Sorry to shift the post to another one but I decided to do a recap of the build to date and will be updating the new thread exclusively. Thanks to everyone for the advice so far! You guys rock!
The top will be 3/4" the back will be 1/4" with the Padauk center being 1/2" for an overall body thickness of 1 1/2" I am thinking of adding some thin walnut laminates in between the Maple and Padauk, we'll see what I end up doing...