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  #61  
Old 10-01-2011, 08:13 AM
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Mark Hatcher Mark Hatcher is offline
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Default Fretboard

Thank-you everybody for your heel cap input. I think the general consensus leans slightly more to the Ebony heel cap and I think I'm most comfortable with that as well.

On to the fretboard-- In this picture I've rough cut the outline of the fretboard to best show the grain and I am now cutting the fret slots with a Japanese pull saw.



This picture I've already bound the fretboard and am radiusing the top of the fretboard. I use a 16" radius unlesss asked to do otherwise.



Here we are back at the granite plate to flatten the bottom of the fretboard. The more accurate the surfaces of the neck and fretboard the less adjustment will be required in leveling the frets.



Thanks for viewing!
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Last edited by Mark Hatcher; 10-01-2011 at 03:11 PM.
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  #62  
Old 10-02-2011, 12:20 PM
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Hi,

Here are some more pictures of my progress. This first picture is gluing the fretboard down on the neck.



Test fit.



On to the headstock-- The headstock I do is unique, it's sculpted. Haven't quite figuered out what to call it. I keep saying pillow top. I'm open to suggestions.



Thanks for viewing!
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  #63  
Old 10-02-2011, 12:48 PM
Battleman Battleman is offline
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One of my Favorite headstocks

Almost snake like.(Diamondback)

Great looking guitar.




Solo
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Thanks for sharing,

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  #64  
Old 10-03-2011, 03:22 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by solotaylor View Post
One of my Favorite headstocks

Almost snake like.(Diamondback)

Great looking guitar.




Solo
Thanks Solo

Here is a better picture of what I'm going for. This is a Brazillian Rosewood headstock. With BRW tuner buttons. I have a new technique for getting a closer fit for the tension rod cover that I tried on the new Cocobolo headstock.



Thanks!
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  #65  
Old 10-03-2011, 04:39 PM
Marley Marley is offline
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simply put Mark, it's beautiful. All of it! The guitar, the workmanship, the photos, your unique touches. all of it!! thank you for posting. joe
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  #66  
Old 10-03-2011, 05:18 PM
Rod True Rod True is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark Hatcher View Post
Thanks Solo

Here is a better picture of what I'm going for. This is a Brazillian Rosewood headstock. With BRW tuner buttons. I have a new technique for getting a closer fit for the tension rod cover that I tried on the new Cocobolo headstock.



Thanks!
That looks pretty cool!

The exit of the string from the nut to the tuners looks close on the D & G I'm sure they clear the truss rod cover, but I bet it's something you had to think about on design so there's no buzz.

Again, very cool looking Mark!
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  #67  
Old 10-03-2011, 05:47 PM
Itzkinguitars Itzkinguitars is offline
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Mark Hatcher View Post



On to the headstock-- The headstock I do is unique, it's sculpted. Haven't quite figuered out what to call it. I keep saying pillow top. I'm open to suggestions.



Thanks for viewing!
How 'bout awesome?
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  #68  
Old 10-03-2011, 06:27 PM
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Thank-you very much Joe and Brian!


Quote:
Originally Posted by Rod True View Post
That looks pretty cool!

The exit of the string from the nut to the tuners looks close on the D & G I'm sure they clear the truss rod cover, but I bet it's something you had to think about on design so there's no buzz.

Again, very cool looking Mark!
Rod--you're right. The D and G strings are too close. They won't buzz but you'd have to loosen them to take the tension rod cover off. That kind of defeats the purpose of having the cover on the headstock instead of adusting it from the inside!
I've redesigned this new one to give more room and tighten up the fit.

Thanks for your comments!
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“Let me make the songs of a nation, and I care not who makes its laws.”. Andrew Fletcher

Last edited by Mark Hatcher; 10-03-2011 at 06:39 PM. Reason: Correction
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  #69  
Old 10-03-2011, 06:35 PM
sachi sachi is offline
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I'm glad you posted these pics!

After seeing your branded label, I'll never be satisfied with a paper label again! And that cocobolo fretboard is just wonderful.
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  #70  
Old 10-03-2011, 10:18 PM
quentinjazz quentinjazz is offline
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Hi Mark,
really awesome work, I love your pillow peghead

BTW, which glue do you use for assembling cocobolo? I have heard that cocobolo is one of the most difficult woods to glue because it is oily.

Regards,

q.
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  #71  
Old 10-04-2011, 01:23 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by quentinjazz View Post
Hi Mark,
BTW, which glue do you use for assembling cocobolo? I have heard that cocobolo is one of the most difficult woods to glue because it is oily.

Regards,

q.
Hello Q,

I've heard that Cocobolo is hard to glue also. I haven't seen it though. I have used all the usual suspects when it comes to glue and have never had a failure. In fact, I have done a number of Cocobolo bridges and am not seeing issues. I would imagine the bridge is the most challenging glue joint on a guitar as far as stress goes.
I am, however, mindful on any glue joint, with any wood, to have a good fit with clean surfaces and the right amount of clamp preasure.

Thanks
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“Let me make the songs of a nation, and I care not who makes its laws.”. Andrew Fletcher

Last edited by Mark Hatcher; 10-05-2011 at 11:05 AM. Reason: spelling
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  #72  
Old 10-04-2011, 01:48 PM
quentinjazz quentinjazz is offline
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Thank you Mark,

Before reading your answer today, I remember having talked to a luthier here in France about gluing cocobolo, and his method was to use alcohol on the wood, then using a flame to make a quick flaming and heating the wood surface, giving an oil free gluing surface.

Ever heard of this?
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  #73  
Old 10-04-2011, 02:12 PM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by quentinjazz View Post
Thank you Mark,

Before reading your answer today, I remember having talked to a luthier here in France about gluing cocobolo, and his method was to use alcohol on the wood, then using a flame to make a quick flaming and heating the wood surface, giving an oil free gluing surface.

Ever heard of this?
Hi Q,

I've heard suggestions of wiping the wood down with acetone or naptha. Then I've also heard that in the drying process doing that may actually be drawing more oil up to the surface! I do think that flaming the wood, while dramatic and maybe dangerous in a wood shop, does have a great potential to draw up oil from the heat you're exposing it too. I'm skeptical on that one.
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  #74  
Old 10-05-2011, 08:05 AM
Battleman Battleman is offline
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This is one elegent Guitar.

Finish looks beautiful.

Thanks for sharing this build.

Solo
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  #75  
Old 10-05-2011, 11:04 AM
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Quote:
Originally Posted by solotaylor View Post
This is one elegent Guitar.

Finish looks beautiful.

Thanks for sharing this build.

Solo
Thanks Solo!

The finish is french polish. I french polish the necks and soundboards on all of my guitars.

I'll try to get some new pics up tonight.

Thanks Again
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