Greta Tree Guitar New Build

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by emmsone

Mark,
This particular set of "The Tree" is just outrageous, even more so now you can see it as a box.
I'm pretty sure you've got it all planned out in advance but what were you planning to do with the binding? Do you have any "The Tree" binding? That with a simple black purfling line would look so cool and really let the wood do its thing. I find it interesting how much i'm liking how it's looking here without binding.

David

Originally Posted by SJ VanSandt

I agree with David about the binding. It's a shame you have to interrupt all of that with binding at all, though I suppose you have to for structural reasons. Something else highly figured like snakewood might keep the eye moving.

This body picture is a picture I often take right after I glue and trim the back. I often get comments at this stage saying how good the body looks without binding. I think it makes a good picture at this juncture but, once the neck is on and the guitar is finished I feel it ultimately looks better with the body shape framed out with a contrasting binding.

Then there is the fact that this is a really expensive back set and the old Redwood soundboard is as light as cedar and binding/purfling offers some protection against accidental bangs.

We are going with a hard Macassar Ebony binding which will blend in with the arm and cut away bevels. The hard Ebony helps fend off a hit. The purfling is softer woods which act as shock absorbers so a hit isn't just transferred into the back side and top woods. The more vulnerable top is typically protected by using even more purfling lines.



Here are the four book matched binding strips with the black-maple-black purfling lines that will be on the sides:



And the top gets seven purfling lines which are black-maple-black-mahogany-black-maple-black:



I like the color of the binding which goes well with and will bring out the streaking on the top.

All of the Macassar trim, bevels, rosette, the fretboard, and the bridge are cut from the same board.

The dark bevels/rosette will also serve as a contrasting background for the flourishes we have planned.

Thanks for following along!
Mark

[emmsone]

I wasn't implying not to use a binding, i just thought a matching binding would keep The Tree "right there" in your view and any framing would be done with the purfling lines.
You're right though (as usual on aesthetics matters), the Macassar binding will set off that redwood top and would bring the top into it better than a matched binding would. The colour of the Macassar sits in nicely. I often forget about using Macassar for bindings.

Also, when there is going to be a bevel, my matched binding idea also becomes a bit more awkward in its inclusion.

I really like the 7 piece with mahogany top pufling, thats going to look sweet!

David

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by emmsone

I wasn't implying not to use a binding, i just thought a matching binding would keep The Tree "right there" in your view and any framing would be done with the purfling lines.
You're right though (as usual on aesthetics matters), the Macassar binding will set off that redwood top and would bring the top into it better than a matched binding would. The colour of the Macassar sits in nicely. I often forget about using Macassar for bindings.

Also, when there is going to be a bevel, my matched binding idea also becomes a bit more awkward in its inclusion.

I really like the 7 piece with mahogany top pufling, thats going to look sweet!

David

I'm sorry emmsone, I just generalized right over your post.

Thanks,
Mark

[Lonzo]

.. at a loss of words.

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by Lonzo

.. at a loss of words.

Thanks for commenting Lonzo. The guitar is coming along well!

Mark

[redir]

Originally Posted by Mark Hatcher

Here is the first picture of the body with the back attached and trimmed:



It has a wide of Naptha to help show color

M

Good lord that is lovely. It looks like a delicious cake and I just want to eat it

I'd swear that would look awsome without binding too.

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by redir

Good lord that is lovely. It looks like a delicious cake and I just want to eat it

I'd swear that would look awsome without binding too.

Thanks redir!

I've been working on the rosette and the Holly and Maple flourish inlay design.
Lot's of very fine (and delicate) line work on this one!



Mark

[DanR]

Originally Posted by Mark Hatcher

That is fantastic! I've said it before that your work seems to resonate perfectly with my aesthetic taste.

[Nemoman]

Wow--very intricate indeed!

So is that like an abstract dragonfly?

It's cool whatever it is!

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by DanR

That is fantastic! I've said it before that your seems to resonate perfectly with my aesthetic taste.

Thanks DanR, and thanks for commenting.

Originally Posted by Nemoman

Wow--very intricate indeed!

So is that like an abstract dragonfly?

It's cool whatever it is!

Thanks Nemoman, I didn't intend for it to be an abstract anything. Overall, the woods on this guitar are dark. The intent was to do some lighter contrasting decorative elements. I wanted the design to be free flowing to emulate the fantastic figure of the guitar's top and body woods.

There will be more of this type of flourish on the arm bevel and likely on the cut away access bevel.

Thanks for commenting!
Mark

[theEdwinson]

Mark, every time I look at your posts, with the stunning guitars, so beautifully photographed, I'm just struck with awe and admiration.
I just took a tour through your new website, and it's just as beautiful and inspiring as your guitars.
Raucous applause!

[Ukulele_Eddie]

Wow, what a gorgeous set!!! Will be something special!!

I have a rather special tenor uke built from an exceptional set of tortoise shell quilt from The Tree (see my avatar). It is my pride and joy! You'd think I built it, LOL.

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by theEdwinson

Mark, every time I look at your posts, with the stunning guitars, so beautifully photographed, I'm just struck with awe and admiration.
I just took a tour through your new website, and it's just as beautiful and inspiring as your guitars.
Raucous applause!

Thanks! It great to see you back up and posting here on AGF. I appreciate your comments! Thanks for mentioning my website. I did it myself which was a larger undertaking than I anticipated but, I’m glad it finally came together.

Originally Posted by Ukulele_Eddie

Wow, what a gorgeous set!!! Will be something special!!

I have a rather special tenor uke built from an exceptional set of tortoise shell quilt from The Tree (see my avatar). It is my pride and joy! You'd think I built it, LOL.

Thanks Ukulele_Eddie! I imagine The Tree makes a wonderful ukulele tonewood. A luthier brings his skills and creativity to building an instrument he is proud of.
An artist brings his skills and creativity to playing an instrument he is proud of.
Makes sense to me!

Mark

[Ukulele_Eddie]

<accidental duplicate post removed>

Don't see how to delete a post.

[Mark Hatcher]

We're going with a side soundport and will be doing an oval shape. Here I am installing the Macassar Ebony binding and black-Maple-black purfling. This will be similar to the body binding and purfling:



Mark