The Last Great Train Robbery

[Treenewt]

That cocobolo binding is going to looks amazing next to the Brazillian and Redwood. What a well-thought out and executed concept Mark!

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by Treenewt

That cocobolo binding is going to looks amazing next to the Brazillian and Redwood. What a well-thought out and executed concept Mark!

Thanks Treenewt!

Most of my morning was spent tweaking the top brace pattern. I am using a 24.75" short scale and naturally this guitar has got to have 13 frets to the body.
With the repositioning of the bridge I optimized the positions of all the tone braces, the bridge plate and the transverse brace.

Here is the initial round of top braces going on:



m

[j. Kinnaird]

I really like the rosette. Is the shale hard to work with.

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by j. Kinnaird

I really like the rosette. Is the shale hard to work with.

Thanks John, The black shale isn’t too hard to work with but it does get a bit harder cutting the white calcite. I will say the calcite is much easier to cut than quartz is though.

m

[jaymarsch]

Gorgeous woods. This one is sure to be a stunner.

Best,
Jayne

[BlueBowman]

Wow. This is truly inspirational guitar building: the concept, the woods, and that rosette might be the best I’ve ever seen. A special guitar, for sure. Thank you for sharing.

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by jaymarsch

Gorgeous woods. This one is sure to be a stunner.

Best,
Jayne

Thank you Jayne!

Originally Posted by BlueBowman

Wow. This is truly inspirational guitar building: the concept, the woods, and that rosette might be the best I’ve ever seen. A special guitar, for sure. Thank you for sharing.

Thanks for the kind words BlueBowman!

M

[Haasome]

Interesting and gorgeous, as usual Mark. I see that Montpelier is under water. How did your location make out as a result of the storm? Wishing you well.

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by Haasome

Interesting and gorgeous, as usual Mark. I see that Montpelier is under water. How did your location make out as a result of the storm? Wishing you well.

Thanks for checking Haasome. Compared to many we are doing ok. We have some water in the basement/shop. Everything is pulled up. Fortunately we have a walkout basement so if it gets higher than a couple inches it will go out the back door. Water is still slowly coming in so it’s a waiting game right now.
A lot of roads are closed so we’ll be waiting here at home.

M

[rule18]

Originally Posted by Mark Hatcher

Thanks for checking Haasome. Compared to many we are doing ok. We have some water in the basement/shop. Everything is pulled up. Fortunately we have a walkout basement so if it gets higher than a couple inches it will go out the back door. Water is still slowly coming in so it’s a waiting game right now.
A lot of roads are closed so we’ll be waiting here at home.

M

Wow Mark, sorry to hear that. Did your road wash out at all? We had a poop-ton of rain too but somehow the basement stayed dry (this time ) Hope all's ok (and dries out!)

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by rule18

Wow Mark, sorry to hear that. Did your road wash out at all? We had a poop-ton of rain too but somehow the basement stayed dry (this time ) Hope all's ok (and dries out!)

Thanks Craig, Remarkably our road did ok. Unfortunately there isn’t much of anywhere to go on either end. The road To the north is closed and the towns of Barre and Montpelier to the south and west are closed.
I have plenty to keep me busy here at home. The water stopped coming in so we can finish cleaning up and I expect to have the shop back together and be back in business tomorrow.

M

[Treenewt]

Glad y’all are ok Mark. Hope today is a productive one for you!

[sinistral]

With that set of Brazilian back and sides and other exquisite details, 15.9 would be a bargain!

Hope you get the shop back to normal soon. Thank goodness for walk-out basements.

[jguns]

Mark,

I have been reading the AGF nearly every morning for the past 5 years. I very seldom find reason to post and join the convesation. However, after reading this thread and seeing the photos, I simply have to take the time to say... WOWZER! The woods are spectacularly beautiful. The rosette design and execution couldn't fit more perfectly with the top and the story all meld together into one incedible instrument. The craftsmanship is superb and I am looking forward to seeing the cocobolo accents yet to come. Well done!

John

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by Treenewt

Glad y’all are ok Mark. Hope today is a productive one for you!

Thanks Treenewt!

Originally Posted by sinistral

With that set of Brazilian back and sides and other exquisite details, 15.9 would be a bargain!

Hope you get the shop back to normal soon. Thank goodness for walk-out basements.

Thanks sinistral, I'm putting this guitar for sale at this year's Woodstock show. October 11 will mark 100yrs since the robbery which is the week after the show

Originally Posted by jguns

Mark,

I have been reading the AGF nearly every morning for the past 5 years. I very seldom find reason to post and join the convesation. However, after reading this thread and seeing the photos, I simply have to take the time to say... WOWZER! The woods are spectacularly beautiful. The rosette design and execution couldn't fit more perfectly with the top and the story all meld together into one incedible instrument. The craftsmanship is superb and I am looking forward to seeing the cocobolo accents yet to come. Well done!

John

Thanks for commenting John. I appreciate your kind words!


Well. it's almost 6:00 time to get into the shop. It will be good to be back to building guitars and my nice deep cleaned studio!