Hollowing out a solid body

[JACink]

Just thinking out loud here and wondering if this is viable.

Thinking of taking a solidbody bass, routing chambers in it, then installing a veneer laminate on top, creating a semi-hollow.

Is this a good, bad or terrible idea?

Any links to any threads where this has been done (sorry but my search attempts were futile).

Thanks.

 

[Beej]

Its doable and has been done here a few times. Many builders chamber their solidbodies for weight. The most comprehensive thread here was at least four years ago and involved a fellow routing a 1/4" off the top of his jazz bass, routing large cavities across the body, gluing on a cap, re-routing the edges and pickup holes, refinishing and reinstalling everything. Due to the amount of work, there is always the question as to whether or not just to build another bass body from scratch - its not too far removed in steps from the chambering process. If you've got woodworking skills and the bass in question lends itself to the process, go for it...

 

[JACink]

Thanks Beej.

The thing is, I have wanted to try laminating a bass for a while, to finish it with a Zebrawood top. I was thinking of a Les Paul shape body, hollowing out a cavity at each side, then adding the veneer.

Do you think I would need to take a lot off of the top to allow me to add the veneer, of if I just added thin veneer, would I probably end up breaking it where the routes are?

Any ideas what the thread was called?

 

[mansjasont]

I would not want any wood thinner than 1/8" over any routed cavity...

 

[Mildew Jones]

JACink,

check out this link: Ric style scratchbuild (a work in progress thread) | TalkBass.com is a lovely Ric style build, lots of of pics and info, hollowed out bodies along the lines of what you're asking about.
Good luck,
MJ

 

[Steve Dallman]

My Line 6 Variax 5 string was busted up in a truck accident. It weighed nearly 13 lbs. While I was reconstructing it, I decided to chamber it. I routed a lot away from the back, and in the front enlarged the electronics cavity and routed further under the pickguard. I used rather light, thin plywood to cover the back routes. I reduced the weight by about 3lbs, but it was worth it.

There was no difference in sustain or tone, just a lighter bass.

 

[potomac]

if you like the top of the bass, try to hollow it out from the back side.

 

[rufus.K]

Yes, from behind sounds reasonable

 

[JACink]

Thanks for all the input. However, if there is no forecast of change in tone, than the exercise is futile. I will just keep the semi-hollow on the GAS list for now.

 

[Morten_B]

Here is what I did to a bass that was too heavy, and where I wanted to clean up the looks also... Guitar or bass too heavy? DIY chambering... | TalkBass.com

 

[JACink]

Here is what I did to a bass that was too heavy, and where I wanted to clean up the looks also... Guitar or bass too heavy? DIY chambering... | TalkBass.com

Very very nice work and bass!

But you also mention that you notice no change in tone. The main reason for doing this would be to get a semi-hollow body sound.

 

[rufus.K]

I would surmise the chamber needs to be near the pickup cavity, and microphonic pickups would help.

 

[Morten_B]

I suppose you get a semi hollow sound if you take away more material than I did. Mine is not really a semi hollow, it's more like a chambered body.

 

[rufus.K]

. I reduced the weight by about 3lbs, but it was worth it.

There was no difference in sustain or tone, just a lighter bass.

Fill the chamber with helium next time, and it'll be even lighter

 

[Will_White]

Very very nice work and bass!

But you also mention that you notice no change in tone. The main reason for doing this would be to get a semi-hollow body sound.

Most chambered basses only thin the sides, what really matters for tone is the space between the bridge and the neck pocket, if you remove wood from that area it will get you closer to a semi-hollow tone. you'll also want to have space behind the bridge so that you get more resonance.

 

[fataltragedy]

Neck-dive can also be a concern when reducing body mass. I suppose it depends on the bass. The classic fender and gibson basses (Js, Ps, thunderbirds etc) tend to suffer from neck-dive anyway, making the body lighter might make it worse. You could end up with a bass thats lighter on your back but you have to put more effort into holding the neck up while playing

 

[JACink]

you'll also want to have space behind the bridge so that you get more resonance.

That's why I was thinking of an LP shape bass.

Thanks all, but I think I am going to skip the routing and maybe just veneer the top.

 

[Steve Dallman]

Fill the chamber with helium next time, and it'll be even lighter