To chamber or not to chamber...

[PumpinIron]

I'm building a new Warmoth Stratocaster body, and I'm torn on whether I want chambering or not. I've never owned a chambered guitar. The type of stuff I play is almost exclusively blues and blues rock. SRV, KWS, B.B. King, Fleetwood Mack (notably the Peter Green and Danny Kirwan era), etc.

I'm thinking it will be something like this:

- Mahogany body
- Flame maple top
- 25.5" scale neck (probably mahogany wood with a pau ferro or ebony fretboard)
- Top rout
- 2 Tek bridge
- Single coil pickups (neck, middle, and bridge)

I don't know what the chambering will do to the sound, I'm just looking for opinion of others who have chambered and non-chambered Warmoth builds, and what your opinions are on both construction types.

Thanks in advance!

 

[BigSteve22]

I have 2 chambered Warmoths, a Strat and a Jazzy. Both have plenty of sustain, and if it wasn't for the weight reduction, I don't think I could tell one way or the other. I'm thinking that would be especially true with a 2 Tek bridge.

 

[Cagey]

I have or have had both chambered and solid versions of a few different bodies and couldn't hear a difference, either. Not to discourage the chambered body - the weight loss is welcome. Especially if you're thinking you want some Mahogany. Stuff can be heavy.

 

[musicispeace]

I have a chambered strat body and others that are solid and play similar material to you. I can't detect any  sound characteristics that leap out at me between the chambered and solid bodies in that regard and I have very similar pickups in all my guitars. If you want to try a chambered body I see no reason not to but it won't make your strat 335 ish sounding.

 

[ptirman]

I have a chambered and non strat. I think the chambered one is a tiny bit brighter and has more sustain. It is my main guitar because of back issues. It's completely worth it to me and I like the sound of it.

Why not try a chambered?