Thanks for all of the great replies and tips. I know it can be a money trap, but I have access to most all of the tools I would need, have built a guitar with my dad before (though it's pretty well shot now), and modded my first bass when I was about 18. Maple necked bass, yanked frets, and inlaid walnut to make it fretless.
I really think that for what I want this is the best rout, although I am DEFINATLY gonna check into the Carvin pre-made blank, that sounds awesome.
Anyhow, thanks! Everyone has been incredibly helpful, and I can tell this is the site that I really needed to get going on this. Can't wait to post my first pics!!
-Dean