Why Don't People Build Basses With One Piece Body Blank?

anon65884001 · #1 04-01-2009, 10:22 PM

Hi all
I've done some searching but i can't find anything about why people don't use one piece body blank
For example, my fender jazz 24 is 2 piece alder for body with bookmatched quilt maple top
Bookmatched top, i understand why
But why don't most luthiers or companies use one pice wood as a body
I have no experience in building any instruments, so i am a complete noob
Help me here

EDIT:
So is it worth it?
In terms of tonewise only (so not considering price)
And thanks all for great responses =]

~ignited~wings~ · #2 04-01-2009, 10:24 PM

Well, The reason I use two piece bodies is because I rarely find a piece of suitable wood that is big enough to do a one piece. But that's just me.

pilotjones · #3 04-01-2009, 10:33 PM

Go to a lumber yard and try to find a piece of wood, with no defects, 2" thick and 13-14" wide. Then you'll know the answer to your question.

JC Basses · #4 04-01-2009, 10:35 PM

Exactly, I think it all comes down to cost. Sure you could find a 1 piece body, but a 2 or 3 piece body is much cheaper. So they go with that. I would always go with a 1 piece if I could find it at a reasonable price.

Rocky McDougall · #5 04-01-2009, 11:12 PM

My first bass, I bought new, a 1964 Tiesco solid body Jazz. It has a one piece Mahogany body and has a wonderful, warm tone.

adamrobertt · #6 04-01-2009, 11:16 PM

I really doubt that a 1 piece body has a significant (or even noticeable) effect on tone.

ashtray · #7 04-01-2009, 11:18 PM

heck, why stop there - let's go with an all 1 piece neck & body! Yeah, I'm thinking that tree doesn't exist.

20db pad · #8 04-01-2009, 11:23 PM

I faintly recall that Roger Sadowsky mentioning somewhere that some one piece bodies had a tendency to "cup" and warp over time, losing their normally flat profile. That's the reason he doesn't offer them on the basses he builds.

**Rodent** · #9 04-01-2009, 11:39 PM

depending on the wood species, suitable 1-piece body blanks can indeed be quite difficult to come by. when I can find one at a 'reasonable' price I usually snag it for future use

I have a small stash of such blanks, but most clients haven't found the added cost worth it for what little it brings to the palette

all the best,

R

~ignited~wings~ · #10 04-01-2009, 11:47 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ashtray

heck, why stop there - let's go with an all 1 piece neck & body! Yeah, I'm thinking that tree doesn't exist.

Actually, it could certainly be done, just VERY expensive.

Triad · #11 04-02-2009, 04:42 AM

90% of my basses are made that way.

I find the 1 piece body better looking and since I keep my instruments pretty simple (without laminations... less glue more wood) it's the way to go.

erikbojerik · #12 04-02-2009, 05:43 AM

Guys get all geeked up about 1-piece bodies - especially guitar players - but think about it a minute. What's the actual glue/wood ratio in a well-joined 2-piece or 3-piece body?

There are several species that you could make a 1-piece body out of, but except for swamp ash and mahogany they are all fairly heavy.

vbasscustom · #13 04-02-2009, 06:15 AM

haha, yeah. my first build was a one peice mahogany body, no chambering, and no top. that thing was heavy

Triad · #14 04-02-2009, 07:13 AM

If you sum up all the glue needed for a 3 pieces body with a 5 pieces neck...

Anyway it's mainly a look thing as a well made joint in a 2 pieces body isn't an issue.

I have no problems finding 1 pieces body blanks. Another solution I like is 2 pieces quarter-sawn.

Swever · #15 04-02-2009, 07:15 AM

My first build is going to be out of one-piece aspen. Just planed it today.

PJSShearer · #16 04-02-2009, 07:30 AM

I used to wonder why Fender charged more for a natural finish on their guitars - then I had my Sunburst P Bass refinshed and found out why - the body is made of 5 pieces with quite a few blemishes!!

Barkless Dog · #17 04-02-2009, 03:55 PM

Big wood needs big old trees. There are not that many around anymore and because of that, cost skyrockets, (the bigger the wood). Most builders cant find or afford single peices of suitable wood.

vbasscustom · #18 04-02-2009, 04:02 PM

man, my wood supplyer, hanging on the warehouse wall, a peice of waterfall bubinga, 30 feet long, 5 inches thick, and 4 feet wide. that, would make alot of one peice bodys

Swever · #19 04-02-2009, 04:05 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vbasscustom

man, my wood supplyer, hanging on the warehouse wall, a peice of waterfall bubinga, 30 feet long, 5 inches thick, and 4 feet wide. that, would make alot of one peice bodys

OMG!

I would so love to see a photo, if possible!

jnuts1 · #20 04-02-2009, 04:07 PM

i know a guitar player with a 1 piece guitar, neck & everything is the same continious piece. it was custom & outragously expensive.