A Redwood and Mahogany guitar From Mark Swanson

[Jason Rodgers]

Mark, remind me: is this the same model as the one you brought to Tacoma, or was that an X-braced guitar?

[Mark Swanson]

Nope, this is a different model of guitar. They are both X braced guitars though.

[Jason Rodgers]

Oh, I thought you used the A-frame on the Fatboys. But, duh, it has a traditional soundhole, so of course it's X-braced!

[Mark Swanson]

I have done different bracing on some guitars. The ones I build with two soundholes often have different bracing but not always.

[Don Williams]

Sweet.

[Thomas Dooher]

Very nice...makes me want to buy it...

[Waddy Thomson]

Great looking guitar, Mark! Amazing looking wood!

[Warren May]

Great looking guitar, Mark.

[Mark Swanson]

Hey, thanks you guys!

[Ron Daves]

Very nice. I hope some day to build something that beautiful.

[Jonathan Conder]

Very nice, stylish, and wow! Great job, Mark!

[Samuel Hartpence]

Perhaps I'm alone in this or it's a function of the perspective of the photo, but on the photo of the back, the lower bout looks way out of proportion with the upper bout. I have an affinity for jumbo or larger guitars, both visually and how they sound, but there is something about the the lines of this guitar that is a bit of a turn-off for me. I'm not sure if is' that I think the upper bout is too narrow, or that perhaps the waist should be located a little closer to the lower bout, and I also think that the cut-away may be accentuating this.

I know you can't please everyone, but wanted to see if I'm the only one seeing this. Also, was the shape a modeled of another model, or did you draw it up yourself.

[Mark Swanson]

Well, not all shapes appeal to everyone, or all guitars would be the same!
As I said in the first post, I called the guitar a "fatboy" because of the strange shape. I didn't draw the shape myself, but I used a guitar made by Regal in the 40's as a model. Here is a photo of the original guitar- I really love the original one, so I used it as a starting point to design the one I call the Fatboy.

[John Rice]

Hi Mark I'm just admiring your beautiful guitar and wondering what is the benefit of using a zero fret ?

[Mark Swanson]

Opinions vary on them, but the good points are that it's very easy to get perfect action at the first fret, and all of the strings sound equal as they all play off the metal fret, open strings and fretted.

[Michael Lewis]

Mark, have you got enough brackets on that banjo?

[Mark Swanson]

Ha ha, that's funny isn't it? That's an old banjo, I don't know the brand but I think it is a Supertone...it has 39 hooks, I have never seen a banjo with that many hooks!

[Claude Misukiewicz]

What an elegant and distinctive guitar. It's an inspiration. Mark, would you mind telling us how you finished it? I'm especially curious about how you handled the mahogany.
Thanks,
CM

[Mark Swanson]

Well Claude there isn't much I can tell you other than the standard finishing process, I did nothing special. I sanded and prepped well, sealed with Shellac and then filled the grain, and sprayed on the lacquer. Wetsanded, buffed....here she is. Thanks for your comments!