Hatcher Italian Olivewood and Italian Alpine Spruce

[cigarfan]

This is looking absolutely gorgeous.

And satin finish neck ... Mmmmmm!

[invguy921]

Great stuff Mark!!! Uniquely inspired ideas which are common from your shop. I'm sure all of us share a fascination with your ability to be artistic and creative. Well done!!

However, as I have observed your photographs (which are also amazing), one question that continues to plague my thoughts is this...

How in the world do you get all this work done with not a single hint of wood dust???

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by cigarfan

This is looking absolutely gorgeous.

And satin finish neck ... Mmmmmm!

Thanks cigarfan, I believe you were the one that finally made me a believer in satin necks. They really are a pleasure.

Originally Posted by invguy921

Great stuff Mark!!! Uniquely inspired ideas which are common from your shop. I'm sure all of us share a fascination with your ability to be artistic and creative. Well done!!

However, as I have observed your photographs (which are also amazing), one question that continues to plague my thoughts is this...

How in the world do you get all this work done with not a single hint of wood dust???

Thanks Woody, "Uniquely inspired ideas which are common from your shop" is a big compliment, thanks!

Yea, I do try to work neat. My work table is attached to the dust collector so chips and dust don't accumulate. I also have a clean space where I shoot most of my photos. Photography has become a part of my building process. Many of the ideas that I have in designing a guitar come to me while viewing my work through a lens. It's an additional perspective that makes me stop and really look. People talk about "getting into the flow" or "getting into the zone" while working. I actively try to avoid that whole thing. I want to be fully conscious and actively engaged in every step. Breaking for a photo is like a good slap in the face, "Hey wake up! Look at what you are doing here!"

[invguy921]

Originally Posted by Mark Hatcher

Thanks cigarfan, I believe you were the one that finally made me a believer in satin necks. They really are a pleasure.



Thanks Woody, "Uniquely inspired ideas which are common from your shop" is a big compliment, thanks!

Yea, I do try to work neat. My work table is attached to the dust collector so chips and dust don't accumulate. I also have a clean space where I shoot most of my photos. Photography has become a part of my building process. Many of the ideas that I have in designing a guitar come to me while viewing my work through a lens. It's an additional perspective that makes me stop and really look. People talk about "getting into the flow" or "getting into the zone" while working. I actively try to avoid that whole thing. I want to be fully conscious and actively engaged in every step. Breaking for a photo is like a good slap in the face, "Hey wake up! Look at what you are doing here!"

Great thoughts Mark, thx!

[islandguitar]

Originally Posted by Mark Hatcher

Thanks cigarfan, I believe you were the one that finally made me a believer in satin necks. They really are a pleasure.



Thanks Woody, "Uniquely inspired ideas which are common from your shop" is a big compliment, thanks!

Yea, I do try to work neat. My work table is attached to the dust collector so chips and dust don't accumulate. I also have a clean space where I shoot most of my photos. Photography has become a part of my building process. Many of the ideas that I have in designing a guitar come to me while viewing my work through a lens. It's an additional perspective that makes me stop and really look. People talk about "getting into the flow" or "getting into the zone" while working. I actively try to avoid that whole thing. I want to be fully conscious and actively engaged in every step. Breaking for a photo is like a good slap in the face, "Hey wake up! Look at what you are doing here!"

Neat way to look at things! Enjoyed that!

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by islandguitar

Neat way to look at things! Enjoyed that!

Thanks for commenting islandguitar!

[ukejon]

Originally Posted by Mark Hatcher

Yea, I do try to work neat. My work table is attached to the dust collector so chips and dust don't accumulate. I also have a clean space where I shoot most of my photos. Photography has become a part of my building process. Many of the ideas that I have in designing a guitar come to me while viewing my work through a lens. It's an additional perspective that makes me stop and really look. People talk about "getting into the flow" or "getting into the zone" while working. I actively try to avoid that whole thing. I want to be fully conscious and actively engaged in every step. Breaking for a photo is like a good slap in the face, "Hey wake up! Look at what you are doing here!"

Keen insights....makes a lot of sense.

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by ukejon

Keen insights....makes a lot of sense.

Thanks ukejon, hard learned lessons!

[Mark Hatcher]

I've been working away on the neck and headstock. Here is a picture of the Olivewood back strap. I cut this laminate from the original piece of Olivewood I received from Howard Hitchmough, Actually, this is the first part of this guitar that came from the original piece of Olivewood that started all of this;



It's usually at about this time I confirm what tuners I'm using. Right from the start I had in mind that these antique gold Gotoh 510 minis were going to be the ones;



Of course a set of custom tuner buttons would be in order. I am going to use this Katalox wood. It has some great sapwood that I can cap the buttons with and the Katalox ties right in with all the other trim;

[BrunoBlack]

Wow -- it will be fun to see this in person. See you tomorrow.

[VJP5]

Very late to this thread, but glad I'm here now.....

Mamma Mia!! Che Bellezza!

Can't wait to see the finished product. My compliments to your skills.

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by Haasome

Wow -- it will be fun to see this in person. See you tomorrow.

Great! I have been roughing out the headplate and should have that glued on today. Tomorrow l'll start carving the neck so you should have a pretty good view of how this is coming together.

Originally Posted by VJP5

Very late to this thread, but glad I'm here now.....

Mamma Mia!! Che Bellezza!

Can't wait to see the finished product. My compliments to your skills.

Thank you for the compliment and welcome aboard!

[Jobe]

This has been a fascinating process. I'm glad you show it. Every step along the way brings more. It's fun to watch. I love your fretboard. She is beautiful in her own right. I would hesitate to touch her with dots or anything. Much like the girl at the High School dance that found you awestruck....but you never approached. Can't wait for the last chapter!

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by Jobe

This has been a fascinating process. I'm glad you show it. Every step along the way brings more. It's fun to watch. I love your fretboard. She is beautiful in her own right. I would hesitate to touch her with dots or anything. Much like the girl at the High School dance that found you awestruck....but you never approached. Can't wait for the last chapter!

Thanks Jobe,

I appreciate your following along. I still have a number of chapters to go!

Mark

[kkrell]

Originally Posted by Mark Hatcher

Of course a set of custom tuner buttons would be in order. I am going to use this Katalox wood. It has some great sapwood that I can cap the buttons with and the Katalox ties right in with all the other trim;

And here I was thinking Olive shaped, maybe with pimentos

Seriously, well-thought out design and execution are your hallmark.