Thanks John,

The neck is Indian Rosewood with a satin finish. It has a Cocobolo cross grained center strip bordered with maple. I have been doing a lot of maple, walnut, Koa and rosewood necks this past year. I haven't done a Cocobolo one yet. Cocobolo is so heavy, maybe I'd try it on a larger bodied 12 fret.

Mark

Figured Padauk Josie Small Jumbo
 

I had a client over to the studio last week to work out the details of the December 1st start of a Josie small jumbo model. The figured Padauk was the choice for back and sides. The set we selected is a sister set to a recently completed parlor;

https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5800/3...d6a69f97_b.jpg[/url]

Here is the parlor;

https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5600/2...c6e1fdeb_c.jpg

We matched this up with a very unusual bear clawed Sitka. The coloring, figuring, tone, weight, and stiffness are all great matches for our goals in the finished guitar's sound and look;

https://c7.staticflickr.com/6/5811/3...30dfb430_b.jpg

https://c3.staticflickr.com/6/5696/3...f717e7f7_b.jpg

We did our initial pick for many of the details as well; African Blackwood trim, Macassar Ebony bridge and fret board, Hard Maple figured neck and much much more!

Mark

That bear must have been mighty drunk.

It is an unusual set, the figuring is wild but, I normally find bear claw Sitka to be tight grained and heavy. The stiffness varies greatly. This set is unusual in that it is light and stiff as well as very resonate. Plus, it has a lot of red in it that ties in well with that Padauk.
Yeah, that bear was probably pretty drunk!

That guitar certainly will be an eyeful! Look forward to seeing it come to life.

Outstanding guitars!

I've been interested in padauk for a while now but have never heard or played one before.

Padauk
 

I was fortunate to have played that parlour guitar and it has a surprisingly loud and open voice, really nice. Middle of the road between clarity and overtones, good balance. I'd say it would do a good job on most any kind of fingerpicked music. I didn't try it with a flatpick. When I switched to another (larger) guitar, I immediately noticed greater bass, but when I played the parlour, did not seem to feel there was any lack.

And, it's prettier than it appears from the photos. There's a depth you see when looking directly into the wood that you won't get from the side. One of those things you can stare at and keep seeing something new looking back at you.

I was very glad to have been able to play this little beauty and it gave me confidence that I would be well satisfied with a padauk.

Very good to hear. Thanks.

Well, better late than never!!!
 

My goodness! I am very late to this party...

No wonder I have read nothing but raves about Hatcher guitars! These are some of the most beautiful instruments I have ever seen.

I am really impressed with the smooth neck heel and cutaway on the Padouk beauty! I am addicted to 12 frets, and any help getting up the FB is always nice!!!

Carry on, and may your herds increase!!!

Cheers

Paul

There certainly is a lot going on with that top and Padauk!

In the span between mahogany and rosewood I'd place it fairly centered leaning a little more to the rosewood. I'd say a little more than a good Black Walnut.

Thanks Paul!

I have an affection for 12 frets also. I feel like they have a little more of an intimate feel and tone. I know that's a pretty subjective observation and an "intimate tone" is more of an emotional response than an objective commentary on the actual tone of 12 frets. Certainly one of the things I love about guitars are the multiple ways we respond to them. For those who say it's only about the tone I can only say, sorry you're missing out! :)

Mark

Neck is on
 

Here is what is waiting for me in the studio this morning;

https://c8.staticflickr.com/6/5601/3...66f70f05_c.jpg[/url]

The neck is on. Today I'll make a Cocobolo bridge for this.

Thanks for viewing

And There's That Bridge
 

Got the Cocobolo bridge made and glued. It is clammed up for the night and we're one step closer to getting those strings on;

https://c2.staticflickr.com/6/5761/3...e7d652c7_c.jpg

Well now, it may be time for you to find a next project......

Do you mean this one?

https://c2.staticflickr.com/2/1655/2...8a84a9a7_c.jpg

Jon and I have been planning out an all mahogany, fan fret, Josie small jumbo.
We're moving along as the planning starts turning into a guitar. We'll start a separate build thread in about a week to show the process and thinking behind this exciting project!

Mark

Pretty sure that's the one he meant.

Is that another one of your killer fretboards with the mahogany? You always seem to have the most beautiful fretboards going, Mark!

Yes indeed, my fellow Hatcherite.

Thanks Nemoman!

We haven't yet settled on the exact fingerboard yet but, it will likely be Cocobolo. Cocobolo just goes so well with mahogany!

Custom Buttons
 

The Indian Rosewood Greta is coming right along. We are going with Schertler gold tuners. My normal tuners are Gotoh 510 minis but over the last couple of years I have used a lot of Schertler tuners as an option. I like their quality, looks, and light weight. I think they ae right up there with the Gotohs.
The Indian Rosewood Greta that I am finishing up will have gold tuners and I made some custom sapwood capped Cocobolo buttons for them. Here are a few pictures;

https://c3.staticflickr.com/6/5541/3...dd523607_c.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5599/3...d3c3d331_c.jpg

https://c6.staticflickr.com/6/5701/3...9837215e_c.jpg

I'm thinking of doing a Cocobolo truss rod cover with the sapwood to go with these.

Thanks for checking in!
Mark

Great look with the tuners--that headplate is pretty special too!

I really love the rosewood neck! I've had a few boards of Indian Rosewood put aside for the better part of a decade with the intention of making necks. Any idea how much heavier the rosewood neck is relative to the average Mahogany neck. I ask as my "structured" sides add a little weight to my guitars so I have to be sure to watch the weight of other components.

Thanks Nemoman,

Book matching figured Cocobolo really shows it off!

There isn't near as much wood in a finished neck as you start out with. I'm seeing selected EIR adding about 2ozs on my necks. Center laminates and headstock design will make a difference also.

Mark

Truss Rod Cover
 

Here is a picture showing the Cocobolo truss rod cover with the sapwood to go with the tuner buttons;

https://c7.staticflickr.com/6/5615/3...553d9ae0_c.jpg

Looks amazing....

Thanks ukejon!

Strings are on
 

I have this EIR/Swiss Alpine Spruce Greta model strung up. It has a dummy saddle while it settles into it's new identity. If nothing unusual happens I'll make a real bone saddle and intonate it on Monday and it will be picked up;

https://c4.staticflickr.com/6/5488/3...c15581eb_c.jpg

https://c7.staticflickr.com/6/5725/3...2aff0194_c.jpg

https://c5.staticflickr.com/6/5453/3...3f54d65c_c.jpg

https://c4.staticflickr.com/6/5472/3...89b9e8a5_c.jpg

https://c1.staticflickr.com/6/5611/3...c0d24377_c.jpg

Thanks for viewing!
Mark

Another beauty, Mark--just a great combination of woods and detailing. You have a way of putting together your wood selections that really makes them come alive and together as a cohesive whole. The heel cap is a nice touch as well!

Looking forward to hearing how it sounds...

Thanks Nemoman,

I appreciate your comment. The abalone in the heel cap has a special significance to the client. He had gotten the abalone back in the eighties while scuba diving in the Caribbean. He cut the piece out of the shell himself and we chose the heel cap framed with Cocobolo as the place to show it.

Mark

Mark, I truly appreciate and admire the variety of your work, some with less ornamentation, some with more. All of them are beautifully crafted, and have been a pleasure to view. This guitar is, to me, all about simple elegance, understated but flowing and lovely. I'm sure the buyer will be absolutely thrilled.

Those Schertlers look really nice. I have only seen the matte gray finish in the past.