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I seem to have been bitten by the quot;buildingquot; bug (again) and I'm finding myself wanting to build (yet another) guitar. I'm wanting a body that's fairly heavy, kind of like the Strats from the 70's yet hardtail. I've looked at all of the usual sites (Stew Mac, WD, etc), but noone seems to be manufacturing bodies like this. I'd even consider Lucite, but noone seems to be making those, either. Does anyone have any ideas?

How about an aluminum Strat body?


Originally Posted by big_blackHow about an aluminum Strat body?

I hadn't considered those, to be honest. I played an aluminum Strat about 10 years ago and it didn't quot;feelquot; right. Does that make sense? It just sorta felt....cold, I guess. Wood's warm, organic. No better way to describe it. However, I don't own an aluminum Strat, and I'll try anything once, twice if it feels good. Know where I might find one?

I'm having a Tele body built by Sprucehill Guitars . There is kind of a cheesey little site there. I should have it in about a month. I guess they used to make the Fender bodies for the Harley Strat and Teles. I can't speak to the quality, but I can let you know when I get mine. They run about $385- not bad for a body you don't have to finish and will last litterally forever. He can do trem bodies and hardtails. I'm getting a Strat-style hardtail bridge on a Tele body. It's kind of a custom setup, so it's been taking longer.

if you were to call Tommy at USA Customs or maybe even warmoth I bet they would pull you a heavy body...


Originally Posted by big_blackI'm having a Tele body built by Sprucehill Guitars . There is kind of a cheesey little site there. I should have it in about a month. I guess they used to make the Fender bodies for the Harley Strat and Teles. I can't speak to the quality, but I can let you know when I get mine. They run about $385- not bad for a body you don't have to finish and will last litterally forever. He can do trem bodies and hardtails. I'm getting a Strat-style hardtail bridge on a Tele body. It's kind of a custom setup, so it's been taking longer.Originally Posted by the guy who invented fireif you were to call Tommy at USA Customs or maybe even warmoth I bet they would pull you a heavy body...

Interesting suggestions. Thank you!

I'm in the process of building a mahogany body strat

You can't go wrong with Warmoth. They'll build you damn near anything ya want!

I have a peice of Purpleheart that weighs alot!!!!! Its all one peice body that makes mahogany look light. I am fully capable of pulling off such a build.


Originally Posted by theodieI have a peice of Purpleheart that weighs alot!!!!! Its all one peice body that makes mahogany look light. I am fully capable of pulling off such a build.Thats a great idea! Get an odie body! If you don't know dave (theodie) does great work and could easily do the body you want, and if you use purpleheart it will be pretty damn heavy!


Originally Posted by theodieI have a peice of Purpleheart that weighs alot!!!!! Its all one peice body that makes mahogany look light. I am fully capable of pulling off such a build.

Oh man! I work at a highschool and in the woodshop they have a huge stack of purpleheart.... Some old guy who did woodworking in the area passed away and his kids shipped all this purpleheart over to donate to the school about 15 years ago... It must be $7000 in wood... They never let the kids use it and since i try and make guitars at home they said i can take small piece if i wanted.... I would like to try and make a neck out of that stuff... It's heavy as steel almost! I bet it is hard to cut and rout...

WhoFan


Originally Posted by the guy who invented fireThats a great idea! Get an odie body! If you don't know dave (theodie) does great work and could easily do the body you want, and if you use purpleheart it will be pretty damn heavy!

A buddy of mine has a P-bass body he made from Purpleheart wood. He
did a nice job. It looks real sharp. He never put it together ...Why?
IT'S WAAAAAY TO HEAVY!! Makes a nice conversation piece tho.
Try Northern Ash... Your back will thank you.


Originally Posted by kmcguitarsA buddy of mine has a P-bass body he made from Purpleheart wood. He
did a nice job. It looks real sharp. He never put it together ...Why?
IT'S WAAAAAY TO HEAVY!! Makes a nice conversation piece tho.
Try Northern Ash... Your back will thank you.

I don't blame him.... I had to re-stack a few boards of purple heart and that stuff is a back breaker..... I moved 2 boards that were 1 1/2 thick, 14 inch wide and 12 feet long...... you almost need a forklift!

WhoFan

I never even thought about purple heart, but it's an interesting thought. I've got a LP Custom that tops 12 pounds, can't be much worse than that. Anyway, I'm a big guy, and I like a guitar that stays in one place. All good suggestions, thanks, guys!

Hellion if you want dense wood try Australian Jarrah, denser than Elm/ Oak and Rock Maple. Only problem is that your Roadie and Guitar Tech WILL need a forklift to move it, should sustain for days. It is sometimes used by Aussie luthiers for acoustic bridges and the odd fretboard, the only thing in Australia that is denser is Cooktown Ironwood, the name really says it all!

I wanna see a body made out of Bois D'Ark. My dad had a crapload of that stuff, and if you try and go agaisnt the grain with it, it will eat away whatever soft metal bit you're using. Huge ass thorns on the tree too.


Originally Posted by XeromusI'm in the process of building a mahogany body strat

when you've done, put a thread up on what it's like, I'd be quite interested to hear about it