Hatcher Studio '24

[Mark Hatcher]

Time to start my 2024 Studio thread. This is my 10th year doing these studio threads. They are what I think of as my running diary of building highlights on selected, mostly commissioned builds. Here I post shop trivia, both great and small. I particularly like to use you all as a sounding board as I post about my techniques, philosophies and theories along the way doing what I love to do.

I am starting with my first commission for 2024. It is a Green Mountain Series grand auditorium Greta model. The top is a master grade tunnel Redwood. When I say master grade I am grading on tone, cut and structure.

The back and sides are Madagascar Rosewood and the guitar will be trimmed in pommele Sapele and Desert Ironwood.









You are welcome to follow along!
Mark

[Jlhunt]

I'm really liking all the wood choices for this guitar. Looking forward to following along.

Jim

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by Jlhunt

I'm really liking all the wood choices for this guitar. Looking forward to following along.

Jim

Thanks Jim! There are a number of upgrades on this guitar so this build will be moving right along for an eager client.

Mark

[rule18]

Happy new year, Mark!

Good looking (and presumably sounding) selections.

Eager client? Weren't we all eager?? LOL!!!!

[Dustinfurlow]

Man, you know I'm haunted by the words Greta and Redwood being in the same sentence....my spruce Greta is still my #1 but you bet Enzo's morning kibble I wonder about it often!

[Bill Kraus]

Some fine woods there buddy!, It will be fun to watch this come together. I hope you are doing well, Bill.

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by rule18

Happy new year, Mark!

Good looking (and presumably sounding) selections.

Eager client? Weren't we all eager?? LOL!!!!

Yeah, folks are generally pretty eager . Happy New Year to you too!

Originally Posted by Bill Kraus

Some fine woods there buddy!, It will be fun to watch this come together. I hope you are doing well, Bill.

Thanks Bill. This is a fun build.

Originally Posted by Dustinfurlow

Man, you know I'm haunted by the words Greta and Redwood being in the same sentence....my spruce Greta is still my #1 but you bet Enzo's morning kibble I wonder about it often!

Redwood has a lot going on. Your alpine Italian Spruce top is about as close to a Redwood Top as Spruce gets. I understand your interest in Redwood however, Enzo says:



DON'T YOU BE BETTIN' MY KIBBLES!

[Mark Hatcher]

With the back joined and roughly profiled I am installing and cleaning up the back strip:



Adding a splash of Naptha:



More to come!
m

[Treenewt]

Mark, with every build it seems like your work gets more and more beautiful! Gorgeous backstrip!

[Nemoman]

Great thread to start the new year--looks awesome thus far!

[Guitars44me]

Originally Posted by Treenewt

Mark, with every build it seems like your work gets more and more beautiful! Gorgeous backstrip!

For sure!

And, as always, your photography is (almost) as beautiful as your builds! And Enzo is a handsome Cat!!!

A splendid 2024 to ALL

Paul

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by Treenewt

Mark, with every build it seems like your work gets more and more beautiful! Gorgeous backstrip!

Well thanks Treenewt! The client is looking for the more organic wood look on this guitar to which I reply, "It would be my pleasure".

Originally Posted by Nemoman

Great thread to start the new year--looks awesome thus far!

Thanks Nemoman. I'm working on a good 2024!

Originally Posted by Guitars44me

For sure!

And, as always, your photography is (almost) as beautiful as your builds! And Enzo is a handsome Cat!!!

Thanks Guitars44me. Enzo just turned 16 a week and a half ago. He's doing well but he's more cranky these days.

Mark

A splendid 2024 to ALL

Paul

[mikealpine]

Great way to begin the year, Mark! The coloring is right up my alley. Your artistic choices are always top shelf.

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by mikealpine

Great way to begin the year, Mark! The coloring is right up my alley. Your artistic choices are always top shelf.

Thanks Mike, I appreciate your comments!

Mark

[Mark Hatcher]

With the back center strip in I've flipped it over and am doing the back graft and my wooden logo chip:

I am using tunnel Redwood for the back graft and am gluing it down in my go bar deck:



Now that it's glued I am feathering the sides of the graft to the back. If the graft isn't tapered the hard edge creates a stressor along the grain of the back that can lead to future cracks:

All cleaned up:



I am using some of the pommel Sapele for the chip and am using my branding iron to mark my "H" logo:



All cleaned up and glued in:



Thanks for following!

Mark