Hatcher Greta - 13-fret Black Walnut / Old Growth Western Red Cedar

[cigarfan]

I have commissioned a guitar with Mark Hatcher of Hatchers Guitars, a sponsor here on AGF. If you have been hanging around the Custom Shop you've surely have seen some of the incredible instruments coming out of Mark's shop. He is a master of luthery, very talented photographer and a magician with design in wood.

I visited Mark's shop in February this year and we spent a day talking guitars, touring the shop and discussing the build. You can see my post about the visit here.



Enjoy !!!

Specs
13-fret Greta model w/Venetian cutaway
Old Growth Western Red Cedar Top
Black Walnut Back & Sides
Abalone everywhere
Brazilian Rosewood Binding and Trim
Slotted-headstock
Tamarind and Abalone Rosette
1 3/4" nut and 2 5/16" string spacing
Soundport
Schertler Tuners
Plus lots of other fun surprises

And the saga begins ...

The Black Walnut set we choose.



Joining of the top and back sets





Joined back



Joined back with a little naptha to simulate the look under finish.



The back strip ... BRW w/abalone ... looks like jewelry!

[TomB'sox]

Congrats Cigarfan!!!

Off to a great start, beautiful woods. We all know what Mark can do with these woods, he is a magician.

I love the walnut. Ever since I saw that walnut bass that Mark posted, I think if I can ever afford another build, it will be with walnut back and sides. You already know I am a fan of the paua next to the BRW!

I will be watching this build every step of the way.

Fantastic so far.

Tom

[Treenewt]

Wow!!! That looks to be a spectacular build! Congrats on this one! Thanks for letting us look in on the process!

[dekutree64]

"Abalone everywhere" Those are some nice looking woods! I love black walnut. Great neck wood too, if Mark has any.

[dcn]

Congrats, cigarfan! That is a superb set of walnut.

May I ask if you prefer Venetian cutaways in general, or just for this particular instrument?

[Mark Hatcher]

I am very happy to get this build started. Walnut is one of my favorite woods to build with. Cigarfan and I have hammered out a lot of the details when he visited but, additional ideas always seem to blossom when the wood starts getting cut!

Mark

[cigarfan]

Originally Posted by TomB'sox

Congrats Cigarfan!!!

Off to a great start, beautiful woods. We all know what Mark can do with these woods, he is a magician.

I love the walnut. Ever since I saw that walnut bass that Mark posted, I think if I can ever afford another build, it will be with walnut back and sides. You already know I am a fan of the paua next to the BRW!

I will be watching this build every step of the way.

Fantastic so far.

Tom

Thanks Tom. It's exciting! Been watching your Kinnaird with great interest. Shaping up to be a real beauty.

Originally Posted by Treenewt

Wow!!! That looks to be a spectacular build! Congrats on this one! Thanks for letting us look in on the process!

Thanks Treenewt! Glad to have you follow along. The build journey is an awesome part of owning one of these masterpieces.

Originally Posted by dekutree64

"Abalone everywhere" Those are some nice looking woods! I love black walnut. Great neck wood too, if Mark has any.

Thanks dekutree64! Walnut/Cedar is one of my favorite wood combos. Makes for a sweet warm tone and Mark is building this one especially light yet responsive for fingerstyle. Really looking forward to playing it. I have left the wood selection for the neck to Mark. I'm sure it will be incredible.

Originally Posted by dcn

Congrats, cigarfan! That is a superb set of walnut.

May I ask if you prefer Venetian cutaways in general, or just for this particular instrument?

Thanks dcn! I have enjoyed watching your Greta build. I'm a bit of a Mahoganut as well. I hope to hear a clip of yours some day.

Actually, I'm not hard over on Venetian cutaways but I have one of Mark's Floretine cutaway's in my collection already so I wanted to change it up.

Originally Posted by Mark Hatcher

I am very happy to get this build started. Walnut is one of my favorite woods to build with. Cigarfan and I have hammered out a lot of the details when he visited but, additional ideas always seem to blossom when the wood starts getting cut!

Hi Mark. Good to hear from you here in the thread. I can smell the aroma of that Cedar getting cut as we speak!

[JonBarclay]

Congratulations Cigarfan! This is going to be a great one

I can't get enough of Mark's build threads: brilliant photography, of some beautiful instruments... that black ebony parlour he's just finishing really is phenomenal!

Jon

[dcn]

Thanks for the reply, cigarfan - I didn't realize that other Greta beauty was yours : )

Looking forward to following this one along as well.

[cigarfan]

@JonBarclay: I have to agree, Mark's Black Ebony Parlor is a gorgeous little guitar. Bet it sounds awesome too!

@dcn: I wasn't the individual that commissioned the BearClaw/Coco but I am glad I had the opportunity to acquire it.

[ukejon]

Mark's approach to building lightweight, lattice-braced guitars is a perfect fit for walnut/cedar. By the way, I'll get to see your build in process next week when I'm up in Peterborough.

[cigarfan]

Originally Posted by ukejon

Mark's approach to building lightweight, lattice-braced guitars is a perfect fit for walnut/cedar. By the way, I'll get to see your build in process next week when I'm up in Peterborough.

Actually Jon, his approach to building is quite amazing for all the wood combos I've had the pleasure to sample but I am glad to hear you say the walnut/cedar is a perfect fit.

I'm happy to hear (and a little jealous) you are visiting. I enjoyed my visit thoroughly. Think of me when you sit down with your cigars. And let me know what you think of our Greta.

[Trevor M]

Mark makes incredible guitars, good choice. That's going to be another beauty.

[ukejon]

Looking good!



Beautiful cedar top as well. This will be a gem of a guitar.

[cigarfan]

Thanks Trevor. I think so too!

@ukejon: Thanks for the pic. The top tapped very well. I'm very much looking forward to hearing it after Mark performs his magic.