Scratch build advice/opinions needed

[CrackedPepper]

I have this really cool piece of 3/8 inch spalted alder that I plan to mate to a 2 inch alder body in an Explorer body shape. I am going to route channels into the body in an effort to lighten it up. I like the idea of doing this the way Warmoth shows here: http://www.warmoth.com/images/Guitar/Bodies/ChamberedTele/ChamberedTeleBuilderImage.jpg.

I want to minimize the amount of planing that I do the spalted top so I plan to plane off the back of the body of much as possible. In the end, I would like the body to be 1.75 inches thick. So here are my questions:

- How thick should the body be planed to in order accommodate sanding?
- How deep can I safely cut channels into the body without negatively impacting integrity?
- What do you think a good channel width would be?
- What do you think would be a good distance between channels?

Thanks in advance for your thoughts.

 

[greywolf]

I generally leave a 1" exterior border and 1/2"  of back depth .

 

[CrackedPepper]

Thanks greywolf - how much wood do you leave for final sanding?

 

[bbl4ck]

I'm tagging this so I can watch your progress.  I have looked for a long time for a nice piece of spalt large enough for an explorer with out luck.  You have a nice piece you are working and I can't wait to see it finished. Keep the pics a rollin'.
Good luck &  :rock-on:

 

[CrackedPepper]

Okay B-dog, will do!  But in the spirit of full disclosure, it going to be an Explorer Pro sized body for the very reason you stated: size.  Pros are a little smaller.

The actual build will likely be documented in the Work In Progress area