Members Cosmic_Osmo Posted April 21, 2006 Members Share Posted April 21, 2006 Is there any reason to use 2 pieces of wood glued together when building a guitar body rather than just 1 solid piece, other than the fact that it is hard to find a single piece of wood big enough to build a body out of? I'm curious because I want to build a mahogany body, and almost all of the tutorials I've seen show people gluing 2 pieces of mahogany together side by side. I'm curious as to whether or not there is any advantage to this method, or if they were just doing it out of necessity. Also, any recommendations for the best place to buy a good quality plank of Hondurian Mahogany for body construction? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members exhaust_49 Posted April 21, 2006 Members Share Posted April 21, 2006 I'm intrested in this too. Bumped for freshness! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Wyatt Posted April 21, 2006 Members Share Posted April 21, 2006 No major reason. Usually it is because it is easier to fine quality wood in smaller peices. I don't thonk 2 or 3 bodies are a negative either, most of theos evitnage Strats and Teles from the '50's are 3-piece. Mahogany id most often used as a one-piece body or back anyway. Do a Google for guitar wood or lumber and check the luthiery sites and you'll find at least a dozen suppliers of blanks. I don't have the experience to recommend one over another. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members larryguitar Posted April 21, 2006 Members Share Posted April 21, 2006 I've built a few either way, and I'd have a hard time arguing the 'tone' question either way. Wood is generally considered to resonate along the length of the grain, anyway, so laminations lengthwise should have little effect. Larry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members LaXu Posted April 21, 2006 Members Share Posted April 21, 2006 I agree that the number of pieces (within reason of course) shouldn't matter that much. I've got good sounding guitars that have bodies ranging from 2 to 5 pieces (if you count the top). On a neck a multipiece neck (done like they do on basses - several pieces lengthwise) can be stronger and less prone to warping etc. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members thredlok Posted April 21, 2006 Members Share Posted April 21, 2006 2 pieces laminated offers advantages in price, availability, and less chance of warping. I have built with both and and prefer two piece blank. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Dr. Poo Posted April 21, 2006 Members Share Posted April 21, 2006 You can bookmatch a two piece body. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members exhaust_49 Posted April 22, 2006 Members Share Posted April 22, 2006 In a 2 piece back with a two piece top wood (les paul) does the glue affect the resonance? Also how are the two back pieces joined? I'm guessing with biscuits and glue. What kind of glue is best to use? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members larryguitar Posted April 22, 2006 Members Share Posted April 22, 2006 I don't think most makers use biscuits. There isn't really a need for them strength-wise, and there are other (arguably better) ways to align the pieces for gluing. You can glue a body blank with lots of stuff, but I prefer Titebond (not II or III, which can creep) for mine. Nice managable glue line, and plenty strong enough. Larry Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Wyatt Posted April 22, 2006 Members Share Posted April 22, 2006 Originally posted by exhaust_49 In a 2 piece back with a two piece top wood (les paul) does the glue affect the resonance?Also how are the two back pieces joined? I'm guessing with biscuits and glue. What kind of glue is best to use? Just glue, no biscuits. The blanks are cut, glues and clamped. After the glue cures, the body shape is cut. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members exhaust_49 Posted April 22, 2006 Members Share Posted April 22, 2006 I was curious because I'm about to order a guitar body from warmoth and was wondering if it was worth it to spend money on a one piece back. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members thredlok Posted April 22, 2006 Members Share Posted April 22, 2006 Originally posted by exhaust_49 I was curious because I'm about to order a guitar body from warmoth and was wondering if it was worth it to spend money on a one piece back. That's up to you, to some it's important to have a one piece I don't necessarily see the point if you are going to drop top laminate on it. It's personal preference really. The only time I will use a one-piece is if I find an exceptional piece of wood. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Kevin_FL Posted April 23, 2006 Members Share Posted April 23, 2006 Originally posted by exhaust_49 I was curious because I'm about to order a guitar body from warmoth and was wondering if it was worth it to spend money on a one piece back. If your going to use a see through finnish & dont want to see a seam, then it's woth the extra $$$. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members exhaust_49 Posted April 23, 2006 Members Share Posted April 23, 2006 I will be using a clear poly finish (no paint) so it's something to think about. By the way, to get a one piece back it's an extra $150. Im not sure I'm willing to spend that much extra for a one piece back. No one really sees the back but me. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members surfcat Posted April 23, 2006 Members Share Posted April 23, 2006 Originally posted by exhaust_49 I will be using a clear poly finish (no paint) so it's something to think about.By the way, to get a one piece back it's an extra $150. Im not sure I'm willing to spend that much extra for a one piece back. No one really sees the back but me. I don't think it's worth it-I have a Warmoth thinline tele body-two piece back and two piece top-all ash. They're well bookmatched, especially the back. Tonewise, it can't be worth that much $. On the other hand, my Suhr Classic has a one piece body and it's pretty cool-you won't find that on a Fender-at least that I've ever seen. No top to cover it up though. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members exhaust_49 Posted April 23, 2006 Members Share Posted April 23, 2006 I remember reading something about how a two piece back with a top wood is less prone to warping than a one piece back with a top wood. Can someone here explain this to me again. Thanks. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members surfcat Posted April 23, 2006 Members Share Posted April 23, 2006 Originally posted by exhaust_49 I remember reading something about how a two piece back with a top wood is less prone to warping than a one piece back with a top wood. Can someone here explain this to me again. Thanks. Is this really a problem? I've never heard of a guitar body warping. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members LaXu Posted April 23, 2006 Members Share Posted April 23, 2006 Originally posted by surfcat Is this really a problem? I've never heard of a guitar body warping. Me neither, I imagine the only ones that might suffer from it would be hollowbodies. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Members Wyatt Posted April 23, 2006 Members Share Posted April 23, 2006 Originally posted by exhaust_49 I remember reading something about how a two piece back with a top wood is less prone to warping than a one piece back with a top wood. Can someone here explain this to me again. Thanks. Not an issue. Trust me. The biggest difference is cosmetic, pure and simple. On their carved and lam topped guitars, Warmoth usually uses three piece backs, they don't look as nice as a one piece, but they aren't ugly either. CHekc out a few in the showcase and decide which you prefer. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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