Does adding a top increase body thickness?

[Last Triumph]

Would a body with a select top by a thicker guitar than one without a top, or do they compensate for the top by planing down the thickness of the main body if a top is being added?

 

[Cagey]

They compensate. That is, a body with a top is the same thickness as one without.

 

[line6man]

Isn't it common sense that if a laminate top is made thicker, the core has to be made thinner for the body thickness to remain as specified? :tard:

 

[Last Triumph]

Isn't it common sense that if a laminate top is made thicker, the core has to be made thinner for the body thickness to remain as specified? :tard:

I've never bought a custom body before and as the website only says 'body thickness' at the start of the build sequence before the laminate top part is reached without mentioning the specifics of whether this is with or without a top, no I don't think it is common sense to assume. I've always thought it prudent to ask and never assume.

 

[line6man]

Isn't it common sense that if a laminate top is made thicker, the core has to be made thinner for the body thickness to remain as specified? :tard:

I've never bought a custom body before and as the website only says 'body thickness' at the start of the build sequence before the laminate top part is reached without mentioning the specifics of whether this is with or without a top, no I don't think it is common sense to assume. I've always thought it prudent to ask and never assume.

While it is not normally a good practice to make assumptions, it is generally safe to assume that a manufacturer will make their product to the specifications they list for the product.

 

[Cagey]

Rather than assume or believe the docs/claims, I measured. I have both types of body here. They both measure roughly the same thickness, at 1.78" and 1.81", which may be measuring error on my part. But, that's 1 3/4", which is what a Strat should be.

 

[Last Triumph]

Good stuff, thanks.

 

[Corey P.]

With the carved Teles, W does mention:

Most carved top bodies require a laminate top but as with the Alder body above, we can use a standard sized body blank to carve the body from. Not only is this a great design option, but it is also more economical to produce and available at a lower price point than most carved top bodies.

That'd lead me to assume believe observe? that the carved top teles have slightly less mass to them than standard Tele bodies.

 

[bagman67]

With the carved Teles, W does mention:

Most carved top bodies require a laminate top but as with the Alder body above, we can use a standard sized body blank to carve the body from. Not only is this a great design option, but it is also more economical to produce and available at a lower price point than most carved top bodies.

That'd lead me to assume believe observe? that the carved top teles have slightly less mass to them than standard Tele bodies.

That'd seem to be the case.  Obviously how much less mass is a matter of averages over many bodies, but you shave the edges down, and yeah, there's less wood there.  Whether that's enough to make a difference in how the guitar sounds is a whole 'nother story - on a solid-body electric, the body probably has less to do with the tone than any other factor (in my not-well-researched-but-reasonably-educated guess).  In any case, I am very happy with the weight and balance of my carved tele - your mileage may vary.


peace


bagman