4 string Jazz: curly redwood, spanish cedar, flame maple neck

[Fender_Bender]

It would be a crime to cover any of that top wood with any kind of control plate or pickguard. Rear route all the way.

Amen to that.

 

[Fender_Bender]

Redwood is soft enough that I’d be inclined to douse it with super thin super glue to toughen it up against dings.

 

[/\/\3phist0]

I use piezos through a Richter buffer so magnetic pull is not a consideration (not that I have really seen any effect on bass strings but yes on lighter guitar strings). I personally don't view Fender as a good design except from a production cost point of view. Having said that their basses do work well. Of course there are a lot of variables that can work. Again just a personal feeling but ultra light can generate balance issues (i.e. neck heavy) that can be more uncomfortable then weight alone. I have viewed a number of weight reduction threads on here and even with doing it years ago myself still don't wholly agree with the concept. There are a lot of opinions I have seen put forward by others that there are exceptions to. Anyway I don't think lightening an instrument is a really bad idea it is just it seems to get carried way too far sometimes.

Maybe a rethink. Thanks from a novice builder!

 

[/\/\3phist0]

WOW, that is some beautiful wood, what color are you gonna paint it ?

Clear

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Redwood is soft enough that I’d be inclined to douse it with super thin super glue to toughen it up against dings.

I have considered that . Any tips , pointers, sources and type of CA I should look into?

 

[/\/\3phist0]

Top left facing to the right?

Nah, I don’t see him

My S.O. , when I first showed her the wetted board said Bigfoot!

 

[/\/\3phist0]

I have considered that . Any tips , pointers, sources and type of CA I should look into?

At this point, I was going to coat it with solar cure resin. (Solarez) thick.
@Slidlow
Thank you again for the advice, combined with the others opinions, I'll skip the chambering.
I chose the Fender platform as it's familiar , and I will likely be offering this for sale, and it's a popular platform .
I'm an experienced novice.
I don't have enough works under my belt as yet to get too adventurous .
I listen to those with experience.

Thanks for all the encouragement everyone.

*The body back wood should be here in days. (Spanish cedar)

 

[Fender_Bender]

I have considered that . Any tips , pointers, sources and type of CA I should look into?

As good a quality thin formula as you can get. Hobby store grade. I’d just let it soak in. Try not to do it on a humid day as there is a small possibility of blushing. Definitely do it outside as it’s going to be gnarly on the nose. Some sort of goggles for the eyes would be beneficial too.

 

[Matt Liebenau]

I have considered that . Any tips , pointers, sources and type of CA I should look into?

You might look into some of the epoxies mentioned here. If nothing else, they should be somewhat easier on the sinuses.

Hardening punky wood, burls

 

[/\/\3phist0]

As good a quality thin formula as you can get. Hobby store grade. I’d just let it soak in. Try not to do it on a humid day as there is a small possibility of blushing. Definitely do it outside as it’s going to be gnarly on the nose. Some sort of goggles for the eyes would be beneficial too.

Thanks:
I live in a very dry area of California, and outside is where I do most of my work.
Gloves too ..
Thanks @Matt Liebenau i just was reading that thread and a couple others @ tdpri, a new research project.
Although I do believe that the Solarez should be pretty tough (designed for surfboards)

Always looking for a better way.

Thanks for the support!