Hatcher Studio '16 #2

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by j. Kinnaird

Beautiful work Mark, as usual. Is that neck also cocobolo?

Thanks John,

The neck is Indian Rosewood with a satin finish. It has a Cocobolo cross grained center strip bordered with maple. I have been doing a lot of maple, walnut, Koa and rosewood necks this past year. I haven't done a Cocobolo one yet. Cocobolo is so heavy, maybe I'd try it on a larger bodied 12 fret.

Mark

[Mark Hatcher]

I had a client over to the studio last week to work out the details of the December 1st start of a Josie small jumbo model. The figured Padauk was the choice for back and sides. The set we selected is a sister set to a recently completed parlor;

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Here is the parlor;



We matched this up with a very unusual bear clawed Sitka. The coloring, figuring, tone, weight, and stiffness are all great matches for our goals in the finished guitar's sound and look;





We did our initial pick for many of the details as well; African Blackwood trim, Macassar Ebony bridge and fret board, Hard Maple figured neck and much much more!

Mark

[yoni]

That bear must have been mighty drunk.

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by yoni

That bear must have been mighty drunk.

It is an unusual set, the figuring is wild but, I normally find bear claw Sitka to be tight grained and heavy. The stiffness varies greatly. This set is unusual in that it is light and stiff as well as very resonate. Plus, it has a lot of red in it that ties in well with that Padauk.
Yeah, that bear was probably pretty drunk!

[ukejon]

Originally Posted by Mark Hatcher

It is an unusual set, the figuring is wild but, I normally find bear claw Sitka to be tight grained and heavy. The stiffness varies greatly. This set is unusual in that it is light and stiff as well as very resonate. Plus, it has a lot of red in it that ties in well with that Padauk.
Yeah, that bear was probably pretty drunk!

That guitar certainly will be an eyeful! Look forward to seeing it come to life.

[Sage97]

Outstanding guitars!

I've been interested in padauk for a while now but have never heard or played one before.

[The Bard Rocks]

I was fortunate to have played that parlour guitar and it has a surprisingly loud and open voice, really nice. Middle of the road between clarity and overtones, good balance. I'd say it would do a good job on most any kind of fingerpicked music. I didn't try it with a flatpick. When I switched to another (larger) guitar, I immediately noticed greater bass, but when I played the parlour, did not seem to feel there was any lack.

And, it's prettier than it appears from the photos. There's a depth you see when looking directly into the wood that you won't get from the side. One of those things you can stare at and keep seeing something new looking back at you.

I was very glad to have been able to play this little beauty and it gave me confidence that I would be well satisfied with a padauk.

[Sage97]

Originally Posted by The Bard Rocks

I was very glad to have been able to play this little beauty and it gave me confidence that I would be well satisfied with a padauk.

Very good to hear. Thanks.

[Guitars44me]

My goodness! I am very late to this party...

No wonder I have read nothing but raves about Hatcher guitars! These are some of the most beautiful instruments I have ever seen.

I am really impressed with the smooth neck heel and cutaway on the Padouk beauty! I am addicted to 12 frets, and any help getting up the FB is always nice!!!

Carry on, and may your herds increase!!!

Cheers

Paul

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by ukejon

That guitar certainly will be an eyeful! Look forward to seeing it come to life.

There certainly is a lot going on with that top and Padauk!

Originally Posted by Sage97

Outstanding guitars!

I've been interested in padauk for a while now but have never heard or played one before.

Originally Posted by The Bard Rocks

I was fortunate to have played that parlour guitar and it has a surprisingly loud and open voice, really nice. Middle of the road between clarity and overtones, good balance. I'd say it would do a good job on most any kind of fingerpicked music. I didn't try it with a flatpick. When I switched to another (larger) guitar, I immediately noticed greater bass, but when I played the parlour, did not seem to feel there was any lack.

And, it's prettier than it appears from the photos. There's a depth you see when looking directly into the wood that you won't get from the side. One of those things you can stare at and keep seeing something new looking back at you.

I was very glad to have been able to play this little beauty and it gave me confidence that I would be well satisfied with a padauk.

Originally Posted by Sage97

Very good to hear. Thanks.

In the span between mahogany and rosewood I'd place it fairly centered leaning a little more to the rosewood. I'd say a little more than a good Black Walnut.

Originally Posted by Guitars44me

My goodness! I am very late to this party...

No wonder I have read nothing but raves about Hatcher guitars! These are some of the most beautiful instruments I have ever seen.

I am really impressed with the smooth neck heel and cutaway on the Padouk beauty! I am addicted to 12 frets, and any help getting up the FB is always nice!!!

Carry on, and may your herds increase!!!

Cheers

Paul

Thanks Paul!

I have an affection for 12 frets also. I feel like they have a little more of an intimate feel and tone. I know that's a pretty subjective observation and an "intimate tone" is more of an emotional response than an objective commentary on the actual tone of 12 frets. Certainly one of the things I love about guitars are the multiple ways we respond to them. For those who say it's only about the tone I can only say, sorry you're missing out!

Mark

[Mark Hatcher]

Here is what is waiting for me in the studio this morning;

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The neck is on. Today I'll make a Cocobolo bridge for this.

Thanks for viewing

[Mark Hatcher]

Got the Cocobolo bridge made and glued. It is clammed up for the night and we're one step closer to getting those strings on;

[ukejon]

Originally Posted by Mark Hatcher

Got the Cocobolo bridge made and glued. It is clammed up for the night and we're one step closer to getting those strings on;

Well now, it may be time for you to find a next project......

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by ukejon

Well now, it may be time for you to find a next project......

Do you mean this one?



Jon and I have been planning out an all mahogany, fan fret, Josie small jumbo.
We're moving along as the planning starts turning into a guitar. We'll start a separate build thread in about a week to show the process and thinking behind this exciting project!

Mark

[cigarfan]

Pretty sure that's the one he meant.