The Last Bass Outpost

Gear Discussion Forums => Bill's Shop: Projects, Mods & Repairs => Topic started by: Nocturnal on September 09, 2008, 12:58:39 PM

Title: T-Bird body thickness
Post by: Nocturnal on September 09, 2008, 12:58:39 PM

How thick do you make your T-bird bodies? I think 1&3/4" is too damn thick, but would 1&1/2" be too thin? It would be for a bolt on neck, not a set neck if that makes a difference.

Thanks,

Andy

Title: Re: T-Bird body thickness
Post by: drbassman on September 09, 2008, 01:25:35 PM

I believe mine are about 1.25".  I'll check for you at home.

Title: Re: T-Bird body thickness
Post by: ramone57 on September 09, 2008, 03:37:17 PM

1.25" is really thin!   my Ripper is 1.35" and I always thought they were thin bodied basses.

Title: Re: T-Bird body thickness
Post by: drbassman on September 09, 2008, 05:08:24 PM

The inside width of the wings on my TB, next to the center piece is 1.25".  The wings at the edge of the lower and upper bouts is 1 1/16".  So, the wings are tapered from the inside out.  The center piece adds another layer and measures 1 7/16".  Does that help?

Title: Re: T-Bird body thickness
Post by: Nocturnal on September 09, 2008, 07:29:47 PM

Yes it does. Thank you very much!!

Title: Re: T-Bird body thickness
Post by: godofthunder on September 10, 2008, 03:54:55 AM

 For my bolt on NR project I think I went 1 3/8 (http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v102/godofthunder59/001.jpg)

Title: Re: T-Bird body thickness
Post by: godofthunder on September 10, 2008, 03:56:47 AM

 I very much had in mind the Grabber-G3 neck pocket.

Title: Re: T-Bird body thickness
Post by: Nocturnal on September 10, 2008, 05:58:17 AM

So 1 1/4 & 1 3/8 are safe then? I wonder just how thin a body can be before its too weak. I was hoping I could do at least 1 1/2 on mine. May go a little further than that now. Thanks for the help guys!

Title: Re: T-Bird body thickness
Post by: drbassman on September 10, 2008, 08:55:59 AM

My all maple TB is 1 1/8".  The maple is solid and heavy, so I trimmed her down during construction.  Worked out fine.

Title: Re: T-Bird body thickness
Post by: ramone57 on September 10, 2008, 07:08:23 PM

I've played a few birds but don't own one and I didn't realize just how thin they are.  I guess that's why they seem light, duh! :P

Title: Re: T-Bird body thickness
Post by: Dave W on September 10, 2008, 08:22:30 PM

Quote from: Nokturnal on September 10, 2008, 05:58:17 AM

So 1 1/4 & 1 3/8 are safe then? I wonder just how thin a body can be before its too weak. I was hoping I could do at least 1 1/2 on mine. May go a little further than that now. Thanks for the help guys!

All Rick electrics are 1 1/4" and the standard Gibson SG body is 1 5/16" so I think you'll be okay with most woods. Just be sure to allow enough depth for the electronics and cavity cover.

Title: Re: T-Bird body thickness
Post by: Nocturnal on September 10, 2008, 10:07:31 PM

Good point Dave. I think I'm going passive so I should be ok. May want to leave some room just in case I want to add some guts later.