Mark Hatcher's Studio 2017

[ukejon]

Stunningly beautiful

[TomB'sox]

I like that rosette lullaby guitar or not!!!

[emmsone]

wait, what?! how on earth did you cut stars that small that accurately?!

Although you were right, it looks much better in the result you have now.

David

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by ukejon

Stunningly beautiful

Thanks ukejon!

Originally Posted by TomB'sox

I like that rosette lullaby guitar or not!!!

Thanks Tom, Good! So that confirms that it's a good guitar design regardless if it's for a lullaby guitar. We just don't want the guitar to look like it has cartoons on it, if you know what I mean.

Originally Posted by emmsone

wait, what?! how on earth did you cut stars that small that accurately?!

Although you were right, it looks much better in the result you have now.

David

Thanks David, yeah cutting those stars was nut's right?

We've worked out the trim for the guitar. We narrowed down the binding to light or dark flamed Koa and Black Ebony;



The Black Ebony would bring out the black grain lines in the Madagascar Rosewood but, maybe a little too formal or dark for a lullaby guitar. The Koa offers a little figured charm and more contrast with the dark top and back. The question being: How much contrast do you want?.

We're going with the lighter Koa.

[Mark Hatcher]

We've also decided on going with abalone top purfling. Here's a mock up;



Meanwhile the body is closing up fast;

[mikealpine]

I love everything about this guitar, from the look, down to the whole thought process behind the build. My daughters are now 13 and 16, and I wish I had thought of this for when they were younger. As a dad who loves his daughters, this build really makes me smile. Beautiful workmanship, as always, Mark.

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by mikealpine

I love everything about this guitar, from the look, down to the whole thought process behind the build. My daughters are now 13 and 16, and I wish I had thought of this for when they were younger. As a dad who loves his daughters, this build really makes me smile. Beautiful workmanship, as always, Mark.

Thanks Mike, It's a special build for me too!

Here are two pictures with the body closed;





Thanks for following along!
Mark

[NewPicker]

That Carter top is gorgeous! I keep showing my older daughter (3 years) the pictures of our new guitar. She just learned that the moon is sometimes shaped as a crescent, and was pretty excited about the rosette.

[cigarfan]

Lookin' Schweeet! Bet this guitar is going to really sound good!

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by cigarfan

Lookin' Schweeet! Bet this guitar is going to really sound good!

Thanks cigarfan! I'm thinking this will sound great. When just tapping that Redwood top now it's loud, full, and it rings and rings.

I've started the Koa trim on the body and that begins with the end graft;



I'm also working up the neck at this point. We're going with a rosewood neck. The more I use alternative woods for necks the more I like them, There is a great feel, additional sustain, stability, and while I freely admit this is a subjective opinion I believe I can hear tonal advantages as well;



Those who follow me probably know I do a variety of headstock styles. One is what I tend to call my sculpted pillow topped design. This is a lullaby guitar? Hmm that's a no brainer! Here is a picture of the design for those who don't normally follow my work;

[Mark Hatcher]

Here is a quick picture of the Koa end graft with a bit of Naptha to sow how the colors all line up;



Mark

[IBKuz]

Originally Posted by Mark Hatcher

Those who follow me probably know I do a variety of headstock styles. One is what I tend to call my sculpted pillow topped design. This is a lullaby guitar? Hmm that's a no brainer! Here is a picture of the design for those who don't normally follow my work;

Mark, totally unnecessary (though I never seem to tire of seeing more build pictures), there isn't anyone on the AGF that doesn't follow your work ... ... have you decided what headplate material you are going to use?

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by IBKuz

Mark, totally unnecessary (though I never seem to tire of seeing more build pictures), there isn't anyone on the AGF that doesn't follow your work ... ... have you decided what headplate material you are going to use?

Thanks IBKuz!, were working out the wood combinations now for the head plate and fret board here are the contenders;

Black Ebony fret board and curly Koa headplate;



Macassar Ebony fret board and headplate;



Macassar Ebony fret board with curly Kos headplate;

[IBKuz]

Originally Posted by Mark Hatcher

Thanks IBKuz!, were working out the wood combinations now for the head plate and fret board here are the contenders;

Black Ebony fret board and curly Koa headplate;



Macassar Ebony fret board and headplate;



Macassar Ebony fret board with curly Kos headplate;

As I did ask the question, I feel I should forward my thoughts on the contenders. The Koa headplate stands out more for me due to the fact it balances well with the top colour. The future owner's children might also find this piece more visually interesting, bobbing about all glittery and shiny, as their father plays to them. With your pillow 3D design, the curl should look very interesting.

While I like this piece of Macassar very much I find the Ebony ties the headstock and body together better to my eye, especially with an Ebony bridge. It also will provide more contrast with the neck, the Macassar fretboard may get a little lost against the neck unless you were to bind it with a contrasting material.


Just my 02, mileage may vary ... etc

[Nemoman]

I echo Ian's thoughts--I prefer the ebony fingerboard and the koa headplate. Although all the options are tasty, the ebony brings contrast and better integration with the bridge to the table. YMMV...