Hatcher's Studio 2021

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by Dustinfurlow

I'll say it again with sustained enthusiasm - your photography is wonderful, Mark. These new builds are seriously baffling.

Thanks Dustin! I've got a number of exciting builds going right now and I have a great build schedule ahead tool. It is good times at Hatcher Guitars!

[Mark Hatcher]

The world of guitar making moves rather slowly. I plan my spec guitars way in advance and often put a few woods aside with and idea for a look or theme. I then start to accumulate the additional woods and research etc.
Last week I was visiting a new (to me) woods supplier and came across this burning Cocobolo board:



This would provide a great fretboard, bridge and trim for this Tunnel 13 Redwood top:



These two sparked an idea for a theme. Usually you hear about Tunnel 13 being the location of the last great western train robbery. We often hear all about the train tunnel, I think it's time to look into the train and the people involved:



The train, as luck would have it was #13 The Oregon Express. So this is the start of a new guitar spec scheduled to arrive when the time is ripe next year. I hope to have you all aboard when the build thread begins!

[Mark Hatcher]

While I have been busy getting guitars ready for the BIG show I have also been working on this wonderful custom order. It is my grand auditorium Greta model done with a highly bear clawed Sitka top on a tortoise shell figured "Tree" back and side set. Here are a some pictures to start getting this build up to date:

[Treenewt]

Originally Posted by Mark Hatcher

While I have been busy getting guitars ready for the BIG show I have also been working on this wonderful custom order. It is my grand auditorium Greta model done with a highly bear clawed Sitka top on a tortoise shell figured "Tree" back and side set. Here are a some pictures to start getting this build up to date:

WowZa Mark!!! The combo of that top with the Tree?!! Brilliant! Can’t wait to see how this turns out!

[TomB'sox]

Another amazing set of woods to serve as the building blocks for another Hatcher masterpiece!

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by TomB'sox

Another amazing set of woods to serve as the building blocks for another Hatcher masterpiece!

Thanks Tom! When working with "The Tree" I want to match it up with exceptional woods. Since I started getting Desert Ironwood in to use for trim I have been very excited to use it and what could be better to match the most beautiful wood in the world up with than "The Tree'?:



And why not do that in burl?

[Lonzo]

..what a lineup you have this year... caramba !

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by Lonzo

..what a lineup you have this year... caramba !

Thanks Lonzo, any year with two "Tree" guitars in it is a banner year! I have new woods that I am working with too which are exciting. Like this Desert Ironwood on this guitar I am currently working on. It's just amazing!

Of course I am using more Desert Ironwood burl for the rosette on this guitar. The rosette has blue paua abalone purfling for good measure:





Thanks for viewing!
Mark

[Guitars44me]

Absolutely breathtaking woods! And your instruments and photography always show them off beautifully!!!!

Woohoo

Have FUN

Paul

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by Guitars44me

Absolutely breathtaking woods! And your instruments and photography always show them off beautifully!!!!

Woohoo

Have FUN

Paul

Thanks Paul!

Here are the joined bent sides:



Then the Spanish Cedar arm bevel support and top and bottom kerfing:





The sides are now ready to receive the top and back. Please notice the convex curvature of the arm support. It's a little bit more work for a little better guitar.



Thanks for viewing!
Mark

[Mark Hatcher]

I'm beginning to close up the body. On goes the back:



So far so good!

[Mark Hatcher]

Here I am closing up the body on this Tree grand auditorium:

[Mark Hatcher]

We're going with black Ebony for the end graft and binding:





The guitar also getting an arm bevel:



Thanks for following along!
Mark

[Mark Hatcher]

Here is a picture showing the black Ebony binding in. You can also see we are going with blue paua purfling on the top:



The blue paua purling with also go up the Black Ebony fretboard and around the Desert Ironwood burl headstock overlay which you can see I am working on here:



Thanks for viewing!
Mark

[Nemoman]

The blue paua looks amazing with the desert ironwood!