Body Routing

[BassBiscuit]

I have an unbranded jazz 4 string that I like the look of and I like the sound of.... But...

It weighs approx 5 Kilos... FIVE....!!    The body is solid and made of Ash.

So.... I'm thinking if I have the body routed out and a pickguard fitted to cover the big hole. And therefore reduce weight.

Would that have a detrimental effect on the sound ?. Or anything else.....?

What does the collective think to the idea... good or not good.? 

Worth doing or not worth doing?

Or.. I leave as is and just carry on sitting down with it....!!!

Regards. BB.

Edited yesterday at 10:52 by BassBiscuit

[Acebassmusic]

I'm in the "electronics make more of a difference than wood selection" train of thought, so I wouldnt think chambering a body is going to make a huge change to the sound. YMMV However before starting to change the body you could get a rough idea of the weight savings you would get. Work out the volume of wood to be removed multiply it by the weight of the type of ash and it will give you an idea of whether the work will be worth it. Maybe thinning the body from the back and shaving the neck if possible as well may help 🤷‍♂️

 

On basses I've modded in the past I've found that the hardware / electronics / pickups fitted had a bigger effect on overall weight. It was a case of saving an ounce here and there as opposed to a lot of weight in one area. Also making the body much lighter may make the neck dive. I'm interested in seeing if you go ahead with the project an how you achieve the results. Good luck 👍

Edited yesterday at 15:10 by Acebassmusic

[Andyjr1515]

Provided that you don't weaken the bridge area, it is unlikely to make any perceptible difference to the sound.  And even those cases where the mods are so extreme that it does make a difference to the sound, it is just that - a difference, not a detriment.  So, unless the bass is absolutely the best sound that you've ever experienced regardless of make, cost, type...then go for it.  A bass that is too heavy is a bass that doesn't get played very often - if at all... 

 

 

[Andyjr1515]

Be aware, by the way, that the amount of material you have to remove to make any tangible difference to the weight can be surprisingly high! 

 

You might find this thread for a very heavy Harley Benton I did a few years back for @Harryburke of interest:

 

[BassBiscuit]

Thank you for your replies.... Think it's gonna be way more complicated than I thought.... 

TBH it's not worth spending any more money  on.... So gonna just leave it as is.

Regards. BB

[Andyjr1515]

3 hours ago, BassBiscuit said:

Think it's gonna be way more complicated than I thought....

It doesn't have to be.  

 

Accepting that any mod, good or bad, will reduce the resale value, then if the bass is potentially a keeper but you just want to make it more comfortable to play by taking some weight out of it - then you could do it from the back (upper horn, lower horn, either side of the neck run) without overly upsetting the balance and just leave the back with open chambers. 

 

It's a bit 'horses for courses'.

[BassBiscuit]

1 hour ago, Andyjr1515 said:

It doesn't have to be.  

 

Accepting that any mod, good or bad, will reduce the resale value, then if the bass is potentially a keeper but you just want to make it more comfortable to play by taking some weight out of it - then you could do it from the back (upper horn, lower horn, either side of the neck run) without overly upsetting the balance and just leave the back with open chambers. 

 

It's a bit 'horses for courses'.

 

The bass isn't going to be a keeper. It's a long story and has been a catalogue of disaster... But here we are and I quite its  looks and sound.... It's just a bit of a lump....

If I sold it (or tried to) I'd never get anywhere near what it's cost me so far...

I'll decide what to do with it once I have a better replacement.... 

BB