ash?

So I have had this piece of ash lying around for a while, and recently found this forum which have given me new hope for its future! Just taking input, at this point I am in the stage of planning and scheming as what I want to do. Being my first build I am thinking it is pry best to keep it fairly simple, but I have plenty of scrap would to practice cuts on before attempting the real thing.

My only real concern at this point is weight. Should I cut and glue the blank and weigh that to figure how I will come out in the end?



Oh and almost forgot the dimensions! 7" X 4' X 1 7/8"

Assuming you're going to cut it in half and glue it up so you finish up with a blank of about 2'x14"x1 7/8" and then cut out your body, you could expect to loose about 30% of the weight depending on the body shape you use and how thick you end up having it. Have you weighed the piece of wood as it is now? That would give you a starting point as you'll basicaly use all of it in the blank anyway.