Building a 12-string--possible neck dive issues?

[Hanover Fiste]

I'm wanting to build a 12-string, using a chambered Jazzmaster body with a maple core and a padauk top.

The neck will be either maple or padauk, with a canary fretboard. It will be the one with the straight headstock.

Since the body will be chambered, and the neck having twice as many tuners, should I be concerned about neck dive? Should I go with a solid Jazzmaster body instead? I was thinking about that, but I don't want the body to be too heavy. Anything around 4 pounds would be OK.

I have attached a picture of the body and neck to be made.

 

[mrpinter]

Generally speaking, to avoid neck dive you want the upper horn (where the strap button is) to be over the 12th fret or longer. This body doesn't look like that will be the case, so you can probably expect the headstock to want to head towards the floor. If you want to stick with that body I'd for sure get the solid version - if available. And you'd still probably have some neck dive, just not as pronounced.

 

[Hanover Fiste]

Thanx for the quick reply. However, I would think body weight would be part of the equation as well. The upper strap button on Les Pauls are at the 16th fret, yet they don't suffer from neck dive; at least none of the dozen or so I've had did. Gibson Explorers and similar guitars have their upper strap button almost at the last fret, yet they don't have any diving issues that I know of (my 2 Explorers didn't).

From my research, the Jazzmaster body is larger and heavier than a Strat body; thus the reason I prefer the Jazz body for this build.

 

[supertruper1988]

I have a chambered jazzmaster in basswood with a maple top. It has heavy locking tuners and Floyd nut on a larger headstock. No neck dive here. I would worry about it.

 

[NovasScootYa]

It does not appear to be a tank, check solid body weight difference - may not be that great and saves money. How secure the strap is attached is a concern...let the ordering begin.