Mark Hatcher's Studio 2017

[ukejon]

Love that story, Mark.

[Rob C]

I really like the wood for this guitar. I will be watching closely. Thank you for posting this.

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by Rob C

I really like the wood for this guitar. I will be watching closely. Thank you for posting this.

Thanks Rob,

I'm a big fan of the wood also. I like the variation of colors in this Padauk. This is why I kept going with the same Padauk when doing the first mock-up rosette:



We decided this worked but , wanted to go wider on that center cross grain. The thing is, normally with cross grain you can get away with just cracking the piece into place. That's easy with dark wood or woods with dark grain lines especially when it's a thin piece. The cracks just disappear. This is a medium light wood without dark grain lines so the piece needed to be bent into place without cracking. You can imagine how easily a cross grain stick cracks when bending but, with a lot of heat, moisture, and patience it can be done!;



Thanks for viewing!
Mark

[Mark Hatcher]

After a little back and forth we landed on the woods to use for the fret board and trim. The fret board will be Macassar Ebony and the binding will be African Blackwood. The idea was to not go with the jet black of black ebony but, still dark enough to show contrast. The dark grain in the Macassar is a perfect color match with the African Blackwood so we'll keep the figure alive up the fingerboard and will have the option to use Macassar for the bridge and maybe the back of the headstock:



Thanks for viewing!
Mark

[Nemoman]

Looks like a great choice for the fretboard and binding. Another great palette, Mark!

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by Nemoman

Looks like a great choice for the fretboard and binding. Another great palette, Mark!

Thanks Nemoman!

Here is a picture of the back with the logo on place. As you can see we have a curly maple chip which could serve as a foreshadowing of things to come!:



More to come!
Mark

[Mark Hatcher]

Here is a picture of the back lattice braces going on:



After they are all glued up the back goes into a tapping mold and I shave them down until it taps to a target pitch.

[j. Kinnaird]

Very pretty work Mark. I sure would like to see your tapping mold. Been thinking about making one of those myself.

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by j. Kinnaird

Very pretty work Mark. I sure would like to see your tapping mold. Been thinking about making one of those myself.

What I use is ridiculously simple. Like most, my side molds are just layers of plywood or fiberboard. The top layer isn't glued it's just screwed on and I use that layer to pinch tops and bottoms in and presto, a tapping mold.

[j. Kinnaird]

Very clever. Thanks.

[Mark Hatcher]

The top braces go on in several layers. This is the first:

[zeebow]

wow! i'm officially dubbing you master hatcher (that should be the next build you do) - these are the most beautiful guitars i have ever seen...

macassar ebony fretboard is gorgeous holyyyyyy

[justonwo]

That back wood is delightful! Also, very cool work on the bridge plate. I love it!

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by zeebow

wow! i'm officially dubbing you master hatcher (that should be the next build you do) - these are the most beautiful guitars i have ever seen...

macassar ebony fretboard is gorgeous holyyyyyy

Thanks zeebow! I like that Macassar Ebony too. I've loaded up on it for fret boards as it seems to be working it's way into a lot of my build lately.

Originally Posted by justonwo

That back wood is delightful! Also, very cool work on the bridge plate. I love it!

Thanks justonwo! That back set really is special. Of course, I've got the sides to match. Here is one of those sides being bent:

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[ukejon]

Fantastic. By the way, the photo above of the famed Hatcher lattice bracing reminds me of the image that in 2013 absolutely lured me into Mark's lair:



Beware, don't look at it too long. You may be enticed in as well!