Walnut Hollowbody Build

The top is cut. I left it a little oversized.

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WOW... what a great and detailed thread. I'd love to provide you with any setup you choose for this bro. We'll get together and kick around some ideas and send you some "Liquid Pickups" to test in your new baby. Black walnut tops are an option and available but other options are available also if you want the front to "POP".

Really great build... can't wait to hear how that walnut sounds.
~Mike
 
WOW... what a great and detailed thread. I'd love to provide you with any setup you choose for this bro. We'll get together and kick around some ideas and send you some "Liquid Pickups" to test in your new baby. Black walnut tops are an option and available but other options are available also if you want the front to "POP".

Really great build... can't wait to hear how that walnut sounds.
~Mike


Thanks! We need to stay in touch. I'm very excited about your pickups and I'd be honored to try em out for you.
 
Stop being such a pussy. Get out there and finish this. I don't have all day!

It's 25 degrees but here I am with a drill in my hand.
Tonight I'm on a bit of a weight reduction mission. With the rough cut top, the body was a hair over five pounds. That's too much.
I've thinned the back by 3 mm and boy did the volume go way the hell up! Loud acoustic volume wasn't really a concern, but I won't complain about it.
Trying to keep total weight below 8 pounds and with a 5 pound body, that's getting close to 8 3/4 pounds finished weight.
My tele is 7 even and I love it but I don't think that's a realistic goal with this one.
The fat neck and oversized body are heavy.
 
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Down to 4.5 pounds now. With what I have left to remove for neck joint, body contours and so forth, I oughta be below 8 total now.

Trying to decide what to do next. I think maybe its time to begin working on the neck joint. I'm running out of other things to do.
 
Are you going to cut the neck joint before you join the body halves or after?

It's looking like its gonna have to be a process. The neck joint goes past the end of the fretboard.
I don't want that left exposed, so the top will have to go on after.
But to get my neck height guesstimated correctly, I need the top in place.
So, I'm thinking I have to cut the neck and the top and do dry fits as I go, adjusting til I get it worked down where I want it.




I think.
 
More immediate concern is the bracing. The top and back are both pretty thick.
How much bracing do I need for a top that's 5/16" thick?
 
As far as the neck joint goe if you leave the tenon slightly proud of the body you could rout a slight mortise into the top to allow for it if necessary...

If I picture your plan correctly the only tension on the top will be directly under the bridge so I would think that one cross brace below it would be adequate...the neck forces are taken up by the body bracing, which is also handling the trap tailpiece forces as well...

...I think...
 
As far as the neck joint goe if you leave the tenon slightly proud of the body you could rout a slight mortise into the top to allow for it if necessary...

If I picture your plan correctly the only tension on the top will be directly under the bridge so I would think that one cross brace below it would be adequate...the neck forces are taken up by the body bracing, which is also handling the trap tailpiece forces as well...

...I think...

That's what I'm thinking....

...I think...
 
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