Is 1 1/2" too thin???

Got some nice cherry (maybe red oak), 3/4" (exact) from my parents house a couple days ago. Enough to start my first build. If I have to go the full 1.75" thickness I have to re-saw two pieces 6.5 x 18 or so by 1/4". I'd rather not have to. But if I build with just two layers of 3/4" I won't be standard thickness (obviously - :roll:). Need advice - can I get by with a 1 1/2" thick body - will any of the routing for pickups and controls weaken it by making any of the material too thin...
Let me know - have some free time tonight, and looking forward to doing some planing, jointering and cutting...
I'm not looking to build a perfect match to a tele, but also don't want the thing to buckle or warp or something else!!!
THANKS ALL!!!
- Paul

Melody Makers are 1.375" You can run into a little trouble with the dept of a Tele control route @ 1.5 or less, it will get real thin on the back side, but doable...

It's doable if you choose your switch wisely. The import style 3 ways are shorter. I was able to fit one in a 1 3/8" pine body.

1 1/2 inches will work fine using the imported box type switch. They have a shallower profile. One will fit in your body. I've used these switches in all my builds. Have had no problems with them.

I have built a couple that were 1 1/2" pine and used standard 3 way switches. The floor of the control cavity is pretty thin. Make sure you have your control plate and switch on hand when you route the depth of your control cavity to make sure it will fit. Yes you could use some other kind of switch but where's the fun in that?

Both of these are 1 1/2 thick with standard Oak switches.


This one is almost done right now... I got sidetracked on this years challenge...
http://www.tdpri.com/forum/tele-home-depot/196963-tres-recogida-especial.html

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/attachments/tele-home-depot/44361d1269238812-tres-recogida-especial-img00272a-jpg
before paint...
http://www.tdpri.com/telephoto/data/733/medium/IMG00161.jpg


From last years challenge
http://www.tdpri.com/forum/last-years-build-challenge-09/148515-completed-%24100-telecaster-challenge-palletcaster-2.html

http://www.tdpri.com/forum/attachments/last-years-build-challenge-09/22167d1237075250-completed-%24100-telecaster-challenge-palletcaster-img_1393a-jpg

Weren't the original pine Esquire/Broadcaster prototypes 1.5" thick?

You should be fine as long as you don't drill too deep. It'll be lighter as a result. :lol:

- Scott

5.8 lb 45 year old 1-1/2" thick pine. Honks great too.

My first pine guitar build.

some squier teles are 1.5" thick too.

I've never had that problem. hehe.

But liquor could only help the situation

Gibson SG is 1 3/8"

67 Melody Maker I had in my hands recently was just over 1 5/16", according to my notes.

1 1/2" is perfectly acceptable, and you can get a 3 way paddle switch to fit in a 1 3/8" deep control cavity route with little fuss. Less than 1 3/8" is where I find that there becomes a space issue for traditional paddle switches.

By the way, you can tell whether or not its cherry or red oak by the the pores in the grain.
Cherry is smooth, and red oak will have a lot of pores in the grain.

Most cherry and all oak are pretty heavy, so 1 1/2" will help keep your weight down. I would also reccomend chambering the two pieces before glueing them together.