of the new base cabinets for the soapstone counters and backsplashes we were getting, we assumed he'd bring a laser guided system on a tripod to do the precise high tech way of plotting and measuring the countertops as that is what they do these day. No, he brought a tape measure, a legal pad and a pencil! :eek: In the end, the counters fit perfectly, even the various radii around the large farmhouse sink. Every corner, nook, and cranny fit perfectly up against the different cabinet configurations we had. No computers! Just, good old craftspeople who know how to do things with simple tools, and not a computer in sight. :)

Originally Posted by J.R. Rogers (Post 5028129)

Stunning natural colors on that Padauk. Those colors remind me of fall. Beautiful work, Mark.

JR

Originally Posted by ukejon (Post 5028516)

Beautiful guitar.

Regarding your drafting table, looks to me like you are drawing birds and not guitars......

Originally Posted by emmsone (Post 5031529)

Whoa! how shiny is that?! At first glance its looks like its a bit bling for my tastes, but actually its classy bling so it doesn't look over the top. I like it

Dave

Originally Posted by Mark Hatcher (Post 5031461)

I just got the finish on this 12 fret Black Ebony/Swiss Moon Spruce Penelope model. It's just popped together here so you can get the idea;

https://c4.staticflickr.com/9/8726/2...caae0b1f_c.jpg

You can see the guitar has a mildly elevated fretboard. This makes the higher frets a little more comfortable to play. I also like how it looks, particularly with my Penelope model

https://c7.staticflickr.com/9/8170/2...4127a0e4_c.jpg

And that Black Ebony is black! In real life there is just enough streaking to show this is not a painted guitar. The Koa neck and trim has figure that jumped out nicely with finish. I'll string this one up, hopefully, by the end of next week.

Thanks!
Mark

Originally Posted by TomB'sox (Post 5032007)

WOW, that is really nice!!!!

Originally Posted by invguy921 (Post 5032105)

Gorgeous guitar Mark. That is one of the prettier guitars I've seen. The wood contrasts are eye popping. Nice work!

Originally Posted by jessupe (Post 5032220)

I wish Johnny Cash was alive to see it. What I want to know is how many kids you had to sell off for scientific experiments to get Ebony that clean in those dimensions :D, wow factor 11

Originally Posted by ukejon (Post 5032398)

Such a visually dramatic guitar....I bet it sounds gorgeous as well. Great work, Mark.

Originally Posted by TomB'sox (Post 5044305)

It's very hard to take pictures of a very black, very shiny guitar!

https://c2.staticflickr.com/8/7732/2...b1269e63_c.jpg



Mark