Any tips to get a black korina body under 3.5 lbs?

[WrongPickguard]

I'm thinking of a black korina body whenever they get more back in unique choice. Anyone ever get one to come under 3.5lbs?
Current ideas:
1. Chambered Velocity (maybe the smallest, ordinary-sized chambered body)
2. Hollow Carved Telecaster (maybe hollow would be lighter?)
3. 7/8 Chambered Telecaster (maybe the smallest body overall?)

Anyway, if anyone has had any success or any ideas, I'd love to hear them.

 

[Rick]

I found the best way is to stake out the show case and monitor it for a couple months. I snagged an alder jazzmaster body that was less 3.5 pounds. Second would be to get the smallest body you can and pay for the extra light piece and have it chambered. If you're going for lightness why not start with a lighter wood? Eventually you have to go one way or another which usually is weight, looks or price.

 

[Tretgeraet]

I'm thinking of a black korina body whenever they get more back in unique choice. Anyone ever get one to come under 3.5lbs?
Current ideas:
1. Chambered Velocity (maybe the smallest, ordinary-sized chambered body)
2. Hollow Carved Telecaster (maybe hollow would be lighter?)
3. 7/8 Chambered Telecaster (maybe the smallest body overall?)

Anyway, if anyone has had any success or any ideas, I'd love to hear them.

You're saying unique choice there, but that would only mean the lam top, so what is it you're after?

Do you want light body, with a (unique choice) black korina top?

Or do you want a black korina body (also with a UC top) that's as light as possible?

And what do you have in mind for a finish? And do you mean "under 3.5lbs" before or after that finish?

Like @Rick said, you can always ask and pay for "extra light" but even that doesn't give you any guarantees. But considering the broad range black korina bodies in the showcase seem to have, it might be your best option.

Or of course, buying one from the showcase!

Also keep in mind, that lighter bodies might make certain guitar shapes more prone to head heaviness!

 

[WrongPickguard]

You're saying unique choice there, but that would only mean the lam top, so what is it you're after?

Do you want light body, with a (unique choice) black korina top?

Or do you want a black korina body (also with a UC top) that's as light as possible?

And what do you have in mind for a finish? And do you mean "under 3.5lbs" before or after that finish?

Like @Rick said, you can always ask and pay for "extra light" but even that doesn't give you any guarantees. But considering the broad range black korina bodies in the showcase seem to have, it might be your best option.

Or of course, buying one from the showcase!

Also keep in mind, that lighter bodies might make certain guitar shapes more prone to head heaviness!

The goal is to have it 100% black korina. I just don't want to risk it looking awful, so I'm waiting for a nice black korina lam top. The finish is just going to be clear satin, so under 3.5 after the finish is what I'm looking for.

I got a chambered roasted swamp ash body with the off-menu extra light option, and it managed to be under 3.5lbs after the blue satin finish, despite being a jazzmaster body. So I'm hoping to replicate that magic with this build somehow.

I'll definitely keep the top-heavy issue in mind. Probably will go for roasted maple just to be safe. Thanks.

 

[WrongPickguard]

I found the best way is to stake out the show case and monitor it for a couple months. I snagged an alder jazzmaster body that was less 3.5 pounds. Second would be to get the smallest body you can and pay for the extra light piece and have it chambered. If you're going for lightness why not start with a lighter wood? Eventually you have to go one way or another which usually is weight, looks or price.

Yeah, I'll probably keep looking at the showcase for now. I could definitely start with a lighter wood like you suggested, then put a black korina lam top on it for looks. Just need to find a wood that matches aesthetically. Thanks.

 

[Tretgeraet]

I'll definitely keep the top-heavy issue in mind. Probably will go for roasted maple just to be safe. Thanks.

I was thinking more along the lines of not choosing a fatback profile, with the biggest possible headstock and heavy duty locking machines with extra large buttons

And also the shape of the body plays a big part in the balance of a guitar: A light Telecaster body for example will be more prone to being neck heavy, than a Stratocaster body of the same weight, due to the position of the strap buttons.

I wish you good luck in achieving your goals, as luck is definately a factor when working with wood.