Hatcher's Workshop '14

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by fountainhead

Mark- this photo alone could sway most people into considering Walnut! Just breathtaking!
I REALLY want to hear it though, because if it sounds 1/2 as good as it looks- I would certainly consider having a guitar built with it. Thanks!

Thanks fountainhead!

You're not so far away that you couldn't hear it for yourself. I should have it strung up by the end of next week.

Thanks Again,
Mark

[Cocobolo Kid]

Wow, I love that Cocobolo guitar. Everything about it is so tastefully done. The new owner is going to love that one!

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by Cocobolo Kid

Wow, I love that Cocobolo guitar. Everything about it is so tastefully done. The new owner is going to love that one!

Thanks Cocobolo Kid,

That was a fun guitar to design, a bit of an ode to sapwood.
It was my first Greta with an arm bevel as well.

Mark

[Mark Hatcher]

Thanks Cocobolo
Sorry this post is a duplicate

[littlesmith]

black frets???

how?

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by littlesmith

black frets???

how?

No, these are all regular frets. Just a lot of control of reflections in the photos

Mark

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by Mark Hatcher

Just got this Black Walnut Cedar topped Penelope nylon crossover back from the finisher.

To anyone who is not too keen on Black Walnut because you don't like it's looks or it doesn't cost enough, or it's domestic and especially if you don't think you like it's tone, I'd suggest you give it another listen, look, judgment.

Mark

Here are a couple of pictures of the headstock. The neck and the top plate are all from the same very old Black Walnut stock. I picked a well figured piece for the top plate and under finish it didn't disappoint.



The back headstock plate is black ebony:



Thanks for following along!
Mark

[fazool]

I love slotheads


I love artistic slotheads


Up until now R. Taylor type-2 slotheads were my favorite.


This, however is indescribably beautiful.

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by fazool

I love slotheads


I love artistic slotheads


Up until now R. Taylor type-2 slotheads were my favorite.


This, however is indescribably beautiful.

Thanks fazool,

Using the planetary geared pegs really allows for some creativity compared to the flat sides required by regular tuners. My clients have been very happy with them functionally. I unfortunately don't trust them for steel strings, only the nylons strings I use with my crossover models.

Thanks Again!
Mark

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by Mark Hatcher

My Penelope nylon crossover has become a very popular model for me and I thought I should come out with some additional nylon models. The Greta model is a bit bigger than Penelope and lends itself very well to the type of bracing pattern that I have developed an understanding of with Penelope.

At the beginning of this month I started my first Greta nylon hybrid:
This guitar is high flamed Koa with a Western Red Cedar top. The cedar seems to do a great job picking up the gold in the Koa:



This will be 14 fret to the body
25.5" scale
Trimmed in Cocobolo
Penelope crossover type open headstock

Here are some in progress pictures:









As crossovers go my aim with this guitar is to be a little more toward a steel string with it's 14 frets to the body and a few other details I'm working out.

Thanks for viewing!
Mark

I've closed up the box on this today. Here are some more pictures:







And one wet one:



Thanks!
Mark

[Mark Hatcher]

Here's a picture of the WRC front:



Thanks,
Mark

[Nemoman]

That is really some killer Koa on this beauty. Love the simple rosette as well--nice work, Mark!

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by Nemoman

That is really some killer Koa on this beauty. Love the simple rosette as well--nice work, Mark!

Thanks Nemoman,

I've made quite a few guitars from this one large board I purchased about 3 years ago. It hasn't let me down yet. I made my first Penelope crossover with a sister set on Danny Comb's guitar and now my first Greta model crossover. I have a couple sets left and I'll miss them when they are gone!

Mark

[Mark Hatcher]

Here are some more progress pictures of the Koa Greta crossover I'm building.
I've bound it in Cocobolo, which is one of my favorite woods to decorate Koa with because I feel it helps bring out the red in the already beautiful Koa set:













Lot's more to come!
Mark

[Mark Hatcher]

I admit it, I'm a sucker for a good story when it comes to guitars. Not only do I find it personally interesting but, I think it helps me offer a little something extra that a client, putting out good money, should expect from a custom luthier. Artistically, it keeps my work fun and at times becomes the theme that I can rally my ideas around while designing and building an instrument. A lot of boxes get checked when I come across something that peaks my interest.

Here is the latest:



This is a 3,000 yr old Sitka soundboard. Not sure what to do with it yet. I love the blue color though and I trust the idea will come when the time is right!