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  #226  
Old 04-16-2015, 04:29 AM
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Originally Posted by The Acoustic Music Co (TAMCO) UK View Post
I just sold my Greta to a very happy customer. He went out with a very big grin on his face.
Great to hear that! We'll be starting up on the next one in a few months.

Mark
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“Let me make the songs of a nation, and I care not who makes its laws.”. Andrew Fletcher
  #227  
Old 04-17-2015, 10:05 AM
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Default Black Ebony Parlor

You may remember when I posted last year about a wonderful Gabon Black Ebony board I purchased. I was able to get 4 guitar back and side sets from it:



I have been working on my first order with this wood which will be my Pina parlor model. The first parlor I built was for JR with African Blackwood, F holes and trapeze bridge set up:





This guitar will have a regular sound hole and will feature my newest open headstock design for steel strings. The keys will be off set for appearance and also so I can make it a bit thinner, appropriate to the small guitar body.
Here is the original sketch of the new headstock. It features a number of facets including two by the nut and one in the dip of the top edge:



The recurve of the top of the headstock is designed to go with the similar curve that will be at the end of the fretboard:



A lot more to come!
Mark
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Last edited by Mark Hatcher; 04-17-2015 at 12:48 PM.
  #228  
Old 04-17-2015, 10:08 AM
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Default Black Ebony Parlor

Here is a picture of the actual set:



it is being paired with a master grade Engelmann Spruce top set:



Very nice silking on this top!
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Last edited by Mark Hatcher; 04-17-2015 at 11:50 AM.
  #229  
Old 04-17-2015, 01:28 PM
StillStephen StillStephen is offline
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Looks like we're off to another beautiful build! Looking forward to seeing the new headstock.
  #230  
Old 04-17-2015, 03:33 PM
Nemoman Nemoman is offline
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The new headstock design looks great, Mark. The ebony and the engelmann should make a wonderful combination--awesome looking woods!
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  #231  
Old 04-17-2015, 04:07 PM
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Oh boy! A preview of your new headstock. Love it!

Can't wait to see what you do for purfling/binding with the sharp Englemann/Ebony contrast.
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  #232  
Old 04-17-2015, 05:37 PM
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Your wood stash is really stunning Mark. Keep up the good work!
  #233  
Old 04-18-2015, 09:40 AM
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Originally Posted by StillStephen View Post
Looks like we're off to another beautiful build! Looking forward to seeing the new headstock.
Thanks StillStephan, Nemoman, and cigarfan!

The black ebony back and side set is certainly the opposite side of the spectrum from a highly figured wood. The magic of an all black surface is the way reflected light stands out so sharply and the way it flows across the contours with movement and perspective change. That is the life that a highly glossed black surface brings.

Mark
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  #234  
Old 04-20-2015, 02:04 PM
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Originally Posted by cigarfan View Post
Can't wait to see what you do for purfling/binding with the sharp Englemann/Ebony contrast.
My client and I have discussed several alternatives for the binding and other trim before landing on flamed Koa and a full abalone treatment. The rich browns of Koa is a good intermediate between the black ebony and the very white Englemann and the hard black and white really showcases the richness of the Koa.



While we're at it, the search begins for Koa stock to do the neck as well. Some flame on the neck certainly is good but, too much flame and we'll have to start worrying about it's stability:



Thanks for viewing!
Mark
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  #235  
Old 04-22-2015, 08:32 AM
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Oooo! Going to be special! Koa and Abalone against Ebony and Englemann sounds like an excellent combination. Also interested in how you apply that combo to the new headstock.
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  #236  
Old 04-23-2015, 08:45 AM
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Here I have joined the back plates and am gluing on the back graft. Also, a picture of the Engelmann top plates being joined:





Thanks!
Mark
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  #237  
Old 04-24-2015, 08:47 AM
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Love the new open headstock design Mark.
  #238  
Old 04-25-2015, 11:23 AM
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Originally Posted by ross748 View Post
Love the new open headstock design Mark.
Thanks! It goes well with the fretboard design.

Here are a few pictures of the back coming along:









Thanks for viewing!
Mark
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  #239  
Old 04-26-2015, 08:27 AM
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Coming along and sure looking schweeet!

I'm curious about the Black Ebony. You seem to have the back thinned pretty good (pick in the go-bar). I used to own an OM size in Macassar Ebony which was quite heavy for a smaller guitar but it had this piano like tone quality that was awesome. Is Black Ebony similar in weight/density? I would imagine this one is going to be a tone monster!
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  #240  
Old 04-26-2015, 11:10 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by cigarfan View Post
Coming along and sure looking schweeet!

I'm curious about the Black Ebony. You seem to have the back thinned pretty good (pick in the go-bar). I used to own an OM size in Macassar Ebony which was quite heavy for a smaller guitar but it had this piano like tone quality that was awesome. Is Black Ebony similar in weight/density? I would imagine this one is going to be a tone monster!
Gabon black ebony tends to be a bit lighter than Macassar at about 60lbs/cubic ft compared to 70lbs/cubic ft. I find it a bit stiffer for the weight than Macassar and it doesn't expand and contract as much as Macassar with humidity. It is still a very dense wood. I made the back quite thin and am relying on the lattice bracing to fine tune the amount of flexibility we get. This is a small guitar, having a more flexible back lowers the body resonance to help bring the bass up to balance.

Thanks!
Mark
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