Hatcher Italian Olivewood and Italian Alpine Spruce

[Jobe]

Originally Posted by Zandit75

I'm sorry, but I have to pull you up on this image!
I have to ask, how can someone who has such an attention to detail, and if I'm not mistaken has a real OCD towards getting everything perfect, utilise upper and lower case letters when writing??!!

I understand the 'B' is the toughest to master......this guitar appears outstandingly beautiful. I mean Beautiful. Very nice stuff you do, Sir! (Edit: the picture didn't post on the above quoted post. The first part of my post may not make any sense but I stand by the second part.)

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by TomB'sox

Wow, this is shaping up to be yet another masterpiece....that olive wood is stunning and the top is beautiful, not only the inlay, but the beautiful tight straight grain...

Thanks Tom, I'm glad to get a positive response so far on this guitar. As I said, in the beginning of the thread I am trying to do a rethink on every detail of this model.

Originally Posted by cigarfan

Have to agree with Tom, this is a masterpiece!

Thanks cigarfan! There are a lot more new ideas I'll yet to work into this one.

Originally Posted by ukejon

It is a stunner....but makes me a bit thirsty for a martini.

So you think the Olive theme is coming through?

Originally Posted by Haasome

Looks like it belongs in a museum, but I'm sure once it's played it will belong in someone's hands. Gorgeous.

Thanks Haasome! The charges aren't all looks. I am also working to further refine the sound from this model. I've changed the bracing to make it more like my newer parlor. It will have the elevated fret board (which the jury is still out on whether that really helps sound wise). I've made some very successful Ebony Penelope models and am expecting good results from the Olivewood also being harder than rosewood.

Originally Posted by gstring

Hello Mark

Have not posted on your build threads for quite awhile but have been following ALL your work. Your passion for your craft is exciting to watch.

Oh, and by the way.... still love my Greta. You must be tired of hearing me say that. lol lol lol

daniel

Hi Daniel,

Thanks! It's always great to hear from a happy client!

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by Jobe

I understand the 'B' is the toughest to master......this guitar appears outstandingly beautiful. I mean Beautiful. Very nice stuff you do, Sir! (Edit: the picture didn't post on the above quoted post. The first part of my post may not make any sense but I stand by the second part.)

Thanks Jobe, Geeze, well I guess I'd rather have my writing made fun of than my guitars!

[Jobe]

Trust me. I'm not making fun of your writing. It's the last thing that comes to mind (if even ever) when I see the pictures. Keep up the good things!

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by Jobe

Trust me. I'm not making fun of your writing. It's the last thing that comes to mind (if even ever) when I see the pictures. Keep up the good things!

Thanks Jobe! I appreciate your comments and you following along!

I am going with radial purfing on the guitar. I like and often use radial purfling but, once again, I'm doing something new with this one. Typically when you see wooded radial top purfling the wood is dark in color, like Cocobolo or some other rosewood. One reason to keep it dark is because the straight thin sticks of cross grained purfling are cracked into place. With dark colors those little cracks just disappear with finish.

I wanted to use a light colored radial purfling to go with this guitar so I needed to come up with a way to hide all of the cracks and where the sticks butt together.



The absolute best way to hide cracks in wood is to not have any. So I charged myself with the task of carefully bending each delicate cross grained purfling stick on a bending iron. After successfully pulling that off I still needed to hide the joints where they butt together. With some experimentation I found I could miter both ends of each little stick make and the joints disappear!



So far, so good;

[Nemoman]

The purfling really looks great, Mark!

It's a great complement to the striking rosette you created.

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by Nemoman

The purfling really looks great, Mark!

It's a great complement to the striking rosette you created.

Thanks Nemoman, That rosette has a delicate look along with the lighter colored Olivewood back and sides. Dark radial purfling with dark binding would have just look clunky. I feel it was well worth the extra effort.

[cigarfan]

Nice job Mark. I can't see any cracks/joints.

And I agree the lighter purfling was the ticket.

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by cigarfan

Nice job Mark. I can't see any cracks/joints.

And I agree the lighter purfling was the ticket.

Thanks cigarfan, I am sorting out a new end graft and will be binding the back. Then onto the second half (neck)!

[Mark Hatcher]

I am going with Katalox trim. The color is right and the wood is more than strong enough for binding etc. It will be on the binding for the top, back, fret board, scoop cutaway, and likely the heel cap:

[nootis]

Incredible Mark! Very clean and classy.

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by nootis

Incredible Mark! Very clean and classy.

Thanks nootis,

I still have a number of new elements for this guitar. Half way to go!

[Mark Hatcher]

The back binding is in and I spent some time cleaning up the guitar body today;



That dark Katalox binding helps accent the grain and spalting lines.
I spent the greater part of the day working on the new sculpted end graft. I had great success changing the concept into reality while making my first dummy. Next week it will be the real thing!

I'm find everything works a lot better when you're trying something new to just do a dummy first. You don't have the pressure to make it perfect and you don't get into the position where you just settle. Work out the bugs, then make the real one and it won't look like the first time you ever did it!

[BrunoBlack]

Hey Mark, you forgot the handle

[Mark Hatcher]

Originally Posted by Haasome

Hey Mark, you forgot the handle

That comes with part two!