ovation22 Posted October 21, 2012 Report Share Posted October 21, 2012 So, my friend moved to Florida before I got a chance to start on a build for him. Now is as good a time as any, I suppose. I'll be using his 5 string Korean made Spector as inspiration, trimmed down a bit to save weight, and fit the wood blank. - Solid 1 piece bubinga body - 3 piece maple/bubinga/maple neck (volute) - 35" scale - Cocobolo fretboard - EMG/EMG, 18v - Khaler 7450 Bridge Now, to come up with a way to trim down the weight of the body. Thoughts, suggestions, opinions? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted October 22, 2012 Report Share Posted October 22, 2012 You don't have a ton of options without going to a top and chambering. All that is left is to make it as thin as you can get away with and/or contour the edges heavily= huge belly cut and tapered horns and the like. SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LightninMike Posted October 22, 2012 Report Share Posted October 22, 2012 Cut that body in half and route it out..... other than that, you have what you have Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ovation22 Posted October 22, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 22, 2012 Yeah, pretty much what I thought too. I may refine the shape a little more, thin the hips, and carve the top and back. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Workingman Posted October 22, 2012 Report Share Posted October 22, 2012 My Schecter 5 string could use being fmore contoured, particularly where the right arm goes over the top. You could make the body the same shape but 1/2" smaller all around. I don't think it would ruin the look and it would take some weight off. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted October 25, 2012 Report Share Posted October 25, 2012 That shape shouts for a completely round profile like a Warwick Thumb. It will look clubby and awkward else. Beautiful wood choice! Slicing off about 10mm of the top and hollowing the bottom before glueing back up sounds like a good option. Cutting losses will likely make the re-glue obvious so going with this and accenting the line with veneer would add interest. I did this with a build which I messed up years back (the neck was too rubbery). The body was routed hollow within the planned outer radius: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ScottR Posted October 25, 2012 Report Share Posted October 25, 2012 I guess you could also take Wes' approach and cut some decorative ports into like he did with his exploder. SR Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pauliemc Posted October 25, 2012 Report Share Posted October 25, 2012 Scott has it nailed here. you may need to chamber it a bit. But talk to your buddy about what he considers a heavy guitar thats playable & one thats more like a power lifting session. Personaly I like 11-12 lb gitirs. but then a mate who is about half my size again (& is a weigh lifting 6 foot 18 stone tank) does not like anything over 6-7 lbs. If your buddy can handle 9-10 lb guitars then you may only need to contour the hell out of it. Radical contouring like this can be very effective in weight reduction http://www.aeolianguitars.com/photo16540171.html Talk to the intended owner before you do anything else I rekon. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ovation22 Posted October 25, 2012 Author Report Share Posted October 25, 2012 Thanks for the replies/suggestions. I'm still trimming a little off the template before making the final decision. I had been thinking about a thumb-type carve. We'll see how that works out. Bridge arrived: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ovation22 Posted December 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2012 First cuts on the neck made. Rough cut and routed. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ovation22 Posted December 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2012 Body rough cut on the bandsaw and shaved down to 1.6" with the router to save weight. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ovation22 Posted December 9, 2012 Author Report Share Posted December 9, 2012 After talking to my buddy some it's clear he doesn't have any strong opinions whatsoever. I mentioned my concern on the weight, and he replied he would start going to the gym more. Rough cut at 1 3/4" thick the body weighed 8lbs. I've since shaved it down to 1.6". Pickups and control cavity will remove some weight. I'm thinking a 20" radius on top, 1/2" roundover on the edges, and maybe some sculpting on back. Sound good? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
pauliemc Posted December 10, 2012 Report Share Posted December 10, 2012 Pickups and control cavity will remove some weight. You may be surprised at just how much weight that actualy is. Sometimes I am surprised at how light a body gets after the cavities & roundovers are done. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ovation22 Posted June 10, 2013 Author Report Share Posted June 10, 2013 Making some progress, finally: Custom cavity cover: Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
eddiewarlock Posted June 11, 2013 Report Share Posted June 11, 2013 looks good, mate! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Prostheta Posted June 11, 2013 Report Share Posted June 11, 2013 Agreed. Looking forward to seeing this one progressing again. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.