Hatcher Studio '16 - Page 7

Mark Hatcher · #91 02-08-2016, 04:06 PM

[QUOTE=Nemoman;4819885]Beautiful work as always, Mark. Really like how the sapwood on the sides trims things out. And the headstock knocks it out of the park!
[QUOTE]

Thanks Nemoman,

I think this one is coming together well. I think the live edges and the woolly mammoth textures and colors will keep a nice organic feel to this one.

Mark

ross748 · #92 02-08-2016, 09:24 PM

Beautiful Mark.

martingitdave · #93 02-08-2016, 10:39 PM

That is certainly a work of art. The use of fossils is fascinating. Are there are conservation considerations? I'm neophyte in that area.

Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk

Mark Hatcher · #94 02-09-2016, 05:01 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ross748

Beautiful Mark.

Thanks ross748!

Quote:

Originally Posted by martingitdave

That is certainly a work of art. The use of fossils is fascinating. Are there are conservation considerations?

There are no customs restrictions on mammoth ivory and there is an increasing supply of these fragments coming up out of the ice. There have been concerns that regular elephant ivory has been sold as mammoth but there is an easy way to identify the difference. Ivory, whether elephant or mammoth is very similar to wood in that it has growth rings and radial lines similar to medullary rays. Elephant ivory rays run 90 degrees to the growth rings similar to wood. Mammoth ivory's rings run at about 120 degrees. Additionally, I just don't think there is an elephant equivalent to the partially fossilized outer bark.

ukejon · #95 02-09-2016, 06:55 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mark Hatcher

I am very happy with how my 2nd show spec guitar is shaping up. I have previously written that this will be my effort to make, what I feel is the best sounding guitar I can make with a leaning toward making it a performance guitar. While putting all the elements together in this project I started thinking about who would be the best luthier I can imagine, so here goes:

The best luthier would be a combination of different characteristics of the three luthiers I respect the most. This builder would have the knowledge base and sense of humor of Alan Carruth, the application skills of Ervin Somogyi, and attitude of Bruce Sexaur.

The knowledge base of Alan Carruth is obvious. I think every new builder should search and the read everything he has ever written on this forum. I say his sense of humor because of the way he deals with all the ambiguity all of this knowledge brings.

The application skills of Ervin Somogyi because of his ability to so artfully maneuver each step of building.

The attitude of Bruce Sexaur because of his clear vision brought on in part because of his intolerance for false enthusiasm.

Your opinion may vary but, there it is. We're lucky to have them!

I'd add you to that list, Mark for the sonic and visual beauty of your instruments.

Mark Hatcher · #96 02-09-2016, 02:51 PM

Thanks ukejon!

I think you will see a lot of the elements that went into your guitar being used on my BRW Greta show spec. Some of which are the cedar top. cedar back braces, and rosewood neck. Additionally, this guitar will have a French polish top. It was a pleasure building your guitar partly because the sound and responsiveness you were looking for is very much in line with my personal preference.

I realized recently that almost every customer that has visited my shop to discuss woods has selected Western Red Cedar for their soundboard. I guess my enthusiasm for cedar shows!

Mark

Mark Hatcher · #97 02-10-2016, 12:34 PM

I prepared this second show spec guitar for finish today. As always, there are multiple choices to be made in how to pull this all together. Overall, with many organic elements in it such as the wood binding, live edges, textured mammoth tuck bark and dark neck I considered whether a lot of gold trim would seem out of place. Three or four times a week I hike/snowshoe up and around all of the mountains up here in New Hampshire. Usually, it's late afternoon when I'm deep in the woods somewhere. This week I took notice of all of the golden sunlight that easily gets through the winter forest canopy and I thought there really is a place for gold in a natural wood design. So gold it is!

I went with the Schertler all gold open tuners and for the first time I am going with the metal tuner buttons:

As I am making this a business guitar I already decided to go with harder frets than the standard nickel silver. So, of course that leaves gold EVO:

The recessed strap button is ebony but the center screw will be gold:

And I even found a gold nut to go onto the K&K jack for the pick up that will be installed:

It's often in the details that everything comes together!

ross748 · #98 02-10-2016, 03:27 PM

Attention to detail and it shows! Just magnificent Mark. Congratulations on this new creation.

Nemoman · #99 02-10-2016, 04:06 PM

The gold looks great with the natural palette you have created!

Mark Hatcher · #**100** 02-10-2016, 04:49 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ross748

Attention to detail and it shows! Just magnificent Mark. Congratulations on this new creation.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Nemoman

The gold looks great with the natural palette you have created!

Thanks ross748 and Nemoman!,

Here are a couple of pictures of the whole guitar. The bridge will actually be BRW. I have an ebony one taped on just to give the general idea:

Thanks for viewing!
Mark

cigarfan · #**101** 02-10-2016, 05:18 PM

My goodness Mark ... you continue to amaze. Gorgeous guitar. Can't imagine it lasting beyond the first show.

ross748 · #**102** 02-10-2016, 05:34 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cigarfan

My goodness Mark ... you continue to amaze. Gorgeous guitar. Can't imagine it lasting beyond the first show.

I bet he sells out cigarfan! And I'm not a betting guy at all!

ukejon · #**103** 02-10-2016, 06:58 PM

And to think that these gorgeous looking guitars also are stunningly great sounding!

TomB'sox · #**104** 02-10-2016, 07:22 PM

Looks fantastic and all the elements tie in so well. The live edge adornments came out really well. I especially like the look of the tail piece!!!

Another work of art from New Hampshire...

Mark Hatcher · #**105** 02-10-2016, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by cigarfan

My goodness Mark ... you continue to amaze. Gorgeous guitar. Can't imagine it lasting beyond the first show.

Quote:

Originally Posted by ross748

I bet he sells out cigarfan! And I'm not a betting guy at all!

Thanks guys!

Quote:

Originally Posted by ukejon

And to think that these gorgeous looking guitars also are stunningly great sounding!

It is, after all, all about the sound. I made a list of things to concentrate on to get the sound I'm looking for and came up with 25 right off the bat. Most of them individually would probably not make it past the blind folded nay sayers but if the crowd of small improvements is big enough the difference is undeniable.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TomB'sox

Looks fantastic and all the elements tie in so well. The live edge adornments came out really well. I especially like the look of the tail piece!!!

Another work of art from New Hampshire...

Thanks Tom. You started it when you were in the shop and said "Oh, that live edge would look nice".