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| Author: | Chad Thorne [ Thu Jul 18, 2013 1:42 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Walnut Bass Body |
Hi, all, not really a luthier but have a "luthing" question. I have a bass with a walnut body I bought off Ebay. The bass sounds awesome but is it heavy. I also think it's a bit thicker than a typical Jazz Bass body. My question: If I were to reduce the thickness of this body by, say, 1/4", maybe by running it through a planer, would that lighten it appreciably? Also, would doing that alter the tone of the instrument significantly? Thanks for your help! |
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| Author: | Chameleon [ Thu Jul 18, 2013 2:04 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Walnut Bass Body |
It will not alter the tone but unless the body is extra extra thick, you might not lose as much weight as you think. Walnut is somewhat heavy. I just live with it. If it's a jazz bass body, thickness might not help you and chambering might be the only way. What kind of hardware/pickups do you have? Metal weighs a lot more than wood. How's the balance? Do you have neck dive? Pictures? Your pickups might be a good half a pound, or even more. |
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| Author: | Rodger Knox [ Thu Jul 18, 2013 2:30 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Walnut Bass Body |
Weigh the body and measure the thickness. The amount you reduce the thickness, divided by the total thickness, times the total weight is a pretty good approximation of the weight reduction. For example, 1/4" reduction, 2" thickness, 10 pounds --> (.25/2)x10 = 1.25 pounds less edit: Chambering is the better option for weight reduction, but is a bit problematic on a completed body. You could resaw a 1/4" plate off the back, chamber the body with fostner bits or a router, and then glue the plate back on. I wouldn't recommend doing that unless you're pretty good with a bandsaw. |
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| Author: | Chameleon [ Fri Jul 19, 2013 4:23 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Walnut Bass Body |
I agree with roger. I think it might be more work than youd really wanna do to make a heavy bass lighter. I'd either live with it, buy a new bass, or build one. |
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| Author: | Stuart Gort [ Fri Jul 19, 2013 10:38 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Walnut Bass Body |
Just do the math. Express the 1/4" as a percentage of the total thickness and then remove that percentage from the total weight. But I wouldn't do that unless I KNEW how deep the wiring channels and pickup cavities ran. |
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| Author: | theguitarwhisperer [ Sat Jul 20, 2013 1:35 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Walnut Bass Body |
1/4 inch isn't really much. |
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| Author: | Chameleon [ Sat Jul 20, 2013 11:31 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Walnut Bass Body |
Walnut works great for a smaller body bass. Unfortunately the most popular bass shapes (jazz and p) are big enough to serve as a small coffee table. You could sell it, some guys drool over heavy basses. |
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| Author: | Chad Thorne [ Sat Jul 20, 2013 3:24 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Walnut Bass Body |
Thanks, all. I just love the tone of this bass. I guess I'll keep it as is, pick up another body some place, and try it out. Worst case scenario, I go back to the walnut body. |
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| Author: | Doug Balzer [ Sat Jul 20, 2013 3:53 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Walnut Bass Body |
Good bass tone comes heavy. Period. |
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| Author: | Chameleon [ Sun Jul 21, 2013 12:25 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Walnut Bass Body |
Doug Balzer wrote: Good bass tone comes heavy. Period. See, that's what I mean. Now I'm reinspired. I've got a fretless five in my head that I intend for my own collection. I have a chunk of cocobolo that's thick and long enough for a one piece bass neck. I was thinking however, of using cocobolo for the neck with a katalox fretboard, which I also have cut and ready, and fill the fret slots with cocobolo veneer. I have a giant chunk of cherry I could use for the body, with some cutting and planing, and a sweet maple burl top. |
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| Author: | James T [ Sun Jul 21, 2013 8:28 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Walnut Bass Body |
I recently finished an all walnut guitar and I chambered it with good success. Total weight is only 6.5lbs |
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| Author: | Doug Balzer [ Sun Jul 21, 2013 9:38 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Walnut Bass Body |
James T wrote: I recently finished an all walnut guitar and I chambered it with good success. Total weight is only 6.5lbs My 4 string Warwick electric is 8lbs 4 oz. Solution: a wider strap with padding. But the tone and sustain is oh so good! |
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| Author: | Rodger Knox [ Mon Jul 22, 2013 4:04 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Walnut Bass Body |
There's huge chambers in this monster maple neckthru, and it still goes over 12 lb. Attachment: IMGP3561.JPG
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| Author: | dzsmith [ Mon Jul 22, 2013 5:47 pm ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Walnut Bass Body |
Dang Rodger! Sweet! I hope I can build like that when I grow up! Dan |
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| Author: | Rodger Knox [ Tue Jul 23, 2013 11:00 am ] |
| Post subject: | Re: Walnut Bass Body |
Thanks, Dan. Is the Rock still there in Brushy Creek? It came out pretty nice, but I'll never build another like it! As a neckthru, it was big, heavy, and hard to work on from the initial glueup to final finishing. |
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