Hatcher's Studio '19 - Page 16

Mark Hatcher · #**226** 05-21-2019, 10:07 AM

I have the Greta Fiddleback Tree guitar strung up and she's sounding really good:

The Sitka top has a subtle pillowing figure that compliments the strong fiddleback figure:

Nice sounding guitar. I'll say it sounds a lot like Cuban Mahogany. It's a little harder than average Honduran so it has more overtones than usual. Fundamentals are still strong though.

Thanks for viewing,
Mark

Nemoman · #**227** 05-21-2019, 10:15 AM

Wow--that came out stunning, Mark!

Great wood choices and combinations--they all complement each other beautifully.

Hoping we get to hear her soon?

Great stuff! Thanks for sharing it...

doodahdoug · #**228** 05-21-2019, 12:40 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nemoman

Wow--that came out stunning, Mark!

Great wood choices and combinations--they all complement each other beautifully.

Hoping we get to hear her soon?

Great stuff! Thanks for sharing it...

What Nemoman said...just beautifully crafted Mark and I also would love to hear her sing.

Mark Hatcher · #**229** 05-21-2019, 05:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nemoman

Wow--that came out stunning, Mark!

Great wood choices and combinations--they all complement each other beautifully.

Hoping we get to hear her soon?

Great stuff! Thanks for sharing it...

Thanks Nemoman!
I have a pretty short window before it gets shipped so I'm not sure if I can line up a recording.

Quote:

Originally Posted by doodahdoug

What Nemoman said...just beautifully crafted Mark and I also would love to hear her sing.

Thanks doodahdoug! I'll try to get a video up before it goes. Right now it has a temporary wooden saddle as I go through the intonation process and it's probably shipping Monday. It will be a tight window of opportunity.

JIK · #**230** 05-21-2019, 07:24 PM

Outstanding work

Guitars44me · #**231** 05-21-2019, 08:35 PM

Absolutely beautiful!

I especially like the backstrip that goes on up the back of the neck, it the entire instrument is outrageously beautiful.

Way to go!

Paul

Erithon · #**232** 05-22-2019, 08:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guitars44me

I especially like the backstrip that goes on up the back of the neck

Me too - it gives the back of the instrumental a strong visual weight between the flaming and a vertical sense of continuity as it extends beyond the heel.

Why did you opt for a book-matched front headstock overlay, Mark? I know you normally do this on headstocks, but in this case I can see a single, twice-as-wide overlay of Fiddleback Mahogany also. If I am thinking of this, I'm sure you considered as well. Both would look great, but what led you to go the book-matching route?

Mark Hatcher · #**233** 05-22-2019, 12:36 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Erithon

Me too - it gives the back of the instrumental a strong visual weight between the flaming and a vertical sense of continuity as it extends beyond the heel.

Why did you opt for a book-matched front headstock overlay, Mark? I know you normally do this on headstocks, but in this case I can see a single, twice-as-wide overlay of Fiddleback Mahogany also. If I am thinking of this, I'm sure you considered as well. Both would look great, but what led you to go the book-matching route?

Thanks Erithon,

The trouble I had using a single wider overlay was it wouldn't line up in a good way with the asymmetrical layout of the headstock. I also felt the book match went well with the other flat (relatively flat) surface of the back. The figure is so uniform and directional, I like it better with the break.

ukejon · #**234** 05-23-2019, 09:08 AM

Once again, your grade on this project is an A+!

Mark Hatcher · #**235** 05-24-2019, 04:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ukejon

Once again, your grade on this project is an A+!

Thanks ukejon! I have the bone saddle on it now and it does sound great. It has more overtones than your average Mahogany guitar and carries a nice full sound. Nothing I’d want to change on this guitar.

Stevied63 · #**236** 05-24-2019, 05:30 AM

I had a chance to see the Fiddleback guitar in person yesterday, and it is even more gorgeous in person. My wife and I stopped in on our way up to Maine, and Mark kindly showed us his workshop and chatted for a couple of hours. The workshop is spotless and perfectly organized, as you can probably imagine given Mark’s build threads. We had a chance to talk about my upcoming build - a great opportunity to customize the guitar for my style (such as it is!! I had to warn Mark about my poor playing abilities, especially in front of others). I would encourage everyone to visit a luthiers shop - I wish I had done this more often. Mark is a true craftsman and artist!!

S

Mark Hatcher · #**237** 05-24-2019, 04:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stevied63

I had a chance to see the Fiddleback guitar in person yesterday, and it is even more gorgeous in person. My wife and I stopped in on our way up to Maine, and Mark kindly showed us his workshop and chatted for a couple of hours. The workshop is spotless and perfectly organized, as you can probably imagine given Mark’s build threads. We had a chance to talk about my upcoming build - a great opportunity to customize the guitar for my style (such as it is!! I had to warn Mark about my poor playing abilities, especially in front of others). I would encourage everyone to visit a luthiers shop - I wish I had done this more often. Mark is a true craftsman and artist!!

S

Thanks Stevied63. It was great having you and your wife out to the shop! We covered a lot of ground. I feel I have a better understanding of the direction we are going with your upcoming build.

Mark

j. Kinnaird · #**238** 05-24-2019, 05:08 PM

Really lovely guitar Mark

Zandit75 · #**239** 05-24-2019, 08:50 PM

I think you're getting to the point where I run out of words to describe the beauty that you create. I'm now finding myself pouring over your photos and trying to find mistakes or issues.......And for the most part, I'm failing miserably!!

Until now!!!

I really think you could have spent the extra 5mins to miter the b/w/b trim of the heel cap into the laminated parts of the neck!!!
You need to strip it back and start again I'm afraid!!!

Mark Hatcher · #**240** 05-25-2019, 04:23 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Zandit75

I think you're getting to the point where I run out of words to describe the beauty that you create. I'm now finding myself pouring over your photos and trying to find mistakes or issues.......And for the most part, I'm failing miserably!!

Until now!!!

I really think you could have spent the extra 5mins to miter the b/w/b trim of the heel cap into the laminated parts of the neck!!!
You need to strip it back and start again I'm afraid!!!

Ha, ha, ha! You got me on that one! I admit that I don’t like purfling to dead end. That is why I carry the purfling lines I have under fretboards carry right out under the nut on into the headstock.
I’ll make you a deal, you show me how I could miter those laminates in the neck to the laminates under the heel cap “in 5mins” I’ll do it going forward and forever call the laminate miters “The Zandit75s”