body

[GODSBASSMAN]

Just wondering - how thin could a 6 string bass body be made and still be practical and durably usable without excessive neckdive?

 

[DSB1]

1/4". But seriously, don't be afraid to measure stuff.

 

[Getaway Driver]

Depends on the type of wood. A very heavy body wood would offset the weight of the neck/head.

 

[tjclem]

Depends on the type of wood. A very heavy body wood would offset the weight of the neck/head.

Yup heavy thin body and 1 piece light Mahogany neck and I imagine you could go down to 1.25" is the goal thin body or light bass?

 

[DSB1]

Yup heavy thin body and 1 piece light Mahogany neck and I imagine you could go down to 1.25" is the goal thin body or light bass?

Good luck fitting a preamp or push/pull pots in that.

 

[tjclem]

preamp yes push pull no

 

[jworrellbass]

I think anything under 1 1/2" is to thin.

 

[GODSBASSMAN]

The goal is thinly radiused body edges. Heavier woods with less body and a neck composition that would balance out the entire design. A thicker body center for pickup(s) and one volume pot and a top mounted mono jack. Passive.
I would imagine that there are a variety of flowing pieces of wood in every luthier's shop left from cutting bodies from blanks that might be fitted together to form such a body. One could artistically place maple, bloodwood, ebony, etc. Am I getting this idea across to make sense?

 

[Ric5]

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[tjclem]

"thinly radiused body edges"
You aren't planing on playing it sitting down are you? Thin sharp edges hurt and cut circulation.......t

 

[GODSBASSMAN]

Tom,
I do most of the time.
Fatter body - me.
Thinner body - bass
Together can still fit in same car as when I was thin and the bass was fat.

 

[eleonn]

Together can still fit in same car as when I was thin and the bass was fat.

Sooo... now you changed roles?

 

[tjclem]

Tom,
I do most of the time.
Fatter body - me.
Thinner body - bass
Together can still fit in same car as when I was thin and the bass was fat.

I guess I am just saying that a thin body will cause you troubles.....t

 

[jworrellbass]

The goal is thinly radiused body edges. Heavier woods with less body and a neck composition that would balance out the entire design. A thicker body center for pickup(s) and one volume pot and a top mounted mono jack. Passive.
I would imagine that there are a variety of flowing pieces of wood in every luthier's shop left from cutting bodies from blanks that might be fitted together to form such a body. One could artistically place maple, bloodwood, ebony, etc. Am I getting this idea across to make sense?

You can do a dropped edge with a router.

 

[GODSBASSMAN]

" Dropped edge" now that is interesting. If the dropped part were ash, maple, alder and the raised part ebony, walnut, bloodwood, or any other contrasting wood...
The body could even be contoured but be more traditional where it sits on the leg in a sitting position...

 

[tjclem]

I normally do less of a contour with the router where the body rests on the leg that the rest of the edges of the bass. I guess as log as that and the center core are thick enough you could do as you wish with the rest of the bass.