Body Size For My Next Template

[ToddW]

Hey Guys,

I've started dimensioning the lumber for my second project since my son's guitar is 98% done. This is the sketch up:

http://www.geocities.com/namorhem/Mguitar.jpg

The neck for this is already laminated and jointed. It's Jatoba, Purple Heart, Maple, and a Bubinga center. I'm printing out templates for the body. In the drawing with the 25" scale, the body is 18" by 13.5" max length and width. I also scaled it to a 17x almost 13" template. It will be a semi-hollow bodied.

My question is, what size / width should I be shooting for? Is there a standard width that is more comfortable to play? I have a strat, and it's comfortable, but it's also on loan right now so I only have an acoustic to measure.

Thanks

Todd

[Jon]

I'm about to finish up a 12" wide body, I'm thinking that it will be a little too small, but we'll see. It was designed that small to accommodate the top wood. What's important is finding what's comfortable to you. If you really like how the strat fits your body, trace it out and change the curves a little. I think the width is right around 12 5/8" on a strat, give or take a small amount. 12 1/2" - 13" in width is very comfortable to me. Length is definitely relative to the build, I have bodies and sketches that range from 18" - 23". It's all about keeping the design relatively ergonomic, balanced, and of course making the design pleasing to the eye.

[ToddW]

Thanks Jon,

This one will be for a friend. 60th Birthday present, so what I like isn't what matters. He likes lots of different guitars, but I know he finds strats comfortable. My first build is a 17" scale for my son, so no help on size there.

I printed a template just now that is 17 1/2" max length by 13 1/8", and it seems reasonable. Since I'll trace the template it could be a touch bigger, but from what you are saying, I'm in the right ballpark. I had thought my strat was larger, I'll have to get it back an measure it.

Todd