New Dryad Drednought Model Hatcher Guitars

[Mark Hatcher]

I'm coming out with a new model! It will be a dreadnought. I am naming the model after tree spirits from Greek mythology: Dryad.



I am working out all of the details as I build my first spec:



The back and sides I selected for this is a very old, large, quartersawn and straight grained Amazon Rosewood set originally purchased from the old H.L.Wild luthier supply store back in the late 70's.

I'll also be presenting upgrades that are part of the standard offerings in my new base price.

So I'm off and building!

















m

[Lonzo]

I’m sure it is exciting for you
I am looking forward to the new things you point to and curious what they will be.
What I honestly didn’t get is the Dryad (Triad?) word and 3 ghosts , pls forgive my ignorance.
All the best and good fortune with the new addition to your lineup!

[Lonzo]

Originally Posted by Lonzo

I’m sure it is exciting for you
I am looking forward to the new things you point to and curious what they will be.
What I honestly didn’t get is the Dryad (Triad?) word and 3 ghosts , pls forgive my ignorance.
All the best and good fortune with the new addition to your lineup!

..checked.. and learned something..
how fitting, the nymphs of trees...

Good one!


Country Greece
A dryad (/ˈdraɪ.æd/; Greek: Δρυάδες, sing.: Δρυάς) is a tree nymph or tree spirit in Greek mythology. Drys signifies "oak" in Greek, and dryads are specifically the nymphs of oak trees, but the term has come to be used for tree nymphs in general,[1] or human-tree hybrids in fantasy. They were normally considered to be very shy creatures except around the goddess Artemis, who was known to be a friend to most nymphs.

Dryads, like all nymphs, were supernaturally long-lived and tied to their homes, but some were a step beyond most nymphs. These were the hamadryads who were an integral part of their trees, such that if the tree died, the hamadryad associated with it died as well. For these reasons, dryads and the Greek gods punished any mortals who harmed trees without first propitiating the tree-nymphs. (associated with Oak trees)

..admittedly copied from Wiki..

[Mark Hatcher]

[QUOTE=Lonzo;6930960]I’m sure it is exciting for you
I am looking forward to the new things you point to and curious what they will be.
What I honestly didn’t get is the Dryad (Triad?) word and 3 ghosts , pls forgive my ignorance.


Thanks Lonzo, It’s drys from Greek which means Oak. These were wood spirits but all trees were eventually included.

m.

whoops! I see you looked it up

[TomB'sox]

Congratulations on the new model Mark. With the sound you got from a bit smaller box, I can't imagine the low end on this one.

[Treenewt]

Mark, can't wait to see how this turns out! I really like the silhouette! Will be following this with interest!

Out of curiosity, is this the first dreadnaught shape you've offered? I don't recall one previously.

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by TomB'sox

Congratulations on the new model Mark. With the sound you got from a bit smaller box, I can't imagine the low end on this one.

Thanks Tom! I expect some big sound out of this guitar!

Originally Posted by Treenewt

Mark, can't wait to see how this turns out! I really like the silhouette! Will be following this with interest!

Out of curiosity, is this the first dreadnaught shape you've offered? I don't recall one previously.

Thanks Treenewt. I offered a dreadnought 12 string model for a number of years. That was about 15 years ago, before I started posting here.

m

[Treenewt]

Originally Posted by Mark Hatcher

Thanks Tom! I expect some big sound out of this guitar!



Thanks Treenewt. I offered a dreadnought 12 string model for a number of years. That was about 15 years ago, before I started posting here.

m

Thanks Mark! Looking forward to seeing this new model!

[Mark Hatcher]

The next step is bracing the back. After splitting the stock and profiling the brace blanks I then match pairs by density and stiffness. Once I have the layout it is time to start slotting the sash joints. I have found the Bridge City Tools Jointmaster to be the most accurate and consistent tool for cutting precise tight fitting joints:



When the braces are set for gluing my final preparation is to make the X cuts in the back graft to accept the braces:



I then glue the joints then glue them down in the go bar deck:



The back will be ready for voicing the next day.

m

[Nemoman]

Beautiful lines for a dreadnought guitar...

[mikealpine]

As much as I like the other elegant shapes, dreads are still what I think of when it come to guitar. I’ve wanted a dread with the added comfort features, like arm and rib bevels. With your artistry, I am really looking forward to your version, whether beveled or not.

[Kenny B]

Looks great Mark! Wondering what top wood you have selected...

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by Kenny B

Looks great Mark! Wondering what top wood you have selected...

Good timing! I wanted to get the back braced and get a feel for how the back sounded before committing to a top selection. Having some quiet time to listen to the braced back this weekend I have decided on this torrified Sitka top:



The tap tone of the Amazon Rosewood is well balanced. Amazon Rosewood lands between Brazilian and African Rosewoods. It is about the same weight as Cocobolo but has a better bass balance (like African).
Since the balance is already good I don't need the top to be compensating for it. Sitka is one of the most balanced tonewoods and having it torrified cuts the breaking period way down.

I also love the color of it. I guess I'm going for a more caramel and chocolate look that has a bit of a vintage feel. This top is perfectly quartered and shows no sign of run-out.





As Sitka goes this is a little more on the lighter weight side but it is still quite stiff. I'm making a fingerstyle guitar here so I am looking for lots of dynamic range, and well balanced overtones that don't overpower the fundamentals.
The dreadnought body depth, profile and sheer air volume, to a great extent, is what creates the dreadnought sound and appeal.

Many contemporary builders call their models Modified Dreadnoughts. I'm just going with dreadnought. I'm not really trying to modify a dreadnought as much as I want to offer a Hatcher voiced guitar influenced the dreadnought characteristics.

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by Nemoman

Beautiful lines for a dreadnought guitar...

Thanks Nemoman, I think I get fairly close to the more traditional dred shape, a little more waist and I just will never make a guitar that is flat at the neck joint or endgraft.

Originally Posted by mikealpine

As much as I like the other elegant shapes, dreads are still what I think of when it come to guitar. I’ve wanted a dread with the added comfort features, like arm and rib bevels. With your artistry, I am really looking forward to your version, whether beveled or not.

Thanks mikealpine. I am planning an arm bevel on this one and I've been contemplating the rib bevel too. Thanks for following along!

m

[Nemoman]

Wow--look at that silking!

Up close it's got a Pacific Northwest totem pole vibe going on!