Hatcher's Studio 2021

[Mark Hatcher]

After a couple days of sun the rosette is starting to green up nicely along with the Lignum Vitae logo:







Thanks for following along!
Mark

[TomB'sox]

Wow, can't help but be impressed with all you have pulled together on this as well as your other build you have going on right now, you are an artist for sure!

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by TomB'sox

Wow, can't help but be impressed with all you have pulled together on this as well as your other build you have going on right now, you are an artist for sure!

Thanks Tom!

[Mark Hatcher]

I usually do a lattice back brace pattern on most of my guitar models including the Penelope. For this nylon cross over I decided to use the more standard latter braced style.

I get a wonderful amount of bass with the lattice style braces. With nylon strings it's not the bass you need to worry about to get good tonal balance it's the highs and the high mids. Ladder braces are stronger in that area.

On the go bar deck gluing on the back braces:

[Lonzo]

..that Lignum Vitae in its green ‚exposed’ state really picks up the color of the fretboard inlay ‚twig’ very nicely.

..I read it also was/is widely used due to its density, toughness and self lubricating properties in boats and bearings for propeller shafts and the like..
How is it best glued to last if it is so oil rich ?

[Nemoman]

The rosette is really looking wonderful as the Lignum Vitae color changes--great choice!

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by Lonzo

..that Lignum Vitae in its green ‚exposed’ state really picks up the color of the fretboard inlay ‚twig’ very nicely.

..I read it also was/is widely used due to its density, toughness and self lubricating properties in boats and bearings for propeller shafts and the like..
How is it best glued to last if it is so oil rich ?

Thanks Lonzo, I've read about about this wood being used for bearing also. I understand the first nuclear submarine the USS Nautilus had Lignum Vitae bearings for its propeller shafts partly to help it run silent. They also use this wood for the turbines of some hydroelectric power plants, particularly when drinking water is involved. Amazing wood! I believe that part of the lubrication is due to these bearing being submerged in water.

I don't see there are any gluing issues with this wood. The resin is certainly much less a problem than Cocobolo and a lot of other rosewoods.

Originally Posted by Nemoman

The rosette is really looking wonderful as the Lignum Vitae color changes--great choice!

Thanks Nemoman, I am loving the way the pallet of colors are coming together on this guitar. It is the same color pallet that you see in much of the art from the Middle Ages.

Thanks for commenting.
Mark

[Mark Hatcher]

I just got the first coat of gloss picture on the Greta GA Tree guitar:



It will likely be a little over two weeks before this finishing process is complete. There aren't any pictures of the top yet because after this is done I will be doing the top with French polish

[Erithon]

So much color variegation in that Tree set! Remarkable. Kind of a bummer the client wanted a full cutaway when the wood has such unique figure, but to each their own
The flaming in the binding looks great, too.

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by Erithon

So much color variegation in that Tree set! Remarkable. Kind of a bummer the client wanted a full cutaway when the wood has such unique figure, but to each their own
The flaming in the binding looks great, too.

Thanks Erithon, The depth of the figure in tortoise shell figure Tree wood creates such a believable optical illusion you have to touch it to confirm those veins aren't actually rising from the surface

[Mark Hatcher]

I spend a lot of time voicing my guitar tops. I usually set height with chisels and width with small finger planes. I have many finger planes and this little guy might be my favorite:



Since this is a nylon string cross over the bracing is arrayed to enhance high mids and trebles to bring the response to balance. You don't really see to how different nylon and steel string guitars are until you see the top bracing:

[ukejon]

Originally Posted by Mark Hatcher

Here is a picture of the fretboard:





The inlay work is by Larry Robinson. This kicks things up a bit, ya think?

Yeah, slightly!!!!

And the shop looks great.

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by ukejon

Yeah, slightly!!!!

And the shop looks great.

Thanks ukejon!

On different note, I just got another Tree set for a commission that is just hitting the workbench:



Thanks for viewing,
Mark

[Mark Hatcher]

One advantage of making my own tuner buttons is when I get new trim woods I have new woods to make buttons!

[Lonzo]

Oh wow, they all look great,
But the Afzelia and Box elder are unreal... such colour in wood ?
Nature never fails to amaze.. just like The Tree...
Another very nice set you have there...
thanks for sharing those beauties !