Hatcher's Studio 2022

[Mark Hatcher]

I spent some time this weekend building on my skills at working stone. Stone is a lot harder to work than wood. Small pieces for inlays are easy but it gets considerably harder when trying to cut slabs for rosettes.

However, I get a big boost of inspiration when I start matching stones to planned builds:









m

[Kenny B]

Stone Rosettes: I really like the first one with the yellowish tint and would consider that for my build. What type of stone is it?

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by Kenny B

Stone Rosettes: I really like the first one with the yellowish tint and would consider that for my build. What type of stone is it?

That stone is Brecciated Yellow Jasper. It is hard but still workable. I’m going to be stocking up on this one. It’s a favorite of mine too.

[Jlhunt]

Hi Mark, I really love what you are doing with stone. I live on the west coast and am building a guitar with west coast woods. It will be figured Claro Walnut with a special Redwood top. While I was camping in the coastal redwoods I picked up some petrified redwood. I cut it up into pieces for nuts and bridges. What are your thoughts on using petrified redwood this way?

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by Jlhunt

Hi Mark, I really love what you are doing with stone. I live on the west coast and am building a guitar with west coast woods. It will be figured Claro Walnut with a special Redwood top. While I was camping in the coastal redwoods I picked up some petrified redwood. I cut it up into pieces for nuts and bridges. What are your thoughts on using petrified redwood this way?

Thanks John! Using petrified wood on an acoustic guitar is a very appealing idea. My concern with using it for nuts and saddles is how hard it is. With all the quartz that is typically in petrified wood it is about as hard as steel nails. That’s great for sustain and overtones but might sound harsh or shrill. It would be tough on strings too.

If I were going to go for it anyway I’d want to match it up with some very soft sounding tonewoods like a Billy Pine top on some of that Sheoak you have and I’d put it on a large body guitar. If it was still too harsh sounding I’d put Black Diamond coated strings on it or Silk and Steel.

Certainly that is using woods that are a little further West than you intended on your current build

m

[Dustinfurlow]

Such a pleasure playing this little beauty. Mark was one of the first builders who changed my mind about cedar and short scales, this guitar is a perfect example of why. Beautiful mids with great sustain even when fretted and a soulful treble. Omnidirectional bass that doesn't overpower but lays a perfect foundation. If you can, listen with headphones, as the frequency range in this recording doesn't suit smaller speakers. Congrats to the lucky new owner!

[Nemoman]

Lucky owner, indeed!

Kudos, Mark, and beautiful playing, Dustin!

I'm really digging all the stone work you're doing, Mark--just awesome stuff.

[TomB'sox]

Great guitar, great demo Dustin. I really liked your rendition of "Close to you". You seem far too young to have even heard of the Carpenters! For all I know, someone recorded it recently.

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by Dustinfurlow

Such a pleasure playing this little beauty. Mark was one of the first builders who changed my mind about cedar and short scales, this guitar is a perfect example of why. Beautiful mids with great sustain even when fretted and a soulful treble. Omnidirectional bass that doesn't overpower but lays a perfect foundation. If you can, listen with headphones, as the frequency range in this recording doesn't suit smaller speakers. Congrats to the lucky new owner!

Thanks for putting this up Dustin. It was great having you up last week and I look forward to starting up on your guitar!

Originally Posted by Nemoman

Lucky owner, indeed!

Kudos, Mark, and beautiful playing, Dustin!

I'm really digging all the stone work you're doing, Mark--just awesome stuff.

Thanks Nemoman!

Originally Posted by TomB'sox

Great guitar, great demo Dustin. I really liked your rendition of "Close to you". You seem far too young to have even heard of the Carpenters! For all I know, someone recorded it recently.

Thanks for your comments Tom!

[Treenewt]

Originally Posted by Dustinfurlow

Such a pleasure playing this little beauty. Mark was one of the first builders who changed my mind about cedar and short scales, this guitar is a perfect example of why. Beautiful mids with great sustain even when fretted and a soulful treble. Omnidirectional bass that doesn't overpower but lays a perfect foundation. If you can, listen with headphones, as the frequency range in this recording doesn't suit smaller speakers. Congrats to the lucky new owner!

Absolutely beautiful! Great playing Dustin! The guitar sounds and looks wonderful Mark!

[canuck7]

Originally Posted by Nemoman

Lucky owner, indeed!

Kudos, Mark, and beautiful playing, Dustin!

I'm really digging all the stone work you're doing, Mark--just awesome stuff.

Yes, coming home next week!! Can’t wait.
Dustin has a great touch and gets a beautiful sound out of it…we’ll see what I can create with this beauty!!

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by Treenewt

Absolutely beautiful! Great playing Dustin! The guitar sounds and looks wonderful Mark!

Thanks for following along on this one Treenewt and thanks of the compliment!

Originally Posted by canuck7

Yes, coming home next week!! Can’t wait.
Dustin has a great touch and gets a beautiful sound out of it…we’ll see what I can create with this beauty!!

I look forward to getting getting it into your hands. I am very happy with it and hope you will be too!

m

[Guitars44me]

Sounds very nice. VERY nice

Way to go. Kudos to all

Paul

[Jlhunt]

Originally Posted by Mark Hatcher

Thanks John! Using petrified wood on an acoustic guitar is a very appealing idea. My concern with using it for nuts and saddles is how hard it is. With all the quartz that is typically in petrified wood it is about as hard as steel nails. That’s great for sustain and overtones but might sound harsh or shrill. It would be tough on strings too.

If I were going to go for it anyway I’d want to match it up with some very soft sounding tonewoods like a Billy Pine top on some of that Sheoak you have and I’d put it on a large body guitar. If it was still too harsh sounding I’d put Black Diamond coated strings on it or Silk and Steel.

Certainly that is using woods that are a little further West than you intended on your current build

m

Thanks for the info Mark! I think I'll stick to a bone saddle and nut and find some other use for the petrified redwood.

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by Guitars44me

Sounds very nice. VERY nice

Way to go. Kudos to all

Paul

Thanks Paul!

Originally Posted by Jlhunt

Thanks for the info Mark! I think I'll stick to a bone saddle and nut and find some other use for the petrified redwood.

Your welcome. I'm sorry I was trying not to rain on your parade but I think you've made a good decision.