New 00 Woodsman model Hatcher Guitars
 

I've started working on my newest model today that I'm calling the "Woodsman" It will be a deep bodied 14 fret 00:

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1957/...529c8926_h.jpg

It will be heavily influenced by vintage guitars as you can probably tell by the drawing. If you have been following my build threads you probably know I like to build from a theme. A theme has goals, there is a continuity to the elements, and there are rules.
So here is my list:
It will not be reliced.
It will look old because of the design, methods, and the materials are old.
Mostly 100+ years old woods.
I'm making the case for it.
I'm shooting for it to be very light at 6lbs
Doesn't sound light? That's including the case!

Liking this Mark. Congratulations.

Exciting! I like the stag on the headstock. Is that a some new Hatcher branding? Will it be limited to the Woodsman series?

In keeping with the vintage inspiration and design, will you voice it to sound in the tradition, Martin-esque vein? Or will it have more of the signature Hatcher voice?

Six pounds with the case???
 

Holy Moley, is the instrument filled with helium? If so will it affect the sound?

Haha. Nice! But I would vote for a slotted headstock option...

This will be VERY fun to watch happen.

Carry on and have FUN

Paul

Thanks ross748!

I thought a stag would be an appropriate design for what I am going for here. Like a sticker you might see on a hunter's old pick-up truck. I'd like it to be a default design on this model.

I am going for more of a vintage leaning voice. It will even have ladder braces on the back which will influence that. However, to some extent there is really no getting away from me making a guitar with a Hatcher's voice.

Thanks Paul,

Yes, it is safe to say the sound will be affected. I expect a very quick and lively response. It should also just shake in your hands!
I like the look of this style of headstock when it's slotted and it will certainly be an option. I also like the look of the plain traditional solid headstock which I'm going with here. It may become more evident why I'm making this choice as this all unfolds.


Thanks for commenting!

Mark

Congrats on the new model Mark. It is a Hatcher, so we know it will be a success! I like the 100 year old woods for sure!

It's amazing how light some of the old guitars were. I'll spare you the 'attic Strad' story, but my son came to have a 1927 OO-28 and he had me come over to try it. I expected a certain weight and when I picked it up it almost flew across the room. Light as a feather and except for a a neck reset and new bar-frets, all original. Hard to believe something so lightly built would last so long with only a little care.

And that's how it should be!

If that's a hard case, what in the world are you using? I've made several cases and 3lb for a case is VERY hard to do. I haven't come close (yet).

Thanks for the vote of confidence Tom!

The really lightweight, no frills, prewar guitars were fabulous instruments in many ways. I am trying to emulate those instruments, without faking it with this build.

Thanks, I agree. The voice should stay recognizable but, within a range.

Let’s call that 6 lbs total a goal, not a rule. My plan depends on old style joinery and padding layouts. I’ll have more on what I’m doing to make that case.

Thanks for the comments!
Mark

Mark, I'm quite used to you building guitars with a distinct and beautiful visual impact, so it is going to be interesting to see your definition of "minimalist". Those older instruments were so utilitarian, and though wonderful to hear, were "just" guitars and no frills. I'm very much looking forward to seeing/hearing your take on a more vintage-like guitar. Your excitement when we discussed it at Woodstock was nice to see.

Thanks Mike, I am making an old style guitar and it will be no frills but, I assure you it will not be "just a guitar"! For one thing some of the joinery on those old guitars has fallen from common usage. Not because it was replaced by something better but, because it was too time consuming or needed too much skill to do properly or it just didn't fit well into a manufacturing environment. On this guitar model I am moving away some from art on guitar and concentrating more on the art of guitar.

The Top
 

The top:

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4588/...ba818d7c_c.jpg

The top for this guitar came from a train tunnel in Oregon that was built in the 1850s. It is old growth Redwood cut over 150 years ago. That would be the top left tunnel you see here on this old hand colored lithograph:

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/816/3...e1c5c118_c.jpg

The tunnels were reinforced with concrete and when the old beams were removed they threw them off down into the ravine. My source is a local guitar builder/fireman who has been hiking down into the ravine, examining the beams and cutting off the prime pieces he is able to pack out.

