Hatcher's Studio '19 - Page 8

Mark Hatcher · #**106** 03-09-2019, 10:12 AM

Here is the lattice bracing going on the back:

I showed these pictures of the rosette earlier on this thread but, for continuity, here they are again.
First it was the mock-up for approval:

Then piecing it together and trimming round:

And in she goes:

The result with the rosette in bordered with bacon figured Padauk purfling:

Thanks for viewing!
Mark

Mark Hatcher · #**107** 03-10-2019, 07:39 AM

The guitar needs to have a nice contrasting trim wood to help show the overall look of the guitar:

Selecting the right wood to use came down to Macassar Ebony:

Or Brazilian Rosewood:

We're going with BRW because it has a little more red in it and for this guitar I feel a BRW bridge has the tone edge on Macassar

Mark Hatcher · #**108** 03-11-2019, 04:13 PM

With the woods settled it's on to bending the sides and BRW binding:

Joining the sides:

And gluing on the Spanish Cedar Kerfing:

The Penelope is a little trickier to set up than the other models. It has an elevated fretboard which requires the geometry of the sides to be adjusted to accommodate an additional 2 degree rise out to the tail.

kkrell · #**109** 03-12-2019, 05:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Hatcher

That is a beautiful piece of top wood & gorgeous rosette. I think that BRW is the right choice for the fretboard & bridge to pull some more red, although the Macassar was lovely too - just maybe not right for this particular guitar.

David Wren · #**110** 03-12-2019, 08:58 AM

What a gorgeous rose Mark ... and bacon figured Padauk ... that's a first for me ... love it!

Mark Hatcher · #**111** 03-12-2019, 01:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kkrell

That is a beautiful piece of top wood & gorgeous rosette. I think that BRW is the right choice for the fretboard & bridge to pull some more red, although the Macassar was lovely too - just maybe not right for this particular guitar.

Thanks kkrell, I agree. In many cases Macassar Ebony is the preferred choice for trim especially when it comes to reducing hassles crossing borders. This time BRW wins the day.

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Wren

What a gorgeous rose Mark ... and bacon figured Padauk ... that's a first for me ... love it!

Thanks David, I’m proud of this rosette. We’ll be seeing more along these lines.
Bacon Figured Padauk did seem to come out of left field. I’m glad I grabbed a couple sets when I saw them because I haven’t seen them since. The ones I got made nice sounding guitars. I’m keeping an eye out so if you see any you better scoop them up before I see them!

Thanks,
Mark

Mark Hatcher · #**112** 03-12-2019, 07:24 PM

I am using some recently acquired Honduran Mahogany for the neck of the guitar. I am going with this for several reasons: It has a light sandy color that matches up well with the color of the Koa. It is lightweight which works well with the very lightweight body for good balance and it is very stable being Mahogany and aged for over 200 years on the bottom of a river in Belize.

There is a center laminate of cross grained Brazilian Rosewood bordered with Padauk. Here is the neck blank being glued up:

Thanks for viewing.

Mark Hatcher · #**113** 03-13-2019, 01:29 PM

Here is the back all glued on and trimmed:

On goes the top:

And on goes the end graft:

More to come!

Guitars44me · #**114** 03-13-2019, 02:50 PM

Holy Smokes

JUST WOW!!! Beautiful

Drooling over here...

Paul

Mark Hatcher · #**115** 03-14-2019, 04:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Guitars44me

Holy Smokes

JUST WOW!!! Beautiful

Drooling over here...

Paul

Thanks Paul, I’ve been catching up to where I currently am building this guitar.
Today I am planning to bind the back and work on the neck. I’m very happy how this guitar is coming along. Thanks for following along!

Mark

Nemoman · #**116** 03-14-2019, 09:34 AM

Looks fantastic even without finish.

Can't imagine how it's going to pop once the finish is on!

What's the binding on this one, Mark?

Ovation1 · #**117** 03-14-2019, 11:50 AM

This thread has some amazing pictures. Thank you for posting.

Mark Hatcher · #**118** 03-14-2019, 02:07 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nemoman

Looks fantastic even without finish.

Can't imagine how it's going to pop once the finish is on!

What's the binding on this one, Mark?

Thanks Nemoman. We’re going with Brazilian Rosewood trim on this one. This will include the bridge, fretboard, and backstrap. The darker color will define the body shape and add a little contrast to the overall look. I just put the binding on the back today. I’d show you except it just looks like a lot of tape right now!

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ovation1

This thread has some amazing pictures. Thank you for posting.

You’re welcome Ovation1. Thanks for commenting.

Mark

Mark Hatcher · #**119** 03-15-2019, 04:36 AM

Today I am starting the binding on the top of the guitar. Here is a picture from yesterday when I was in the process of binding the back:

Thanks for following
Mark

Mark Hatcher · #**120** 03-15-2019, 01:08 PM

Here is a picture of the front of the guitar unbound:

I have routed the cut for the binding:

Checking the fit:

Nice and tight:

Lay it out to cut the miter joints:

I use a shinny backed chisel to get a true angle for the cut:

Checking the cut:

On goes the tape:

The white strip is a Teflon spacer that will get pulled out and I will insert the cross grained bacon figured Padauk like I did on the rosette. While this all dries I cut out and shape all the little sticks:

More to come!

Mark