Hatcher's Studio 2021 #2
 

Here is my second 2021 studio thread where I am picking up where I left off on the first.

I have been finishing up the neck and preparing the Old Time Farm 00 guitar. Here are a few photos. The first photo is the bird's mouth headstock joint being glued up:

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Here is the Desert Ironwood fretboard being glued in place:

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It's taken me awhile but I have put together the right selection of draw knives and scrapers that work well enough for me to step away from any power tools when shaping the neck:

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And look at that Desert Ironwood fretboard!

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We went with mother of pearl side fret markers:

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Thanks for viewing!
Mark

Here is the LINK for the first one if you want to catch up!

Here is the Old Town Farm 00 guitar sealed and ready to start the french polish sessions:

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Mark

Love it, Mark--that's one sweet little guitar!

Very nice indeed. That Bicote is pretty stuff.
What’s your opinion of the tonal aspects?

Sorry to hear you won’t be at BIG. Woodstock?

John

That is such a cool guitar Mark! Well done!

Also, I simply love the move to all hand tools as much as possible. It's inspiring.

Thanks Nemoman, it's a little out of the Woodsman model's usual specs but, that cedar and Bocote make for a pretty convincing old looking guitar!

Thanks John, This is my first time building with it but my initial impression is it has a good tape tone and seems to fall in the middle ground, a little more toward rosewood than Mahogany.

Sorry I won't get to meet you and others at the BIG show. I am not in the rotation for Woodstock this time around. I did very well at that last show and look forward to being there the next time.

Thanks Treenewt. I am enjoying switching over to more hand tools. Once I have the right tool and get a handle on how and where to best use it I find it is a wonderful way to work and I believe I am making better guitars in the process.

Mark

I like this too!
 

"I am enjoying switching over to more hand tools. Once I have the right tool and get a handle on how and where to best use it I find it is a wonderful way to work and I believe I am making better guitars in the process."

In a world full of computer made stuff, this is most inspiring to me.

I believe Bruce Sexauer and John Kinnaird as well as Steve Kinnaird and his Shop partner Ryan Middlebrook all use very few power tools.

Gentlemen please correct me if I am wrong! Haha

Looking great, Mark!

Carry on

Paul

Thanks Paul, The fact is hand tools have gotten much better. The designs and materials have been quietly improving over the decades which is bringing on a resurgence of handwork. The truth of the matter is that the less power you have between you and your work the closer you are to it.

Speaking of handwork. When it comes to guitar finishes no other finish keeps your hands busier than French polish which I am doing on this 00. I just finished my first sessions with many more to come:

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Generally a session is three applications about twenty minutes apart. I usually will do three sessions in a day a couple hours apart. Then I skip a day and have at it again. This goes on until I have built up enough to knock it back flat and shine it up. There is more to it but, that's generally the flow.

Mark

“I am enjoying switching over to more hand tools. Once I have the right tool and get a handle on how and where to best use it I find it is a wonderful way to work and I believe I am making better guitars in the process.”

Amen to this…..beautiful work.

Thanks ukejon!

I'll be working the finish on this 00 for awhile so there won't be much new to show for a bit. However, my 000 nylon crossover guitar is through the finish process and just sparkles!

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I have the neck set, the strap buttons are in and I have mounted the Black Ebony Knilling planetary geared tuning pegs. Today I am finishing up Black Ebony the tie bridge and will be gluing it on:

https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/...b031b6ce_b.jpg

More to come!
Mark

Eyecandy is an understatement
 

.. another top tier beauty...
jawdroppingly nice !

Mark, this is a stunning guitar! I'm so disappointed that you're unable to make it to BIG. I hope to be able to meet you sometime in the future. Very inspiring work! Dave

Oh my that fret board inlay. I am sorry, who did that again? Phenomenal work.

Thanks Lonzo!

Thanks Dave, I’m sorry we won’t meet this time around too.

That fretboard inlay is by Larry Robinson. He’s one of the best!

Thanks,
Mark