#61
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Much fun following this project. Looks fantastic.
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My YouTube Page: http://www.youtube.com/user/ukejon 2014 Pono N30 DC EIR/Spruce crossover 2009 Pono koa parlor (NAMM prototype) 2018 Maton EBG808TEC 2014 Hatcher Greta 13 fret cutaway in EIR/cedar 2017 Hatcher Josie fan fret mahogany 1973 Sigma GCR7 (OM model) rosewood and spruce 2014 Rainsong OM1000N2 ....and about 5 really nice tenor ukuleles at any given moment |
#62
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Quote:
Thank you! Thanks, Jon! I'm really enjoying my conversations with Mark and watching the build come together. And much of this is thanks to you: playing your Hatchers really encouraged me to go forward with the project. |
#63
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Quote:
This is such a stunning guitar, Erithon! So looking forward to the sound clips on this one. Best, Jayne |
#64
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Some of you may have noticed a little decorative element by the arm bevel. When Mark was cleaning up top purfling up he found that the Cedar had wicked up several little dark lines:
It's good practice to seal the open ends before gluing so it doesn’t wick and discolor. But even sealing the ends doesn't have a 100% success rate and this is one of those times. So Mark proposed, à la the Somogyi "paint splatter" guitar, that he inlay a purfled triangle over the lines like this mock-up: The other option was to leave the lines there and let the finish obscure them. Well ... I suppose I could have pushed to retop the whole guitar--again--but that would absurd I've never been one who is bothered by little "imperfections" in wood. Such flaws are nature's signature and add to the uniqueness of each piece of wood. In this case, of course, it's not a totally natural process so I opted for the triangle as a point of interest--that pun originated with Mark It's positioned to respond to the point on the cutaway. Here you can see the triangle, after sanding but before the finish: Look at how clean those miters are! I'm very pleased, and impressed, with the result. To see how the triangle appears when viewing the entire guitar, please take a look back to my previous update. |
#65
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Hatcher is brilliant
Really enjoying the thread. When I saw the triangle insert or "point of interest" it drew me to the words "majesty, nobility and kingliness". I imagined this "point of interest" as a crown. This guitar is a beautiful, majestic work of art which is a crowning achievement for Mark Hatcher. Looking forward to its completion and the distinctiveness of it's new sound. May that also be "marked" by the crown of majesty.... a majestic sound....
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#66
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The finish has been applied and the guitar is now back with Mark:
The entire process went quicker than expected because the prep time was reduced: Mark had left sealer on and some filler in the wood. Here's a closer look at the region where the back and end graft meet: And some close-ups of the soundport: The finish nicely dramatizes the port even further! And now that the double body binding and purfling are done, the full effect of those interior laminates really jumps out. I'm very pleased the final result. |
#67
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Cocobolo just comes alive under finish. I’m always amazed how the red just leaps out! I’m very happy with the progress on this guitar. I’ve started French polishing the top. This usually takes about 3 weeks and it is a very hands on process which I quite enjoy.
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Mark Hatcher www.hatcherguitars.com “Let me make the songs of a nation, and I care not who makes its laws.”. Andrew Fletcher |
#68
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As Mark mentioned in the above post, the soundboard is being French Polished. We're about halfway through that process now. Here's a picture of the components Mark uses to create the finish:
[/url I opted for a French Polish in order to elicit every possible ounce of tone from the top. Perhaps most importantly, the combination of French Polish and Cedar is magical in Mark's hands. I first encountered this in one of ukejon's Hatcher guitars and further examples confirmed that initial experience. |
#69
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French Polish
Thanks for the kind words Erithon. I'm plugging away polishing the top. There are a lot of pauses while waiting for the finish to cure in between sessions. The shellac is getting built up pretty well now. I'll let it sit for the weekend and then do the first leveling.
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Mark Hatcher www.hatcherguitars.com “Let me make the songs of a nation, and I care not who makes its laws.”. Andrew Fletcher |
#70
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Oh, I thought Mark was mixing a nice cocktail to drink. Seriously, it is amazing to see this instrument being given a second life. The aesthetic improvements/modifications look great and the tonal changes are sure to be even greater. Hope to play it someday.
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My YouTube Page: http://www.youtube.com/user/ukejon 2014 Pono N30 DC EIR/Spruce crossover 2009 Pono koa parlor (NAMM prototype) 2018 Maton EBG808TEC 2014 Hatcher Greta 13 fret cutaway in EIR/cedar 2017 Hatcher Josie fan fret mahogany 1973 Sigma GCR7 (OM model) rosewood and spruce 2014 Rainsong OM1000N2 ....and about 5 really nice tenor ukuleles at any given moment |
#71
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After many hours and two levelings the French Polishing process is complete. The bridge will be either Cocobolo Rosewood or Black Ebony. What do you all think?
*if Cocobolo, it wouldn't be that mock-up bridge, but one cut from this blank: This is the last blank he has from the billet which produced my fingerboard as well as the fingerboard on the Fiddleback guitar you can see in the Hatcher Studio 2019 thread. Mark doesn't believe there will be a discernible aural difference so this is purely an aesthetic decision. He has a preference and, after seeing the mock-ups, I'm leaning in that direction, but I nevertheless would like to hear the AGF's input. Since I've opted for the pickups to be removed, the same choice applies to the end plug. Here are some mock-ups to give you a general idea: |
#72
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The coco bridge looks great, but I really like the contrast with the ebony bridge and the way it ties into the binding and bevel.
Conversely, I'd go with the coco endpin. Either way whatever you choose, it's going to look awesome!
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2013 Stehr Auditorium (Carpathian/Myrtle) 2015 Stehr Auditorium (Adi/BRW) 2020 Baranik Meridian (Blue Spruce/Manchinga) 2020 Wilborn Arum (Tunnel 14/Coco) 2021 Kinnaird Graybeard (BC Cedar/Bog Oak) 2022 Kinnaird CS Student Build (Adi/Padauk) 2023 Kinnaird FS (Italian/Koa) |
#73
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Looks great! I also prefer the ebony bridge.
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#74
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The Coco is beautiful, almost more earthy or woodsy, but I also like the Black ebony when looking at the whole mock-up...either way you can’t go wrong...!
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Jeff Mark Hatcher Pina Parlor Torrified Maple/Cedar Stephen Kinnaird 00 B&W Ebony/Engelmann Spruce Simon Fay African Blackwood/Sinker Redwood Wolfgang Jellinghaus Torres Modelo 43S Maple/Spruce K Yairi CYTM Maple/Cedar |
#75
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My vote is for the coco.
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The Bard Rocks Fay OM Sinker Redwood/Tiger Myrtle Sexauer L00 Adk/Magnolia For Sale Hatcher Jumbo Bearclaw/"Bacon" Padauk Goodall Jumbo POC/flamed Mahogany Appollonio 12 POC/Myrtle MJ Franks Resonator, all Australian Blackwood Goodman J45 Lutz/fiddleback Mahogany Blackbird "Lucky 13" - carbon fiber '31 National Duolian + many other stringed instruments. |