... Not a Heavy Bass Guitar...

[Yowa77]

Hi guys I'm new on this... but I'm thinking to make a Bass Guitar for me... but I want a Light Bass...

What kind of wood do you recommend ???

I'm thinking to do it semihollow inside the body to take some weight out... Is that a good idea???

Peace!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[mikeyswood]

Chambering is too much work for your first. Start simple and build upon that. Basswood, light Ash, some Cherries can be low weight as well.

[knucklehead G]

A lot of people have issues with it, but I like basswood. Bongos are lightweight and sound awesome. You can make it solid and keep it light too.

[roberthabraken]

Originally Posted by mikeyswood

Chambering is too much work for your first. Start simple and build upon that. Basswood, light Ash, some Cherries can be low weight as well.

Sorry, I have to disagree. My first one was chambered and came out fine . Great way to save some weight!

[Shoewreck]

Balsa is the lightest wood I know of.

[dannster]

Paulownia
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CqrvafA2Ho

[Stone Age]

make it 1 1/4" to 1 1/2" thick instead of however thick regular basses are. That will cut a lot of weight. You can make it out of pretty much anything at that point.

[Meatrus]

Poplar would be cool IMO, not super light but still light. I wouldnt chamber either, theres enough to concentrate on without having to do that the first time around. Not saying its not possible, just it may put you off building if it goes tits up.

[SDB Guitars]

Chambering is more work in that you not only have to more precisely lay everything out (pickups, neck and bridge... have to be sure there's enough "meat" there to support the various components), but using most normal construction methods, you also have to glue on a separate top or back. It *can* be done on your first, but it's something you might want to save for a later build.

Use basswood or poplar, with a plain hard maple neck and a rosewood fingerboard. It shouldn't weight a ton, and should work out pretty well. All of the above woods are fairly easy to work with.

[chiselhead]

I have done a few out of butternut that were lightweight. And don't forget pine, not very flashy but nonetheless light weight.

[Son of Magni]

My first build was semi-hollow, but I did spend time planning it out and half built a test case to be sure I had the right idea.

Keep in mind though, the lighter you make the body the more likely you are to have neck dive issues. So make sure you design the upper horn accordingly...