Highly Figured Cocobolo Hatcher SJ Build

[sjoiner]

mark that box is outrageous! stunning work - it raises the bar and no mistake.

i'm planning to stay in nj next year for the americas f1 grand prix i'll have to drop by and try.

btw, do you branch out beyond those three standards of yours into custom spec designs too?

simon.

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by sjoiner

mark that box is outrageous! stunning work - it raises the bar and no mistake.

i'm planning to stay in nj next year for the americas f1 grand prix i'll have to drop by and try.

btw, do you branch out beyond those three standards of yours into custom spec designs too?

simon.

Thanks Simon,

When your in NJ feel free to visit, I'd be happy to give you the shop tour.
I am always open to discussing a custom spec guitar, that's one of the reasons I work with a minimum of jigs.

Thanks Again
Mark

[Billy Boy]

Absolutely stunning!

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by Billy Boy

Absolutely stunning!

Thanks Billy,

I have to say I really love working with Cocobolo, it's such a beautiful wood, and it has all of the characteristics I personally prefer for a small jumbo guitar.
It's weight and sound characteristics lend themselves easily to the sustain and timbre I usually go for with this guitar. Did I say it's gorgeous?







Of course, there are plenty of other gorgeous woods. It's hard to be a guitar builder and not become smitten by the materials you get to work with, such as these BRW and spalted Mango sets,





Thanks!

[Maks Lavrov]

I'm a sucker when it comes to Cocobolo, and man am I drooling over those pix! I agree with you on the qualities of Cocobolo. It's beautiful, shows lots of character, and sounds amazing

[BEJ]

Jeeze, WTH are you trying to do lose 1/2 the forum with apoplexy after viewing those B/S sets! So sweet.

Bruce,

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by BEJ

Jeeze, WTH are you trying to do lose 1/2 the forum with apoplexy after viewing those B/S sets! So sweet.

Bruce,

Thanks Bruce and Maks,

I've started the French polish sessions. The medular rays on the soundboard are already starting to pop,



Thanks Again!

[Mark Hatcher]

I've been working away French polishing. Here's a couple picture to show my progress on the neck and headstock. Hope you enjoy them.









Thanks for viewing!

[Fngrstyl]

Wow, some gorgeous pictures, Mark!!! Would love to get my hands on one for a few hours

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by Fngrstyl

Wow, some gorgeous pictures, Mark!!! Would love to get my hands on one for a few hours

Thanks Chad

I'd love to hear you play your song, "Fingerstyle Serenade" on this guitar. Why don't you sign up for a stop when this guitar goes on it's roadtrip and record us a U-Tube?

Mark

[Mark Hatcher]

Hello,

Here is a photo of my progress French polishing the top. This is a lengthly proccess that requires a number of sessions with drying/hardening breaks in between. Normally I'm working with the shop as bright as possible so I can easily see details. When I'm French polishing it's best to turn most of the overhead lights off and work off the reflection of a single point of light. I spend a long time rubbing each application so it's important to have good music playing and be mentally ready to spend the time it takes This can't be rushed and I'll admit I really enjoy this proccess.
I'm trying to show the sparkle you can get reflecting off the wood fibers. It's actually shinier in real life.



Thanks!

[Billy Boy]

Absolutely beautiful, Mark! Thank you so much for sharing your work with us!

[Bluedog Guitars]

Best guitar porn we've seen in ages, Mark! What a lovely guitar, thank you for taking the time to make this thread, much appreciated!

[mikealpine]

The rosette is absolutely gorgeous, and the overall finish is just incredible!!

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by mikealpine

The rosette is absolutely gorgeous, and the overall finish is just incredible!!

Thanks for the kind words Mike, Billy, and Blue Dog. It usually take 21 days for me to complete the French polishing. It's not that I'm hard at it the whole time, there just has to be a couple breaks where I need to let it harden enough before I can level it. I'm looking forward to getting this all together with some strings on it!

Thanks Again!