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4587/...f827b398_b.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4590/...2f349fe1_b.jpg

So if I were to say this is a prewar top I'd be talking about the Civil War.
These tops have been fabulous. They ring like a bell, well, like several bells because of all the different tones you can get tapping them.


Here is the top I selected for this build:

https://farm2.staticflickr.com/1973/...262068c3_b.jpg

And we're off!

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4901/...e0d7ffbd_c.jpg

I'm in love with this already, Mark! That redwood is amazing, and I'm looking forward to hearing what this guitar's unique take on the Hatcher sound will be! Thanks for posting all of this and letting us follow along!

beth

Another fun Hatcher build to follow and enjoy! Love that redwood and the story behind it. A deep body 00 is one of my favorite shapes and sizes in guitars.

Best,
Jayne

Awesome project, thanks for posting!

Typically mahogany is lighter than rosewood. Just sayin'.

That redwood top is mouth watering. This whole project is just too exciting, Mark - I'm going to be following closely!

Thank you beth! I'm glad you love this already because there will be a lot more. A guitar maker's view through history as it relates to guitars and the art of lutherie.

I'm enjoying doing the research for this build. There are a lot of stories when you go old! This train route was quite a sensation in it's time. Here is a clip from an 1899 Women's Journal Magazine ad. I suppose you might call it 1800s style targeted marketing but, I'm sure they had a different name for it back then:

https://farm1.staticflickr.com/799/3...e1bd4f9b_c.jpg

You're welcome, I'm excited about this project too!

I hear what you are saying. Spanish Cedar is lighter than Mahogany and that will find a place in the neck. The back and sides will be different though.

It's great to see the excitement this has already generated!

Absolutely love this project.

Can't wait to see and hear some finished products. Cool idea.

Pretty cool project Mark! I wish I had friends that happen upon such great lumber!

Redwood?? Oh no...I’m in trouble...

Given the stated nod to years past, will this be x-braced (Martin X), or fan braced (Martin Ditson), or ... ?

Great! Thanks for commenting.

Thanks s2y, Me too!

There is a lot of great wood out there and I think we'll see more and more of it as this idea of repurposing catches on.

I could help you with that!;)

This will be a non-scalloped X braced guitar. This is what I get the best results from on a steel string guitar. Thanks!

More Top
 

I worked on the top today. I joined the top halves Friday so first thing is to cut out the profile a little proud of the final size:

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4803/...7081dbdc_b.jpg

Then comes the rosette. I am going with a pretty traditional design which will be black and white purfling lines and a simple Bloodwood ring:

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4837/...a1c78ff2_c.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4904/...075509b0_c.jpg

https://farm5.staticflickr.com/4806/...277559d0_c.jpg

Thanks for viewing!
Mark

I'm very interested in following this build. My tastes are more on the conservative/traditional side than the 'artsy' side; looking forward to seeing your take on "the art of the guitar".

That redwood top looks fantastic.

That redwood top looks amazing, Mark!

And the backstory only makes it all the more special.

Thanks for taking us along on the ride...

Back n sides
 

200 year old Brazilian RW would make for a perfect pairing with that redwood.
Better if it is of dark chocolate type.

Thanks ChuckS, I hope you enjoy following along on this. I am particularly interested in many of the older guitar making techniques, especially in context of the Second Industrial Revolution often called the American Industrial Revolution. This started during the Civil War and came on full steam from there.

Welcome aboard Nemoman!

I have a Brazilian Rosewood back and side set from an old church which is older than 200 years. I consider it the crown jewel of my wood stash. I’ve had it for years. I am planning to make a guitar with it when I am older. When I get the feeling that the peak of my building skill is cresting. In other words, I’m in absolutely no rush to use it!:)